When you meet Brett Zebrowski, founder of Southern California’s powerhouse boutique brokerage Palm Realty Boutique, you instantly know he’s got stories. Not just listings, not just luxury – but the kind of “I’ve been everywhere, man” stories that make you sit back and say, Wait, you were in a Disney movie with Sinbad?
That’s right. Before Brett built one of the South Bay’s most respected luxury real estate brands, he played Secret Service Agent #2 in “First Kid,” took a spontaneous road trip from Virginia to L.A. without a map, and managed a gym in Marina Del Rey before a heart surgeon nudged him toward real estate. Turns out, that surgeon changed his life.
From Gym to Genesis: The Real Estate Awakening
Born in Cleveland and raised in Virginia, Brett did what many dream of: packed up and headed west with a full tank of ambition. After a short stint in the fitness world, one client and a life-altering encounter at a bank – where a teller casually showed him a $50K check written out to a real estate agent – sealed his fate.
“I asked, ‘Who gets a $50K check?’ She said, ‘Real estate agents.’ And that was that,” Brett laughs.
What followed was a fast-and-furious introduction to residential real estate. With no experience but a whole lot of hustle, Brett closed his first deal within a week of joining Shorewood Realtors – thanks to a legendary closer (Arnold Goldstein), a kind mentor (Beverly Janis), and a client from his gym. His first commission check? $18,000.
“I took it straight to the jewelry store next to the gym and bought a Rolex. I’m still wearing it today,” he says, flashing a proud grin.
Building the Palm Realty Boutique Brand
Brett didn’t just build a team – he built a culture. Palm Realty Boutique, based in the South Bay of Los Angeles with offices stretching from Playa Del Rey to Beverly Hills, grew into a locally loved, fiercely independent firm known for white-glove service and deep community ties. Along the way, Brett launched PIER Escrow and formed the Zebrowski Group brand within the brokerage.
As of 2024, Palm Realty Boutique has:
- 90 agents
- 4 staff members
- $750 million in sales volume on 370 units
- 6 brick-and-mortar locations
- A reputation for serving luxury and ultra-luxury buyers, including celebrities whose faces you probably saw on TV last night.
Why eXp? “We Wanted to Add a Ferrari Engine”
“We were always approached by big national brands,” Brett says. “But I didn’t want to lose what made us special. eXp lets us keep our identity, our brand, our vibe – and then they hand us a Ferrari engine.”
By joining eXp, Brett and his agents keep doing what they do best – local, high-touch, boutique luxury – while gaining the power, technology, and global reach of the #1 real estate brokerage in the world by volume.
“Everything we do well, we get to keep doing well. But now we have the tools, the backend support, the tech. It’s a marriage that works.”
What impressed him most was the people – the real, human support behind the virtual platform. “Every person I talked to at eXp gave me time, gave me answers. (CEO) Leo Pareja, (Growth VP) Tony King – everyone was generous and helpful. That made a huge difference.”
He’s also looking ahead. “You want to align with a company that is profitable, stable and has a proven track record. We are in a constantly changing environment. I didn’t want to go the route of Blockbuster Video. You have to adapt and modify. Like Darwin said: It’s the one who has the ability to adapt.”
Next Stop: eXp Luxury
Naturally, Palm Realty Boutique is joining eXp Luxury. With its deep roots in celebrity and high-end real estate, the move is a seamless fit. (Read the Press Release Here)
“We’re luxury. That’s what we do. Uber luxury, too. Our agents are already working with the biggest homes and best clients in SoCal.”
The Culture Still Comes First
Whether it’s softball games, holiday parties, philanthropy, or Monday meetings, Brett’s proudest achievement is his team’s culture of collaboration and community. And that’s not going anywhere.
“This move isn’t a goodbye to who we are,” he says. “It’s a hello to what we can become.”
