Key highlights:
- 32 agents, two full-time staff
- $145 million in sales on 265 units in 2023
- Official Real Estate Partner of the University of Central Florida Athletics
With an established team racking up $145 million in sales in 2023, independent broker Justin Core did not need to make any decision that did not completely benefit Core Group Real Estate, the firm he founded in 2015. Alongside his mother, Cheryl Core, Justin was running a high-revenue team in one of America’s most desirable locations – Orlando, Florida.
Their move to eXp in January 2024 tells a familiar story about the in-depth analysis most successful independent brokers undertake before realizing that NOT moving to eXp would hold back growth and prosperity.
“The decision to move to eXp Realty was not made overnight. We spent a considerable amount of time — four months, in fact — weighing our options and carefully considering the potential impact on our business and our team,’’ Justin said, adding:
“Change is hard, especially when leading a large group of people who have trusted you for so long to lead them well. Throughout this period, we engaged in thorough discussions internally and sought advice from industry peers.”
Justin Core Could See a Bigger Future at eXp and Moved His 32 Agents
With a team of 32 agents and two full-time support staffers, Justin said he had to be sure that the transition to eXp would make for a smarter business model and platform. Running an independent brokerage is pricey and time-consuming. Justin wanted to alleviate those burdens so that he could grow and service more clients.
> Read why independent brokerages are flocking to eXp
“The transition to eXp Realty was all about allowing me to dedicate more resources, attention and support to our agents. This strategic move was further justified by eXp’s competitive compensation structure and comprehensive suite of tools and putting a format in place where our agents can achieve higher levels of success and wealth creation,’’ he said.
Core Group Real Estate Team Is Deeply Plugged Into Central Florida
Core Group Real Estate is the Official Real Estate Partner of UCF Athletics and can often be found on the sidelines supporting the hometown team.
Justin is a Central Florida stalwart with a high level of sophistication in all aspects of real estate. He’s a graduate of Florida State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Real Estate and Finance. He concentrated in real estate investments and acquisitions and secured a Master of Science in International Real Estate (MSIRE) from Florida International University (FIU).
He and his wife, Megan – an emergency medicine physician – reside in Orlando with their three children keeping them busy in every spare moment. Justin is a coach in the Delaney Park Little League and Megan is involved in PTSA, the Physician Society of Central Florida, and sits on the Orlando Historic Board.
Cheryl, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in marketing from the University of Alabama, moved to Florida in 1991 with her husband and Justin’s father, Randy, who is retired from a career with Lockheed Martin. Cheryl has received Orlando Magazine’s 5-star Best in Client Satisfaction as well as Orlando Magazine’s Hot 100. Cheryl has been selling real estate since 2007 and has grown her business and network but also enjoys training and growing new agents. After her husband’s retirement she began to think through her next chapter and realized the independent brokerage model did not have a good pathway to retirement. At eXp she not only saved $12,000 a year on her health insurance but also could invest in stock along with the potential for revenue share which gave her a clear path toward retirement.
Family Affair: Justin and His Mother Grew the Core Group Team Together
Together, the Core family built a brokerage that proudly bears their name. Now comes the next chapter with their
October 2024
move to eXp.
“I joined eXp Realty during a pivotal growth phase of our business, driven by the need for a platform that could enhance our expansion, enrich our team’s value, and ensure their future success.
“The decision to join eXp Realty was underpinned by its innovative model that diverges from traditional brokerage frameworks. It offers us significant opportunities for long-term growth for our entire team,’’ Justin said.
In other words: For the best independent brokers out there, the eXp model is the only way they’d make the switch.
Learn More About the Core Real Estate Group:
- 32 agents, two full-time staff
- $145 million in sales on 265 units in 2023
- Covering residential, investments, and land
- Official Real Estate Partner of the University of Central Florida Athletics
Brokerage history:
- eXp Realty (October 2024-current)
- Core Group Real Estate (September 2015-October 2024)
- Coldwell Banker (2009-2015)
