We’ve Moved! Why The Mashburn Zell Group Joined Real Brokerage in 2025
When a new year begins, it’s natural to reflect on where you’ve been—and where you want to go.
For our team, 2024 was a year of momentum and growth, but also a year of internal conversations. Conversations about how to continue evolving in a changing industry, how to serve our clients even better, and how to stay ahead without losing what makes us us.
So in January 2025, we made a decision that had been on our hearts for some time:
We moved our team to Real Brokerage Technologies.
💡 Why We Left a Place We Loved
This wasn’t an easy decision. Blake spent the majority of his career with Troop Real Estate—then watched as it evolved into Century 21 Everest, and finally into Century 21 Real Estate Alliance. Brian joined Century 21 in 2018, and for Samantha, it was the first brokerage she ever called home.
We built something special there. The kind of foundation that fosters deep loyalty and trust—not only between agents, but with leadership and staff. It’s also where the three of us came together as a team, thanks to a thoughtful introduction from a leader who believed in collaboration over competition. Without that connection, there would be no Mashburn Zell Group.
We stumbled across this old clip from our first days working together—proof that some of the best chapters start with nothing more than a laptop a shared vision.
While the decision to transition brokerages was ultimately made by Brian and Samantha, it was grounded in trust, collaboration, and open conversations across the team. After decades of navigating the real estate industry’s ebbs and evolutions, Blake brought the steady, big-picture wisdom we’ve always relied on. His thoughtful perspective—and immediate connection to Real’s values—helped confirm that this shift aligned with everything we’ve stood for. As always, Blake’s support grounded our decision in experience, clarity, and care.
So yes, we were loyal. But we were also watching. And what we saw made it clear:
The industry was changing—and we needed to move with it.
🚀 Why Real Brokerage Felt Like the Future
When we first learned about ΓEA⅃ it wasn’t through a flashy pitch or some aggressive recruiting email. Brian had actually been quietly researching brokerage models for months—looking at what was out there, what was working, and what wasn’t. He kept circling back to ΓEA⅃.
Eventually, he asked Sam to watch a video. It took a few tries (and a little convincing), but finally she sat down to watch. Not even 30 seconds in, something clicked…
“I saw Sharran Srivatsaa on screen and immediately recognized him. I’d been following his strategies for years—his marketing mindset had shaped so much of how I work. I literally paused the video, looked at Brian, and said…‘I’m in. What do we have to do?‘”
The more we learned, the more it aligned with the direction we wanted to grow:
A cloud-based model that simplifies backend systems and enhances the client experience
National collaboration with like-minded agents
Tools that are fast, modern, and customizable
Leadership that supports autonomy, innovation, and agent ownership
And above all, a culture that felt strikingly familiar:
Work Hard. Be Kind.
We didn’t want to reinvent who we were. We just wanted a platform that supported who we’ve always been—and who we’re continuing to become.
🤝 What Hasn’t Changed
Our move to Real Brokerage gives us new tools, but it hasn’t changed our core. You’ll get the same communication and care you know us for.
The faces haven’t changed—just the platform behind us. Blake, Brian, and Samantha—The Mashburn Zell Group.
And we’re still working with the incredible professionals you’ve come to know:
Simone, our transaction coordinator, who keeps every deal on track with precision and care
Our preferred lending partners, who share our commitment to integrity and transparency
The only difference? We now have the freedom and systems in place to do what we do best—at a higher level.
💬 What This Means for You
This change wasn’t just for us. It was for you.
Because you deserve agents who are backed by smart systems, supported by real collaboration, and empowered to put their full energy into you—not outdated processes.
If you’ve worked with us in the past and had a great experience, we’d love your continued support—whether that’s a referral, a review, or just sharing this post with someone you think we can help. Let’s keep building something great together. And if you’re a curious agent? You know where to find us. 🌮
Mashburn Zell Group | Real 