Latest Affiliation in the Washington, D.C. Region Adds Three Offices to the ERA Real Estate DMV-Based Network
MADISON, N.J., (Feb. 18, 2026) — ERA Real Estate, a global franchising leader, today announced its latest affiliation of Argent Realty, LLC, a full-service brokerage headquartered in Beltsville, MD, serving Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia, also known as the DMV. The move marks a strategic expansion for the ERA® brand within the region and positions Argent for accelerated growth across one of the country’s most competitive housing markets.
Argent Realty was founded in 2020 by CEO/Owner Matt Escobar, an entrepreneur who transitioned from a successful retail operations career into real estate with a vision of building a relationship-driven brokerage model. Under his leadership, the firm experienced rapid early growth, expanding to nearly 60 affiliated agents within its first few years. His brokerage model coaches and develops agents who are knowledgeable in all aspects of the real estate transaction, providing them with a distinct advantage in the marketplace and allowing them to assist clients from consultation to closing.
Escobar was recognized in 2024 by the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2025, the firm earned the Best of Business Rate Award based on client satisfaction metrics.
Joining Escobar in leadership is Neil Madan, the firm’s managing partner and COO. With decades of experience in executive marketing and consulting roles, Madan directs the company’s operations. Gabriela Kountouras, EVP of Training and Revenue Development, and Dustin Prieto, EVP of Sales Performance and Development, round out the firm’s leadership team.
Today, Escobar’s firm, now doing business as Argent ERA, focuses on serving residents throughout the entire DMV with a full range of real estate services, with a commitment to expanding access to homeownership across a broad cross-section of communities throughout the region. Escobar takes great pride in ensuring equal access and opportunity for all clients pursuing their real estate aspirations. Together, he and his agents are able to provide multilingual support in residential and commercial real estate, as well as new construction and land transactions.
As part of the ERA® network, Escobar and his affiliated agents will now be equipped with powerful business-building tools and innovative marketing designed to connect buyers and sellers more effectively, helping to drive production. With these tools, Escobar hopes to implement intentional, people-focused growth strategies, fueled by highly personalized recruiting efforts and strategic merger and acquisition planning throughout the DMV. Another core aspect of the firm’s identity is its emphasis on education, for both agents and clients. Beyond initial onboarding, agent professional development is ongoing, which makes the brand’s abundance of educational resources even more valuable.
Located in Beltsville, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C., and in the heart of the DMV, Argent ERA is at the crossroads of several desirable neighborhoods. The area’s economy is fueled by a blend of government, technology, federal institutions, life sciences, and colleges and universities. This creates consistent demand in the DMV’s housing market, while families who seek stability can also find the exact neighborhood that fits their needs and offers room to grow.
Details:
- The brokerage’s recruiting efforts will be enhanced by the ERA® brand’s highly engaged global referral network and state-of-the-art technology suite, including the MoxiWorks® platform, which supports the delivery of a seamless, fast, connected client experience that can help drive business and boost productivity.
- Team ERA University can help support organic growth through increased productivity as affiliated agents access the extensive professional development resources in the brand’s learning platform.
- Affiliated agents can also benefit from the ERA® brand’s consumer-focused marketing programs such as TextERA, an effective lead generation tool that transforms yard signs into interactive property marketing, and the buyer and seller follow-up programs that help affiliated agents keep in touch with clients after the transaction, which can help lead to referrals and repeat business.
- A new ERA relationship with the software company Canva will provide affiliated agents with Canva Enterprise accounts at no additional cost.
- Argent ERA is locally known for its charitable contributions. The firm is active in autism awareness and support initiatives, breast cancer support organizations, and back-to-school donation drives, where the firm works directly with local schools, churches, and community centers. Members of Argent ERA also host homeownership literacy programs at these same venues to help further expand access to homeownership in the community.
- According to realtor.com®, the median home list price in Beltsville is $447,000.
Quotes:
“Matt, Neil, and their affiliated agents embody many of the core values of the ERA brand, especially their commitment to education and continuous professional development. Matt has taken a very hands-on approach to leadership, personally coaching his agents and making himself available whenever they need support. As someone who leads in a similar way, I understand the focus that level of dedication requires. Being able to support Matt and Neil, while also helping to elevate their business and better serve their clients, is truly a privilege. We’re thrilled to welcome Argent ERA aboard.”
– Alex Vidal, President of ERA Real Estate
“Our decision to affiliate with ERA Real Estate ultimately came down to its people and its culture. Although the brand offers an impressive technology stack and brand cachet, we were eventually swayed by Alex Vidal himself. The connection I was able to create with him in our short time together proved to me that this wasn’t a business alignment – it’s a cultural one. Our business philosophy has always been rooted in a disciplined, execution-driven framework anchored by the ideas of education, support, and knowledge. I noticed those same tenets in my conversations with Alex, who’s the ultimate coach and a massive advocate for continuous improvement as well. For those reasons, we knew that this affiliation would help elevate agents, our clients, and our future together.”
– Matt Escobar, CEO/Owner, Argent ERA
“At the end of the day, the greatest value an agent can gain is a platform that supports business growth and expands market reach. ERA is nationally recognized, and here in the DMV, we have a clear opportunity to grow its presence and establish a true flagship company in the region. As ERA continues to leverage the strength of its expanded network, we’re confident this affiliation marks the beginning of the next era for Argent.”
– Neil Madan, COO/Managing Partner, Argent ERA
About ERA Real Estate
ERA Real Estate knows that real estate is as local as it gets. We believe that our core business values of collaboration, innovation, diversity and growth are needed more than ever. As a global leader in the residential real estate industry for over 50 years, ERA features a powerful network of like-minded entrepreneurs supported by the brand’s game-changing technology, products and powerful lead generation.
The ERA network includes more than 39,000 affiliated brokers and independent sales associates and over 2,200 offices throughout the United States and 37 other countries and territories.
ERA Franchise Systems LLC (www.ERA.com) which operates the ERA Real Estate system, is a subsidiary of Compass, Inc., d/b/a Compass International Holdings (NYSE: COMP), a global provider of real estate services. ERA Real Estate information is available at www.ERA.com.
© 2026 ERA Franchise Systems LLC. All rights reserved. ERA® and the ERA Logo are registered service marks owned by ERA Franchise Systems LLC. ERA Franchise Systems LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.
Media Contact:
Randi Rispoli
ERA Real Estate
973-407-5241
