Partner Real Estate closed out 2025 with both celebration and strategic clarity at its annual Partner Real Estate Gala, held December 11. The event marked a milestone year for the mega team while formally introducing the next phase of its growth as it prepares to launch 2026 on a new platform.
The gala brought together agents, staff, and industry leaders to recognize performance, culture, and momentum — while setting a forward-looking vision for how Partner Real Estate intends to compete and lead in a rapidly changing real estate landscape.
A year defined by results
The evening opened with recognition of Partner Real Estate’s standout performance in 2025, reinforcing its position among the top-producing teams in the country.
Partner Real Estate was recognized as:
- #1 team in San Gabriel Valley
- #2 in the SGV / Los Angeles region
- #3 Best Real Estate Mega Team in California
- #13 in the United States
The company also earned multiple RealTrends Verified honors, including:
- Top Team by Sides
- Top Team by Volume
- The Thousand by Volume
- The Thousand by Sides
“These results aren’t about trophies,” said Rudy Lira Kusuma, CEO of Partner Real Estate. “They’re about proving that when agents are supported with real systems, strong marketing, and the right people behind them, they can win in any market.”
In a year defined by rising costs, shifting commission conversations, and tighter margins, the results served as validation of Partner Real Estate’s team-based model and operational infrastructure.
From celebration to strategy
While the gala honored the past year’s achievements, its most anticipated moment came with a forward-looking announcement: Partner Real Estate officially unveiled its platform alignment with LPT as it prepares to launch 2026.
Kusuma emphasized that the move represents an evolution — not a reinvention — of the company’s core identity.
“Our culture, our staff support, our coaching, and our systems remain intact,” Kusuma said. “What we’ve done is strengthen the platform underneath our agents so they can operate with lower friction, higher margins, and more opportunity.”
Why the platform shift matters
As the real estate industry continues to evolve, Partner Real Estate framed the platform alignment around a central question: What do agents need today to stay profitable, competitive, and scalable?
According to Kusuma, the answer lies in reducing overhead while expanding opportunity.
“With today’s market pressures, agents can’t afford unnecessary costs or fragmented systems,” he said. “They need a platform that helps them keep more of what they earn, win more listings, and build something sustainable.”
With the new platform, Partner Real Estate agents gain access to:
- Multiple compensation options, allowing agents to choose the structure that best fits their business
- Higher net income per transaction, supported by lower overhead
- No monthly fees, desk fees, or sign-up fees
- Done-for-you listing marketing, designed to elevate listing presentations and seller confidence
- Modern technology and CRM systems to streamline leads, listings, and transactions
- Revenue share opportunities that create income beyond individual production
- Equity opportunities aligned with long-term growth
- A national platform that expands collaboration and referral opportunities
“This is about giving agents leverage,” Kusuma said. “Not just to close more deals — but to build real businesses.”
Keynote speaker underscores global vision
The evening’s keynote address was delivered by Michael Valdes, CEO of LPT International, whose global experience underscored the platform’s long-term vision.
Valdes is widely recognized for his role in scaling cloud-based and hybrid brokerage models. Prior to leading LPT International, he served as Chief Growth Officer at eXp Realty (Nasdaq: EXPI), where he helped open 23 countries in 22 months, one of the fastest global expansions in real estate history.
Before eXp, Valdes spent 15 years at Realogy Corporation, most recently as Senior Vice President of Global Servicing, overseeing international operations for brands including Century 21, Coldwell Banker, ERA, Better Homes & Gardens, Corcoran, Climb, and Sotheby’s International Realty across 113 countries.
Earlier in his career, Valdes was Director of Private Banking at Deutsche Bank, where he managed a book of business approaching $1 billion.
Valdes currently serves as Chair of the AREAA Global Advisory Board and is a member of the NAHREP Corporate Board of Governors.
During his remarks, Valdes highlighted how hybrid models, innovative technology, and strong leadership have become critical drivers of brokerage growth in today’s market.
“The future belongs to companies that combine scale, simplicity, and opportunity for agents,” Valdes said. “Platforms that remove friction while creating ownership and growth paths will define the next generation of real estate.”
A model built for the market ahead
Industry-wide, brokerages are facing increased pressure to justify their value proposition. Partner Real Estate’s approach reflects a growing shift toward agent-centric models that emphasize flexibility, cost efficiency, and long-term wealth creation.
“This isn’t about chasing trends,” Kusuma said. “It’s about building something that works — something tested, refined, and built to scale with our agents.”
Looking ahead to 2026
The gala closed with optimism and momentum. For many in attendance, the evening represented both affirmation and opportunity — a recognition of what was accomplished in 2025 and a clear roadmap for what lies ahead.
As Partner Real Estate moves into 2026, the message from leadership was clear: agents equipped with strong systems, smarter economics, and scalable platforms will define the next chapter of success in real estate.
With proven performance behind it and a future-focused platform now in place, Partner Real Estate is positioning its agents not just to adapt — but to lead.