He Left eXp to Start His Own Brokerage. Here's Why He Came Back.
By Bean Group Team
Kyler Ferris knows how to build an audience. His "Living in Houston, Texas" YouTube channel has generated millions of views and directly drove 175 transactions for his team last year alone. So when he left eXp in 2023 to launch his own independent brokerage, it seemed like a logical evolution. Two years later, he's back at eXp.
Ferris Realty by the Numbers
$164 million in 2024 sales volume
368 transactions (175 directly from YouTube)
45 agents on the team
5,000+ projected leads annually from combined YouTube presence
The Real Cost of Independence
"We didn't want to give up our brand identity. But the operational demands of running a brokerage, combined with new innovations from eXp and the opportunity to partner, led us back."— Jason Mayo, Director of Operations at Ferris Realty
The YouTube Mega Team Model
Rather than simply rejoining eXp, Ferris partnered with Joe Rodriguez, founder of "The Original Living in Houston Team." Together, they've created Texas' largest media-backed real estate team.
"This is a textbook example of how innovation and authenticity can reshape an entire market. Kyler and Joe are using content to build trust at scale."— Leo Pareja, CEO of eXp Realty
What This Means for Content-First Teams
Ferris's trajectory—eXp to independent to eXp again—offers valuable lessons:
- 1. Brand identity doesn't require independent ownership
- 2. Collaboration amplifies content
- 3. Backend operations have real costs
- 4. Network effects matter
The Validation
Sometimes the most powerful endorsement comes from someone who left, explored alternatives, and chose to return.
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