Clayton Coastal Group has affiliated with The Real Brokerage, adding 37 Florida-based agents to Real’s network and giving the young brokerage a platform to pursue expansion in New York City. Founded in 2024, Clayton Coastal serves relocating buyers, snowbirds and second-home clients, and expects to close nearly $300 million in transactions this year.
Key takeaways
The affiliation combines Clayton Coastal’s Florida presence and digital marketing approach with Real’s national platform, supporting the firm’s plans to expand beyond its home market.
- Clayton Coastal brings 37 agents to The Real Brokerage.
- The firm plans to establish a presence in New York City.
- Its business focuses largely on out-of-town buyers seeking Florida property.
- Clayton Coastal expects to close nearly $300 million in transactions in 2026.
A young brokerage with plans to expand
Matt Clayton, a former air-traffic controller, founded Clayton Coastal in 2024. The company primarily works with people relocating to Florida from New York and other markets, as well as seasonal residents and buyers looking for second homes. Its focus on clients purchasing from out of town has helped shape its business model.
The brokerage uses social media and digital marketing to build relationships and attract clients, according to the announcement. Its anticipated transaction total points to rapid growth since its launch, although the company did not provide further details about the projection.
Real’s platform supports New York ambitions
Clayton Coastal said it chose Real because the brokerage’s national platform can help it enter new markets while continuing its existing operations. The planned New York City presence builds on the firm’s connections with buyers moving from that market to Florida.
Real Senior Vice President of Growth Joel Kirsch said Clayton’s technology-driven approach and focus on his team aligned with Real’s growth plans. He also cited Clayton’s ambition to develop a national business as a reason the firm was a strong fit.
A broader business beyond Florida
Clayton said the affiliation would give his company flexibility to grow beyond a single market while maintaining its emphasis on social media, client service and agent support. The move positions Clayton Coastal to pursue a two-market strategy, connecting prospective Florida buyers with a presence in New York.
The announcement did not specify when the New York City operation would open or outline its staffing and growth targets. For now, the firm’s Florida-based agents and focus on relocation and second-home clients remain central to its business.