Pleasanton, CA — June 30, 2026 — When Thomas Shumpert opened NextHome Specialists in the summer of 2015, he wasn’t intending to build one of the largest NextHome offices in the nation.
“Originally, NextHome was just for me because I wanted great tools and technology at a better price,” Thomas recalled. “Ten years later, we built something really cool that people want to be a part of.”
Today, NextHome Specialists serves the Columbia, South Carolina, region from its headquarters in Lexington. With 75 high-performing agents, the brokerage stands as a testament to what can happen when an office prioritizes culture, consistency, and recruiting client-centered high producers.
As NextHome Specialists celebrates a decade in business, Thomas reflected on the journey that brought him here and why NextHome continues to be a strong franchise partner.
Before joining NextHome, Thomas spent the early 2000s building a strong foundation in South Carolina real estate. He was an investor and client-centered real estate professional who averaged approximately 50 transactions per year.
Like many agents, he moved between brokerages, attracted by promises of better opportunities, higher commissions, or stronger support.
“They recruit and offer you the world,” Thomas said. “Then you get there and realize it’s not much different than where you were before.”
In 2014, Thomas left franchises altogether and opened his own independent brokerage. He was ready to become a leader who could better support his agents. That’s when an article in REALTOR® Magazine about a new company called NextHome caught his attention.
Instead of reaching out to the company’s sales team, Thomas connected with other NextHome brokers and owners to learn more about their experiences.
“Every owner I spoke with described the same thing: a company built on relationships, accessibility, and genuine support,” Thomas said.
Still in the research phase, Thomas was invited to attend NextHome’s first annual conference in Nashville.
“It was very intimate, very friendly, and very fun,” he said. “You could talk directly to leadership, to the CEO, to everyone. It felt like a family.”
Thomas recognized NextHome’s strength while the company was still in its infancy. As one of the first 100 brokers to open a NextHome franchise, he experienced firsthand the innovation, connection, and accessible leadership that defined the brand.
“NextHome had something you just wouldn’t find at most other franchises,” Thomas said. “My business got a combination of a close-knit, family-oriented culture, fresh and innovative branding, and all the tools and technology we needed to succeed. It felt like a complete package, but what stood out most was that genuine small-company atmosphere.”
NextHome’s focus on strong brokerages helped Thomas build an office where agents could thrive. While many brokerages focus heavily on agent count, Thomas took a different approach.
“If an agent isn’t interested in lifting others up and achieving their full potential, they aren’t the right fit for our office,” Thomas said. “We intentionally built a lean, productive office.”
That philosophy has helped create a culture centered on collaboration, accountability, and long-term success.
“I am in the trenches with these agents,” Thomas said. “I learned the tools right alongside them, and we can all say that we built something profitable together. We are very intentional about agent support.”
Crediting this emphasis on people, NextHome Specialists has become one of the most productive offices in the Columbia market. Its agents consistently rank among the area’s top performers, with some exceeding $1 million in annual gross commission income. The brokerage is also proud to support the No. 1 agent in the Columbia MLS.
Today, the NextHome franchise has grown to more than 500 offices and thousands of agents across the United States. Over the years, NextHome Specialists expanded into multiple office locations throughout South Carolina. Today, the brokerage’s highest producers operate under a centralized office model.
“What I appreciate most about NextHome is the level of respect that exists throughout the organization,” Thomas said. “Corporate leadership treats owners the way I treat my agents: with transparency, trust, and a sincere desire to see people succeed. You can feel that commitment from the top down, and I believe that’s a big reason so many of us have remained loyal to the brand for so long.”
“We built something amazing, something profitable, and a brokerage that attracts truly incredible agents,” Thomas added. “When people ask why I continue to partner with NextHome, I couldn’t even think of changing course when it would negatively impact our agents’ successful businesses.”
“This is a company that wants the best for you. They want you to succeed, and you can feel it,” he continued. “My agents know that a dedication to their success isn’t just coming from me—it comes from the top of the franchise. That matters.”
Interested in being a part of the NextHome Real Estate Franchise? Contact Charis Moreno at Charis@NextHome.com.
Each office is an independently owned and operated business.