The Long-Time Arizona Real Estate Vanguard Partners with Son to Empower Agents on HomeSmart’s Newest Team

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — February 2, 2026 — On the heels of the launch of NEXT, a team spearheaded by Phil Sexton, HomeSmart is proud to welcome his dad, Jim Sexton, to the brokerage. The Arizona real estate icon will serve as an expert advisor to NEXT agents and leadership, supporting growth and expansion of the team’s breakthrough approach.

Sexton has been an industry leader throughout Arizona’s bustling real estate community for more than 40 years. His extensive experience spans across brokerage management, legal oversight, agent training, and industry governance at the local, state, and national levels. 

Over the course of his career, Sexton has held leadership roles at several prominent local and national brokerage brands. He has served as president of the Phoenix Association of REALTORS®, president of the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service, president of the Arizona Association of REALTORS®, and director and executive committee member of the National Association of REALTORS®. He has also chaired and served on numerous committees, including risk management, professional standards, agency and forms committees, and served as chair of the Arizona Association of REALTORS® Forms Work Group in 2024.

In addition to his committed brokerage leadership and association service, Sexton is a certified real estate instructor. He continues to teach classes on agency law; commissioner’s rules, contracts, disclosure and due diligence; federal legal issues; managing residential transactions; and employment agency and standard of care.

As an expert advisor to the NEXT team, Sexton intends to guide the next generation of real estate professionals on their path to success. At the NEXT team meetings, he will leverage his wealth of experience, drawing insight from his current role as a director at Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS), to support growth and mentorship.

“We are very excited to have Jim Sexton join our enterprise,” HomeSmart President Stacey Onnen said. “The NEXT team is a testament to our mission to offer agents true ownership and autonomy as they grow their businesses; under the leadership of Phil and Jim, we are confident that agents will discover that it is possible to have dedicated support — AND a profitable commission model — without sacrifice.”

The venture is a promising new chapter in one of Arizona real estate’s most notable family duos, bringing father and son together as they navigate a bright future for industry professionals across the state.

About NEXT:

NEXT is a new style of real estate team built around one core belief: agents should be the star of their own business. Unlike traditional teams that prioritize building the brand of a top producer, NEXT puts the focus and energy into elevating the individual agent.

Team leadership works alongside each agent to handle the marketing, lead follow-up, nurturing, open house conversion systems and other operational details agents often don’t have time for—so they can focus on their clients and shine in their market. By combining smart technology with proven relationship-based strategies, NEXT does the work behind the scenes while the agent gets the spotlight and the results.

At NEXT, the mission is simple: to empower agents to grow profitable, sustainable businesses without sacrificing their personality, their time, or their identity.

For more information, or to inquire about joining NEXT, visit NextRealEstate.Team.