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A little more than two months after purchasing a 17 percent stake in Australian real estate classifieds firm Domain, CoStar Group has entered a definitive agreement to purchase the firm for $1.9 billion.

CoStar Group, with the help of Macquarie Capital, spent $285 million on the 17 percent stake, which shakes out to $2.70 per share based on current AUD to USD conversion rates. CoStar will purchase the remaining Domain shares for $2.85 per share, totaling $1.5 billion. Domain shareholders, the Courts, and the Australian Government’s Foreign Investment Review Board still need to approve the deal, which is slated to close late August.

Andy Florance | Credit: CoStar Group

“We’re pleased to have reached an agreement with Domain and to see [owner Nine Entertainment]’s support of this transformative transaction,” CoStar Group founder and CEO Andy Florance said in a written statement. “As one of the first and most experienced digital real estate companies in the world, CoStar Group brings a proven track record of building high-traffic online marketplaces that deliver real value.”

“With our technology, scale and the innovation we’re known for, we see a tremendous opportunity to enhance the Australian property market,” he added. “By combining Domain’s deep expertise with our global experience and best practices, we will build a more compelling user experience at a lower cost — driving greater value for agents, vendors and homebuyers. We will also create value for our customers globally by incorporating Domain’s learnings and best practices into our marketplaces outside of Australia. We are confident this acquisition will foster more competition in Australia.”

The Virginia-based behemoth’s acquisition of Domain, if approved, would add another layer to its ongoing rivalry with News Corp, which owns Domain competitor REA Group, real estate listing company Move, Inc., and its subsidiary, Realtor.com.

Domain is the second-largest real estate classifieds firm in Australia, next to REA Group. Domain’s latest earnings results, which account for six months instead of three per Australian reporting standards, logged a 7 percent increase in revenue to AUD 217.2 million (or USD 139.4 million). Domain’s owner, Nine Entertainment, said the platform reaches an average of 6.6 million visitors each month.

Domain’s digital businesses, which include advertising solutions and three real estate print magazines, were flat for the half-year.

Meanwhile, REA Group saw third-quarter revenue rise 6 percent year over year to $271 million. REA Group’s Australian site, realestate.com.au, reached 12.3 million average monthly unique visitors during the quarter.

Domain Chair and Non-Executive Director Nick Falloon said CoStar is the company to help Domain “further realize” its potential, as its current owner embarks on a massive restructuring of the company’s executive board and divisions to save AUD 100 million over the next two years. Nine reduced its divisions to streaming and broadcast, publishing and marketplaces, the latter of which includes Domain and automotive content platform Drive.

Nick Falloon | Credit: Nine Entertainment

“The Domain Board has carefully considered the CoStar Group proposal and believes it represents compelling value and a high degree of certainty for Domain shareholders, through the cash offer and limited conditionality,” he said in a prepared statement on Friday. “This proposal reinforces the strong fundamentals of Domain, which we are confident will be further realized with CoStar Group’s support.”

In CoStar’s first-quarter earnings on April 29, Florance expressed his excitement about acquiring Domain while noting that CoStar will be able to leverage the best parts of Domain, OnTheMarket and Homes.com to bolster each site’s performance. This move could help CoStar tighten its Homes.com marketing spend, as its newly formed Capital Allocation Committee calls on the company to seek additional cost savings.

“One element from Domain that will benefit Homes.com and OnTheMarket is depth advertising, similar to signature ads for Apartments.com and LoopNet,” he said. “Domain offers four tiers of advertising that offer increasing levels of exposure as you move up their ad tiers by utilizing sort order, larger search placards, and social application retargeting. We will be adopting the best practices of Domain in the U.S. and the United Kingdom.”

“We see numerous opportunities to create additional value for Domain following the potential acquisition,” he said.  “… We will bring what we built with Homes.com to Australia and the United Kingdom and win over consumers. Domain is also a strong entry point into Australia’s commercial real estate market.”

Email Marian McPherson

Bigger. Better. Bolder. Inman Connect is heading to San Diego. Join thousands of real estate pros, connect with the Inman Community and gain insights from hundreds of leading minds shaping the industry. If you’re ready to grow your business and invest in yourself, this is where you need to be. Go BIG in San Diego!

After three years with Place, the real estate technology company co-founded by entrepreneur Ben Kinney, Vija Williams is taking her talents to Cheplak Live.

Vija Williams | Credit: LinkedIn

“I have an announcement! I am now a coach with Cheplak Live!” she said in a Facebook post on Tuesday. “I coach real estate team owners, brokerage owners and operators, brokerage [general managers]/regional [vice presidents].”

“I started coaching with Jon in 2018, and he coached me into working with Ben Kinney, who has been a game changer for me. On a typical day, I will see texts or calls from both of these incredible humans,” she added. “I’m excited to share the insight I’ve gotten and the experience I’ve had analyzing, coaching, and consulting hundreds of teams and brokerages. I coach people who are ready to take their real estate business to the next level.”

Williams has been in the industry for more than 20 years, juggling leadership roles at BKCO Mortgage, Ben Kinney Companies and Place while building one of Keller Williams’ top luxury teams, Vija Real Estate. At Ben Kinney Companies, Williams helped stoke impressive growth, with the firm’s agent count growing 140 percent and sales volume growing 251 percent from 2018 to 2022.

Williams has built a reputation as one of the most trusted coaches in the industry, reaching hundreds of thousands of agents through women’s entrepreneurship and leadership groups She Inc. and Her Best Life, the Empire Building podcast, and speaking engagements at industry-leading events.

Jon Cheplak

Inman named Williams “one of the most innovative and influential executives” in its 2025 Power Players list.

“In a time of our industry where expert guidance, counsel, and coaching are needed more than ever, Vija brings forward an unmatched resume that continues to lift the caliber of expert coaches and business operators at Cheplak Live Coaching,” Cheplak Live founder Jon Cheplak said in an announcement on Tuesday. “Vija coaches and consults real estate teams and brokerages around the nation.”

“She has hosted webinars to train real estate teams, brokerage owners-brokers, and agents since 2020, reaching over 250,000 views,” he added. “I know with Vija’s reputation and track record, she will be overwhelmed with inquiries to hire her for coaching.”

Email Marian McPherson

Bigger. Better. Bolder. Inman Connect is heading to San Diego. Join thousands of real estate pros, connect with the Inman Community and gain insights from hundreds of leading minds shaping the industry. If you’re ready to grow your business and invest in yourself, this is where you need to be. Go BIG in San Diego!

Two months after naming a new CEO, Keller Williams has added a new chief operating officer and chief financial officer to its executive team.

Former Broadstone Real Estate executive Tim Dieffenbacher will serve as the Texas-based franchisor’s CFO, while Herron will take on dual roles as chief legal officer and chief operating officer.

Chris Czarnecki

“As we continue to grow, we’re excited to announce Tim and Stacie into these key leadership roles,” Keller Williams CEO and President Chris Czarnecki said in a written statement. “Tim and Stacie embody the leadership that will drive our next chapter of growth, as we continue to enable KW-affiliated agents and market center leaders to thrive.”

“Tim brings proven financial leadership and a strong track record of collaboration,” he added. “Stacie has already delivered meaningful impact as our chief legal officer and interim COO, and her official appointment as COO reflects our confidence in her continued leadership.”

Tim Dieffenbacher

Dieffenbacher, a corporate finance veteran and certified public accountant, comes to Keller Williams from Dallas-based real estate investment trust FrontView REIT.

Before his CFO role at FrontView REIT, Dieffenbacher worked alongside Czarnecki at Broadstone Net Lease (BNL) and Broadstone Real Estate (BRE). During his seven-year tenure, Dieffenbacher served as BNL and BRE’s senior vice president, chief accounting officer and treasurer.

“What drew me to Keller Williams was the people, the culture, and the opportunity to work with Chris again,” he said in a prepared statement. “There’s a genuine sense of shared purpose and entrepreneurial spirit here that’s hard to find. I’ve always been motivated by the chance to work with good people, solve challenging problems, and build something meaningful — and that’s exactly what I see at Keller Williams.”

Stacie Herron

Meanwhile, Herron has been with Keller Williams since 2021 as the company’s chief legal officer. Since then, Herron has juggled her CLO role with roles as chief people officer, chief administrative officer and interim chief operating officer.

Before joining KW, Herron spent 12 years at Brookfield Properties and GGP, where she served as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary.

“Keller Williams is a remarkable organization, fueled by passionate, purpose-driven people,” she said. “I’m grateful for this opportunity to collaborate with the many talented teams across the business. Together, we will continue to strengthen the systems and strategies that empower our market center leaders and KW-affiliated agents to thrive in this dynamic industry.”

Czarnecki, Dieffenbacher and Herron’s appointments come after Keller Williams sold an undisclosed investment stake to Stone Point Capital after years of IPO rumors. Czarnecki has also made an undisclosed “coinvestment” in the company, according to a previous Inman article.

Keller Williams co-founder and Executive Chairman Gary Keller said in March that the deal is “an exciting milestone” and will enable the company to supercharge its investments in “agents’ personal development and their continual sales growth.”

Email Marian McPherson

Bigger. Better. Bolder. Inman Connect is heading to San Diego. Join thousands of real estate pros, connect with the Inman Community and gain insights from hundreds of leading minds shaping the industry. If you’re ready to grow your business and invest in yourself, this is where you need to be. Go BIG in San Diego!

Fathom Holdings executives Sean Varin and Paul Marsh will take on new growth and mortgage roles within the company, according to an announcement on Tuesday.

Varin will transition from president of Encompass Lending Group (ELG) to Fathom Holdings SVP of strategic growth and partnerships, while Marsh will replace Varin at ELG.

Sean Varin

“Sean and Paul have been instrumental in the growth of Encompass Lending Group and exemplify the leadership qualities we value across Fathom Holdings,” Fathom Holdings CEO Marco Fregenal said in a prepared statement. “Sean’s vision for strategic integration and national program growth, combined with Paul’s passion and expertise in lending, will drive continued success across our brands. I’m excited to see what they will accomplish in these new roles.”

Varin will be responsible for expanding Fathom Holding’s national initiatives, including the Ambassador Program, Elevate Program, First Home Buyer Program, Consumer Credit Education Program and Hometown Heroes. His efforts, the announcement said, will be centered on strengthening collaboration between Fathom Holdings’ five brands and identifying future merger and acquisition opportunities.

“This is a huge moment — not just for me, but for all of us — as we work together to build something truly special,” Varin said of his promotion in a written statement. “The future is bright, and we’re just getting started!”

Paul Marsh

Meanwhile, Marsh will focus on strategic growth opportunities at ELG, Fathom’s mortgage origination company. Marsh co-founded ELG in 2008 and operated under E4:9 Holdings until April 2021, when Fathom acquired the Texas-based E4:9 Holdings for $26.75 million. Now that he’s back at the helm, Marsh will oversee ELG’s day-to-day operations and focus on “innovation, expansion, and delivering even greater value to both referral partners and clients.”

“This has been an incredible journey since day one,” he said. “It is truly an honor and privilege to lead this organization. We will continue to build on the great foundation that has been established with Sean’s leadership. I’m excited for the future!”

The appointments come as Fathom Holdings works through a tough period in the company’s history. During the fourth quarter of 2024, Fathom Holdings saw its revenue grow 24 percent year over year to $91.7 million as losses reached $6.2 million. The North Carolina-based company is at risk of being kicked off the Nasdaq due to its shares trading below $1.

Fathom notified investors on April 18 of Nasdaq’s delistment notice, and said it has until Oct. 13 to regain compliance with its bid price rule. If shares in Fathom close at $1 or higher for at least 10 consecutive business days, it will be considered back in compliance. If shares in Fathom remain below $1, it could qualify for another 180-day reprieve and regain compliance through a reverse stock split, a previous Inman article explained.

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