Since launching in 2022, Equity Union has quickly become one of the region’s fastest-growing real estate companies, with twelve office locations throughout Southern California, including Brentwood, prominently situated across from the Brentwood Country Mart on San Vicente. Founded by industry veteran Harma Hartouni—who has been in the business for more than 20 years and previously led one of the top offices in Los Angeles County—Equity Union closed more than $3B in sales in 2024 and is already approaching that number for 2025. “We noticed an initial spike because of the fires, but it's still leveling,” Hartouni says of the current market, particularly in Brentwood. “The housing inventory is higher this year over last year at this time, but the inventory is exceeding the demand for what is selling.”
Challenging times are not a foreign concept for Hartouni. He is the author of Getting Back Up: A Story of Resilience, Self-Acceptance and Success, an autobiographical book about overcoming diversity while growing up in a conservative Armenian Orthodox Christian family in Iran and later surviving a horrific car accident where he couldn’t walk for one year. “Every single person has a story,” Hartouni says. “It’s not what has happened to you but what you do with it.”
Today, Hartouni, who is 43, is happily married to husband Asad Ayaz, President of Marketing for Walt Disney Studios, with whom he shares three children. Even though they currently live in the Hollywood Hills due to the kids’ schools, much of Hartouni’s work-life is on the westside.
In the past several decades, Hartouni has gone from being an assistant to a realtor to the owner of Harma Real Estate, one of the largest brokerages in southern California. His company sold over $1 billion in properties in 2020, but he wanted to grow something even bigger with Equity Union. “We are now approximately 900 agents strong,” he confirms. This includes agents such as Peter and Ty Bergman and Linda Ferrari, who encouraged Hartouni to open the office in Brentwood. “I’ve known Harma Hartouni for nearly a decade, so when I learned he was founding Equity Union, there was no question—I wanted to be part of what he was building,” says Ferrari of her decision to join. “I’ve seen first-hand how Harma leads with unmatched integrity, vision and heart. His deep commitment to helping agents succeed sets the tone for the entire company, and that culture is reflected in the exceptional service we provide to our clients.” Located in the same building as Amici and the Real Real, the Brentwood branch is expanding so quickly that they are currently building out a larger space to accommodate the growth.
Hartouni plans to continue to develop the company’s client base and attract top-tier agents who are committed to bringing a fresh approach to luxury real estate into the area. “We only focus on quality agents. We are not about quantity,” he says. “We care about the reputation and the integrity of the agent before hiring.” The company’s focus is local expertise, with an excellent reputation based on white glove service, superior technology and a best-in-class marketing infrastructure for its agents and clients.
And while the industry dropped 43% in volume from 2023 to 2024, Equity Union did $2 billion and $3 billion in sales, respectively. “Our agents are producing more and we have more producing agents joining us, which makes more sellers and buyers willing to do business with us,” he says.
Moving forward, Hartouni will continue to grow the business in Brentwood, where he loves the culture and community. “There are well-traveled people who are open minded, highly educated and I feel at home,” he says. “I can walk around with my kids; I feel part of the community and safe.” And when he’s at the office, you can find him at Whole Foods or having a coffee at his favorite spot, Starbucks. “It’s a nice thing to be who you are and feel free, and of course, having the fresh breeze from Santa Monica helps.”
Equity Union Brentwood; 2528 San Vicente Blvd.; 424-600-7620; equityunion.com