By Staff Report Thursday, January 7th, 2016

An online real estate platform called Compass is expanding into the region with offices in Santa Barbara and Montecito.

New York-based Compass connects luxury real estate renters, buyers and sellers with agents, offers market insight and features online listings.

Since the company entered the California market about two months ago, it has hired more than 60 agents. John Nisbet, a 30-year real estate industry veteran, will manage the locations in Montecito and Santa Barbara. He previously worked for Coldwell Banker.

Compass was sued in 2014 and 2015 for allegedly poaching agents and stealing listings. Two suits were settled and one case is ongoing.

The rapidly growing company has locations in New York City, Washington, D.C., Boston, Cambridge, Miami, Los Angeles, Malibu and the Hamptons, and has raised $125 million in investor capital. It has been around since 2013.

• Contact Alex Kacik at akacik@pacbiztimes.com.