HomeServices of America and Realogy Brokerage Group (formerly NRT LLC) are leading the charge as the largest brokerages by transaction sides, according to the 2020 REAL Trends 500, an independently verified compilation of the nation’s leading residential real estate companies. REAL Trends, the trusted source for news and research about the real estate brokerage industry, announced the results of the 2020 REAL Trends 500 toda
Over 1,700 firms qualified for this year’s REAL Trends 500. According to a research report produced by REAL Trends, the 500 largest residential real estate brokerage firms in the nation closed over 3.4 million residential sales transactions in 2019. These transactions were valued at over $1.3 trillion and represented over one-third of all new and resale transactions completed by brokers during the year, yet the REAL Trends 500 represented less than 0.5 percent of all brokerage firms.
This year’s survey represents the most comprehensive collection of data assembled on the leaders of the residential brokerage industry. Numbers are documented by outside accounting firms and/or MLS reports.
“For several years running, the REAL Trends 500 has gained market share,” says Steve Murray, president of REAL Trends. “In 2019, the REAL Trends 500 did it again—up 5.3 percent against a national existing home sales factor that was flat. What is most interesting is the growth of relative newcomers to the 500, such as eXp, Compass, Redfin and HomeSmart, which have shown remarkable growth in the past few years.”
According to Scott Wright, vice president of REAL Trends and editor of the report, “RE/MAX once again had the most brokerages qualify for the rankings, and in the top movers category six of the top ten growth firms were affiliated with Keller Williams. In addition to good showings by all the major national franchises, several independents also ranked as top movers. Leading firms are finding a way to grow despite challenges from low inventory, affordability issues and intensifying competition.”
It took 1,992 transactions to be included in this year’s REAL Trends 500, and in 2019 there were 301 firms recording over $1 billion in residential sales, up from 297 firms accomplishing this in 2018.
HomeServices of America, headquartered in Minneapolis, led the REAL Trends 500 as the largest residential brokerage company in the country, closing 329,680 transactions in 2019. No. 2 on the list of the nation’s largest firms is Realogy Brokerage Group (formerly NRT LLC), headquartered in Madison, N.J., with 325,652 closed transaction sides. No. 3 on the list is Bellingham, Wash.-based eXp Realty with 130,627 transactions, with Hanna Holdings/Allen Tate and Compass rounding out the top 5 closing 100,589 and 84,732 transactions respectively.
To view the rankings, go to https://www.realtrends.com/rankings/rt500. This year, REAL Trends is offering the REAL Trends 500 publication for free!
About REAL Trends: REAL Trends has been The Trusted Source for news, analysis and information about the residential real estate industry since 1987. We are a privately-held publishing, communications and consulting company based in Castle Rock, Colorado. Residential real estate leaders find timely and trusted information and analysis through our yearly event—Gathering of Eagles—our monthly newsletter and other publications.
