I
n a year of economic turbulence, AI disruption, and legal battles, real‑estate professionals are reassessing their paths. Shrinking margins and hiring woes force brokerages to ask: what next?
Charis Moreno, Vice President of Sales at NextHome, says the answer lies in vision and culture. While many brands are consolidating or pausing, NextHome’s franchise model—rooted in community, leadership, and meaningful innovation—continues to expand. The company is helping brokers, teams, and solo agents build sustainable businesses for 2025 and beyond.
**The 2025 Landscape**
The biggest change this year is a surge in demand for professionalism. The market is filtering itself: agents who are not committed to the long haul are exiting, creating a powerful opportunity for those who are all‑in. NextHome focuses on full‑time, career‑oriented professionals. Whether you run a brokerage or lead a team, the challenges are the same: retention, higher expectations, shrinking margins, and pressure to cut overhead. These realities affect anyone’s willingness to operate a brokerage or franchise today, so NextHome stresses the value of partnership. A strong brand, integrated technology, expert guidance, and leadership backing provide more stability and growth potential than going it alone, especially in uncertain times.
From day one, brokers and agents are trained to lead confident conversations about compensation and value. The education is continuous—live trainings, on‑demand courses, and real‑time updates on litigation or industry shifts. Co‑CEOs James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson host the “Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered” podcast, a go‑to resource that dives deep into trends and challenges. The Academy by NextHome, led by VP of Learning and Development Jim Fischetti, focuses not just on tools but on how to use them to their full potential. From marketing automation to CRM best practices, members walk through every system step by step, with real‑world coaching from top‑performing brokers and agents who share what actually moves the needle. Confidence reduces fear; competent agents can step into leadership roles in their communities, which is the ultimate goal.
**What Sets NextHome Apart**
People invest in something they believe in. Culture is the difference‑maker. NextHome attracts those who align with the Humans Over Houses® philosophy, not just chasing transactions but building people‑first businesses. Recruitment is not a cold‑call exercise; members join because they see themselves in the mission. They want the tech, training, and support, but also a collaborative, authentic culture. The business is built the same way members build theirs: by repeat and referral.
NextHome supports a variety of models—from first‑time brokers to high‑performing teams. Members define their unique local offering, while the franchise provides a business‑in‑a‑box: technology, marketing, training, and support. Results speak for themselves. The franchise was named No. 1 in owner satisfaction by Franchise Business Review’s independent survey of over 300 brands nationwide. Looking at the top 50 offices, metrics from the time they joined to today show an average 56% increase in offices, a 335% increase in agent count, a 130% increase in units closed, and a 237% increase in volume closed. That performance stems from culture, support, and the right systems working together.
Per‑agent production exceeds the National Association of Realtors® national average: agents close more than six units annually. Adoption of the tech stack and services is over 72%, far above industry norms. More importantly, the quality of membership fuels a collaborative, forward‑thinking culture built to last.
**Franchise Support**
Before opening a NextHome franchise, you don’t need to have everything figured out. From day one, a 120‑day launch plan covers business operations, marketing, recruiting, training, and tech integration. While there is a system, there is also personalized guidance—you’re not dropped into a one‑size‑fits‑all model. You’re met where you are.
NextHome teaches you to lead with confidence: articulate why agents should work with you, why clients should trust you, and why your community should look to you as a local expert. Imagine writing an offer on a Saturday and being locked out of your transaction software. Instead of an automated vendor response, you call Member Services, who know your tools, setup, and how your systems work together. They’re not a call center; they’re an extension of you, delivering real solutions.
The industry is not for the faint of heart, but with the right model and people behind you, you’re not just surviving—you’re leading.
**Future Outlook**
For years, NextHome’s core has been small to mid‑sized brokerages. Now, larger operations are showing interest. These bigger brokerages face shrinking margins, retention issues, and a revolving door of agents. Cutting splits and slashing fees is unsustainable; leaders are looking for a better way to operate and are finding success with NextHome.
The franchise model is being questioned more than ever. Franchising is not obsolete, but legacy brands struggle to keep up with the pace of change. When the focus shifts from serving brokers and agents to pleasing shareholders, agility disappears. NextHome was built differently. Members always come first. The company moves quickly, stays ahead of industry trends, and offers real solutions that help people run more profitable businesses. While others slow down, NextHome remains nimble and focused, ensuring members have everything they need for what’s next.
