T
he venerable Baird & Warner and "friendly competitor" Dream Town are merging to create the second-largest brokerage in the region, with approximately 3,000 agents. This union will boast over 30 offices across the Chicago area, including eight within city limits.

    Baird & Warner's acquisition of @properties earlier this year made it the largest independently owned brokerage in the Chicago area. Nationally, Baird & Warner ranks as the 37th-largest brokerage by sales volume, with $5.2 billion in sales last year. Dream Town brought in around $1 billion in sales.

    The merger is a response to Compass' growing presence in the market and its status as the leading U.S. brokerage. The companies emphasized their commitment to independence and local ownership, stating that agents prefer brokerages that prioritize people over profits.

    Laura Ellis, Baird & Warner's chief strategy officer, noted that the values of both companies align, prioritizing agent- and client-centric approaches. Ellis also highlighted their shared support for Clear Cooperation, a platform that promotes transparency in real estate transactions.

    The merger will bring together two companies with complementary strengths, creating a "fiercely independent brokerage powerhouse" in the Chicago metro area. Yuval Degani, owner and CEO of Dream Town Realty, will become president of brokerage services, overseeing the merged operations.