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ompass has agreed to buy rival Anywhere Real Estate in a $1.6 billion all‑stock deal that will merge the two largest U.S. brokerages by sales volume. The transaction, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, will create a combined enterprise value of $10 billion once Compass assumes Anywhere’s debt. The new entity will boast roughly 340,000 affiliated agents across 120 countries, with about 250,000 coming from Anywhere’s franchise network.
Anywhere’s brands—Century 21 Realty, Coldwell Banker American Homes, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, and others—are well‑known in Long Island’s downtowns. Despite the merger, consumers are unlikely to notice a change; the brands will continue to operate independently, and buyers and sellers will still have a wide array of brokerages and agents to choose from. Analysts note that the deal could give the combined company more leverage in negotiating commission splits with agents, but it will not alter the competitive landscape, which still includes Douglas Elliman, Signature Premier Properties, and Keller Williams.
Compass, founded in 2012 with a technology‑focused mission, will gain access to Anywhere’s global footprint and ancillary services such as title insurance, escrow, and relocation. CEO Robert Reffkin said the merger would preserve the independence of Anywhere’s leading brands while providing the resources needed for long‑term growth. The exchange ratio values Anywhere shares at $13.01 each, an 84 % premium over the Friday close, and will leave Compass shareholders with about 78 % of the combined company and Anywhere shareholders with 22 %.
After the announcement, Compass stock fell 15.7 % to $7.92, though it has risen 36.6 % year‑to‑date. Anywhere’s shares jumped 45.5 % to close at $10.29. The merger brings together brokerages that completed roughly 1.2 million transactions in the 12 months ending June 30.
On Long Island, Compass operates 19 offices, while Anywhere’s franchises—Daniel Gale Sotheby’s (25 offices), Coldwell Banker American Homes (19), and Corcoran (7 in the Hamptons and North Fork)—add dozens more. Frank DellAccio, who runs Century 21 AA Realty in Lindenhurst, expects no major operational changes. “We still compete,” he said. “If you can provide a value proposition to the consumer, you’ll win the business, regardless of the name on the building.”
The deal also strengthens Compass amid its ongoing legal battle with Zillow over exclusive listings. Analyst Rob Hahn predicts a rise in private listings once the merger is complete, though he believes the impact on consumers will be minimal beyond that.
In summary, the Compass‑Anywhere merger will combine two industry leaders, expand their global reach, and potentially shift commission dynamics, while maintaining the independent brand identities that customers already recognize.
