C
ompass has announced a $1.6 billion all‑stock acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate, creating the world’s largest residential brokerage. The deal, slated for completion in the second half of 2026, will bring Compass’s existing portfolio—including Christie’s International Real Estate—into a single entity that will operate under the names Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker Commercial, Corcoran, ERA, and Sotheby’s International Realty.

    With the merger, the combined firm will employ 340,000 agents who will serve clients in more than 120 countries and territories. Compass, already the top brokerage by revenue, posted $5.629 billion in 2024 sales. The new company projects 1.2 million home transactions annually and anticipates adding over $1 billion in revenue from Anywhere’s franchise, title, escrow, and relocation services.

    CEO and founder Robert Reffkin said he respects Anywhere’s leadership, culture, and brands. “By uniting two of the industry’s best while preserving the independence of each brand, we now have the resources to create a thriving environment for real‑estate professionals for decades,” he explained. Reffkin will continue to head the merged organization.

    The consolidation is expected to generate roughly $255 million in annual cost savings through streamlined operations and elimination of redundancies. However, local brokers on Long Island have mixed views. Oakdale’s RealPro Consulting owner Joseph Sabella believes the merger will have limited impact on the local market, noting that inventory, pricing, and relationships drive local activity. He sees the deal’s influence more on a national scale, especially in positioning against Zillow and the National Association of Realtors.

    Huntington’s Signature Premier Properties founder Peter Morris described the acquisition as bold yet risky. He pointed out the significant debt load and the negative immediate reaction from Wall Street, with Compass shares falling after the announcement. Morris warned that large‑scale consolidation often leads to layoffs, office consolidations, platform shifts, and leaner marketing teams—challenges that agents across Coldwell Banker, Corcoran, and other Anywhere brands may face.

    The merger will reshape the residential brokerage landscape, combining a vast network of agents, a broad brand portfolio, and substantial cost efficiencies while navigating the complexities of integrating two major industry players.