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ompass CEO Robert Reffkin emphasized the company's commitment to seller choice during its first-quarter earnings call on May 8. He highlighted several positive metrics, including a 28.7% year-over-year increase in revenue and a 27.8% rise in total transactions. Compass outpaced the industry by nearly 30%, with 49,121 transactions closed in Q1 of 2025.

    Reffkin also noted that Compass added 700 principal agents in the first three months of the year, one of its most successful quarters for this metric. The company's 3-phase marketing strategy, starting with a private exclusive, was chosen by nearly half of its 20,000 homeowners who transacted in Q1.

    Reffkin expressed his concern that MLSs and home search sites are discouraging homeowners from listing their homes off the MLS. He believes that Compass' strategy offers benefits such as price testing, no days on market, and no price drops. "There is no downside" to pre-marketing, he said.

    Regarding Zillow's new listing standards, Reffkin stated that Compass stands for homeowner choice, allowing sellers to decide how to market their home. He suggested that homeowners can opt for the 3-phase marketing strategy or go straight to the MLS and major home search portals if they prefer.

    Key numbers from the earnings call include:

    * Revenue: $1.4 billion, up 28.7% year-over-year

    * Cash and cash equivalents: $127 million, down from $223.8 million in Q4 of 2024

    * Adjusted EBITDA: $15.6 million, a year-over-year improvement of $35.7 million

    * Transactions: 49,121, up 27.8% compared to the first quarter of 2024

    * Agent count: 20,656 principal agents at the end of March, up from 14,591 a year ago

    For Q2, Compass estimates revenue will be between $2 billion and $2.15 billion, while adjusted EBITDA will be between $115 million and $135 million. The company predicts it will be free cash flow positive for the full year of 2025.