H
omeServices of America, a Twin Cities-based real estate giant, has a new CEO: Chris Kelly. The company is one of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Energy companies and owns local brands like Edina Realty. HomeServices has grown by acquiring dozens of national brokerages, which retain their local brand and image.

    Kelly, the former executive vice president, recently took over as CEO after Ron Peltier stepped aside in 2019. The company ranked fourth-largest in the nation last year, according to Real Trends. Kelly aims to simplify HomeServices' operations, streamline its back rooms, and make technology more efficient for agents and consumers.

    "We need to develop what is the HomeServices offering for the agent and consumer but push that through to the local brands, into the local culture," Kelly said in an interview. "The HomeServices brand needs to be more prominent."

    Kelly also discussed the impact of new NAR policies on marketing properties before listing on the MLS. He emphasized the importance of technology in supporting agents and consumers, saying, "We want to partner with the right, select few number of these technology specialists to build out our tool stack."

    HomeServices has a national reach since its start in the Twin Cities, but Kelly's home base will remain in Florida. The company is committed to being in the Twin Cities, where its Shared Success Center is located.

    Regarding recent reports of Compass acquiring HomeServices, Kelly stated that there is no pending or contemplated transaction between the two companies.