Real estate experts in South Florida say that they are cautious of an upcoming business merger that would create the largest national real estate broker. Compass, the leading residential brokerage firm in the United States, will be acquiring Anywhere, which owns several brands, including Century 21, Coldwell Banker, and Corcoran.
Some experts say this move is not a shock to the industry, and that it is part of a larger effort by big companies, who are now joining forces to dominate the market. In fact, the trend toward consolidation in real estate has been quietly building for years, as large firms look for ways to streamline operations, increase agent count, and expand into markets where they previously lacked a strong foothold.
To those watching closely, this newest merger feels like the natural next step in an industry where scale, technology, and brand recognition increasingly determine which companies remain competitive.
(Aaliyah Seabrooks)
Local residents Elvis Cruz and William Arthur at a meeting to discuss the Compass real estate company merger.
According to the Swanepoel Trends Report from T3 Sixty, nearly 1,000 brokerages accounted for more than 60% of residential home sales in 2024. This is compared to about 100,000 smaller brokerages, which make up the rest of those sales. While that may seem surprising, analysts say it reflects a shifting landscape: consumers are drawn to name recognition, agents are drawn to larger platforms, and the largest firms continue to acquire mid-sized operations in order to expand their reach.
However, it is reported that among the 1,000 top brokerage firms, Compass, Anywhere, and eXp account for more than 17% of total sales volume. Together, these companies influence pricing trends, commission standards, and even consumer expectations around marketing and technology.
In 2024, Compass bought several regional brokerage firms and added more than 4,000 agents to the company, and the upcoming merger with Anywhere will bring the group’s total to more than 340,000 real estate professionals.
(Aaliyah Seabrooks)
Local residents Bob Powers, Bill Mathisen and Mariella Lopez de Albear
With such a massive number of agents under one umbrella, the industry is preparing for ripple effects that could influence how business is done not just in Florida, but across the country. Smaller offices could face new pressures, agents could be reshuffled into new structures, and consumers may see changes in who represents them and how those services are delivered.
RENEWED COMPETITION
Biscayne Times spoke to Delroy Robinson, President and Broker of Robinson and Associates Realty, who specializes in Central and South Florida real estate. With nearly 30 years of industry experience, he says this merger is an exciting shakeup as smaller brokerage firms like his will be forced to re-evaluate themselves and their performance.
“Competition forces improvement,” Robinson said. “It allows you to better serve customers. Whoever does the better job succeeds.”
(Aaliyah Seabrooks)
Community leaders Bob Powers, Bill Mathisen, Mariella Lopez de Albear, Elvis Cruz, William Arthur discuss the Compass merger n the garden a home in the historic neighborhood of Elmira
Robinson said that most consumers are not as interested in where their real estate agent works, and are more concerned with the kinds of results they bring for their clients. He adds that now is the time for smaller brokerages to play to their strengths and capitalize on their agents’ unique insights into particular neighborhoods and their ability to find clients the best property. Many boutique firms pride themselves on personal relationships and deep market familiarity, and Robinson believes those advantages remain powerful in a changing market.
“With this merger and the existence of small boutique offices, it means we have to make sure our agents are trained with the best skills necessary, and that we offer value to keep them successful,” Robinson said. “Big companies may have the name and tools, but at the end of the day, if the client isn’t being serviced well, they’ll move on to someone who can do the job.”
He argues that consumers rarely switch agents because of the company they work for; they switch because of the quality of service. And in an industry where every client’s needs are different, smaller firms can sometimes offer a level of attention and accountability that larger firms cannot match.
(Envato Elements)
Home for sale in South Florida neighborhood
Robinson said it is important to note that real estate is an industry that heavily relies on individual performers, and that while a small brokerage might offer a lower split than a company like Compass, the agent may close more transactions because of its better support system. Boutique firms, he said, can offer more one-on-one coaching, mentorship, and personalized guidance, which is especially valuable for early-career agents who need structure and feedback to grow their business. So, at the end of the year, he said those agents may actually make more money, even if their split between their company is lower.
When it comes to agents' bottom line, he said it is still too early to tell whether there will be any changes in commissions resulting from the merger, which could ultimately be passed on to consumers. Some agents fear that larger firms will pressure the market to standardize pricing or shift more financial responsibility onto buyers under new compensation models. But Robinson stressed that the industry is in a transitional moment, and it may take several years before the true effects become clear.
HOMEOWNER CONCERNS
However, Miami homeowners, like William Arthur, have expressed concern that they are being told this merger would make homes in their neighborhood more attractive to sellers worldwide. The suggestion that national consolidation will make local properties more visible to global buyers is a common marketing pitch among large firms, but for some longtime residents, it raises red flags.
Arthur, the president of the Bayside Residents Association, said that without proper community oversight, this can lead to an influx of buyers who are more interested in changing the neighborhood’s culture than in connecting with it. Arthur said he worries that a focus on out-of-state or international investors can accelerate development pressure and reshape the character of historic areas.
“Bigger is not always better,” he said.
Arthur said that after hearing about the merger, he will be more inclined to use a smaller broker because of the unique value they offer. Smaller firms, he argued, are more invested in the character and well-being of the neighborhoods in which they operate.
“When you have these little micro-brokers that farm a particular area, they get the neighborhood,” Arthur said. “When you get rid of them, or they become part of something bigger, they no longer covet making sure the neighborhood is protected and represented correctly.”
Arthur said that while many real estate agents offer the same service, he believes there should be greater emphasis on those who reflect the neighborhoods they represent, rather than on agents who are not focused on a specific place.
“What serves us better are boutique real estate companies that farm a particular area, and you know if you go to them, they’re going to find somebody who appreciates the value and character of our neighborhood,” he said.
WHO WINS AND WHO LOSES?
Some local residents are cautious that the merger could have negative consequences, potentially leaving buyers and sellers with fewer options for their representation. Bob Powers, who helped create Miami's largest historic district, said a real estate monopoly could be dangerous.
“Anything that is monopolistic is not good,” Powers said. “There’s no competition. Why do you think Jeff Bezos makes so much money? Because he's monopolized everything.”
The deal between Compass and Anywhere is expected to close in the second half of 2026 and must still be approved by the shareholders of each company. A spokesperson from Compass told the Biscayne Times that, “The transaction is going through regulatory review; we have nothing to say at this time beyond what is in the press release announcing the deal.”
Industry analysts expect significant debate in the coming months as regulators review the merger’s potential effects on competition, commission structures, and consumer choice. For now, South Florida’s real estate community remains divided: some see opportunity, others see risk, but all agree that the market is entering a pivotal moment.