Compass, the largest residential real estate brokerage in the U.S., is in advanced talks to acquire Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, the real estate division of Warren Buffett’s conglomerate. This deal, if finalized, could shake up the industry in a way few expected. But why is Compass making this move? What does it mean for Berkshire Hathaway? And how might it impact the broader real estate market?
A Deal in the Works
Multiple reports, first surfacing on March 13, 2025, indicate that Compass is close to sealing the deal. Sources describe the negotiations as “advanced,” suggesting that an agreement could come together soon—unless something derails it last-minute. While discussions are progressing, key details, such as the final purchase price, remain unclear. So far, neither Compass nor Berkshire Hathaway has made an official announcement.
Two Real Estate Giants
This isn’t just another merger. Compass and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices are two of the most significant players in U.S. real estate.
Compass, founded in 2012, has aggressively expanded its presence by recruiting top agents and acquiring firms across the country. In 2024 alone, Compass handled $184.5 billion in transactions across 177,000 home sales. With over 33,000 agents and a market cap of about $5 billion, the company has solidified its top position.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, on the other hand, operates under 48 different brand names and has an extensive footprint. With nearly 37,700 in-house agents and an additional 44,700 agents through its franchise network, it’s a massive operation spanning 34 states and Washington, D.C. In 2024, it facilitated around 236,000 home sales worth $133.8 billion.
Why This Matters
The real estate industry is consolidating fast. If this deal happens, it will be the third major real estate shake-up of 2025. Earlier this year, private equity firm Stone Point Capital bought a stake in Keller Williams. Not long after, Rocket Companies announced a $1.75 billion acquisition of Redfin. The Compass-Berkshire deal would be yet another signal that the industry is changing rapidly, with fewer large players controlling an ever-growing share of the market.
For Compass, this is a continuation of an aggressive expansion strategy. Just a few months ago, it acquired Christie’s International Real Estate and @properties for $444 million. It also snapped up regional brokerages like Latter & Blum. Adding Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices to its portfolio would further cement its dominance.
A History of Movement Between the Two
Interestingly, agents and executives have been moving between these two firms for years. Some high-profile names left Compass to return to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, while others made the opposite move. For example, The MG Group, a top-performing real estate team, left Berkshire for Compass in 2024, citing better technology and market share.
What Comes Next?
If the deal goes through, Compass will control an even bigger slice of the U.S. real estate market. The combined network would be enormous, and it would likely shift how brokerages compete in the coming years. At the same time, Berkshire Hathaway would be offloading a significant asset—though, in the grand scheme of Buffett’s empire, the real estate division is just a small piece of the puzzle.
For now, the industry watches and waits. If a formal announcement comes soon, it could mark one of the biggest shifts in real estate brokerage history.
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