Anywhere Advisors

If you mean major real estate brands Americans actually use for buying, selling, or working with agents, the strongest nationwide names are Compass, eXp Realty, HomeServices of America, Anywhere Advisors, Redfin, Keller Williams, RE/MAX, Coldwell Banker, Century 21, and Douglas Elliman.

The most useful way to think about “best” is by what you need:

A practical shortlist of the top brands most people actually encounter in the U.S. is Compass, eXp Realty, Keller Williams, RE/MAX, Coldwell Banker, Century 21, Redfin, Anywhere Advisors, HomeServices of America, and Sotheby’s International Realty.

If you want, I can also narrow this down to:

• best for selling a home
• best for buying a home
• best for luxury homes
• best for working as a real estate agent

Top real estate companies and platforms in the US are led by major brokerages (ranked by sales volume) and consumer-facing websites/apps that millions use daily for searching listings.

These rankings draw from 2025 data (released in 2026 reports like T3 Sixty’s Mega 1000), focusing on residential brokerage performance, transaction sides, and consumer usage/trust metrics. Note that Compass acquired Anywhere Real Estate early in 2026, further consolidating the top spots.

Popular Platforms People Actually Use for Searching Homes

Most buyers and sellers start online. These dominate traffic and are the everyday tools:

• Zillow (zillow.com and app): By far the most visited real estate site, with hundreds of millions of monthly visits. It offers extensive listings (MLS + off-market), the Zestimate tool, neighborhood insights, and easy search filters. It’s the go-to for casual browsing and market research.
• Realtor.com: Strong second place, pulling directly from MLS feeds for accurate, up-to-date listings. Backed by the National Association of Realtors; popular for reliable data.
• Redfin: High traffic with real-time MLS data, lower listing fees (often 1-1.5% vs. traditional 2-2.5%+), and strong buyer tools. It functions as both a portal and a brokerage.
• Others frequently used: Homes.com, Trulia (Zillow-owned, great for neighborhoods), and Apartments.com for rentals.

These platforms see the highest engagement because they’re free, mobile-friendly, and packed with photos, virtual tours, and alerts.

Top Brokerages by Scale (Sales Volume)

These handle the most transactions nationally (2025 figures):

1. Compass — Leads the Mega 1000 for the fifth straight year with ~$262 billion in sales volume. Strong in luxury and tech-enabled services; has grown aggressively via acquisitions.
2. Anywhere Advisors (brands include Coldwell Banker, Century 21, Sotheby’s International Realty) — ~$196 billion. Massive franchise network with broad local presence.
3. eXp Realty — ~$156 billion; often leads or near-leads in transaction sides. Cloud-based/virtual model with a revenue-sharing agent program; appeals to agents and clients seeking flexibility.
4. HomeServices of America (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices) — ~$136 billion. Strong brand recognition and trust scores in consumer surveys.
5. The Real Brokerage — Fastest-growing in the top tier (~$65 billion, up 53.7% YoY). Modern platform model.

Other notables: Keller Williams (top franchise brand by volume, huge agent network), Redfin (tech-forward with lower fees), Douglas Elliman, and Howard Hanna (strong regional players).

Consumer Trust and Other Factors

Trust rankings (e.g., Lifestory Research) sometimes highlight Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Sotheby’s, or Douglas Elliman highly, while volume leaders like Compass or Redfin may rank differently depending on the survey. J.D. Power studies focus more on specific experiences like buyer/seller satisfaction but underscore that agent quality and local office matter greatly.

Recommendations

• For most people searching/buying: Start with Zillow or Realtor.com, then connect with a local agent from a top brokerage (Compass, Keller Williams, or a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate are widely available).
• Lower-cost or tech-savvy sales: Consider Redfin.
• Luxury or high-end: Compass or Sotheby’s International Realty.
• Agent-centric or flexible models: eXp Realty or The Real Brokerage.
• Franchise/local feel with national backing: Keller Williams, RE/MAX, or Coldwell Banker.

Your choice depends on location, property type, whether you’re buying or selling, and preference for full-service vs. discount models. Always interview multiple agents, check recent local reviews, and verify commission structures (post-2024 NAR changes have increased transparency). For property management (rentals/investments), firms like HomeRiver Group or Evernest lead in scale, but that’s a separate niche.

Markets vary by city, so local performance can differ from national rankings. Check recent MLS data or sites like Zillow for your area.

Top real estate companies in the U.S. combine high sales volume, trusted brand reputation, and wide agent networks, with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Compass, and Sotheby’s International Realty recognized as some of the most relied-upon brands.

Most Trusted Brands by Consumers

According to the 2026 America’s Most Trusted® Real Estate Brokerage study, the companies most trusted by home buyers and sellers are:

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services – Rated highest for consumer trust with a Net Trust Quotient Score of 105.3 for professionalism, reliability, and service performance. Sotheby’s International Realty – Known for luxury real estate services and a strong reputation in upscale markets. United Real Estate – Offers extensive coverage and consumer trust, focusing on residential brokerage services.

Other widely trusted brands include Douglas Elliman, Howard Hanna, HomeSmart, and Windermere, each delivering strong local service with high consumer recognition Lifestory Research.

Top Companies by Sales Volume

When measured by total sales volume, which reflects market reach and agent capacity, the largest U.S. real estate brokerages include:

Compass – The largest by sales volume in 2025, reporting over $262 billion in home sales. Known for integrating technology-driven platforms to enhance agent marketing and transaction efficiency. Anywhere Advisors (formerly Realogy) – Operates through brands like Century 21, Coldwell Banker, and Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate, with $192.76 billion in sales volume and a vast network of over 300,000 agents. eXp Realty – A cloud-based brokerage with $155.56 billion in 2025 sales, offering nationwide coverage and a digital-first approach that allows agents to work remotely. HomeServices of America – Parent company to Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, combining national and local brokerages, and multiple related services such as mortgages and insurance, with $135.91 billion in 2025 sales. The Real Brokerage, Inc. – Rapidly growing company with significant focus on workflow automation and proprietary software, totaling $65.22 billion in sales.

Other major players by volume or niche focus include Hanna Holdings (Howard Hanna), Douglas Elliman, Redfin, Side, and Peerage Realty Partners, each excelling in either geographic coverage, luxury specialization, or innovative agent platforms Clever Real Estate.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Brokerage

Market Specialization: Luxury homes, mid-market, or specific geographic regions may benefit from specialized brokerages like Douglas Elliman or Sotheby’s International Realty. Tech-First Experience: Brokerages like eXp Realty, Side, and Real Brokerage offer cloud-based services for agents and clients, ideal for digital-savvy users. Discounted Commission Options: Redfin and Clever partner agents offer lower listing fees without reducing service quality. Local vs National Focus: Regional leaders like Howard Hanna or local South Carolina-based brokerages may outperform national brands in local market penetration.

Practical Recommendation

To choose the best real estate company for your needs in Liberty, South Carolina:

Consider nationally trusted brands (Sample: Berkshire Hathaway Home Services or Compass) for broad coverage and reputable service. Explore regional leaders who understand South Carolina markets and may have better local buyer networks. Evaluate agent experience and track record rather than brand alone. Interview multiple agents for insight into market knowledge, communication, and selling strategy.

By balancing brand reputation, sales experience, and local expertise, you can find a top-performing real estate company suited to your buying or selling goals Lifestory Research+1.