2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE COMPANIES


Learn About the Top Residential Real Estate Companies in 2017

When you need to buy or sell a house, there are two groups of people in the residential real estate business you should learn about.

First, there are buyers and sellers. Many people look for a residential real estate agent without considering what residential real estate company they work for. Taking a minute to learn about the best residential realty companies can truly make a difference.

Then, there are residential realtors. Learning about the various residential real estate companies is of upmost importance. You will want to make sure you are affiliated with the perfect company for you and your goals.

Best Residential Real Estate Companies

Award Emblem: Top 6 Best Residential Real Estate Companies

That is why we have created your 2017 guide to the six top residential real estate companies.

In this residential real estate review, we will show you the following:

  • Commercial vs. residential property for sale
  • The role of residential real estate companies vs. a residential real estate agent
  • The six best residential realty companies of 2017 for buyers/sellers
  • A residential real estate review on working for each of the companies for realtors

By the end of this guide, you should have a firm grasp on which of these residential real estate companies get our vote.

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AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Top 6 Best Residential Real Estate Companies

List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the residential realty names below to go directly to the detailed review section for that residential real estate review):


Top 6 Best Residential Real Estate Companies | Brief Comparison & Ranking

Residential Real Estate Companies

Year Founded

International

Residential Listings?

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate

1978

(relaunched 2008)

Yes

Century 21

1971

Yes

Coldwell Banker

1906

Yes

Keller Williams

1983

Yes

RE/MAX

1973

Yes

Sotheby’s International Realty

1976

Yes

Table: 6 Top Residential Real Estate Companies | Above list is sorted alphabetically



Residential Properties vs. Commercial Properties

Throughout this article, we will talk solely about residential homes for sale and residential realtors. Examples of residential properties are:

  • Single family homes
  • Vacation homes
  • Condos
  • Investment property
  • Land purchases for future living
  • Multi-unit properties
  • Manufactured homes
  • Townhouses

Residential Properties

Image Source: Pixabay

But this is not the only type of real estate. Most of these residential real estate companies also work in the commercial real estate business. Examples of commercial properties are:

  • Land zone for business use
  • Office spaces
  • Industrial spaces
  • Retail centers
  • Hotels

The average person will buy or sell residential properties throughout their lifetime significantly more than they would commercial properties. So most real estate companies focus on residential property for sale just like we will for this guide.

It is great to know, however, that most of these top residential real estate companies are also options for commercial real estate if that need arises for you.

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Residential Realty Companies vs. Residential Realtors

An important thing for those who want to buy or sell a residential house to know is the difference between companies and realtors.

While it is valuable to learn about residential real estate companies, it is ultimately the real estate agent who will make or break your experience.

Since residential realtors are independent affiliates of these companies, it is possible to have a bad realtor at a great company or a great realtor at a bad company.

With that being said, all six of these top residential real estate companies have had such great reputations for so many years that you should be able to find an ideal residential real estate agent through any of these options.



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AdvisoryHQ’s Selection Methodology

What methodology does AdvisoryHQ use in selecting and finalizing the credit cards, financial products, firms, services, and products that are ranked on its various top-rated lists?

Please click here “AdvisoryHQ’s Ranking Methodologies” for a detailed review of AdvisoryHQ’s selection methodologies for ranking top-rated credit cards, financial accounts, firms, products, and services.


Detailed Review – Top Ranking Best Residential Real Estate Companies

Below, please find a detailed review of each residential real estate agent company on our list of residential realty companies. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these top residential real estate companies to score so highly in our selection ranking.



Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Review


The first residential real estate review on our list of top residential real estate companies is Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. The household brand name Better Homes and Gardens® is backing up residential listings now.

Better Homes - Residential Property

Image Source: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate

Originally started in 1978, this best residential real estate company grew into popularity after being relaunched by Realogy in 2008.

Finding a residential property for sale through Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate can happen in:

  • The United States
  • Canada
  • The Bahamas

Residential Real Estate Review: Working for Better Homes and Gardens

This residential real estate company earned a “Learning! 100” award for “excellence in its real estate training and educational platform, specifically the brand’s brokerage manager training.”

Fifty-three reviewers on the Glassdoor gave this residential realty company 4.1 out of 5 stars, and 92% approve of the CEO.

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Century 21 Review


Now let’s take a look at the residential real estate company Century 21. This popular choice made our list of the best residential realty for many reasons.

As one of the top residential real estate companies, Century 21 has won the J.D. Power awards for four categories of residential property for sale. These categories are:

  • First-Time Home-Buyer Satisfaction
  • Repeat Home-Buyer Satisfaction
  • First-Time Home-Seller Satisfaction
  • Repeat Home-Seller Satisfaction

With over 106,000 independent agents and residential realtors working in 76 countries worldwide, you can see that this residential properties franchise makes quite an impact.

Century 21 raised nearly $3 million for their partner charity, Easter Seals, in 2016. They also have special programs in place to help veterans find great residential homes for sale.

Residential Real Estate Review: Working for Century 21

Century 21 was named the “Best Real Estate Company To Work For Brand Recognition.”

Since 96% of responders said they recognized the brand name, a hopeful residential real estate agent may feel this will boost their career.



Coldwell Banker Review


Coldwell Banker is next up for top residential real estate companies in 2017. Let’s take a look at what makes this company stand out.

The longest standing residential real estate company on our list, Coldwell Banker has over 100 years of experience in residential properties.

With a net of around 3,000 independently owned residential realty franchises, Coldwell Banker exists in 43 countries with their 86,000 residential real estate agent affiliates.

Coldwell Banker tied Century 21 for the highest rank in J.D. Power’s “Repeat Home-Buyer Satisfaction Ranking.” The residential house closing process for Coldwell Banker was called the company’s strong suit for this ranking.

Residential Real Estate Review: Working for Coldwell Banker

Over 750 employees have rated this residential real estate company. With 4.3 out of 5 stars, Coldwell Banker shows it is one of the top residential real estate companies to work for in 2017. These employees gave highest marks for Coldwell Banker’s:

  • Work/life balance
  • Management
  • Company culture



Keller Williams Review


The next residential real estate review on our list of top residential real estate companies is Keller Williams.

Their business ideal is to be a residential real estate company that “focuses all its resources on building its agents’ businesses, the agents in turn will build the company beyond all expectations.” And that seems to be working.

With over 139,000 agents and nearly 800 market centers internally, the large scope of Keller Williams absolutely makes it one of the top options for residential property sales. Entrepreneur even ranked this group of residential realtors the #1 real estate franchise.

Keller Williams has an annual “RED Day”: renew, energize, and donate. They use this day for serving organizations in the communities where they work.

Residential Real Estate Review: Working for Keller Williams

Keller Williams was named the “Best Real Estate Company To Work For” by FitSmallBusiness.com due to the following:

  • Their fair and transparent plans for commission
  • Their profit sharing opportunities
  • Their great in-class training
  • Their increased dominance in the market

This ranking is supported by a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating from nearly 1,000 Keller Williams residential realtors on Indeed.

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RE/MAX Review


Next on our list of top residential real estate companies is RE/MAX (Real Estate Maximums). When it comes to residential real estate, RE/MAX is a household name for a reason.

Re/Max Residential House

Image Source: RE/MAX

RE/MAX is a publicly-traded group of residential real estate agent franchises, along with commercial real estate, with over $176 million in revenue (2015).

With over 100,000 agents and residential realtors in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide and countless residential listings, it is no wonder why RE/MAX is one of the top residential real estate companies.

On top of doing a great job with residential homes for sale, RE/MAX has been giving back to the community. After their commercial or residential properties sell, RE/MAX donates to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. They have given over $147 million.

Residential Real Estate Review: Working for RE/MAX

RE/MAX was named the “Best Real Estate Company for Experienced Agents” by FitSmallBusiness.com.

Out of nearly 1,000 employee reviews on Indeed, RE/MAX receives 4.2 out of 5 stars. Employees cite the following categories as great reasons to work for RE/MAX:

  • Company culture
  • Work/life balance
  • Management


Sotheby’s International Realty Review


The last residential real estate review we will look at on our list of 2017’s top residential real estate companies is Sotheby’s. Founded by the famous Sotheby’s Auction House, these residential realtors deserve a top spot.

This residential real estate company focuses their efforts mostly on luxury residential houses or luxury residential properties.

From high-end residential listings in Africa and Asia to the Caribbean and Europe, Sotheby’s aims to ensure that they are not only offering residential homes for sale, but also a certain lifestyle.

Their Art & Home magazine helps people find their style and know what type of residential property for sale interests them.

Residential Real Estate Review: Working For Sotheby’s

Working for Sotheby’s can easily be an international career. Thirty-two employees on Indeed gave Sotheby’s realty 4 out of 5 stars, saying that work/life balance and culture were some of the best perks.

Seventy percent of employees who wrote reviews on Glassdoor would recommend working at Sotheby’s to a friend.

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Conclusion – Top 6 Residential Real Estate Companies

Now you have a better idea of the top residential real estate companies for 2017 and what they are all about.

If you want to buy or sell a residential property, you should consider choosing a residential real estate agent from one of these companies.

If you want to be a residential real estate agent, you should look through the residential real estate review on working for each company. Then you can see which option may be the ideal fit.

No matter your need for finding the top residential real estate companies, any of these options should be a good fit.



AdvisoryHQ (AHQ) Disclaimer:

Reasonable efforts have been made by AdvisoryHQ to present accurate information, however all info is presented without warranty. Review AdvisoryHQ’s Terms for details. Also review each firm’s site for the most updated data, rates and info.

Note: Firms and products, including the one(s) reviewed above, may be AdvisoryHQ's affiliates. Click to view AdvisoryHQ's advertiser disclosures.