Here it is, the moment you’ve all been waiting for — a list of some of the biggest brands in Dallas-Fort Worth Real Estate.
It’s an unofficial list, so let’s not get crazy, but it does contain some of the biggest and best-known names in the business. Unofficial means it’s not based on sales, the number of agents, or who has the best logo. But it is official in the way of names you know or should know, reputation, and the signs we see most on the streets — typically in the middle of a well-manicured lawn. If there’s an egregious omission on this list, feel free to add it in the comments below.
You know what? Before we even dive in, let’s take a moment to explain what a brokerage is. LINGO. I’m sure most of you know this already, but just in case, a brokerage is a real estate company. Your Ebby Hallidays, Coldwell Bankers, and the like.
Now that THAT’S taken care of, let’s get after it, in alphabetical order no less.
Allie Beth Allman & Associates
“Formed in 2003, Allie Beth Allman & Associates is recognized as the most productive single office residential real estate in Dallas.”
Don’t be fooled though, Allie Beth Allman has been at it since 1985. She helped create a brokerage that’s a little niche – they skew luxury and pop up predominantly in University Park, Preston Hollow, Lakewood, etc. They’re all about that $1 million-plus market and they know how to handle high-profile clientele.
Leader of the Pack: Executive Director Allie Beth Allman and President Keith Conlon
Sum It Up: Poised and polished, this brokerage lives up to its Highland Park address.
Briggs Freeman-Sotheby’s
Let’s break it down because that’s a whole lot of names. Sotheby’s International Realty is “the world’s most respected real estate brand.” Sotheby’s is the brand and Briggs-Freeman is our local franchise. Briggs-Freeman was founded in 1960 as a boutique firm and today that is what they still claim to be. Briggs-Freeman has 400 agents locally, but Sotheby’s has agents aground the globe so you can buy your second, third, and fourth vacation home under the Sotheby’s moniker. Hallelujah.
Leader of the Pack: CEO Robbie Briggs and President Russ Anderson
Sum It Up: In a word (or two if you’re counting), Briggs-Freeman has the reputation of being both fancy and schmancy. High end fo’ sho.
Compass
Launched in 2012, Compass states, “With the solutions-driven mindset of a startup and the sophistication of a luxury brand, Compass is the future of real estate.”
Compass took Dallas by storm in 2018 with founding partners Christy Berry and Jonathan Rosen of The Collective. Agents joined so fast we couldn’t keep up. Back then, they were predominantly in Dallas, but three years later, they’re creeping up north, too.
Leader of the Pack: Founders Robert Reffkin and Ori Allon
Sum It Up: The cool kids’ agents. Sleek and modern with an animated GIF in that sig.
Coldwell Banker Apex
Coldwell Banker Apex has been serving Dallas-Fort Worth and Waco for over 43 years. They have 20 offices and 900 associates. Not only is Apex a third-generation family business, but it’s also woman-owned. Founded in 1973 by Millie Hendricks, the company is now run by Lori Arnold, Millie’s daughter, and her husband, John. Since taking over in 1990, John and Lori have “grown the business to regional and national prominence.”
Leader of the Pack: John and Lori Arnold
Sum It Up: An established brokerage with a fresh female face.
Coldwell Banker Realty
Within Dallas-Fort Worth there’s Coldwell Banker Realty and Coldwell Banker Apex.
What’s that now? Yep. That’s because — you guessed it — Coldwell Banker is a franchise. Both Apex and Realty are on the list and whereas Apex tends to focus north of 635, Realty is literally everywhere. Their Global Luxury office is in Dallas on Sherry Lane, which is basically Realtor row. Coldwell Banker itself has been around for 115 years and has over 93,000 agents nationwide.
Leader of the Pack: Charles El-Moussa, President of Coldwell Banker Realty Texas
Sum It Up: Old school brokerage. No muss. No fuss. They’re just out there getting it done.
Ebby Halliday Realtors, Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate, and Williams Trew
This is a three-for. Under Ebby Halliday Companies you’ll find:
Ebby Halliday Realtors, which is “better known as Ebby, the first name in Dallas Real Estate with 77 years in the business.”
Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate, “a brokerage within a brokerage so you get that boutique feel, but with all the strength and resources of the three major names behind it: Ebby Halliday Companies, HomeServices of America, and Berkshire Hathaway.”
Williams Trew Real Estate, “a leader not only in Fort Worth, Williams Trew also specializes in all things rural including farm, ranch and lake properties.”
Leader of the Pack: Chris Kelly
Sum It Up: Tried and true. Ebby Halliday Companies is an old-school Dallas institution that’s known for its training and mentorship.
eXp Realty
eXp Realty claims to be one of the world’s fastest-growing real estate brokerages. If you’ve been in Dallas for a second, you believe it. It felt like they popped up overnight and were suddenly everywhere. They do things a little differently with their compensation, too, and their cloud-based model makes collaboration extra easy.
Leader of the Pack: Glenn Sanford is the Founder and CEO and Tony King is the managing broker for Texas
Sum It Up: Founded in 2009, they still feel like the new kids on the block with a fresh approach and transactional focus.
Keller Williams
While it was founded by Gary Keller and Joe Williams with one office in Austin in 1983, today the Keller Williams brand is just a little bit bigger than that. Keller Williams claims to be “No. 1. Holding the top spot in agent count, units, and sales volume.” Back in May 2018, they had “over 940 offices with over 180,000 associates worldwide.” You tend to see KW signs the most in North Dallas and Far North Dallas. Are they a franchise? You bet your sweet butt they are.
Leader of the Pack: Gary Keller, Executive Chairman of the Board and Marc King, President KWRI
Sum It Up: KW has been voted one of the happiest companies to work for and those that love it, LOVE IT.
Rogers Healy and Associates Real Estate
The last truly independent brokerage in North Texas, Rogers Healy and Associates Real Estate has been at it since 2006. (Though Rogers Healy, the human, has been in real estate since 2001.) If you were in Dallas back when they launched, you’ll remember Healy’s face everywhere. And it still is. (Now as seen on TV, too.) With such distinct branding it’s no wonder RHA is the official brokerage of the Dallas Mavericks, SMU Athletics and listed on the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America.
Leader of the Pack: Rogers Healy
Sum It Up: A boutique brokerage that feels as high energy as its charismatic leader.
Monument Realty
Founded in 2017 by Eddie and Tiffany Burns, Monument calls themselves a “next-generation, full-service real estate brokerage based in Frisco, TX.” They’re also the official broker of the Dallas Cowboys. Everything about this brokerage feels young and hip and they were named one of the best small companies to work for by the Dallas Morning News.
Leader of the Pack: Eddie and Tiffany Burns
Sum It Up: A little flashy with a focus on them ‘Burbs. (Frisco, Celina, Prosper and Plano)
@properties
One of the largest independent brokerages in the nation, Chicago-based @properties was founded in 2000 to use prop-tech to put agents back in the driver’s seat, launched its third national franchise in Dallas-Fort Worth. The brokerage, which is helmed by Jerry Mooty, is already well on its way to a recruiting blitz.
Leader of the Pack: Jerry Mooty
Sum It Up: They may be new players to the field, but don’t underestimate them.
