Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is one of the world’s fastest-growing real estate brokerage franchisors. As part of the Berkshire Hathaway family and led by Chairman Warren Buffett, the company has quickly established itself as a leading real estate brand. In this blog, we’ll take a deep dive into Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, exploring its history, leadership, network of agents, brand reputation, marketing support, technology tools, and more.
History and Leadership: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices was formed in 2012 after a joint venture between Brookfield Asset Management and Berkshire Hathaway. It combined the existing Prudential Real Estate and Real Living Real Estate networks under one umbrella. The new company aimed to leverage the power of the Berkshire Hathaway brand, led by the iconic Warren Buffett, to attract savvy agents and homebuyers.
Gino Blefari serves as CEO, bringing decades of real estate industry experience. Chairman Warren Buffett provides financial strength and brand power from Berkshire Hathaway, which owns several subsidiaries in insurance, utilities, manufacturing, and retail. This leadership instills trust and confidence in the brand.
Since its founding, Berkshire Hathaway has aggressively grown its network through acquisitions and recruitment. It now has nearly 50,000 agents in over 1,400 offices across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and India. Berkshire continues expanding worldwide, recently adding its first franchisees in Asia.
Agent Network and Brokerages: A key ingredient to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ growth is its ability to attract top-tier real estate professionals. Brokerages and agents are drawn to the brand power of Berkshire Hathaway and its associated reputation for trust, integrity, financial strength, and premium client service. Joining the network provides global reach and local resources.
Many of the industry’s top brokerages have joined the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices ranks. The network includes large independents like Florida’s Keyes Company, Seattle-based John L. Scott, Iowa Realty, and Edina Realty based in Minneapolis. Several franchises are also part of the network, including Prudential California Realty, Fox & Roach in Pennsylvania, and Kentwood Real Estate in Colorado.
For real estate agents, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices provides lead generation, training, marketing support, and technology tools. Top performers can also qualify for awards like the Chairman’s Circle. Agents benefit from the brand’s prestige and connections.
Brand Reputation: In just a decade, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has built a reputation as a respected, prestigious brokerage brand. It consistently ranks highly in brand surveys across the real estate industry.
In the 2022 REAL Trends survey, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices placed second in brand power and awareness. It was the highest rated traditional franchise brand. A 2019 survey by REAL Trends and Tom Ferry International ranked Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices first in trustworthiness.
This brand reputation stems from Berkshire Hathaway’s financial strength, leadership excellence, and focus on the highest ethical standards. Agents are attracted to the brand’s reputation for premium client service and representation. The company emphasizes characteristics like integrity, longevity, stability, and quality.
For home buyers and sellers, the Berkshire Hathaway name carries a seal of approval. It signals a trusted real estate firm with proven experience. Warren Buffett’s leadership and “Oracle of Omaha” persona further boosts confidence. The brand reputation provides Berkshire Hathaway agents with instant credibility and respect.
Marketing Support and Technology: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices invests heavily in marketing support and technology tools for its brokerage franchisees. This enables brokers and agents to elevate their local brands.
The company offers a comprehensive marketing toolkit with brand guidelines, advertising templates, email campaigns, social media content, and more. Brokerages can easily incorporate the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices identity within their local messaging. National TV and digital advertising campaigns also increase brand visibility and drive buyer leads.
On the technology side, the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices platform includes lead generation tools, CRM for managing prospects, and a transaction management system. The proprietary Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Mobile REACH app allows agents to manage their business and service clients on-the-go. Brokerages and agents also gain access to the Real Estate Digital Advertising Suite (REDA) for social media and digital ad management.
These tools help brokerage franchises serve home buyers and sellers with speed and efficiency. The combination of marketing power and technology provides a significant advantage.
Since its launch in 2012, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has ascended to the top ranks of the real estate brokerage world. Its rapid growth comes from the financial strength and reputation of Berkshire Hathaway, savvy leadership, a network of elite brokerages and agents, marketing resources, and technology tools. For home buyers and sellers, the brand signifies trust, integrity and exceptional service. As Berkshire Hathaway continues expanding globally, its position as a real estate leader will be further solidified. The future remains bright for this brokerage powerhouse.
