California’s Biggest Real Estate Companies (2023 Updates)

Houzeo is a 100% online home-selling platform. It is the best way to sell your home fast and save thousands in commission.

For Home Sellers: Houzeo offers 4 FSBO MLS listing packages for home sellers.

• Bronze Package – $99: This package offers Houzeo listing only for 6 months with maximum photos. You pay a $49 refundable fee for a yard sign and receive your refund after sending a selfie with it.
• Silver Package – $379: This includes everything that home sellers typically look for.
• Gold Package – $379+: It is Houzeo’s signature MLS package and includes all the technology Houzeo is known for Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and DigiTransact.
• Platinum – $349+: It includes the assistance of a licensed broker to help you with negotiations, disclosures, and closing.
• Add-ons: Houzeo offers custom add-ons like ShowingTime, lock boxes, and yard signs. The Houzeo “For Sale” yard sign is America’s most popular For Sale By Owner Sign. It costs only $49, but you can get it for free if you send us a selfie!

 Mobile App: List your property, manage showings, and review & compare offers at your fingertips with Houzeo’s App!

👉 Our Take: We recommend the GOLD plan. You’ll have access to Houzeo tech, making managing showings and offer negotiations easy!

» Houzeo Reviews: Check out what FSBO sellers have to say about listing with Houzeo.com.

Houzeo is Florida’s #1 real estate company because of 8 reasons:

• Near Nationwide Coverage: Houzeo covers 47 states + DC.
• No Listing Agent Commission: With Houzeo, you only pay a small flat fee to get access to the MLS and all the Houzeo tech.
• 100% Online: Easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers.
• Max Exposure: Listings get syndicated to Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, Redfin, and 100s of other real estate sites.
• Fast Listing: Rush listing option gets you listed within a business day with Houzeo Concierge. This is best to sell your house fast.
• Real Estate On the Go: Houzeo Mobile App mimics most functionality of the Houzeo web platform, including Offers and Showings.
• 5-Star Customer Service: Superb support that minimizes Houzeo complaints.
• No Hidden Fees: There are no Houzeo hidden fees.

» Is Houzeo Legit: Learn more about Houzeo.com’s locations and services.

There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.

» Houzeo Reviews: Check out what FSBO sellers have to say about listing with Houzeo.com

Houzeo has a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot.

RE/MAX is a network of franchised brokerages that are independently owned and operated. It has a global footprint with a presence in over 110 countries.

• Traditional Agents – 5% to 6% Commission: RE/MAX is a traditional brokerage. Normally, traditional agents charge an average commission of 5%-6% as they guide and assist you through the entire selling process.

👉 Our Take: RE/MAX  is a well-known real estate brokerage. However, each office is independently owned and operated, so the experience and the quality of service may vary by office.

» Top Real Estate Brokerages in the USA: Check out our list of top brokerages for 2023

Key features of RE/MAX are:

• Personal Agent: RE/MAX agents guide you throughout your entire selling process and keep you updated on its progress.
• Pricing Your Home: Agents at RE/MAX will conduct an in-depth evaluation and a CMA of your property to price your home competitively.
• Extensive Marketing: Agents at RE/MAX use cutting-edge tools and implement multiple marketing strategies to ensure maximum exposure to your property.

The major dealbreaker of RE/MAX is

• Poor Customer Reviews: RE/MAX has multiple customer complaints regarding timeline lapses and unresponsive customer service.
  

RE/MAX has a rating of 2.7 out of 5 on Consumer Affairs.

Vanguard Properties has been active in San Francisco, CA for more than 35 years now. Owned and operated locally, Vanguard Properties knows the communities it serves like no one else.

• Traditional Agent – 5% to 6% commission: Pricing is not disclosed on the website, this means you might end up paying the traditional 3%- 6% commission.

👉 Our Take: Vanguard Properties uses its widespread agent network, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional marketing to ensure a successful and efficient home sale.

Key highlights of Vanguard Properties are:

• Vast Network: With a vast local and global agent network, sellers can be assured of a quick home sale.
• Market Exposure: They offer various services like open houses, premium technology systems, and marketing research to ensure maximum exposure to your property.
• Knowledgeable Agents: Agents at Vanguard Properties have considerable knowledge and experience in selling properties in the Bay Area.

A few drawbacks of Vanguard Properties are:

• Limited Coverage: Vanguard Properties only covers San Francisco, Marin County, Sonoma and Napa Counties, and East Bay.
• No Mobile App: Unlike other real estate companies like Houzeo, Vanguard Properties is low on tech.
• Poor Customer Reviews: Most customers have complained about agents’ lack of professionalism.

Vanguard Properties has 2.5 out of 5 stars on Yelp

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is a real estate brokerage franchise in the US. Headquartered in Minneapolis with over 44,000 real estate agents and 900 offices, BHHS makes over $136 billion annually in residential real estate transactions.

• No Service Fee: As a buyer, you can register with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices for free of cost.

👉 Our Take: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices provides its services to all kinds of home buyers whether you are a first-time home buyer or a luxury home buyer.

» Selling a House: Things you need to know!

Key highlights of BHHS include:

• Search Tool: BHHS provides you with a search tool so you can browse through a variety of homes available in the market.
• Assistance in Paperwork: The agents handle all paperwork for you in relation to buying a house.
• Market Knowledge: BHHS agents provide practical knowledge and guidance based on years of local market expertise. With in-depth property and community information, they help you finalize your dream home.
• Mortgage Calculator: They provide a mortgage calculator by which you can figure out the monthly payments of a home mortgage loan, based on your desired home’s sale price.
• Start to Close Assistance: BHHS agents are experienced in handling all phases of the purchase process, including home inspections.

Few red flags we found about Berkshire Hathaway include:

• Inconsistent Agent Quality: Since BHHS franchises are independently owned and operated, agent experience differs from one location to another.
• Poor Reviews: Customers have complained about delayed transactions and a lack of communication from the agent’s end.

Berkshire Hathaway has a rating of 2.2 out of 5 on Best Company.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC is one of the largest real estate companies in America. Owned by Anywhere Real Estate Inc., this full-service brokerage has over 3,000 offices in 49 countries and territories.

• No Service Fee: As a buyer, you pay nothing to avail services of Coldwell Banker. 

👉 Our Take: Coldwell Banker has been recognized as a real estate leader. Their Full-Service Marketing System shows that they are professional and committed to providing quality service to their customers.

Key features of Coldwell Banker:

• Experts in Negotiations: Coldwell Banker’s agents are skilled and have considerable experience in negotiating the best deal for you.
• Assistance in finding a lender: They help you find a local lender to get you pre-qualified for your desired home by determining whether you can afford to purchase the home.
• Home Searching: With access to the MLS and other tools, the agents narrow down the best home for you as per your wants, needs, and budget.
• Financing: From down payments to mortgage prequalification, Coldwell Banker can help you make sure you have your financial ducks in a row when preparing to buy a house.
• Strong Agent Network: Owing to strong connections with other real estate agents, your agent can find you multiple potential property options.

Red flags of Coldwell Banker include:

• Inconsistent Agent Quality: Several clients of Coldwell Banker have complained of a lack of trust in the agents they had dealt with.
• Lapses in Transactions: Customer complaints include delays in transactions, laid-back attitude, misrepresentations, and the unresponsiveness of agents.

Coldwell Banker is rated 3.0 out of 5 stars on Consumer Affairs.

Founded in 1946 by William L. Lyon, Lyon Real Estate has over 1000 agents and employees in 17 offices throughout the greater Sacramento area.

• No Service Fee: Lyon Real Estate does not charge buyers any fee for its services.

👉 Our Take: Known for being a “client-oriented real estate company” in the Greater Sacramento region, Lyon has earned a 97% customer satisfaction rating. Their real estate agents help clients achieve their home-buying goals.

» Cash Home Buyers in Northern California: Discover the best cash home buyers in Sacramento and nearby areas.

Key features of Lyon Real Estate include:

• Reliable Agents: Your realtor will review a range of factors including the number of for-sale homes competing for your offer, the terms sellers look for in a clean offer, and any additional terms that are likely to appeal to a specific seller.
• New Map Search: New Map Search, an innovative feature, lets customers quickly view properties that are displayed on a virtual map of the Greater Sacramento Area.
• Personalized Alerts: Your agent will alert you when new homes are on the market. You’ll receive property details and photos, price and status changes, a virtual tour, and more.
• Mortgage Lender: Lyon Real Estate’s trusted mortgage lender Guild Mortgage offers technical resources with personalized customer service standards, which includes in-house underwriting, funding, and loan servicing. Each office has a Guild Mortgage consultant.
  
• Mobile App: You can now browse properties at your fingertips with Lyon Real Estate’s mobile app.

One of the deal breakers of Lyon Real Estate is :

• Limited Information: The website provides limited information on the scope of services offered to buyers.

Lyon Real Estate has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 on Yelp. Since the firm has multiple offices statewide, it is ideal to verify the ratings of the office nearest to your city.