Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is a national real estate brokerage network owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS) operates as a franchise network of independent real estate brokerages across the United States. Each local office is independently owned and operated, meaning the agents and brokers you work with are not Berkshire Hathaway employees — they are part of a franchise that uses the Berkshire Hathaway name and systems. The company does not buy or sell homes itself; instead, it provides the brand, technology platform, training, and support that local brokers use to run their offices and help buyers and sellers.

The network launched in 2013 when Berkshire Hathaway acquired HomeServices of America, which already operated regional brokerages. Since then, BHHS has grown to include hundreds of offices in most states. Because each office is independently owned, the experience, fees, and service quality can vary significantly depending on which local BHHS brokerage you work with.

Key Takeaways

  • Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is a franchise network, not a single company, so your local BHHS office is independently owned and may operate differently from another BHHS office in a different state.
  • Real estate commissions and fees are set by the individual brokerage office, not by Berkshire Hathaway, and are negotiable between you and the agent or broker.
  • BHHS offices use the same technology platform and training standards across the network, but the quality of individual agents varies by location.
  • You can find your local BHHS office through the company website, but you should interview multiple agents regardless of brand before deciding who to work with.

How the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices franchise structure works

BHHS operates under a franchise model, similar to how McDonald's or Subway work. Berkshire Hathaway owns the brand and the underlying technology, but it licenses that brand and those systems to independent brokers who own and run local offices. Each franchisee pays fees to use the BHHS name and access the company's tools, training, and national marketing resources.

This structure means that when you contact a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices office, you are contacting a locally owned business that happens to operate under the BHHS brand. The broker who owns that office sets the policies, hires the agents, and decides how much to charge. Berkshire Hathaway does not directly employ the agents or control their day-to-day work. This is an important distinction because it means your experience depends heavily on which local office you choose.

What services BHHS offices provide to buyers and sellers

A typical BHHS brokerage office offers the standard services you would find at any residential real estate brokerage: listing homes for sale, showing properties to buyers, negotiating offers, and coordinating the closing process. Agents help sellers price their homes, market them to potential buyers, and manage the sale from contract to closing. For buyers, agents search for properties, arrange showings, help with offers, and guide them through inspections and financing.

Beyond basic brokerage services, BHHS offices may offer additional services depending on the local office. Some provide mortgage lending, title services, or property management. Others partner with affiliated companies to offer these services. You should ask your local BHHS office what services they provide directly and what they refer to partners.

BHHS also provides agents with a national technology platform that includes listing databases, marketing tools, and client management systems. This means agents at BHHS offices can access listings from across the network and use standardized tools to market homes. However, the quality of an individual agent's service depends on their experience and effort, not on the BHHS brand itself.

Real estate commissions and fees at BHHS offices

Real estate commissions are not set by Berkshire Hathaway or by any national standard. Each BHHS office sets its own commission rates, and those rates are negotiable between you and the agent or broker. Commission is typically paid by the seller and is split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent, though the exact split varies by transaction and by agreement.

Standard commission rates in most markets range from 4.5 to 6 percent of the home's sale price, but this is not a rule — it is a market average. You can and should negotiate commission with any agent, including those at BHHS offices. Some agents or offices may charge lower rates, especially for higher-priced homes or in competitive markets. Others may charge higher rates if they provide additional services.

Beyond commission, you may encounter other fees depending on the office and the services you use. Some offices charge for things like transaction coordination, document preparation, or marketing. Ask your BHHS agent or broker for a complete list of fees before you sign any agreement.

How to find and choose a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices agent

You can find your local BHHS office by visiting the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices website and using their office locator tool. Enter your city or zip code, and the site will show you BHHS offices in your area. You can then contact the office directly to speak with an agent or request a consultation.

However, finding a BHHS office should not be your only step. The BHHS brand does not may provide quality or service — it is straightforward a franchise network. You should interview agents from multiple brokerages, including BHHS offices and independent brokers, before deciding who to work with. Ask each agent about their experience in your market, how they market homes, what technology they use, and what their commission structure is. Request references from recent clients and check online reviews.

The best agent for you is the one who understands your local market, communicates clearly, and has a track record of successful transactions — not necessarily the one with the biggest brand name.

Differences between BHHS and other national brokerage brands

BHHS competes with other national franchise networks like RE/MAX, Keller Williams, and Century 21, as well as with independent brokerages and large corporate brokerages like Redfin or Zillow Group. Like BHHS, most of these are franchise networks where local offices are independently owned. The main differences are in the technology platforms they provide, the training and support they offer, and their market presence in different regions.

RE/MAX, for example, is known for a high-commission model where agents keep a larger share of commission in exchange for paying higher desk fees. Keller Williams emphasizes agent training and uses a different commission-sharing model. Century 21 has a smaller footprint than it once did. Redfin and Zillow Group operate as corporate brokerages with employed agents, not franchises. None of these differences make one brand universally better — they reflect different business models and may appeal to different types of agents and clients.

The BHHS advantage is primarily the Berkshire Hathaway backing and the resources that come with it. Berkshire Hathaway is a major financial institution, which gives the brand credibility and stability. However, this does not mean individual BHHS agents are better than agents at other brokerages — it means the network has strong financial backing.

What to know before working with a BHHS agent

Before you sign a listing agreement or buyer's agent agreement with a BHHS agent, understand what you are agreeing to. A listing agreement gives the agent the right to represent your home for sale and specifies the commission rate, the length of the agreement, and what happens if you sell the home yourself or fire the agent. A buyer's agent agreement does the same for the buyer side, though these are less formal and more often verbal.

Read any agreement carefully and ask questions about anything you do not understand. Pay special attention to the commission rate, the length of the agreement (typically 90 days to 6 months for sellers), and any early termination clauses. If you are unhappy with an agent, you want to know how to end the relationship without penalty.

Also ask about the office's marketing plan for your home if you are selling. Will they list it on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service)? Will they use professional photography, virtual tours, or staging? Will they advertise on their website and social media? These details matter more than the BHHS brand itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices the same as Berkshire Hathaway Inc.?

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc., but it operates as a separate real estate brokerage network. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a large investment and insurance company; BHHS is the real estate division. The BHHS brand benefits from Berkshire Hathaway's financial backing and reputation, but the actual real estate transactions are handled by independent local brokers.

Do all Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices offices charge the same commission?

No. Each BHHS office sets its own commission rates, and those rates are negotiable. Commission is not set by Berkshire Hathaway or by any national standard. You should ask your local BHHS office about their rates and negotiate before signing an agreement.

Can I sell my home without using a real estate agent?

Yes, you can sell your home without an agent, though you will need to list it on the MLS yourself (which usually requires paying a flat fee to a discount brokerage) or sell it privately. However, most home sales involve agents because they have access to buyer networks and marketing tools. If you choose to work with an agent, you can interview agents from any brokerage, including BHHS.

What if I have a bad experience with a BHHS agent?

If you are unhappy with a BHHS agent, you can end the relationship by following the terms in your agreement. Most listing agreements allow you to terminate with written notice, though some include early termination fees. Contact the broker (the office owner) if you have a complaint about an agent. You can also file a complaint with your state's real estate commission, which oversees all agents and brokers.

Is Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices available in my area?

BHHS has offices in most states, but not all. Use the office locator on the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices website to see if there is an office near you. If there is not, you can work with agents from other brokerages in your area.