How M&A strategy is reshaping real estate and what every broker can learn

This fall, Compass announced plans to merge with Anywhere Real Estate in what may become the largest acquisition in residential brokerage history. The deal could unite over 340,000 agents across more than 120 countries and set a new precedent for how scale, technology, and capital converge in our industry.

At WAV Group, we have long believed that consolidation is not just about size. It is about leverage and the ability to turn scale into sustained profitability. This merger should prompt every brokerage leader to revisit their own growth strategy.

What brokers can learn from Compass and Anywhere

Mergers are never just about numbers. They are about the alignment of culture, systems, and platform. The Compass-Anywhere combination will test whether even the largest players can integrate quickly while maintaining brand strength and agent trust. One thing that we know for sure is that agents will vote with their feet. If the new organization does not support the individual agent or team, they will walk. 

Behind the headlines are lessons every brokerage can apply today:

  • Scale must serve strategy. Growth through acquisition only works if it strengthens your market position and operational focus.
  • Integration determines success. Culture, technology, and financial systems must connect before the ink dries.
  • Profit comes from platform control. The future belongs to brokerages that own their data, brand, and earn consumer relationships, not those that rent them or buy them from a third party. 

From the book: acquiring more profit

In my book Acquiring More Profit, I break down the process of growing a brokerage through mergers and acquisitions. The goal is not just financial growth but long-term strength.

Key concepts include:

  • Deal discipline. Identify targets that fit your culture and profit model, not just your geography.
  • Valuation frameworks. Measure potential through EBITDA, brand synergy, and agent retention value. Look for complimentary superpowers in leadership.
  • Integration sequencing. Align people, platforms, and processes to protect cash flow and reputation.
  • Sustainable leverage. Convert each acquisition into cumulative advantage, not just added volume.

Hear the full conversation on Real Estate Insiders

I recently joined the Real Estate Insiders Podcast to discuss the book and the mechanics of profitable M&A in brokerage. You can listen or watch here:

 Real Estate Insiders Podcast – Victor Lund on Acquiring More Profit

In the episode, I talk about:

  • how to recognize when acquisition is the right growth move
  • why most integrations fail after the deal
  • how brokerages can turn market turbulence into strategic opportunity

The next move for brokerage leaders

The Compass-Anywhere deal signals that we have entered a new era. Capital is consolidating, and platforms are competing for digital sovereignty. The question for independent brokerages is not whether to grow, but how to grow profitably, intentionally, and with control over their future.

Mergers and acquisitions are no longer reserved for the largest firms. With clarity of purpose and operational readiness, any brokerage can use acquisition to accelerate its trajectory.