A proposed $1.6 billion merger would unite the nation’s two largest real estate behemoths, Compass and Anywhere, combining Compass’s regional brokerages with Anywhere’s nationally recognized brands, including Century 21 and Coldwell Banker. However, some industry observers caution that the consolidation may increase pressure on mom-and-pop brokerages.

The deal , announced last week, is between Madison, N.J.-based Anywhere Real Estate and New York-based Compass, the largest U.S. residential real estate brokerage by sales volume. The combined brokerage company is expected to be worth $10 billion. It would create a combined 340,000-agent network at a time when the housing market is softening. The market has seen a decline in existing home sales, limited inventory, higher home prices an

See Full Page