Berkshire Hathaway Logo

Berkshire Hathaway

Is This Your Business?
star star star_half star_border star_border

3.2

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: February 27th, 2024

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is a real estate brokerage franchise network designed for the current real estate market. Their network of members and agents serve first-time home buyers, high-end residential markets, middle market communities and commercial real estate offering local expertise. 

Top Ranked Companies

thumb_up

The Good

  • International
  • States
  • Agents
  • Offices
  • Real estate options
  • License
  • Commission/selling cost
  • Specialties
  • Experience

International

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is not available internationally. They are solely limited to the United States. If looking for a home or property in another country, you will have to seek elsewhere.

States

The company's network of franchisees are found in 47/51 states. This means you most likely have access to one of their local agents wherever you reside.

Agents

The company currently reports a commercial network of 2000 agents and counting. One of their strengths is a huge network of agents throughout the country. With this franchise real estate system increasing every day, the number of agents is growing exponentially.

Offices

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has 1100 offices across the U.S. with about 142 offices in California alone.

Real Estate Options

Berkshire Hathaway offers services to help you buy and sell homes. The benefits they offer to buyers include:

  • In-depth property and community information
  • Local expertise, keeping you up-to-date on home buying trends
  • Agents that only show you homes that fit what you're looking for
  • Agents that work around your schedule

Benefits they offer sellers are:

  • A seamless sales process
  • Accurate pricing based on real data
  • Professional marketing services where they list, advertise and show your home for you
  • Negotiation services aimed to make sure you get a fair price

License

Berkshire Hathaway requires all of their agents to have a license. You can choose from a list of real estate agents (what they call local market experts) in your area who specialize in buying and selling brokerage services that are native to that specific geographical zone. If you're seeking a broker or realtor, you can peruse the agent's profile in Berkshire's database to see if they have that particular status.

Commission/Selling Cost

Berkshire Hathaway requires all of their agents to have a license. You can choose from a list of real estate agents (what they call local market experts) in your area who specialize in buying and selling brokerage services that are native to that specific geographical zone. If you're seeking a broker or realtor, you can peruse the agent's profile in Berkshire's database to see if they have that particular status. Berkshire Hathaway declines to share Commission rates unless you are a client to one of their agents. Many companies do this and it is not abnormal.

Specialties

Berkshire Hathaway offers services the specialties below:

  • Residential: Buying and Selling services for residential homes
  • Commercial: Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Services for owners and investors, landlords, tenants and commercial affiliates

These specialty services cover a vast area to meet your needs. Berkshire bases its efforts on research and data points to help customers make the best decisions possible.

Experience

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services have its origins dating back to 1839 when Oliver Chace established a company called Valley Falls Company that dealt with textile manufacturing. Over a century later, in 1955, the named permanently changed to Berkshire Hathaway. Business magnate Warren Buffet took over as President, Chairman, and CEO of the company in the early 1970s. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services was established in the late 1990s. They acquired Prudential Real Estate in 2012. To date, Several Prudential offices around the country have already adopted the Berkshire Hathaway name. By 2020, it is expected that all Prudential offices will be replaced with the Berkshire Hathaway brand. Technically speaking, Berkshire Hathaway real estate has been in operation for approximately 20 years.

thumb_down

The Bad

  • Filtering Options

Filtering Options

Unlike most real estate sites, Berkshire does not have advanced search features. Your search options go by city name or zip code. This does not allow you to get really specific about what kind of home you're looking for, nor does it allow you to filter the kind of community you want to live in, or find a home in proximity to a particular school district or commute distance to work.

gavel

The Bottom Line

Berkshire Hathaway provides easy-to-use tools for patrons to understand not only the properties available, but the long-term effects of real estate purchase as well. Their website connects buyers and sellers to agents effectively. Overall, they are a solid choice to consider when looking for an agent, property, or general real estate advice. If you're a home buyer or seller, Berkshire doesn't have the best filters to help you narrow your search the way some other websites do. For what Berkshire offers, they're not the only game in town. Their services can be found with other competitors, so if you find, for example, an agent whose commission is too high, you can feel secure knowing Berkshire Hathaway is not the only option.
Was this content helpful?
thumb_up Yes thumb_down No

Star Rating

info

2.5

star star star_half star_border star_border

63 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

30%

4 grade

2%

3 grade

0%

2 grade

2%

1 grade

67%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

star star star_half star_border star_border

Quality

star star star_half star_border star_border

Service

star star star_half star_border star_border

Trustworthiness

star star star_half star_border star_border
cancel

Filter by:

arrow_drop_down

Sort by:

arrow_drop_down
info
star star star star star

Lisa Munson Whitsett, NC

Dealing with most real estate agents is confusing, but Vinnie L was outstanding! I could contact him anytime for him to completely answer my questions and calm my fears. Pleasant, knowledgeable, and tenacious would best describe him and his team. I am blessed to have had him working with me to sell my home! Even after the sale, I can call him my friend today.

1 month ago

star star star star star

Rebecca Kenney Greenville, SC

Betsy was honestly incredible. I immediately felt comfortable with her. She was friendly, warm, chatty, AND knowledgeable about every step in the process. Every question we asked, she either had the answer immediately or she found the answer quickly. She was very responsive, and we always felt like she had our backs. We could not have asked for a better realtor to handle the purchase of our new home and the sale of our old one. She made an anxiety-inducing process much less stressful just by holding our hands and walking us through it.

3 months ago

star star star star star

My Blurbee Smithtown, NY

Awesome, super-great, unbelievably wonderful experience with David M from BHHS Clearwater office! My family is SO grateful to David, I do not have enough words to say it. David was instrumental for helping us buy 2 homes in Tampa Bay area in the last year, in this competitive seller's market. He tirelessly worked with us days and nights, literally! He guided and advised us on every step and on every detail, he always offered options to solve all obstacles along the entire process, he did more than any other real estate agent I've worked with (and I did try quite a few over the years). Positive attitude, super friendly, we felt comforted during crunch times with him, he is a lot more than our agent, he is our trustworthy friend! Very important to mention that we bought properties from out of state... I could say we bought them from behind the desk, only with his help! I cannot say how many times he tweaked the home search engines to give us meaningful results of properties to fit our needs, and the countless times he facetimed us to show the houses we selected online... He made hundreds of phone calls or emails for us to get answers to even the silliest questions. David is very knowledgeable of the housing market, techniques to make offers competitive, organized, detail-oriented, online savvy with all RE systems and tools. He negotiates very well because he's a very pleasant person and well spoken. I learned a ton from him, and he supported us all along, even with our craziest ideas of doing things. I could not believe how much patience he has and how quickly and efficiently he follows-up on all items, big and small. No loose ends, always available - this is a very rare quality in people, especially in a buyer's agent in a hot market like Tampa. We came to him with no knowledge of Florida's RE market and David gave us all he had, and a lot more than we ever expected. David recommended many other RE professionals to me: property managers, inspectors, lenders, insurance agents, builders, and general contractors, and I ended up working with all of them. He paved our roads to become homeowners and investors in the beautiful Tampa area, where we are now moving. I would not work with anyone else in the entire state of Florida than David, kudos to him and countless thanks. I have the greatest respect and recommendation for David Malaxos, we've been so lucky to have him, and we cannot thank him enough!

1 year ago

star star star star star

Mary WILSON Ocala, FL

We both sold and bought a house using BH. Miss Anita B was absolutely wonderful helping us sell our house....she gave us sound advice and helped us understand the process of showing a home and the virtue of patience. She was truly forthcoming and kind, and she listened to us anytime we needed guidance. When we were under pressure (and time) she made things happen, helped us through closing and offered advice about shopping for a new home. THEN, she referred us to a BH agent in Florida, where we live now, and Tracey B was simply astounding! She understood we were without a place to live (due to our own bad timing), and she met us with a smile, asked questions and listened, and found us a new home in less than 1 week. This woman is SO talented and savvy! She's helped us in other ways since we moved in, and remains a treasured friend. I don't know what more you could ask from a Realtor. Both Anita and Tracey were professional, kind and worked hard to help us get what we needed, both in the sale and the purchase. I love them and would recommend them highly to anyone! Kathy W.

3 years ago

star star star star star

Kate Fraley

When working with Berkshire Hathaway the customer service was one of a kind ,I fell a Sincerity when working with them . Honesty is a very hard thing to come by , I have had a honest experience every time . When a issue of concern was brought to the table it was sorted and fixed without Hesitation . Cumminication was always clear and Thorough and I always had questions,I always do that is my nature. I never felt like my questions were over burdening They've always been happy to help me in any way that they can .I'm very satisfied with working with them it has been an excellent experience and I hope it continues... .

6 years ago

star star star star star

Natalie DeSimone Mays Landing, NJ

My husband and I have had the privilege of working with Jane H, real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway in both selling our home and now buying our retirement home. Jane has been an amazing part of the process and an asset to the real estate industry! I would highly recommend Berkshire Hathaway’s Jane H to help anyone going through any part of the sales or home purchase process! She makes it a personal experience for you and her! Awesome!

1 year ago

star star star star star

John Skakel Vallejo, CA

My friend works at a B.H. in Ca, so she referred me to Deb Ellis at B.H. Ambassador H.S. at Village Pointe Plaza, Omaha, NE. What a Godsend! I can’t imagine wanting to do a transaction with anyone else, and I used to be in the business. Deb is super organized, super helpful, super nice, energetic and accountable. Wish I’d been as good when I was a Realtor!

5 years ago

star star star star star

Fernando Tapia Dothan, AL

An unbelievably professional company, our realtor, Don F, took care of us with full dedication until we found the right one, he assisted us in every step of the way until closing, and has kept in touch with us to make sure of our satisfaction. Other staff members at Berkshire were also trying to assist Don and being extremely nice to us. I give this company a 10!

6 years ago

star star star star star

Donna St Louis, MO

bought our lakehouse through berkshire hathaway. our real estate agent was excellent, knowledgeable and always in touch. great service.

4 months ago

star star star star star

Toni Girvin Pittsburgh, PA

My realtor, Lisa M., couldn't have done more! She was fantastic, beginning to the end. It was on a daily that I called her about questions..EVERYDAY, & she answered my calls every time! I'm sure she was tired of me calling her, she was always so pleasant & answered any questions I needed. So thankful that we got so fortunate to have her!

3 years ago

star star star star star

Virginia McCann Abiquiu, NM

Our agent, Robyn T was terrific. Very patient as we looked at everything. Took over a year to be able to move but Robyn kept in touch and assisted us through a complicated real estate purchase. She had the back up of Birkshire Hathaway as she consulted with her Broker and attorneys.

5 years ago

star star star star star

Ms. Bryant Mobile, AL

My experience at Berkshire Hathaway with Robert A was extremely satisfying. He was honest, helpful, mindful of my wants in a home, informative, and he made the process effortless and pleasant.

4 years ago

star star star star star

Tanner Cook Gilbert, AZ

I used an agent from Berkshire Hathaway to find the perfect home to rent. My rep Julie went above and beyond in AZ, and worked diligently until she found one my wife and I loved. Great experience!

5 years ago

star star star star star

Tia Maria Atlanta, GA

We've bought and sold three different properties with Judy W of Berkshire Hathaway. Each has been flawless. We've managed to buy low and sell high. Judy knows how to make that happen. She is knowledgeable , and patient. We look forward to working with her again!

3 years ago

star star star star star

Homebuyer King George, VA

I worked with Barbara Pilley at BH & we were very pleased with the research and analysis of the home buying market in The Downtown Fredericksurg area. She is a real Pro.

5 years ago

star star star star star

Jenys Fegaro Los Angeles, CA

They helped us sell the house quickly and without any worries; especially at a good price tag so both parties were happy.

3 years ago

star star star star star

B H Helena, MT

Great experience with Berkshire Hathaway in Montana. Very knowledgeable and professional company

4 years ago

star star star star star

Ken Harrison Dayton, OH

professional...class A plus.....with taste

2 years ago

star star star star star

Traci Oehler Georgetown, TX

A classy company! Helpful, informative, positive agents.

5 years ago