A big leap for ARA as Compass opts in
The alignment brings a strong and sizable partner to the upstart association, which now has the potential to substantially grow its ranks.
The American Real Estate Association (ARA) may soon be increasing its membership several times over. ARA announced on Tuesday that Compass International Holdings is partnering with the trade group and inviting the tens of thousands of agents across its brands to join.
With Compass' recent acquisition of Anywhere brands, the mega-brokerage now encompasses agents from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Compass, Corcoran, ERA and Sotheby's International Realty, as well as @properties and Christie's International Real Estate from an earlier acquisition in 2024.
The ARA currently has about 30,000 members — a number that could increase substantially once the agents across Compass' brands have the option to activate complimentary memberships. They will be able to do so for the remainder of 2026 and all of 2027, according to a news release. Inman was first to report the news.
Supporting industry competition: Compass International Holdings Chairman and CEO Robert Reffkin framed the move as one that supports the spirit of industry competition. Until recently, he noted, agents haven't had much of a choice for association representation at the national level.
"By joining the American Real Estate Association, we are supporting a competitive alternative that must earn agents' trust and prove its value," Reffkin said in a statement. "Our agents will have the choice to join this residential real estate association that is now competing for its members to provide better value."
The Agency Founder and CEO Mauricio Umansky, who co-founded the ARA alongside Compass-affiliated agent Jason Haber, said the alignment with Compass marks a "pivotal moment" for the association.
Briggs Elwell, an ARA board member and CEO and co-founder of agent services company RLTYco, said the mammoth brokerage's choice "confirms how hungry the market was for competition, and innovative, agent-first leadership."
ARA's momentum growing: The ARA was born in 2024 out of discontent with the National Association of Realtors and has emerged as a potential competitor to NAR. The association opened to members less than two years ago, and a handful of firms have since joined, including Douglas Elliman, The Agency, REMAX and R New York. ARA also added the New York Residential Agent Continuum (NYRAC) as its first local chapter.
Earlier this month, the ARA announced its first joint advocacy effort with a Realtor association, teaming up with the Missouri Association of Realtors to oppose two amendments set to appear on the state's Aug. 4 primary election ballot.
NAR did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Striving to 'deliver for agents': Since its founding, Haber said the ARA has worked diligently to create a "strong foundation" by listening to agents across the country.
"We experimented with programming, CE courses and events and discovered what agents want most and what brings less value," Haber told Real Estate News in a text message. "We are now in a position to take all we've learned and deliver for agents around this country in a very meaningful way."