First Team Real Estate
First Team Real Estate is a privately held independent real estate brokerage operating 62+ offices and 2,200+ agents across five western U.S. states, delivering residential and luxury brokerage services to individual buyers and sellers through a commission-based, agent-network model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersNewport Beach, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What First Team Real Estate does
First Team Real Estate is a privately held, full-service independent residential real estate brokerage headquartered in Newport Beach, California. The firm operates a network of more than 2,200 sales associates across 62+ office locations spanning five western U.S. states — California, Colorado, Washington, Idaho, and Arizona — and ranks as the #1 Independent Brokerage for Closed Transactions in Southern California. Founded more than 50 years ago and led by CEO Michele Harrington, FirstTeam generates revenue through traditional real estate commissions on residential and luxury property transactions, supplemented by property management, referral services (mortgage/title/escrow/home warranty), and a concierge pre-sale prep service.
The company's service portfolio spans core residential brokerage (property search, listings, home valuation), luxury services (Luxury Homes sub-brand, international exposure through Luxury Portfolio International and LeadingRE, and the FirstTeam Exclusives pre-market program), and seller-side support (First Impressions Concierge). Its digital platform is built on the Luxury Presence website framework with integrated MLS data systems, property search, and CRM functionality. Strategic alliances — most notably the partnership with Brown Harris Stevens and founding membership in the Leading Real Estate Network — extend its reach into luxury and international buyer pools, while the FirstTeam Advantage program recruits and supports independent agents.
FirstTeam's go-to-market is a traditional field-sales / agent-network model: buyers and sellers transact through dedicated local agents, with corporate offices providing back-office support, marketing, and technology infrastructure. The business model is commission-based with rates negotiated per transaction, producing transactional, lumpy revenue tied to housing-market volume and average sale prices. Geographic and product expansion (into Washington state, deeper luxury exposure, pre-market and concierge programs) is positioned by leadership as part of a stated 'billion-dollar growth strategy.'
First Team Real Estate firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- First Team Real Estate
- Legal name
- FirstTeam Real Estate
- Website
- https://firstteam.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- First Team Real Estate is a privately held independent real estate brokerage operating 62+ offices and 2,200+ agents across five western U.S. states, delivering residential and luxury brokerage services to individual buyers and sellers through a commission-based, agent-network model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
First Team Real Estate industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Residential Real Estate Brokerage
- NAICS
- Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokers (53121)
- SIC
- Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Traditional Residential Brokerage (Existing Homes) (BPAJAAAA)
Keywords
Where First Team Real Estate is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newport Beach
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices10 records
Markets served
First Team Real Estate business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Real Estate Commission: Traditional real estate brokerage commission model where agents earn commissions on completed home sales and purchases. Revenue is generated through transaction fees based on property sale prices.
- Luxury Property Services: Specialized services for high-value properties including international exposure, luxury portfolio marketing, and exclusive pre-market programs.
- Property Management: Property management services for residential properties including tenant management and maintenance coordination.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Standard residential real estate services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
First Team Real Estate product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FirstTeam Real Estate is a full-service residential real estate brokerage providing buying, selling, and luxury property services across California, Colorado, Washington, Idaho, and Arizona. The company operates through a network of 2,200+ sales associates across 53+ office locations, offering property search, home valuation, pre-market exclusive listings, concierge services, property management, mortgage/title/escrow referrals, and relocation assistance.
Product overview
First Team Real Estate operates as a full-service real estate brokerage offering a comprehensive platform of residential and luxury property services. The core offering centers on the Our Listings property search platform, complemented by geographic Market Presence coverage across California, Colorado, Washington, Idaho, and Arizona. The product portfolio includes specialized luxury services under the Luxury Homes sub-brand, the FirstTeam® Exclusives pre-market program for early access listings, and Home Valuation and First Impressions Concierge add-on modules for sellers. Additional services include International Exposure and Luxury Portfolio International for global marketing, Property Management for ongoing ownership support, Mortgage/Title/Escrow referral services, and Relocation assistance. The company also operates an Agent Careers/FirstTeam® Advantage program recruiting and supporting real estate professionals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- First Impressions Concierge: Concierge service for home selling
- FirstTeam Exclusives
- FirstTeam Advantage
- Powerful Women In Real Estate
Products and services
- Residential Real Estate Brokerage Services
- Luxury Homes Services
- FirstTeam® Exclusives
- Property Management Services
- Mortgage / Title / Escrow Referral Services
- Relocation Services
- International Exposure Program
Quantifiable outcome
- #1 Independent Brokerage for Closed Transactions in Southern California
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use First Team Real Estate
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
First Team Real Estate technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
First Team Real Estate partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Brown Harris StevenscoreStrategic partnership bringing together FirstTeam's Southern California dominance with Brown Harris Stevens' luxury real estate expertise. This collaboration enhances service capabilities for high-value property transactions and expands market reach for luxury clientele.
- Leading Real Estate Network (LeadingRE)coreFounding member of LeadingRE, providing global real estate network connectivity and international property exposure through the Luxury Portfolio International program.
- Luxury Portfolio InternationalcoreInternational luxury real estate network providing exposure for high-value properties to global affluent buyer audience.
- Fidelity National Home WarrantyminorHome warranty services provider offered as part of FirstTeam's comprehensive real estate transaction services.
- First American Home WarrantyminorHome warranty services offered to FirstTeam clients as part of property transaction support services.
- First American Natural Hazard DisclosuresminorProperty disclosure services integrated into FirstTeam's transaction workflow.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
First Team Real Estate competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Redfin: Redfin is a technology-driven residential brokerage and portal that competes with FirstTeam for both consumer mind-share and agent talent, particularly in California. Its integrated search-to-close experience is a benchmark for digital brokerage capabilities.
- Sotheby's International Realty: Sotheby's International Realty is a global luxury-focused residential brokerage that competes directly with FirstTeam's luxury portfolio in Southern California and Arizona. Its affiliated brokerage LIV Sotheby's is even named as a previous employer of FirstTeam's Washington Broker of Record.
- eXp World Holdings: eXp Realty operates a cloud-based, commission-split brokerage model with a national agent network that competes head-to-head with FirstTeam for agents and listings. Its agent equity program and low-overhead model put pressure on traditional multi-office independents.
- The Agency: The Agency is a luxury-leaning independent brokerage with California roots that competes directly with FirstTeam's luxury portfolio and pre-market programs. Its brand-led, design-forward approach targets the same high-net-worth segments in Southern California.
- HomeSmart International: HomeSmart is a large independent brokerage operating on a 100% commission model with national reach that competes with FirstTeam for both agents and consumers. Its tech platform and aggressive commission structure make it a relevant comparable.
- Realty ONE Group: Realty ONE Group is a fast-growing, tech-enabled independent brokerage with a franchise model that competes for agents across the Western U.S., including markets where FirstTeam operates. Its "ONE" brand and agent-centric model target the same recruiting pool.
- Compass: Compass is a large, tech-forward residential brokerage competing directly with FirstTeam across California and other U.S. markets. It targets similar buyer/seller and agent segments with an emphasis on proprietary technology, agent tools, and a luxury-leaning brand.
Emerging players
- Side: Side is a brokerage platform that powers independent and boutique real estate brands with back-office, technology, and agent support. While not a direct consumer-facing competitor, it represents an alternative operating model that could appeal to agents leaving traditional brokerages like FirstTeam.
Broad incumbents
- Coldwell Banker: Coldwell Banker is an established national real estate franchise with deep California presence, including luxury and entry-level segments overlapping with FirstTeam. It offers broader geographic reach and brand recognition as a franchised incumbent.
- Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is a large national residential brokerage franchise competing across price tiers and geographies that overlap with FirstTeam. It leverages a powerful consumer brand and broad franchise network for both agents and listings.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
First Team Real Estate social profiles
Digital presenceFirst Team Real Estate financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
First Team Real Estate leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
First Team Real Estate funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
First Team Real Estate M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about First Team Real Estate
What does First Team Real Estate do?
FirstTeam Real Estate is a full-service residential real estate brokerage providing buying, selling, and luxury property services across California, Colorado, Washington, Idaho, and Arizona. The company operates through a network of 2,200+ sales associates across 53+ office locations, offering property search, home valuation, pre-market exclusive listings, concierge services, property management, mortgage/title/escrow referrals, and relocation assistance.
Is First Team Real Estate a public or private company?
First Team Real Estate is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was First Team Real Estate founded?
First Team Real Estate was founded in 1976. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is First Team Real Estate based?
First Team Real Estate is headquartered in Newport Beach, United States, in the North America region.
How does First Team Real Estate make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Real Estate Commission is the primary driver. The others are luxury Property Services and property Management.
Who are First Team Real Estate's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Redfin, Sotheby's International Realty, eXp World Holdings, The Agency, HomeSmart International, Realty ONE Group and Compass. Side is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Coldwell Banker and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.
Does First Team Real Estate have an API?
No public API is recorded for First Team Real Estate.
What industry is First Team Real Estate in?
First Team Real Estate's product category is Residential Real Estate Brokerage. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAJAAAA, Traditional Residential Brokerage (Existing Homes). Its NAICS code is 53121 and its SIC code is 6531.