Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAn international residential real estate brokerage franchise network operating under the Better Homes and Gardens brand.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate is an international residential real estate brokerage franchise brand. Its roots date to 1978, when Meredith Corporation, the publisher of the Better Homes and Gardens lifestyle magazine, established Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Service. Meredith operated the business for two decades before selling the real estate operation in 1998 to GMAC Home Services, a subsidiary of GMAC Financial Services. Meredith retained the Better Homes and Gardens name, while GMAC received time-limited rights to use the brand in connection with the real estate business. The modern network was created through a later licensing arrangement. In October 2007, Meredith granted Realogy Holdings Corp. a long-term license to use the Better Homes and Gardens name and related trademarks for real estate purposes. Realogy relaunched the franchise network on July 1, 2008, making it the fifth residential real estate brand introduced by the company. Sherry Chris, previously chief operating officer of Coldwell Banker, was appointed president and chief executive officer at launch. BHGRE does not generally operate as a single company-owned brokerage chain. Instead, it franchises independent real estate businesses, which remain independently owned and operated while using the brand, systems, marketing resources, and network affiliation supplied through the franchise model. The network includes large regional organizations such as Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers in Atlanta, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate The Masiello Group in New England, and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Reliance Partners in California. Following its 2008 relaunch, the network expanded beyond the United States, entering Canada in 2011 and later developing franchise presence in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Australia, and New Zealand. Wikipedia reported that in 2024 the network comprised approximately 12,490 independent sales associates and about 400 offices across those markets. Its services center on residential property brokerage and associated support for buyers, sellers, and affiliated real estate professionals. The brand is positioned at the intersection of residential real estate and the Better Homes and Gardens lifestyle media identity. Its differentiation comes less from owning property inventory than from combining a nationally recognizable home-and-lifestyle name with local brokerage expertise. In 2022, Realogy Holdings Corp. changed its corporate name to Anywhere Real Estate, Inc.; Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate remained part of the company's portfolio of real estate brands.
History
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate originated in 1978, when Meredith Corporation launched Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Service. Meredith was the publisher of Better Homes and Gardens, a major American home and lifestyle media brand, and used the real estate venture to extend that identity into property services. Meredith owned and operated the real estate business until 1998. In 1998, Meredith sold the real estate operation to GMAC Home Services Inc., a subsidiary of GMAC Financial Services. Meredith retained ownership of the Better Homes and Gardens name, while GMAC received permission to continue using the name for a limited period of up to ten years. That arrangement eventually ended and the earlier real estate service identity was phased out. The brand returned in a new form after Meredith and Realogy Holdings Corp. reached a licensing agreement in October 2007. Meredith granted Realogy a 100-year license covering the Better Homes and Gardens name and related trademarks for real estate use. Realogy relaunched the franchise network on July 1, 2008, positioning it as the fifth residential real estate brand launched by the company. Sherry Chris, who had been chief operating officer of Coldwell Banker, became the new business's president and chief executive officer. The relaunched business adopted a franchise structure rather than a company-owned branch model. Independent brokerage companies could join the network and operate under the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate identity while retaining their own ownership and local management. The franchisor supplied brand resources and a national or international platform, while affiliated offices delivered brokerage services in their respective markets. This structure allowed the brand to use local market knowledge while maintaining a common consumer-facing identity. Growth after 2008 included international expansion. Canada became part of the network in 2011, followed by franchise activity in additional markets including Jamaica, The Bahamas, Australia, and New Zealand. The network also developed relationships with substantial regional brokerages. Examples identified in reference material include Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers in Atlanta, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate The Masiello Group in New England, and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Reliance Partners in California. By 2024, reference material described the network as having approximately 12,490 independent sales associates and around 400 offices across the United States, Canada, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Australia, and New Zealand. These figures describe the affiliated network rather than a wholly company-owned operating footprint. The brand's main business remains residential brokerage, including assistance with buying and selling homes and the provision of franchise support to local real estate companies. A major corporate development affecting the brand occurred in 2022, when Realogy Holdings Corp. changed its name to Anywhere Real Estate, Inc. The corporate rebranding did not eliminate Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate; instead, BHGRE continued as one of the real estate brands associated with the renamed parent company. Its continuing proposition is based on a recognizable home-and-lifestyle name, local independent brokerages, and a multi-market franchise network.
- 2024
Network reported at approximately 400 offices
[1]Reference material reported approximately 12,490 independent sales associates and around 400 offices across six countries and territories.
- 2022
Parent company adopts Anywhere Real Estate name
[1]Realogy Holdings Corp. rebranded as Anywhere Real Estate, Inc., while retaining Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate in its portfolio.
- 2011
Expansion into Canada
[1]The network expanded into Canada, beginning its international growth beyond the United States.
- 2008
Modern franchise network begins operations
[1]Realogy relaunched the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate franchise network on July 1, with Sherry Chris as president and chief executive officer.
- 2007
Long-term trademark license granted to Realogy
[1]Meredith licensed the Better Homes and Gardens name and related marks to Realogy for real estate use.
- 1998
Real estate operation sold to GMAC Home Services
[1]Meredith sold the real estate business to GMAC Home Services while retaining the Better Homes and Gardens name and granting limited use rights.
- 1978
Meredith launches the original real estate service
[1]Meredith Corporation introduced Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Service, extending its home and lifestyle media identity into real estate services.
Products and positioning
A lifestyle-oriented residential real estate franchise brand that combines the Better Homes and Gardens name with local, independently operated brokerage businesses.
Residential real estate franchise · 2008
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate franchise network
The core offering is a franchise platform for independently owned and operated real estate brokerages. Affiliated firms use the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate identity and receive access to brand, marketing, and network resources while continuing to serve buyers and sellers through local offices. The network is designed to combine national recognition with market-specific brokerage expertise.
Real estate services · 1978
Residential brokerage services
Affiliated offices provide residential property brokerage services, including representation for people buying or selling homes. Because offices are independently owned and operated, the precise service mix, geographic coverage, and local practices can vary by franchisee.
Brand decisions
2022
Continuation under the Anywhere Real Estate corporate identityStrategyBackground
The brand's parent company, Realogy Holdings Corp., changed its corporate name.
Action taken
Realogy adopted the name Anywhere Real Estate, Inc., while continuing to operate Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate as a portfolio brand.
Aftermath
The corporate parent received a new identity without a reported discontinuation of the BHGRE franchise brand.
2011
International expansion into CanadaStrategyBackground
After rebuilding the brand in the United States, the network pursued growth outside its original market.
Action taken
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate expanded its franchise network into Canada.
Aftermath
Canada became part of the brand's wider international operating footprint.
2008
Relaunch of the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate franchise brandProduct launchBackground
Realogy obtained a long-term license from Meredith for the Better Homes and Gardens name and related trademarks in 2007.
Action taken
Realogy launched a new residential real estate franchise network under the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate name on July 1, 2008.
Aftermath
The relaunch created the current franchise network and was followed by expansion into Canada and other international markets.
Recent events
Reported
Realogy launches digital learning platform for affiliated agents[2]
Realogy announced the launch of a digitally driven Learning Platform for affiliated agents across several of its brands. CENTURY 21 University was the first brand learning portal to be upgraded; the other named brand portals were scheduled to roll out by year-end.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Realogy launches RealSure iBuyer platform[3]
Realogy launched its revamped iBuyer platform, renamed RealSure, which gives home sellers a cash offer valid for 45 days. The platform was available in Dallas and Denver to sellers working with agents affiliated with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, ERA, or Sotheby’s International Realty; expansion to additional U.S. markets was planned for the following month.
Sources3 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/better-homes-and-gardens-real-estate · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled