Compass is requiring staff to return to the office full time, emphasizing the value of in-person interactions in the real estate industry. CEO Robert Reffkin said the decision came from a belief that real success in real estate comes from personal connections and that remote methods, such as texts and Zoom calls, can’t replace the depth of in-person meetings. He believes that Compass’ emphasis on traditional face-to-face interactions, paired with a conventional commission split that provides clear value, positions the company advantageously.
Relationships are foundational to real estate and connecting in-person forms undeniably strong bonds. As the nation’s largest brokerage emphasizes a return to in-person work, more companies will undeniably confront a similar decision.