Ryan Schneider has left his role as CEO of Anywhere Real Estate following the completion of Compass’s $1.6 billion* acquisition of the company in January.
Compass confirmed to Inman that Schneider left “in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement” when the deal closed.Â
The company’s chief technology officer, Rudy Wolfs, also departed following the transaction.
The exits come as the combined entity creates the largest residential real estate operation in the United States by market share.
Compass was already the country’s biggest brokerage by sales volume at $231 billion in 2024, while Anywhere ranked second with $183.81 billion.
According to SEC filings from November 2025, Schneider was entitled to significant severance payments if terminated “without cause” or “for good reason” within two years of the merger.
The documentation estimated potential payments of approximately $17.74 million in cash severance, $49.09 million in equity awards, and around $87,955 in medical benefits.
Schneider joined the company in late 2017 when it was still known as Realogy, bringing 14 years of executive experience from Capital One.
During his tenure, he focused on streamlining operations through asset sales, technology investments, and reorganisation of select businesses.
The executive gained industry recognition for leading Anywhere to become one of the first major real estate companies to settle the Sitzer and Moehrl commission lawsuits in September 2023, agreeing to pay $83.5 million before the cases reached trial.
The merger brings together Anywhere’s portfolio of brands including Coldwell Banker, Century 21, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Sotheby’s International Realty, ERA and Corcoran with Compass’s technology platform and agent network.
Compass has stated these brands will maintain their unique identities post-merger, though the combined operation will control substantial market share with approximately 91,000 agents across owned brokerages plus 250,000 franchise agents.
Industry reaction to the mega-deal has been mixed. Some executives, including Douglas Elliman CEO Michael Liebowitz, have criticised the transaction’s market concentration.
However, SERHANT CEO Ryan Serhant has argued the merger creates “a major player in the space that is pro-agents that can lobby with some real weight.”
The acquisition also transferred Anywhere’s approximately $2.6 billion in debt to Compass, net of cash.
This marks Compass’s second major acquisition in 2025, following its purchase of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate in January.
*All prices in USD
