Gino Blefari steps down as HomeServices CEO 

A real estate titan is stepping away from day-to-day operations of one of the biggest real estate brokerage companies.

After five years at the helm of HomeServices of America, Gino Blefari has transitioned to the role of chairman emeritus. Chris Kelly, previously executive vice president, will take over as HomeServices president and CEO, effective immediately, the company said.

Blefari will continue to serve as a strategic advisor for brokerage giant, which includes the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices franchise organization. "It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as President and CEO of HomeServices of America," Blefari said in a news release, adding that he is looking forward "to supporting our new leadership team as they lead HomeServices into its next chapter of growth, innovation and continued industry leadership."

Kelly has been with HomeServices since 2007 and has served in a variety of roles, including president and CEO of the Ebby Halliday Companies of North Texas.

"I am incredibly humbled to step into this role following Gino Blefari, an industry icon, and to partner with our team to continue driving what makes HomeServices so unique — our position as the preeminent full-service real estate brokerage," Kelly said. "We have no doubts about having the most professional, focused team in the industry, and we look forward to working together to shape the future of real estate."

Jack Miller, president and CEO of T3 Sixty, said putting Kelly into the CEO position "brings the intellectual rigor of an attorney" to the brokerage's leadership.

"With this move, HomeServices has promoted an experienced, capable executive with hands-on knowledge from running some of their best companies," Miller said.

A legacy of building relationships

Blefari has been a steady and influential force during his four decades in the industry and was named the most powerful leader in real estate in T3 Sixty's 2023 Swanepoel Power 200.

In a phone interview with Real Estate News, Kelly described Blefari as the "ultimate relationship leader," and his ability to connect with people is something Kelly is keeping in mind as he transitions into his new position.

"He's demonstrated how important it is to lead from a standpoint of developing real relationships with people," Kelly said. "That's the biggest lesson I've taken from him and the most impactful one."

With Blefari providing mentorship during this transition, Kelly said the first order of business is building his leadership team. He will be filling and adding roles in the coming weeks with the goal of refocusing attention on franchise growth and agent success after spending much of 2024 mired in commissions litigation.

"Gino is going to be a mentor for all of us; we'll still lean heavily on him," Kelly said. "It would be crazy not to use his expertise and everything he's learned over the years for an interim period of time."

Leading through challenges

The last few years of Blefari's tenure as CEO have been difficult for the industry as a whole and for HomeServices in particular. In addition to navigating a slower market, the company fought an extended battle in the Sitzer/Burnett commissions lawsuit and was the last brokerage to settle in the case. Facing a request for billions in damages, HomeServices agreed in April 2024 to pay $250 million into the settlement fund — far more than any other brokerage. 

The following month, a leadership shakeup added a second CEO title to Blefari's role, as longtime Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices leader Christy Budnick stepped down from her position as CEO of HSF Affiliates, the parent company of the BHHS and Real Living Real Estate franchise networks.

And just last month, the company was forced to respond to reports that Compass was on the verge of acquiring HomeServices — speculation that Blefari vehemently denied.  

HomeServices of America remains one of the largest brokerage companies in the industry, housing dozens of brands under one umbrella including Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Long & Foster Real Estate, Iowa Realty and Home Real Estate.

The firm's total U.S. sales volume was $137 billion last year — up 2.1% compared to 2023 — putting it in fourth place below Compass, Anywhere Advisors and eXp, according to T3 Sixty's 2025 Real Estate Almanac. (Note: Real Estate News is an editorially independent division of T3 Sixty.)