The Agency Named #2 Independent Brokerage in U.S. Power…

Lucía Torres · 2026-04-06

Hey there, let's talk about something pretty exciting. You know how in real estate, it's not just about closing deals—it's about building something that lasts? Well, The Agency just got some serious national recognition that proves they're doing exactly that. We're thrilled to share that The Agency has been ranked #12 overall on RISMedia's 2026 Power Broker Report. But here's the real headline: they landed as the #2 independent brokerage in the entire country. That's not just a number—it's a testament to what happens when you focus on quality over everything else. ### What This Ranking Really Means First, let's break down what we're looking at here. RISMedia's Power Broker Report isn't some flash-in-the-pan list. This thing has been running for 38 years now. Think about that—nearly four decades of tracking the real estate industry's top performers. They rank the nation's top 1,000 brokerages based on one simple metric: closed sales volume. No fluff, no subjective opinions. Just hard numbers showing who's actually getting deals done. And this year's results, which are based on 2025 performance, tell a pretty incredible story about The Agency's growth. What's really striking is how consistent this growth has been across the board. We're talking about both corporate offices and franchise locations nationwide—all pulling in the same direction. That kind of unified success doesn't happen by accident. ### The Numbers Behind the Story Okay, let's get into the specifics because these figures are worth paying attention to: - The Agency closed $17.9 billion in total sales volume during 2025 - That represents a 28.5% increase from the previous year - They handled 15,448 total transactions - Transaction volume grew by 18.1% year-over-year When you step back and look at those numbers, the pattern becomes clear. This isn't just about being busy—it's about meaningful, sustainable growth. Ranking #12 by sales volume and #22 by transaction volume among all U.S. brokerages puts The Agency in some pretty elite company. But here's what I find most interesting: that gap between sales rank (#12) and transaction rank (#22) tells us something important. It suggests The Agency isn't just chasing volume for volume's sake. They're working on higher-value transactions, which in this market, requires a different level of expertise and client service. ### The People Making It Happen Rainy Austin, President of The Agency, put it perfectly when she said: "This recognition truly belongs to our agents. Every day, they show up with an extraordinary level of dedication, going above and beyond for their clients, and representing The Agency brand with integrity." She went on to explain, "Being ranked among the country's top independent brokerages is a direct reflection of their hard work and that of our amazing in-house marketing team and support staff. I am endlessly inspired by what The Agency's community continues to achieve together." That last part—"community"—really sticks with me. Because in an industry that can sometimes feel transactional (pun intended), The Agency has built something that feels different. It's not just about individual agents closing deals; it's about a network of professionals supporting each other to deliver exceptional results for clients. ### Why Independent Status Matters Let's pause for a second on that "independent" designation. In today's real estate landscape, where consolidation seems to be the trend, choosing to remain independent is a statement. It says you believe in maintaining control over your brand, your culture, and your approach to client service. Being the #2 independent brokerage means The Agency isn't just competing—they're defining what success looks like on their own terms. They're proving that you don't need to be part of a massive conglomerate to achieve national-scale results. This achievement speaks to something deeper than just business metrics. It's about creating a model that attracts top talent who want the support of a national brand while maintaining the autonomy to serve their clients in the way they know best. ### Looking Ahead So where does this leave us? Well, if 2025's performance is any indication, The Agency has built momentum that's hard to ignore. That 28.5% growth in sales volume didn't come from nowhere—it came from a deliberate focus on quality, community, and client service. For professionals in the industry, this ranking serves as validation. It shows that the approach The Agency has been championing—one that balances national reach with local expertise, that values relationships over transactions—isn't just philosophically sound. It's commercially successful. The real estate market keeps changing, but some things remain constant. Clients want expertise, integrity, and results. Agents want support, community, and opportunities to grow. What The Agency's ranking tells us is that when you build an organization around those core needs, the numbers tend to follow. It's worth remembering that rankings like these are snapshots—they capture a moment in time. But the story behind The Agency's #2 independent brokerage status isn't about a single year's performance. It's about building something that lasts, that grows, and that continues to redefine what's possible in real estate. And honestly? That's the kind of story worth paying attention to.