Biggest changeAny such sales could also create public perception of difficulties or problems with our business and might also make it more difficult for us to raise capital through the sale of equity securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate.
Biggest changeAny such sales could also create public perception of difficulties or problems with our business and might also make it more difficult for us to raise capital through the sale of equity securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate. 36 Table of Contents Joshua Harley, our Founder and former Chief Executive Officer, Marco Fregenal, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Scott Flanders, a significant shareholder and director, own a significant percentage of our stock, and as a result, they can take actions that may be adverse to the interests of the other shareholders and the trading price for our common stock may be depressed.
We might not be successful in our efforts to do any of the foregoing, and any failure to be successful in these matters could materially and adversely affect our revenue growth. Our past revenue growth is not indicative of our future growth.
We might not be successful in our efforts to do any of the foregoing, and any failure to be successful in these matters could materially and adversely affect our revenue. Our past revenue growth is not indicative of our future growth.
There is also intense competition in the related businesses we recently expanded into via acquisitions, including insurance, title insurance, mortgage, lead generation, and other ancillary services. We added these services to our platform so our agents could offer critical ancillary services to their clients, but also to gain new and significant incremental revenue streams and enhance our revenues per transaction.
There is also intense competition in the related businesses we recently expanded into via acquisitions, including title insurance, mortgage, lead generation, and other ancillary services. We added these services to our platform so our agents could offer critical ancillary services to their clients, but also to gain new and significant incremental revenue streams and enhance our revenues per transaction.
Loss of our current executive officers or other key management could significantly harm our business We depend on the industry experience and talent of our current executives, including our President and Chief Executive Officer Marco Fregenal. We also rely on individuals in key management positions within our operations, finance, and technology teams.
Loss of our current executive officers or other key management could significantly harm our business We depend on the industry experience and talent of our current executives, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and Marco Fregenal. We also rely on individuals in key management positions within our operations, finance, and technology teams.
Any of the following could cause further decline in the housing or mortgage markets and have a material adverse effect on our business by causing periods of lower growth or a decline in the number of home sales or home prices which, in turn, could adversely affect our revenue and profitability: • an increase in unemployment; • a decrease in the affordability of homes due to changes in interest rates, home prices, the cost and availability of building materials, and rates of wage and job growth; • slow economic growth or recessionary conditions; • weak credit markets; • low consumer confidence in the economy or the residential real estate market; • instability of financial institutions; 27 Table of Contents • legislative, tax or regulatory changes that would adversely impact the residential real estate or mortgage markets, including but not limited to potential reform relating to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other government sponsored entities, or GSEs, that provide liquidity to the U.S. housing and mortgage markets; • increasing mortgage rates, like we have experienced recently, and increasing down payment requirements or constraints on the availability of mortgage financing, including but not limited to the potential impact of various provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, or other legislation and regulations that may be promulgated thereunder relating to mortgage financing, including restrictions imposed on mortgage originators, as well as retention levels required to be maintained by sponsors to securitize certain mortgages; • excessive or insufficient home inventory levels on a regional level; • high levels of foreclosure activity, including but not limited to the release of homes already held for sale by financial institutions; • adverse changes in local or regional economic conditions, including potential impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic; • the inability or unwillingness of homeowners to enter into home sale transactions due to negative equity in their existing homes; • demographic changes, such as a decrease in household formations, lower turnover in the housing market due to homeowners staying in the same home longer than in the past, or slowing rate of immigration or population growth; • decrease in home ownership rates, declining demand for real estate and changing social attitudes toward home ownership; • changes in local, state and federal laws or regulations that affect residential real estate transactions or encourage ownership, including but not limited to changes in tax law in late 2017 that limit the deductibility of certain mortgage interest expense, the application of the alternative minimum tax, and real property taxes and employee relocation expense; or • acts of nature, such as hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters that disrupt local or regional real estate markets and which may, in some circumstances lead us to waive certain fees in impacted areas.
Any of the following could cause further decline in the housing or mortgage markets and have a material adverse effect on our business by causing periods of lower growth or a decline in the number of home sales or home prices which, in turn, could adversely affect our revenue and profitability: • an increase in unemployment or inflation; • a decrease in the affordability of homes due to changes in interest rates, home prices, the cost and availability of building materials, and rates of wage and job growth; • slow economic growth or recessionary conditions; • weak credit markets; • low consumer confidence in the economy or the residential real estate market; • instability of financial institutions; 32 Table of Contents • legislative, tax or regulatory changes that would adversely impact the residential real estate or mortgage markets, including but not limited to potential reform relating to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other government sponsored entities, or GSEs, that provide liquidity to the U.S. housing and mortgage markets; • increasing mortgage rates, like we have experienced recently, and increasing down payment requirements or constraints on the availability of mortgage financing, including but not limited to the potential impact of various provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, or other legislation and regulations that may be promulgated thereunder relating to mortgage financing, including restrictions imposed on mortgage originators, as well as retention levels required to be maintained by sponsors to securitize certain mortgages; • excessive or insufficient home inventory levels on a regional level; • high levels of foreclosure activity, including but not limited to the release of homes already held for sale by financial institutions; • adverse changes in local or regional economic conditions, including potential impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic; • the inability or unwillingness of homeowners to enter into home sale transactions due to negative equity in their existing homes; • demographic changes, such as a decrease in household formations, lower turnover in the housing market due to homeowners staying in the same home longer than in the past, or slowing rate of immigration or population growth; • decrease in home ownership rates, declining demand for real estate and changing social attitudes toward home ownership; • changes in local, state and federal laws or regulations that affect residential real estate transactions or encourage ownership, including but not limited to changes in tax law in late 2017 that limit the deductibility of certain mortgage interest expense, the application of the alternative minimum tax, and real property taxes and employee relocation expense; or • acts of nature, such as hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters that disrupt local or regional real estate markets and which may, in some circumstances lead us to waive certain fees in impacted areas.
Aggregators could intensify their current business tactics or introduce new programs that could be materially disadvantageous to our business and other brokerage participants in the industry including, but not limited to: • broadening and/or increasing fees for their programs that charge brokerages and their affiliated sales agents fees including, referral, listing, display, advertising and related fees or introducing new fees for new or existing services; • setting up competing brokerages and/or expanding their offerings to include products (including agent tools) and services ancillary to the real estate transaction, such as title, escrow and mortgage origination services, that compete with services offered by us; • not including Fathom's or our franchisees’ listings on their websites; • controlling significant inventory and agent referrals, tying referrals to use of their products, and/or engaging in preferential or exclusionary practices to favor or disfavor other industry participants; • utilizing their aggregated data for competitive advantage and/or establishing oppressive contract terms, including with respect to data sharing requirements; and/or • disintermediating our relationship with affiliated franchisees and independent sales agents and/or the relationship between the independent sales agent and the buyers and sellers of homes.
Aggregators could intensify their current business tactics or introduce new programs that could be materially disadvantageous to our business and other brokerage participants in the industry including, but not limited to: • broadening and/or increasing fees for their programs that charge brokerages and their affiliated sales agents fees including, referral, listing, display, advertising and related fees or introducing new fees for new or existing services; • setting up competing brokerages and/or expanding their offerings to include products (including agent tools) and services ancillary to the real estate transaction, such as title, escrow and mortgage origination services, that compete with services offered by us; • not including Fathom's or our franchisees’ listings on their websites; 21 Table of Contents • controlling significant inventory and agent referrals, tying referrals to use of their products, and/or engaging in preferential or exclusionary practices to favor or disfavor other industry participants; • utilizing their aggregated data for competitive advantage and/or establishing oppressive contract terms, including with respect to data sharing requirements; and/or • disintermediating our relationship with affiliated franchisees and independent sales agents and/or the relationship between the independent sales agent and the buyers and sellers of homes.
We believe that our future revenue growth will depend, among other factors, on our ability to: • recruit additional agents and collect additional commissions from existing agents; • increase our brand awareness; • successfully develop and deploy new products for the residential real estate industry; • integrate acquired companies, including those offering new ancillary services, such as title, insurance, and mortgage into our product offerings to increase our revenue per agent transaction; • respond effectively to competitive threats; and • successfully expand our business into adjacent markets.
We believe that our future revenue growth will depend, among other factors, on our ability to: • recruit additional agents and collect additional commissions from existing agents; • increase our brand awareness; • successfully develop and deploy new products for the residential real estate industry; • integrate acquired companies, including those offering new ancillary services, such as title, insurance, and mortgage into our product offerings to increase our revenue per agent transaction; • respond effectively to competitive threats, including recent industry consolidation; and • successfully expand our business into adjacent markets.
In general, the laws, rules and regulations applicable to our business practices include, without limitation, the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, or RESPA, the federal Fair Housing Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, and federal advertising and other laws, as well as comparable state statutes; rules of trade organization such as the NAR, local MLSs, and state and local AORs; licensing requirements and related obligations that could arise from our business practices relating to the provision of services other than real estate brokerage services, including our title, insurance and mortgage businesses ; privacy regulations relating to our use of personal information collected from the registered users of our websites; laws relating to the use and publication of information through the Internet; and state real estate brokerage licensing requirements, as well as statutory due diligence, disclosure, record keeping and standard-of-care obligations 18 Table of Contents relating to these licenses.
In general, the laws, rules and regulations applicable to our business practices include, without limitation, the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, or RESPA, the federal Fair Housing Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, and federal advertising and other laws, as well as comparable state statutes; rules of trade organization such as the NAR, local MLSs, and state and local AORs; licensing requirements and related obligations that could arise from our business practices relating to the provision of services other than real estate brokerage services, including our title, insurance and mortgage businesses ; privacy regulations relating to our use of personal information collected from the registered users of our websites; laws relating to the use and publication of information through the Internet; and state real estate brokerage licensing requirements, as well as statutory due diligence, disclosure, record keeping and standard-of-care obligations relating to these licenses.
District Court for the Western District of Missouri), alleging a similar fact pattern and antitrust violations. On or about March 15, 2024, NAR agreed to settle the Burnett Ruling, along with a sister litigation, by agreeing to pay $418 million over approximately four years, and changing certain of its rules surrounding agent commissions (the “Burnett Settlement”).
District Court for the Western District of Missouri), alleging a similar fact pattern and antitrust violations. On or about March 15, 2024, NAR agreed to settle the Burnett Ruling, along with a sister litigation, by agreeing to pay $418 million over approximately four years, and changing certain of its rules surrounding agent commissions (the “NAR Settlement”).
For example, although the U.S. residential real estate market has improved in the years after the significant and prolonged downturn that began in the second half of 2008 and continued through 2011, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the U.S. residential real estate market during the spring of 2020 with home sales in April and May declining to levels unprecedented since the recession of the late 2000’s.
For example, although the U.S. residential real estate market has improved in the years after the significant and prolonged downturn that began in the second half of 2008 and continued through 2011, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the U.S. residential real estate market during the spring of 2020 with home sales in April and May declining to levels unprecedented since the recession of the late 2000s.
Many of our existing and potential competitors have substantial competitive advantages, such as: • greater scale; • stronger brands and greater name recognition; • longer operating histories; • more financial, research and development, sales and marketing, and other resources; • more extensive relationships with participants in the residential real estate industry, such as brokers, agents, and advertisers; • strong relationships with third-party data providers, such as multiple listing services and listing aggregators; • access to larger user bases; and • larger intellectual property portfolios.
Many of our existing and potential competitors have substantial competitive advantages, such as: • greater scale; • stronger brands and greater name recognition; • longer operating histories; • more financial, research and development, sales and marketing, and other resources; • more extensive relationships with participants in the residential real estate industry, such as brokers, agents, and advertisers; 20 Table of Contents • strong relationships with third-party data providers, such as multiple listing services and listing aggregators; • access to larger user bases; and • larger intellectual property portfolios.
Although we employ measures designed to prevent, detect, address, and mitigate these threats (including access controls, data encryption, vulnerability assessments, and maintenance of backup and protective systems), cybersecurity incidents and other privacy/data security incidents, depending on their nature and scope, could potentially result in the misappropriation, destruction, corruption, or unavailability of critical data and confidential or proprietary information (our own or that of third parties, including potentially sensitive personal information of our customers) and the disruption of business operations.
Although we employ measures designed to prevent, detect, address, and mitigate these threats (including access controls, data encryption, vulnerability assessments, and maintenance of backup and protective systems), 22 Table of Contents cybersecurity incidents and other privacy/data security incidents, depending on their nature and scope, could potentially result in the misappropriation, destruction, corruption, or unavailability of critical data and confidential or proprietary information (our own or that of third parties, including potentially sensitive personal information of our customers) and the disruption of business operations.
We currently develop portions of our technology in Brazil, India, and Philippines and could conduct operations in foreign jurisdictions in the future.
We currently develop portions of our technology in Brazil, India, and Philippines and could conduct operations in other foreign jurisdictions in the future.
We might not become aware of all privacy laws, changes to privacy laws, or third-party privacy regulations governing the real estate business or be unable to comply with all of these regulations, given the rate of regulatory changes, 19 Table of Contents ambiguities in regulations, contradictions in regulations between jurisdictions, and the difficulties in achieving both company-wide and region-specific knowledge and compliance.
We might not become aware of all privacy laws, changes to privacy laws, or third-party privacy regulations governing the real estate business or be unable to comply with all of these regulations, given the rate of regulatory changes, ambiguities in regulations, contradictions in regulations between jurisdictions, and the difficulties in achieving both company-wide and region-specific knowledge and compliance.
The direct and indirect effects, if any, of the Burnett Settlement and similar settlements upon the real estate industry are not yet entirely clear. There could also be further changes in real estate industry practices.
The direct and indirect effects, if any, of the NAR Settlement and similar settlements upon the real estate industry are not yet entirely clear. There could also be further changes in real estate industry practices.
Furthermore, any proceeds from selling a foreclosed home may be significantly less than the remaining amount of the loan due to us. If we are unable to obtain sufficient financing through warehouse credit facilities to fund origination of mortgage loans, then we may be unable to grow our mortgage business.
Furthermore, any proceeds from selling a foreclosed home may be significantly less than the remaining amount of the loan due to us. 23 Table of Contents If we are unable to obtain sufficient financing through warehouse credit facilities to fund origination of mortgage loans, then we may be unable to grow our mortgage business.
To the extent that one or more of our top executives or other key management personnel depart from our company, our operations and business prospects may be adversely affected. In addition, changes in executives and key personnel could be disruptive to our business . We do not have any key person insurance.
To the extent that one or more of our top executives or other key management personnel depart from our 24 Table of Contents company, our operations and business prospects may be adversely affected. In addition, changes in executives and key personnel could be disruptive to our business . We do not have any key person insurance.
Moreover, there are inherent risks associated with upgrading, improving and expanding our information technology systems. We cannot be sure that the expansion and improvements to our infrastructure and systems will be fully or effectively implemented on a timely basis, if at all. These efforts may reduce revenue and our margins and adversely impact our financial results.
Moreover, there are inherent risks associated with upgrading, improving and expanding our information technology systems. We cannot be sure that the expansion and improvements to our infrastructure and systems 15 Table of Contents will be fully or effectively implemented on a timely basis, if at all. These efforts may reduce revenue and our margins and adversely impact our financial results.
We experienced net losses of approximately $24.0 million and $27.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We cannot guarantee when or if we will achieve sustained profitability, particularly considering current economic uncertainty and increased interest rates. We expect to make significant future expenditures to develop and expand our business.
We experienced net losses of approximately $21.6 million and $24.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We cannot guarantee when or if we will achieve sustained profitability, particularly considering current economic uncertainty and increased interest rates. We expect to make significant future expenditures to develop and expand our business.
Additionally, if plaintiffs or regulatory bodies are successful in such actions, this may increase the likelihood that similar claims are made 17 Table of Contents against the Company and/or our real estate brokers and agents which claims could result in significant liability and be adverse to our financial results if we or our brokers and agents are unable to distinguish or defend our business practices.
Additionally, if plaintiffs or regulatory bodies are successful in such actions, this may increase the likelihood that similar claims are made against the Company and/or our real estate brokers and agents which claims could result in significant liability and be adverse to our financial results if we or our brokers and agents are unable to distinguish or defend our business practices.
Historically, changes in the federal funds rate have led to changes in interest rates for other loans, but the extent of the impact on the future availability and price of mortgage financing cannot be predicted with certainty.
Historically, changes in the federal 33 Table of Contents funds rate have led to changes in interest rates for other loans, but the extent of the impact on the future availability and price of mortgage financing cannot be predicted with certainty.
We operate in a heavily regulated industry with regulated labor classifications which present significant risk in general for each potential instance where we fail to maintain compliance. Our agents can be classified as either employees or independent contractors, and we could potentially misclassify or fail to consistently achieve compliance.
We operate in a heavily regulated industry with regulated labor classifications which present significant risk in general for each potential instance where we fail to maintain compliance. 18 Table of Contents Our agents can be classified as either employees or independent contractors, and we could potentially misclassify or fail to consistently achieve compliance.
Our competitors may have access to 15 Table of Contents greater financial resources than us, allowing them to undertake expensive local advertising or marketing efforts. In addition, our competitors may be able to leverage local relationships, referral sources, and strong local brand and name recognition that we have not established.
Our competitors may have access to greater financial resources than us, allowing them to undertake expensive local advertising or marketing efforts. In addition, our competitors may be able to leverage local relationships, referral sources, and strong local brand and name recognition that we have not established.
We cannot assure our shareholders that our hedging strategy and the derivatives that we use will adequately offset the risk of interest 26 Table of Contents rate volatility or that our hedging of these transactions will not result in losses.
We cannot assure our shareholders that our hedging strategy and the derivatives that we use will adequately offset the risk of interest rate volatility or that our hedging of these transactions will not result in losses.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. To maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight may be required.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, 34 Table of Contents among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. To maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight may be required.
The trading price of our common stock has ranged from $2.10 to $56.81 and is likely to be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control.
The trading price of our common stock has ranged from $1.53 to $56.81 and is likely to be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control.
Policies of the Federal Reserve Board can affect 28 Table of Contents interest rates available to potential homebuyers. Further, we are affected by any rising interest rate environment.
Policies of the Federal Reserve Board can affect interest rates available to potential homebuyers. Further, we are affected by any rising interest rate environment.
We may bring lawsuits to protect against the potential infringement of our intellectual property rights and other companies, including our competitors, could make claims against us alleging our infringement of their intellectual property rights. There can be no assurance that we would prevail in such lawsuits.
We may bring lawsuits to protect against the potential infringement of our intellectual property rights and other companies, including our competitors, could make claims against us alleging our infringement of their intellectual property rights. There can be no assurance that we would prevail in such lawsuits. Any significant impairment of our intellectual property rights could harm our business.
Acquisitions could disrupt our existing operations or cause management to divert its focus from our core business. An acquisition could cause potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities or could cause us to assume or incur unknown or unforeseen liabilities.
An acquisition could negatively impact our culture or undermine its core values. Acquisitions could disrupt our existing operations or cause management to divert its focus from our core business. An acquisition could cause potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities or could cause us to assume or incur unknown or unforeseen liabilities.
For more information see Item 1C. Cybersecurity. 22 Table of Contents Our business, financial condition and reputation may be substantially harmed by security breaches, interruptions, delays and failures in our systems and operations.
For more information see Item 1C. Cybersecurity. Our business, financial condition and reputation may be substantially harmed by security breaches, interruptions, delays and failures in our systems and operations.
Specifically, we use Adjusted EBITDA, which we use to represent net income (loss), excluding other income (expense), income taxes expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense and transaction-related costs.
Specifically, we use Adjusted EBITDA, which we use to represent net income (loss), excluding other income (expense), income taxes expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense and 17 Table of Contents transaction-related costs.
These factors include: • our operating performance and the operating performance of similar companies; • our non-GAAP operating performance, as reported using Adjusted EBITDA, is not equivalent to net income (loss) from operations as determined under GAAP and shareholders may consider GAAP measures to be more relevant to our operating performance; • the overall performance of the equity markets; 30 Table of Contents • announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, business plans, or commercial relationships; • threatened or actual litigation; • any major change in our board of directors or management; • publication of research reports or news stories about us, our competitors, or our industry, or positive or negative recommendations or withdrawal of research coverage by securities analysts; • large volumes of sales of our shares of common stock by existing shareholders; and • general political and economic conditions, including lingering impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.
These factors include: • our operating performance and the operating performance of similar companies; • our non-GAAP operating performance, as reported using Adjusted EBITDA, is not equivalent to net income (loss) from operations as determined under GAAP and shareholders may consider GAAP measures to be more relevant to our operating performance; • the overall performance of the equity markets; • announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, business plans, or commercial relationships; • threatened or actual litigation; • any major change in our board of directors or management; • publication of research reports or news stories about us, our competitors, or our industry, or positive or negative recommendations or withdrawal of research coverage by securities analysts; • large volumes of sales of our shares of common stock by existing shareholders; and • general political and economic conditions, including lingering impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. 35 Table of Contents Securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the overall market and in the market price of a company’s securities.
These advantages could be increasingly important considering current economic uncertainties and increased interest rates. The success of our competitors could result in fewer users visiting our website and mobile applications, and the loss of market share.
These advantages could be increasingly important considering current economic uncertainties and increased interest rates, and recent industry consolidation could make competition even stronger in our industry. The success of our competitors could result in fewer users visiting our website and mobile applications, and the loss of market share.
Joshua Harley, our Founder and former Chief Executive Officer , Marco Fregenal, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and a director, and Glenn Sampson, a significant shareholder 31 Table of Contents and director, have previously engaged in sales of our stock under Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, which have put pressure on our stock price. In November 2021, Mr.
Joshua Harley, our Founder and former Chief Executive Officer, and Marco Fregenal, our President and Chief Executive Officer, a significant shareholder and director, have previously engaged in sales of our stock under Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, which have put pressure on our stock price.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, our revenue declined to $345 million from $413 million, which represents an annual rate of decline of approximately 16%, however our historic growth has been better than market average increasing from 2020 to 2021 by 87% and from 2021 to 2022 by 25% in revenue.
Our historic growth was better than market average, increasing from 2020 to 2021 by 87% and from 2021 to 2022 by 25% in revenue. However, for the year ended December 31, 2024, our revenue declined to $335 million from $345 million, which represents an annual rate of decline of approximately 3%.
We might use interest rate derivatives from time to time to manage our exposure to interest rate risks associated with our mortgage business. To manage the risks associated with fluctuating interest rates, we may from time to time invest in derivative instruments in an attempt to offset this risk of volatility, but no hedging strategy can protect us completely.
To manage the risks associated with fluctuating interest rates, we may from time to time invest in derivative instruments in an attempt to offset this risk of volatility, but no hedging strategy can protect us completely.
Agents might not understand or appreciate our value. In addition, agents might not appreciate other components of our value proposition including the systems and tools that we provide to agents, and the professional development opportunities we create and deliver.
Participation in our commission plan represents a key component of our agent and broker value proposition. Agents might not understand or appreciate our value. In addition, agents might not appreciate other components of our value proposition including the systems and tools that we provide to agents, and the professional development opportunities we create and deliver.
The Burnett Settlement is subject to court approval. Due to the Burnett Settlement, there may be rule changes for the NAR. In the Burnett Settlement, effective mid-July 2024, NAR has agreed to put in place a new rule prohibiting offers of compensation on the MLS, as well as adopt new rules requiring written agreements between buyers and buyers’ agents.
In the NAR Settlement, effective mid-July 2024, NAR has agreed to put in place a new rule prohibiting offers of compensation on the MLS, as well as adopt new rules requiring written agreements between buyers and buyers’ agents.
As of December 31, 2023, Joshua Harley, Marco Fregenal, and Glenn Sampson beneficially owned approximately 20.2%, 7.2%, and 7.4% of our outstanding common stock, respectively. This significant concentration of share ownership may adversely affect the trading price for our common stock because investors may perceive disadvantages in owning stock in companies with controlling shareholders.
As of December 31, 2024, Joshua Harley, Marco Fregenal, and Scott Flanders beneficially owned approximately 25.7%, 6.5%, and 6.8% of our outstanding common stock, respectively. This significant concentration of share ownership may adversely affect the trading price for our common stock because investors may perceive disadvantages in owning stock in companies with controlling shareholders.
This could also negatively impact our agent growth rate. Our net licensed agent and broker base grew by approximately 14% from 10,370 licensed agents and brokers at December 31, 2022, to 11,795 licensed agents and brokers at December 31, 2023.
This could also negatively impact our agent growth rate. Our net licensed agent and broker base grew by approximately 21% from approximately 11,795 agent licenses at December 31, 2023, to approximately 14,300 agent licenses at December 31, 2024.
Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies.
As of December 31, 2025, we will cease to be an "emerging growth company". Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies.
The results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, along with the speculation and market response to primaries, campaigning, and candidate statements, could also alter lending and consumer behavior that could adversely affect our business. The residential real estate market also depends upon the strength of financial institutions, which are sensitive to changes in the general macroeconomic and regulatory environment.
The results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, including economic actions being taken by the new administration, could also alter lending and consumer behavior that could adversely affect our business. The residential real estate market also depends upon the strength of financial institutions, which are sensitive to changes in the general macroeconomic and regulatory environment.
Listing aggregator concentration and market power creates, and is expected to continue to create, disruption in the residential real estate brokerage industry, which might have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
If we are not able to compete effectively, our business and operating results will be materially and adversely affected. Listing aggregator concentration and market power creates, and is expected to continue to create, disruption in the residential real estate brokerage industry, which might have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
In this event, the market price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment. 14 Table of Contents Risks Related to Our Business If we do not remain an innovative leader in the real estate industry, we might not be able to grow our business and leverage our costs to achieve profitability.
In this event, the market price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment. 14 Table of Contents Risks Related to Our Business We have a history of losses, and we might not be able to achieve or sustain profitability.
The occurrence of natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, fires, explosions, pandemic disease, such as the coronavirus pandemic, and man-made disasters, including acts of terrorism and military actions, could adversely affect our operations, results of operations or financial condition, even if home values and buyers’ access to financing has not been affected. 29 Table of Contents Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, divert management’s attention, and affect our ability to attract and retain qualified board of director members.
The occurrence of natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, fires, explosions, pandemic disease, such as the coronavirus pandemic, and man-made disasters, including acts of terrorism and military actions, could adversely affect our operations, results of operations or financial condition, even if home values and buyers’ access to financing has not been affected.
In attempting to establish a presence in new markets, we expect to incur significant expenses and face various other challenges, such as expanding our sales force and management personnel to cover these markets. We have a history of losses, and we might not be able to achieve or sustain profitability.
In attempting to establish a presence in new markets, we expect to incur significant expenses and face various other challenges, such as expanding our sales force and management personnel to cover these markets. Our historical revenue growth rates might not be indicative of our future growth, and we might not continue to grow at our recent pace, or at all.
Our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected by the loss of one key relationship, as it would take a significant amount of time to replace this relationship with uncertain results. We may require additional capital to support business growth, and this capital might not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.
Our business, 25 Table of Contents results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected by the loss of one key relationship, as it would take a significant amount of time to replace this relationship with uncertain results.
Any significant impairment of our intellectual property rights could harm our business. 24 Table of Contents We may evaluate potential vendors, suppliers and other business partners for acquisition in order to accelerate growth but might not succeed in identifying suitable candidates or may acquire businesses that negatively impact us.
We may evaluate potential vendors, suppliers and other business partners for acquisition in order to accelerate growth but might not succeed in identifying suitable candidates or may acquire businesses that negatively impact us. As part of our growth strategy, we may evaluate the potential acquisition of businesses offering products or services that complement our services offerings.
In addition, an acquisition may prove unsuccessful if we fail to effectively execute a post-acquisition integration strategy. We may be unable to successfully integrate the systems and personnel of the acquired businesses. An acquisition could negatively impact our culture or undermine its core values.
If we identify a business that we deem to be suitable for acquisition and complete an acquisition, our evaluation may prove inaccurate, and the acquisition may prove unsuccessful. In addition, an acquisition may prove unsuccessful if we fail to effectively execute a post-acquisition integration strategy. We may be unable to successfully integrate the systems and personnel of the acquired businesses.
Fraud, defalcation and misconduct by employees are also risks inherent in our business, particularly given the high transactional volumes in our company owned brokerage, title, escrow and settlement services and relocation operations. To the extent that any loss or theft of funds substantially exceeds our insurance coverage, our business could be materially adversely affected.
Fraud, defalcation and misconduct by employees are also risks inherent in our business, particularly given the high transactional volumes in our company owned brokerage, title, escrow and settlement services and relocation operations.
If agents do not understand our value proposition, we might not be able to attract, retain and incentivize agents or maintain our agent growth rate, which would adversely affect our revenue growth and results of operations . Participation in our commission plan represents a key component of our agent and broker value proposition.
Our value proposition for agents includes allowing them to keep more of their commissions than traditional companies do. If agents do not understand our value proposition, we might not be able to attract, retain and incentivize agents or maintain our agent growth rate, which would adversely affect our revenue and results of operations .
The residential real estate market tends to be cyclical and typically is affected by changes in general macroeconomic conditions which are beyond our control. These conditions include short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, fluctuations in debt and equity capital markets, levels of unemployment, consumer confidence and the general condition of the U.S. and the global economy.
These conditions include short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, fluctuations in debt and equity capital markets, levels of unemployment, consumer confidence and the general condition of the U.S. and the global economy.
Securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the overall market and in the market price of a company’s securities. This litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs, divert our management’s attention and resources, and harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.
This litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs, divert our management’s attention and resources, and harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Any such events could also damage our reputation and impair our ability to attract and service home buyers, home sellers and agents, as well our ability to attract brokerages, teams of agents and individual agents to our Company, without increasing our costs.
Any such events could also damage our reputation and impair our ability to attract and service home buyers, home sellers and agents, as well our ability to attract brokerages, teams of agents and individual agents to our Company, without increasing our costs. 19 Table of Contents Further, if we lose our ability to obtain and maintain every regulatory approval and license necessary to conduct business as we currently operate, our ability to conduct business may be harmed.
In addition, current or potential competitors might be acquired by third parties with greater resources than ours, which would further strengthen these current or potential 20 Table of Contents competitors and enable them to compete more vigorously or broadly with us. If we are not able to compete effectively, our business and operating results will be materially and adversely affected.
This increased competition could stall our growth in these areas. We expect increased competition if our market continues to expand. In addition, current or potential competitors might be acquired by third parties with greater resources than ours, which would further strengthen these current or potential competitors and enable them to compete more vigorously or broadly with us.
If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us when we require it, our ability to continue to support our business growth and to respond to business challenges could be impaired, and our business might be harmed. 25 Table of Contents We are subject to certain risks related to litigation filed by or against us, and adverse results might harm our business and financial condition.
We might not be able to obtain additional financing on terms favorable to us, if at all. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us when we require it, our ability to continue to support our business growth and to respond to business challenges could be impaired, and our business might be harmed.
We cannot provide assurance that material weaknesses will not exist or otherwise be discovered, any of which could adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and results of operations. 23 Table of Contents We are an “emerging growth company,” and any decision on our part to comply only with certain reduced reporting and disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies could make our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging growth company,” and any decision on our part to comply only with certain reduced reporting and disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies could make our common stock less attractive to investors.
Past performance in similar seasons or during similar weather events can provide no assurance of future or current performance, and macroeconomic shifts in the markets we serve can conceal the impact of seasonality. 21 Table of Contents Home sales in successive quarters can fluctuate widely due to a wide variety of seasonal factors, including holidays, and the school year calendar’s impact on timing of family relocations.
Home sales in successive quarters can fluctuate widely due to a wide variety of seasonal factors, including holidays, and the school year calendar’s impact on timing of family relocations.
Further, if we lose our ability to obtain and maintain every regulatory approval and license necessary to conduct business as we currently operate, our ability to conduct business may be harmed. Lastly, any lobbying or related activities we undertake in response to mitigate liability of current or new regulations could substantially increase our operating expenses.
Lastly, any lobbying or related activities we undertake in response to mitigate liability of current or new regulations could substantially increase our operating expenses.
Because we derive revenue from real estate transactions in which our agents receive commissions, increases in our licensed agent base correlate to increases in revenue. A slowdown in our licensed agent growth rate would have a material adverse effect on revenue growth and could adversely affect our results of operations.
Because we derive revenue from real estate transactions in which our agents receive commissions, increases in our licensed agent base generally correlate to increases in revenue.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and other applicable securities rules and regulations.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, divert management’s attention, and affect our ability to attract and retain qualified board of director members. As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and other applicable securities rules and regulations.
If we were to experience any of the difficulties listed above, or any other difficulties, any international development activities and our overall financial condition may suffer. Risks Related to Our Industry Our results are tied to the residential real estate market and we might be negatively impacted by downturns in this market and general global economic conditions.
Risks Related to Our Industry Our results are tied to the residential real estate market and we might be negatively impacted by downturns in this market and general global economic conditions. The residential real estate market tends to be cyclical and typically is affected by changes in general macroeconomic conditions which are beyond our control.
Harley and Mr. Fregenal sold an aggregate of 350,000 shares of common stock in our underwritten public offering of common stock, and in December 2023 Mr. Harley sold 1,000,000 shares of common stock in our underwriting public offering. The perception that such additional sales could occur could also depress the market price of our common stock.
The perception that such additional sales could occur could also depress the market price of our common stock.
Accordingly, we might not be able to achieve or maintain profitability and we may incur significant losses for the foreseeable future. 16 Table of Contents Our historical revenue growth rates might not be indicative of our future growth, and we might not continue to grow at our recent pace, or at all.
Accordingly, we might not be able to achieve or maintain profitability and we may incur significant losses for the foreseeable future. If we do not remain an innovative leader in the real estate industry, we might not be able to grow our business and leverage our costs to achieve profitability.
We might not be able to obtain additional financing on terms favorable to us, if at all.
We may require additional capital to support business growth, and this capital might not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.
Real estate listings precede sales, and a period of poor listings activity will negatively impact revenue.
Real estate listings precede sales, and a period of poor listings activity will negatively impact revenue. Past performance in similar seasons or during similar weather events can provide no assurance of future or current performance, and macroeconomic shifts in the markets we serve can conceal the impact of seasonality.