Durham is a picturesque city located in the Research Triangle area. The city is known for its focus on tech-related industries and world-class universities. Durham has a thriving economy driven by healthcare, education and technology which influences its real estate market. Universities including Duke and North Carolina Central attract large student populations, which in turn lead to increased demand for housing in the area.
As per the data recorded by Zillow in August 2025, the home value in Durham is $407,634, with a fall of 1.2% in comparison to the prior year. Despite this drop, the Durham property market remains competitive as both infrastructure and residential construction continue to grow.
This article explores the working and growth of Durham real estate firms.
List of top real estate companies in Durham
Durham real estate companies provide services beyond property listings and transactions. They offer various solutions according to client needs. Here is the list of the best real estate companies in Durham for 2025.
| # | Company Name | Website | Established Year | Full Address | Key Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keller Williams Realty | kw.com | 1983 | 245 NC-54, Durham, NC | Brokerage |
| 2 | Coldwell Banker | coldwellbanker.com | 1906 | 404 Hunt St., Durham, NC | Brokerage |
| 3 | Long & Foster Companies | longandfoster.com | 1968 | 1304 W. NC Highway 54, Durham, NC | Brokerage, property management, mortgage, insurance |
| 4 | Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | bhhs.com | 2014 | 921 Morreene Rd., Durham, NC | Brokerage, relocation, property management, mortgage |
| 5 | RE/MAX | remax.com | 1973 | 4214 Fayetteville, Road, Durham, NC | Brokerage |
| 6 | Howard Hanna | howardhanna.com | 1957 | 4214 Fayetteville Road, Durham, NC | Brokerage, mortgage, insurance, property management, relocation |
| 7 | Urban Durham Realty | urbandurhamrealty.com | 2009 | 214 Hunt St, Suite 190, Durham, NC | Brokerage |
| 8 | SVN International | svn.com | 1987 | 3333 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Suite C, Durham, NC | Brokerage, property management, tenant representation |
| 9 | Movil Realty | movilrealty.com | 2016 | 102 E Main St, Durham, NC | Brokerage, valuation |
| 10 | Tri Properties | triprop.com | 1991 | 5425 Page Road, Suite 100, Durham, NC | Brokerage, property management, tenant representation |
An overview of the top 5 Durham companies
Keller Williams Realty
Website: kw.com
Headquarters: Austin, Texas
Established Year: 1983
Key Person: Gary Keller - Executive Chairman
Core Services: Real estate brokerage, consultancy & investing
Awards: Awarded No. 1 Real Estate Franchise in the U.S. by T3 Sixty
Coldwell Banker
Website: coldwellbanker.com
Headquarters: Madison, New Jersey
Established Year: 1906
Key Person: Jason Waugh - President
Core Services: Real estate brokerage
Awards: Winner of 2024 MarCom Award
Long & Foster Companies
Website: longandfoster.com
Headquarters: Faifax, Virginia
Established Year: 1968
Key Person: Patrick Bain - President & CEO
Core Services: Brokerage, property management, mortgage, insurance
Awards: No. 1 Top Workplace in the Philadelphia 2025
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Website: bhhs.com
Headquarters: West Des Moines, Iowa
Established Year: 2012
Key Person: Vince Leisey - President
Core Services: Real estate brokerage
Awards: Won 'Real Estate Agency Brand of the Year' in the annual Harris Poll EquiTrend® study, 2020
RE/MAX
Website: remax.com
Headquarters: Denver, Colorado
Established Year: 1973
Key Person: Josh Bolgren - Senior Vice President
Core Services: Real estate brokerage & legislation
Awards: RE/MAX team won 2024 Inman Innovator Award for ‘Most Innovative Team’
Durham housing & rental trends July 2025
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median home sale price | $425,000 |
| Year-over-Year home price change | -6.6% |
| Average rent | $1,746 |
| National average rent | $2,072 |
| Year-over-Year rent change | +0.6% |
| Homes sold | 331 |
| Average days on market | 33 days |
| Median sale price vs. National average | 2% lower |
| Overall cost of living vs. National average | 1% lower |
| Buyers looking to move out of Durham | 30% (May– Jul 2025) |
| Buyers looking to stay in Durham | 70% (May–Jul 2025) |
Source: Redfin, Zillow
People are moving to Durham from
| # | Inbound Metros | Net inflow May '25 - Jul '25 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | 1,188 |
| 2 | Fayetteville, NC | 1,017 |
| 3 | New York, NY | 793 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | 526 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | 425 |
| 6 | Kansas City, MO | 383 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | 380 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | 248 |
| 9 | Philadelphia, PA | 238 |
| 10 | Charlotte, NC | 198 |
Source: Redfin
Key growth factors of Durham real estate firms
Durham has become a dynamic hub of the real estate market, attracting homebuyers and investors for several reasons. These reasons make the companies unique and set them apart in top real estate companies in North Carolina.
- Downtown renewal: Conversion of historic buildings in the downtown area into apartments and condos attracted people who seek creative and aesthetically appealing properties.
- Tech revolution: Increased implementation of VR and AR for property tours and smart home features like smart security systems raised the demand for residential and commercial properties.
- Energy-efficient properties: Construction of homes with features like solar panels and energy-efficient appliances have drawn the attention of prospective buyers and investors.
- Remote working: Post-pandemic era created an atmosphere of remote working which increased the demand for properties with extra space to work.
Distinctive features of digitally advanced firms
The integration of technology into real estate practices is expected to accelerate. AI-powered property recommendations and smart listing management are some of the key features provided by a modern real estate growth platform. Implementing these tools into day-to-day operations can eliminate repetitive tasks and free teams to focus on high-value activities. Below are the technological advancements adopted by Durham real estate landscape:
- AI-driven customer service: Enhancing customer engagements by handling inquiries and providing property information.
- Property advertising methods: Offering 3D virtual tours and creative staging of property to attract buyers and investors, in areas like East Durham.
- Seamless transaction: Providing paperless documentation and digital signatures for faster deal closing and improved client experience.
- Custom CRMs: Integrating an all-in-one real estate CRM platform to support every stage of the marketing process, from capturing leads to tracking transactions.
The companies which use these modern technologies experience rapid growth in this era.
Challenges of Durham real estate companies
Along with the rising demand, Durham faces some challenges in the real estate field.
- Standing out: As many real estate firms offer the same services and facilities, companies that provide unique tools like predictive analytics and 3D virtual tours can attract buyers and sellers.
- Digital presence: Buyers and sellers search for companies online first. Being responsive and available digitally can bring in more clients.
- Confidence creation: Mortgage rates and local economy changes cause hesitation. Open communication and case studies are required to build confidence.
Offering exceptional and client-centered services is the key aspect of the Durham real estate market to overcome these challenges.
Guidelines for buyers and investors
If you want to be successful in Durham, you need to come up with a proper strategy. Consider navigating the real estate market with these tips:
- Neighborhood insights: Choose a real estate firm which understands neighborhoods with better investment opportunities such as Trinity Park and South Point.
- Advanced technology: Select an agency that relies on modern tools and strategies that simplify the management of clients and property listings.
- Market track record: Search on websites like Redfin and Zillow for recent service records before engaging.
- Market trends: Understand Durham’s seller-leaning market with price trends, days on market and inventory levels.
Market knowledge along with strategic planning helps buyers and investors to confidently navigate Durham real estate landscape.
Durham's tech-forward future
The real estate market in Durham faces an era of development in 2025, opening doors for new opportunities and startups fueled by urban revitalization, tech boom, and strong rental demand. Modern facilities like sustainable properties with innovative building techniques have already taken place in Durham, hoping for an eco-conscious future. It helps the firms to get a better place on the list of best real estate companies in the USA. For buyers, sellers and agents, adopting these modern tools is essential to flourish in Durham’s rental market.
Disclaimer: Retyn does not promote or support any of the companies or services mentioned in the list. The data presented is compiled through online and market research and does not reflect our priorities in any manner.
