Fathom Holdings Expands First-Time Homebuyer Program Nationwide with START Real Estate Acquisition
Fathom Holdings Inc. has recently made a strategic move to bolster its presence in the real estate market by acquiring START Real Estate, a pioneering brokerage focused on assisting first-time homebuyers. This acquisition, announced on October 16, 2025, is poised to significantly enhance Fathom's capabilities in facilitating homeownership for new buyers across the United States.
Founded by Randy and Terri Bell, START Real Estate has established itself as a reliable partner for first-time buyers in Colorado and Utah. With around 70 agents, START Real Estate is expected to manage approximately 400 transactions this year, showcasing a remarkable mortgage attach rate exceeding 70%. This impressive statistic highlights the brokerage's effectiveness in closing deals that integrate both real estate transactions and mortgage services, emphasizing the company’s commitment to providing comprehensive support to its clients.
Fathom Holdings, publicly traded on Nasdaq under the symbol FTHM, operates as a technology-driven real estate services platform that integrates various aspects of real estate transactions, including brokerage, mortgage, and title services. The acquisition of START Real Estate aligns perfectly with Fathom's goal of scaling its first-time homebuyer program by leveraging its own proprietary platform, known as intelliAgent, and the Elevate plan. Randy Bell expressed optimism about this collaboration, stating, “After helping thousands of first-time homebuyers, we are excited to partner with Fathom to expand our first-time buyer program nationwide.” This sentiment underscores the expectation that combining resources will enhance the experience for first-time homebuyers, as both entities aim to provide improved tools, support, and guidance throughout the home buying journey.
Marco Fregenal, CEO of Fathom Holdings, emphasized the strategic importance of this acquisition, noting START Real Estate's strong transaction growth and high mortgage attach rate as integral to Fathom's expansion strategy. He remarked that the expected transition of many START agents to the Elevate plan signifies a mutual benefit in terms of transaction growth and higher-margin revenue opportunities that stem from ancillary services. With nearly 15,000 agents spanning across 43 states and Washington D.C., Fathom’s national footprint provides a solid foundation for integrating START Real Estate’s services, thereby widening access to homeownership while creating new income channels through its mortgage and title services.
The move is also significant in light of the growing market segment represented by first-time homebuyers, which constitutes one of the largest and fast-growing demographics within the U.S. housing market. Real estate experts have noted that this demographic often faces numerous challenges, from securing financing to understanding the home buying process. By pooling resources and expertise, Fathom and START Real Estate aim to mitigate these barriers, thereby helping more families realize their dream of homeownership.
In conclusion, this acquisition marks a pivotal step for Fathom Holdings as it aspires to enhance its service offerings to first-time buyers across the nation. Through innovative technology, experienced agents, and a streamlined home buying process, Fathom is positioning itself as a leader in the competitive real estate market, dedicated to making homeownership accessible to more individuals and families. With a promising outlook and robust strategy in place, Fathom Holdings, alongside START Real Estate, is set to redefine the landscape of first-time homebuyer services in the coming years.