Keller Williams Realty Climbs to Third-Largest Real Estate Franchise in United States

Company Outpaces Market with Financial Model, Agent-Centric Initiatives
AUSTIN, Texas--(Business Wire)--
Keller Williams Realty Inc., announced last week at its annual convention in
Orlando, Fla. that it is now the third-largest real estate franchise in the
United States, surpassing RE/MAX International. According to Steve Murray of
REAL Trends, a leading source of analysis and information in the residential
real estate industry, the Austin, Texas-based company claimed the number three
spot with 72,794 U.S. associates at the end of 2008.

"The success of Keller Williams Realty can be directly attributed to the hard
work and perseverance of our associates and the soundness of our economic and
organizational models," said Mark Willis, CEO of Keller Williams Realty, Inc.
"While others might be looking at this market and seeing fear and uncertainty,
we have always approached it as our opportunity to shine and grow. And that
mindset has paid off."

The company has been gaining ground for the last three years, outpacing
pervasive downward trends in the real estate industry. From 2006 to 2008, Keller
Williams Realty increased its associate count by 52 percent, market share for
its offices increased 83 percent and agent gross commission income went up 35
percent. Currently, the company has 679 offices operating in the United States.
The company also shared more than $30 million in profits with its associates in
2008 through its company-wide profit sharing program.

"Through profit share, our phenomenal coaching and training and our technology
offerings, we are offering agents their own `bailout plan` for this market,"
Willis added.

The company also announced that after years of searching for a partnership to
provide its associates with affordable health insurance, they are moving forward
with a solution.

The soon-to-be-launched Keller Williams Health Providers Program will include
options for major medical, limited medical, catastrophic coverage and a separate
cancer plan. The health insurance coverage is the first step toward a total
wellness program for associates.

"We have always been very aware that as independent contractors, our agents face
barriers to obtaining health coverage," said Mary Tennant, president and COO of
Keller Williams Realty. "We know that for many, this new option may alleviate
some of the stress that they face in today`s economy. After all, our associates
are not just our partners - they are our family."

Last fall, the company also announced the launch of KW Commercial, a new
division of the company dedicated to providing commercial real estate associates
with specialized technology, marketing tools and resources. KW Commercial
already has more than 220 active brokers across the U.S. and Canada.

"Our growth in the last year and now becoming the third-largest real estate
company in the United States was a true team effort and a company-wide win. We
are so grateful for all of the leadership and commitment our associates have
shown to power through this shift," added Willis.

About Keller Williams Realty Inc.:

Founded in 1983, Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the third-largest real estate
franchise operation in the United States, with more than 690 offices and 74,000
associates in the United States and Canada. The company, which began franchising
in 1990, has an agent-centric culture that emphasizes access to leading-edge
education and promotes an economic model that rewards associates as stakeholders
and partners. For more information, visit Keller Williams Realty online at
(www.kw.com).

Keller Williams Realty Inc.
Amber Presley, 512-439-8708
amber.presley@kw.com

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