Company: HOUS
Filing Date: 2025-02-25
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001398987-25-000020
Chunk: 82

Company: Anywhere Real Estate Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-02-25
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 82
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itrust laws, the sales of our franchisees are included in the calculation of liability and can materially increase the magnitude of the potential liability we may face in such actions.

Negligence or intentional actions of independent sales agents engaged by our company owned brokerages could materially and adversely affect our reputation and subject us to liability.

Our company-owned brokerage operations rely on the performance of independent sales agents. If the independent sales agents were to provide lower quality services to our customers or engage in negligent or intentional misconduct, our image and reputation could be materially adversely affected. In addition, we could also be subject to litigation and regulatory claims arising out of their performance of brokerage or ancillary services, which if adversely determined, could materially and adversely affect us.

We do not own two of our brands and difficulties in the business or changes in the licensing strategy of, or disagreements or complications in our relationship with, the brand owners could disrupt our business and/or negatively reflect on the brand and the brand value.

The Sotheby's International Realty® and Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate brands are owned by the companies that founded these brands. Under separate long-term license agreements, we are the exclusive party licensed to run brokerage services in residential real estate under those brands, whether through our franchisees or our company owned operations. Our future operations and performance with respect to these brands requires the successful protection of those brands. Any disagreements or complications in our relationship with, or difficulties in the business or changes in the licensing strategy of, the brand owners could disrupt our business and/or negatively reflect on the brand and the brand value. For additional information see "Item 1.—Business—Franchise Group—Intellectual Property".

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Continued reductions in the global spending on relocation services or a cessation or reduction in the volume of business generated from multiple significant relocation clients, or the loss of our largest real estate benefit program client could adversely affect our revenues and profitability.

Many of the general residential housing trends impacting our businesses that derive revenue from homesales also impact our relocation services business. Additionally, global corporate spending on relocation services has continued to shift to lower cost relocation benefits. Even if general residential housing trends begin to improve, spending on relocation services may not return to former levels, which would negatively impact the revenue and operating results of our relocation operations.

Contracts with our real estate benefit program clients and relocation clients are generally terminable at any time at the option of the client, do not require such client to maintain any level of business with us and are non-exclusive. Our real estate benefit program revenues are highly