1. Broker Overview
Compass, officially known as Compass Inc., was founded in 2012 by Robert Reffkin and Ori Allon. The company is headquartered in New York City, with a significant presence across various major markets in the United States. Compass operates as a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange, having gone public in 2021.
The primary market that Compass serves includes luxury real estate, focusing on high-end properties while providing a suite of technology-driven tools for real estate agents. The clientele primarily consists of buyers, sellers, and renters in the upscale segment, supported by a network of over 25,000 agents across more than 300 offices nationwide.
Since its inception, Compass has experienced rapid growth, fueled by substantial venture capital investments totaling over $1.5 billion. The firm has strategically acquired smaller brokerages to enhance its agent pool and expand its market share. One of the key milestones in Compasss journey was its aim to secure a 20% market share in 20 major cities across the United States by 2020. The company's mission is to "help people find their place in the world," emphasizing a client-centric approach.
Compass operates primarily on a retail brokerage model, leveraging technology to streamline the buying and selling process, thus enhancing the overall client experience. This innovative approach positions Compass as a leader in the real estate technology sector, often referred to as a proptech company.
Compass is regulated by several key authorities, ensuring compliance with industry standards and practices. Notable regulatory bodies include:
- New York State Department of State (License Number: 10491204535)
- California Bureau of Real Estate (License Number: 01991628)
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (License Number: CQ1058692)
The licenses held by Compass are valid indefinitely, subject to compliance with state regulations. The company maintains various legal entities across different states to operate within their jurisdictional frameworks.
Compass adheres to strict client fund segregation policies, ensuring that client funds are kept separate from the companys operational funds. Furthermore, the company participates in investor compensation schemes, providing additional security for client investments.
In terms of compliance, Compass implements robust Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) measures to prevent fraud and ensure the integrity of its operations. These procedures are designed to verify the identity of clients and monitor transactions for suspicious activities.
3. Trading Products and Services
As a comprehensive real estate brokerage, Compass offers a wide range of products and services tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients. The primary offerings include:
- Forex Currency Pairs: Compass provides access to a broad range of currency pairs, focusing on major and minor pairs that are essential for forex trading.
- CFD Products: The company also offers Contracts for Difference (CFDs) on various assets, including indices, commodities, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. This allows clients to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying assets.
- Unique Trading Products: Compass is known for its innovative offerings, including exclusive access to certain high-value listings and concierge services that assist sellers in preparing their properties for the market.
The company regularly updates its product offerings to adapt to market demands and client feedback, ensuring that agents and clients have access to the latest tools and resources for successful transactions.
Compass provides retail trading services primarily through its network of agents, while also catering to institutional clients by offering tailored solutions. The firm has been recognized for its white-label solutions and asset management services, further expanding its reach in the real estate market.
Compass utilizes advanced trading technology to enhance the trading experience for its clients. The key features of its trading platforms include:
- MetaTrader 4/5 Support: Compass supports the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, providing users with powerful tools for technical analysis and automated trading.
- Proprietary Trading Platform: The company has developed its own proprietary trading platform, designed to integrate seamlessly with its suite of real estate tools, enabling agents to manage listings and transactions efficiently.
- Web-Based Trading Platform: Compass offers a user-friendly web-based platform, allowing clients to trade from any device without the need for software installation.
- Mobile Applications: The company has developed mobile applications for both iOS and Android devices, ensuring that clients can manage their trades on the go.
- Execution Models: Compass employs various execution models, including ECN (Electronic Communication Network) and STP (Straight Through Processing), which facilitate efficient trade execution.
- Technical Infrastructure: The company's servers are strategically located to ensure low latency and fast order execution, enhancing the overall trading experience.
- API Integration and Automated Trading: Compass supports API access, allowing clients to integrate their trading strategies and automate their trading processes effectively.
5. Account Types and Trading Conditions
Compass offers a variety of account types to cater to different trading needs and preferences. The key account types include:
- Standard Account Conditions: The standard account typically requires a minimum deposit of $1,000, with spreads starting from 1.5 pips. Commissions may apply based on the trading volume.
- Advanced Account Types: For experienced traders, Compass offers VIP and professional accounts with enhanced features, including lower spreads and higher leverage options.
- Special Accounts: The company provides specialized accounts, including Islamic accounts for clients seeking Sharia-compliant trading options.
- Demo Account Policy: Compass allows clients to open demo accounts to practice trading strategies without financial risk, providing a realistic trading environment.
- Leverage Options: The leverage ratio varies across different products, typically ranging from 1:50 to 1:500, depending on the asset class.
- Minimum Trade Size: The minimum trade size is generally 0.01 lots, allowing clients to trade flexibly according to their risk appetite.
- Overnight Fees Policy: Compass applies overnight fees (swap rates) for positions held overnight, which vary based on the asset class and market conditions.
6. Fund Management
Compass provides a range of funding options to facilitate smooth transactions for its clients. The key features of its fund management include:
- Supported Deposit Methods: Clients can deposit funds using various methods, including bank transfers, credit cards, and electronic wallets such as PayPal and Skrill.
- Minimum Deposit Requirements: The minimum deposit varies by account type, with standard accounts requiring a minimum of $1,000.
- Deposit Processing Times: Deposits are typically processed within 1-3 business days, depending on the method used.
- Deposit Fees: Compass does not charge fees for deposits; however, clients should check with their payment provider for any applicable fees.
- Withdrawal Methods and Limits: Clients can withdraw funds using similar methods as deposits, with certain limits depending on the chosen method.
- Withdrawal Processing Times: Withdrawal requests are processed within 2-5 business days, subject to verification processes.
- Withdrawal Fee Structure: Compass generally does not impose withdrawal fees, but clients should verify with their payment provider for potential charges.
7. Customer Support and Educational Resources
Compass prioritizes customer support, offering various channels for clients to seek assistance. The key features of its support services include:
- Support Channels: Clients can reach customer support via phone, email, online chat, and social media platforms.
- Service Hours and Time Zone Coverage: Customer support is available from 9 AM to 8 PM EST, covering major time zones to assist clients effectively.
- Multilingual Support: Compass provides support in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Mandarin, catering to its diverse client base.
- Educational Resources: The company offers a range of educational resources, including webinars, video tutorials, and eBooks, to help clients enhance their trading skills.
- Market Analysis Services: Clients receive daily market analysis, news updates, and research reports to keep them informed about market trends and opportunities.
- Trading Tools: Compass provides various trading tools, including calculators, economic calendars, and signal services, to assist clients in making informed trading decisions.
8. Regional Coverage and Restrictions
Compass operates in multiple regions, catering to a wide range of clients. The key aspects of its regional coverage include:
- Primary Service Markets: Compass primarily serves clients in the United States, with a growing presence in international markets, especially in luxury real estate.
- Regional Office Distribution: The company has offices in major cities across the U.S., including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago.
- Countries/Regions Not Accepting Clients: Compass does not accept clients from countries where it is not licensed to operate, including certain regions in Asia and Africa.
- Special Restrictions: Clients are advised to check specific regional regulations that may affect their ability to trade or invest through Compass.
In conclusion, Compass stands out as a leading broker in the real estate sector, providing innovative solutions and a robust trading platform for both agents and clients. Its commitment to technology and customer service positions it as a key player in the evolving landscape of real estate and brokerage services.