Ranked by dollar volume of L.A. county sales

A booming real estate market helped the 25 largest residential brokerages in L.A. County play a role in an aggregate $50.8 billion worth of home sales for the year ended June 30. The total represents a $10.4 billion, or 25.9 percent, increase in volume over the previous year. All told, the largest brokerages [UNREADABLE TEXT IN THE ORIGINAL SOURCE.]pated in 78,036 sales during [UNREADABLE TEXT IN THE ORIGINAL SOURCE.]month period, a 4.3 percent [UNREADABLE TEXT IN THE ORIGINAL SOURCE.]se from the year earlier.

[UNREADABLE TEXT IN THE ORIGINAL SOURCE.]flecting the heated nature of [UNREADABLE TEXT IN THE ORIGINAL SOURCE.]arket, Hilton & Highland, up [UNREADABLE TEXT IN THE ORIGINAL SOURCE.] spots to No. 15, was one of [UNREADABLE TEXT IN THE ORIGINAL SOURCE.] brokerages that saw its number of transactions decline even as the overall dollar value jumped.

"The value of homes has dramatically increased because supply does not meet the demand," said Steve Lewis, a Hilton & Highland manager. "Growth has been astronomical and only an increase in inventory will stabilize the market."

The other big movers on the list were Prudential California Realty/Mulhearn Group and Re/Max Masters, both up four spots to Nos. 7 and 13, respectively.

Only two firms on the list reported lower dollar volume for the period ended June 30 compared to the prior 12 months.

THE PACESETTER

COLDWELL BANKER

AREA residential real estate brokerages were perhaps the greatest beneficiaries of the heated market, and none more than Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. The company participated in more than $22 billion worth of transactions in the 12-month period ended June 30, 2004, a $4.8 billion increase over the year earlier period.

The increase came on increased sales volume of more than 29,000 units during the period, a 2,213-unit increase over the same period the year before.

Low interest rates were not the only factor fueling the rise. In November 2003, Coldwell acquired Prudential California Realty of Long Beach, the No. 22 company on the list last year.

Coldwell focused on enhancing its internet strategy for the Los Angeles area in 2004. Its statewide Web site now notifies agents when there is interest in an online listing. More than 70 percent of homebuyers look online at some point during their search for real estate.