Realogy parent Domus Holdings files for $1 billion IPO

Domus Holdings, the world's largest franchisor of residential real estate brokerages, filed on Friday with the SEC to raise up to $1 billion in an initial public offering. Domus Holdings holds notable franchise brokerage brands including Century 21, Coldwell Banker and Sotheby's International Realty. In 2011, Domus Holdings accounted for 26% of US existing homesale transactions involving a real estate brokerage firm.

The Parsippany, NJ-based company, which was incorporated in 2006 booked $4.1 billion in sales over the last twelve months. Domus Holdings is backed by notable private equity firm Apollo Management (66.2%) and hedge fund Paulson & Co (21.5%). Apollo acquired Realogy, a subsidiary of Domus Holdings, in 2006 near the peak of the housing prices. The company did not list a ticker, exchange or underwriters on the deal and no pricing terms were disclosed.