Weichert Realtors Press Release

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. – Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., the franchise arm of Weichert, Realtors®, continued its rapid nation-wide growth with the December opening of its first affiliate in the state of Maine, headquartered in Portland.  In addition, new affiliates in Deerfield and Naperville, Ill., and in Woodbury, Minn., further swelled the Weichert® roster.  

In welcoming the new affiliates, Martin J. Rueter, president of Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, said, “Seeing real estate companies in all parts of the U.S. align with us as the best course for their future underscores the power of the Weichert business model.  We’re very optimistic and excited about the opportunities ahead in 2008.”

The new Weichert affiliates include:

• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Endeavor, Deerfield, Ill.  Owned by Broker Evan Kane, the company has served the greater Chicago area since 2004.  

• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Advantage, Naperville, Ill.  The 11th Weichert franchise serving the greater Chicago area is owned by Brokers Beverly Sivek and Sandy Phelan.  

• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Waterglen Group, Portland and Old Orchard Beach, Maine.  James T. Walsh is the broker/owner of Weichert’s first affiliate in the Pine Tree State.  The company maintains its headquarters in the state’s largest city of Portland and a branch office in Old Orchard Beach.   

• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Advantage, Woodbury, Minn.  Broker Mark LaQua and Realtor Beth LaQua are the owners of this new office serving the Twin Cities market.  

Weichert Real Estate Affiliates launched its first franchised office in January 2002 and currently serves some 330 markets in 35 states.

Weichert has nearly 18,500 sales associates in over 500 company-owned and franchised sales offices in key markets throughout the U.S.  A family of full-service real estate and financial services companies, Weichert helps customers buy and sell both residential and commercial real estate, and streamlines the delivery of mortgages and home and title insurance.  For more information, Weichert's customer service center can be reached at 1-800-USA-SOLD or at Weichert's Web site, www.weichert.com.  Each Weichert franchised office is independently owned and operated.

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