Weichert Realtors Press Release
Weichert, Realtors® Signs Its 350th Franchise Office
1/23/2008
MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. - Weichert Real Estate
Affiliates, Inc., the franchise arm of Weichert, Realtors®, announced the
signing of its 350th affiliated office, as it closed on yet another year of
impressive nationwide growth.
Since
launching its first independently owned and operated franchise in January 2002,
Weichert Real Estate Affiliates has mushroomed to more than 7,500 sales
associates serving some 330 markets in 35 states. Significantly, Weichert’s young affiliate
network is now expanding at a pace that’s right in line with, or even exceeds,
the growth rate of other major real estate franchises at a comparable stage of
development.
Martin J.
Rueter, president of Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, said, “Needless-to-say,
we’re elated by how favorably our progress-to-date stacks up historically with
our competitors. What we’re finding now,
as we talk to broker-owners in all parts of the U.S., is that while they’re
valiantly coping with the challenges of today’s business climate, they’ve heard
good things about us and are very open to hearing what Weichert can uniquely
bring to the table.”
As Weichert
Real Estate Affiliates moved closer to its goal of claming franchise offices in
all 50 states, the organization marked notable milestones in 2007, including:
- The
extension of its affiliate network into eight additional states, as “first”
Weichert franchise offices opened in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, and
Utah.
- The
introduction of one-stop-shopping services to more affiliated offices through
Affiliates Solutions Groups, a dedicated new division of Weichert Financial
Services providing mortgage pre-approvals, financing, title insurance, and
other move-related services. Where offered, affiliate customers can take
advantage of the popular Weichert Gold® Services program with its peace-of-mind
Performance Guarantee of a timely closing.
- The hosting
of Weichert Real Estate Affiliates’ third annual national convention in Naples,
Fl. – an educational and motivational three-day event that offered a nostalgic
review of Weichert, Realtors’ nearly 40-year history while celebrating the
achievements of franchise offices and sales associates and reinforcing
Weichert’s commitment to their future.
Key to the
Weichert value proposition is that Weichert Real Estate Affiliates offers its
affiliates a carefully structured, yet highly flexible platform for
growth. Weichert’s precisely defined
operating systems, market-driven programs, and readily customizable,
field-proven tools address every area of business management, growth, and
performance. Affiliates join a
broker-owned and broker-managed organization that offers “live” and online
training through Weichert
University, an
award-winning Internet lead-generation platform, a multinational relocation
company, and recruitment programs aimed at assuring the influx of new sales
associates needed to stay competitive.
New
Weichert affiliates, whether established companies or start-ups, enjoy full
assistance in effecting a smooth transition, from printing new business cards
to formulating a strategic business plan.
That close support continues as Weichert’s business consultants – all
experienced in managing a successful real estate office – regularly connect
with franchise owners to help them stay on track with their goals.
As for
2008, Rueter foresees “surging growth in every region,” as Weichert Real Estate
Affiliates strengthens its presence in existing markets and enters new
states. Already, several signed
affiliated offices are slated to unveil in January – including Weichert’s first
franchised office in Louisiana.
Weichert
has nearly 18,300 sales associates in over 520 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, call Weichert's customer service center at
1-800-USA-SOLD or visit Weichert's Web site, www.weichert.com. Each Weichert
franchised office is independently owned and operated.
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