Press Release

Weichert, Realtors® Expands Its Franchise Network in Eight States, Including Its First Iowa Franchis

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. – Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., the franchise arm of Weichert, Realtors®, has announced the openings of new franchise offices in California, Maryland, and Tennessee, as well as its first affiliate in Iowa. In addition, Weichert affiliates in Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, and New York expanded to new office locations.   

In welcoming the new offices, Martin J. Rueter, president of Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, said, “The vitality of the Weichert brand only increases as quality companies choose to join us and members of our network branch out to serve more customers in the uniquely personal and professional way that is Weichert.”  

The new Weichert® affiliates are:

§          WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Foothill Properties, in Upland, Beaumont, and Fontana, Calif. President/CEO and broker Steve Yeager and Phil Yeager are the owners of the first Weichert franchise in southern California.  Sandy Kohler is managing partner. 

§          WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Inspired Real Estate, Cedar Falls, Iowa.  Weichert’s first franchise in the Hawkeye state is owned by brokers Jacob Huff and Christopher Noland. Huff is the broker of record. 

§          WEICHERT, REALTORS® - On the Eastern Shore, Crisfield, Md. Seasoned Realtors Cathy Carroll, Neda Cox, and Paul Godbout are the owners of this

established firm, which serves the Tri-County area along the Chesapeake Bay’s eastern shore. Cox is broker of record. 

§          WEICHERT, REALTORS® - #1 Realty Group, Sevierville, Tenn. At the gateway to the Smoky Mountains, Weichert’s 11^th franchised office in the Volunteer State is owned by broker of record Donald Busha and Kathleen Wallace.

In the South, two top-producing Weichert franchisees unveiled new offices. 

In Florida, the steadily growing WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Hallmark Properties, owned by Steve Pilchick, strengthened its Central Florida presence with the opening of its 16^th branch office in Flagler Beach. Broker Associate Memory Hopkins was named manager. In the Carolinas, WEICHERT, REALTORS® Rebhan & Associates opened a second office in Charlotte, N.C., to expand services throughout South Charlotte, Union County, and into South Carolina. Broker/Owner Kathleen Rebhan appointed broker William (Bill) Schaeffer as manager.  

Elsewhere, WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Kingsland Properties in Wheaton, Ill., added a second office in Downers Grove under Broker Tracee Keyes. Jeff Ristine and Phil Passon are the owners. In New York, WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Fontaine & Associate, owned by Don and Pam Fontaine, opened a second office across the river in Hudson to augment its Athens office. Don Fontaine is broker of record.   

Home to more than 6,400 sales associates among its franchised sales offices, Weichert Real Estate Affiliates launched its first independently owned and operated franchise in January 2002 and since has grown to more than 300 signed offices in 29 states.

Weichert has more than 18,700 sales associates in nearly 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, 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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