Press Release

Weichert, Realtors® Announces Its First Franchises in Mississippi as Two Weichert Affiliates Expand

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. – Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., the rapidly growing franchise arm of Weichert, Realtors®, has announced the opening of franchise offices in Madison, Miss., and Tupelo, Miss., its first two in the Magnolia State.  In addition, Weichert affiliates added offices in Port Jefferson Station, N.Y., and Lancaster, Pa.   The Weichert franchise organization, launched in January 2002, now serves more than 330 markets in 32 states. 

In welcoming the new franchisees, Martin J. Rueter, president of Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, said, “Growing into new areas and seeing affiliates branch out is tremendously exciting.  This robust expansion speaks to the vigor of our organization and the genuine value in the Weichert brand and systems.” 

The new Weichert® affiliates are:

·          WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Bailey Breland Group, Madison, Miss. Broker W.C. “Bill” Bailey and Catherine Breland are the owners of the first Weichert franchise to register with the Mississippi Real Estate Commission.    

·          WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Joe Edgeworth, Tupelo, Miss.  Formerly Mississippi Realty, Inc., the 18-year-old northern Mississippi company is owned by Broker Joe Edgeworth. 

·          WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Shore to Shore, Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.  Owners Bill Deegan, president, and Barry Turk, broker, expanded into central Suffolk County by acquiring Bay Meadows Realty. The Weichert affiliate’s original office is in West Islip. 

·          WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Engle & Hambright, Lancaster, Pa.  Terry Wiley and Christian McMurtie, brokers and owners, have opened a second Lancaster office to expand service to southern and eastern Lancaster County.  Wiley is broker of record. 

Weichert has nearly 19,300 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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