Press Release

Weichert Real Estate Affiliates Adds 14 New Offices to Its Franchise Network

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. – Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., the franchise arm of Weichert, Realtors®, continued its rapid nation-wide growth with the opening of its first affiliate office in the states of Louisiana and Kentucky as well as in the city of San Diego.  The company also increased its strength in the Boston and Chicago markets with the addition of new affiliates and saw several existing franchises grow their business.  In total, 14 new franchise offices joined the Weichert roster during January and early February.

Martin J. Rueter, president of Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, welcomed the new affiliates, saying, “This increasing of our presence across the country is a testament to Weichert’s national strength and reputation.  In a challenging real estate climate, it is gratifying to see quality companies choose our dynamic programs and systems for augmented support of their sales associates and enhanced value to the customer.”

New affiliates that joined the Weichert network include:

• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Goodchild Homes, Palatine, Ill. Serving the Chicago area, this company is owned by broker Elizabeth Goodchild and her husband, David Goodchild.
• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Real Estate Express, Houma, La.  Debra Chauvin is the broker/owner of Weichert’s first affiliate in the Creole State.
• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - ABG Properties, Louisville, Ky. The first Weichert franchise in Kentucky is owned by Brokers Allison Bartholomew and William Friel.
• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Twin Ports, Duluth, Minn. and Superior, Wis. The two office company is owned by Kurt Bartell, Tom Bridge, and Brokers Bobbi and Steve Germond.  The company marks Weichert’s introduction to the Duluth/Superior market.
• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Heartland, Faribault, Minn.  Owned by Brokers Jim Barta and Larry Harn and Realtors Lori Gustafson and Jeanne Taylor.
• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Downum Group, Springdale, Ark. Broker Bob Downum and his wife, Sandra Downum, are the owners of Weichert’s third Arkansas franchise office.
• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Excel, Shelby Township, Mich.  Serving the Detroit Metropolitan area, the company is owned by Broker Dave Elya and Hank Mendez.
• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Miller Associates, Menomonie, Wis. Broker Raimi Hainstock’s company is Weichert’s third franchise in the Badger State.
• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Cook And Company, Billerica, Mass. Broker/owner Kim Cook’s company increases the Weichert network of office serving the Boston area to 10 offices.  
• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Elite, San Diego, Calif.  The first Weichert franchise in San Diego is owned by Brokers Mark Marquez, Donna Sanfilippo, and Erik Weichel.
  

Existing affiliates that added offices included:

• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Coastal Choice purchased an office in Wilmington, N.C.  The transaction brings a total of four offices to the company owned by Michael Patterson and Sherri Pickard, which has been part of the Weichert network since 2006.
• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Best Beach Real Estate, owned by Abraham Chehebar, Steven Schmutter, and Alberto Bassal, expanded with a new office serving the Miami area.
• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Kingsland Properties added an additional office through acquisition. Both offices, owned by Jeff Ristine and Phil Passon, serve the greater Chicago area. 
• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - The Executive Group owners Brenda Elliot, Jim Crumrine and Jim Layne have added a third office to the two year Weichert affiliate located in the Heart of Dixie.
• WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Gateway Properties is the new name for owner Doug Collins and Broker Jane Cyr’s Southbury, Conn. franchise (formerly WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Signature Properties).

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

Weichert has nearly 18,000 sales associates in more than 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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