Brandon Twp.-Two leading area real estate companies announced last week that they will merge their businesses.
Re/Max Property Center, 630 Ortonville Road and Real Estate One, 2245 S. Ortonville Road will join forming the largest Ortonville area real estate company according to a report.
‘We determined that one company could serve the community better,? said Sharon Williams, associate broker, manager of Real Estate One. ‘Customers will benefit from the improved service and additional agents.?
In a 2004 report issued by Realcomp of Michigan an independent listing service for area real estate companies the two Ortonville businesses will now capture more than 21 percent of the local market. The report lists eight real estate companies in the Ortonville area.
Real Estate One opened at their current location in August 1993 and have been the top real estate company in Ortonville since 1995 says Williams.
Williams a past president of the Greater Ortonville Chamber of Commerce, says three Re/Max Property Center agents will join 28 Real Estate One agents to form the new staff. In addition one office administrator will also come from Remax Property Center.
A township native and 1989 Brandon High School graduate, Re/Max Property Center manager and owner Angela Batten says she’s eager to make the transition.
‘We can make a stronger presence in the community by bringing two companies together,? said Batten. We’ll offer more to the community than just one company. The merger makes perfect sense.?
Batten began her real estate career with Real Estate One in 1998 and opened Re/Max Property Center two years later. Batton says the five year agreement with Denver based Re/Max expired this year.
‘It’s all about relationships with people,? said Batton. ‘We’ve had a great office, and helped a lot of people in this community buy and sell homes. We’re going to put together our resources and do even more for the area.?
Real Estate One began in 1929, when 30-year-old Staunton Elsea opened his own real estate company on Fort Street in Detroit. From the small beginnings Real Estate One grew into the largest broker in Michigan with more than 85 offices throughout Michigan reporting sales volume of $3.2 billion for 2002 and currently ranked twelfth largest among real estate services provider in the nation according to reports from the company.
Both Batten and Williams will manage the company and continue to give back to the community in a variety of ways.
During the past years several projects including collection of used clothes in the annual used clothing drive for St. Vincent de Paul, blanket drive during the Christmas season for Ortonville Community Emergency Fund, participation in Septemberfest, the Ortonville Business Expo and Christmas in the Village. In addition contributions to several high school scholarships has been awarded by Re/Max Property Center.
‘It’s only going to get better in a variety of ways,? says Batton. ‘Together we’ll not only make a powerhouse of a real estate company but also a great community minded business.?
Real Estate One is located at 2245 S. Ortonville Road. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Call (248) 627-5414, Fax (248) 627-5609. Office e-mail swilliams@realestateone.com; www.realestateone.com.