Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates Inc. today announced that its luxury real estate franchise network has expanded with the affiliation of residential firms based in Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, The Cayman Islands and Bermuda, the company announced today.
“This terrific expansion furthers our goal of expanding our world-class network in key real estate marketplaces,” said Michael R. Good, president and CEO of Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates Inc. “We enjoyed a very successful 2005, during which we attracted many of the nation’s finest firms. It is exciting to begin the New Year by expanding again in the United States and the Caribbean.”
All property listings by real estate firms that are part of the Sotheby’s International Realty network are marketed on sothebysrealty.com, and a portion of the listings are also displayed at Sotheby’s auction house locations and at Sotheby’s International Realty office locations around the world.
In February 2004, Cendant Corp., the world’s largest real estate brokerage franchisor, purchased licensing rights for the Sotheby’s International Realty name and the development of a full franchise system by Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates Inc., a Cendant subsidiary.
The agreement also included the acquisition of the company-owned real estate brokerage offices by NRT Inc., a Cendant subsidiary that owns and operates those offices today as Sotheby’s International Realty Inc. Affiliations in the system are granted to brokerages and individuals that meet the franchisor’s qualifications.
Residential real estate brokerage firms that join the new Sotheby’s International Realty luxury network have access to business resources and services, such as marketing, information technology, operations, public relations, recruiting, client referrals and training.
The following companies recently became Sotheby’s International Realty affiliates:
– Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, a newly established company in Portland, Maine, will specialize in fine properties in greater Portland, southern Maine and areas along the state’s mid-coast region. The firm’s owner, Christopher Lynch, has assembled a group of six senior real estate professionals, each of whom has more than 20 years experience in Portland working with the area’s former long-time Sotheby’s International Realty marketing affiliate.
– Crawford Group Sotheby’s International Realty was recently established to provide high quality realty services in Chicago’s western suburbs. Located in Hinsdale, Ill., the firm is owned by Christopher Crawford, who previously worked with the area’s former Sotheby’s International Realty marketing affiliate.
– Olde Dartmouth Realty Inc. serves areas along Massachusetts’ South Coast and eastern Rhode Island. The company, which is owned by Paul Beauchamp and Bette Hamilton, is based in Dartmouth, Mass., and will now do business as Olde Dartmouth Sotheby’s International Realty.
– Stirling International Realty, a premier firm in Florida, will now do business as Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty. The company is owned by Roger and Tansey Soderstrom, and has six offices throughout the Orlando, Fla., area.
– Sheena Conolly Real Estate, Ltd., offers high quality realty services for all three islands comprising The Cayman Islands. The firm has been awarded the master franchise rights for The Cayman Islands and will now do business as Sheena Conolly Sotheby’s International Realty. The firm is owned by Burns and Sheena Conolly.
– Rego Realtors, a prominent provider of high quality realty services in Bermuda. The company has been awarded the master franchise rights for this country, and will now do business as Rego Sotheby’s International Realty. The firm is owned by Buddy Rego.
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