RISMEDIA, March 15, 2010—Keller Williams Realty Inc. announced the launch of Keller Williams Southern Arizona. The new operation, formerly with Realty Executives, includes seven offices, with more than 375 top-producing real estate agents and staff.
“We felt it was our responsibility to be the stewards of our agents’ careers and, based on our research and what we have seen, it is obvious that Keller Williams Realty is the right choice for a positive future,” said Anthony Azar, operating principal of Keller Williams Southern Arizona. “We absolutely have the best agents in the city, and that is statistically supported by their rankings and their designations. We are thrilled to be a part of a company that is as serious about growth and success as we are.”
The agents, who have until March 31 to transfer their license, are already signing on with the new organization. Of the 200+ agents who were able to attend the launch announcement, 125 (65%) joined Keller Williams Southern Arizona. More are expected to join in the coming days.
Sue Cartun, operations manager of the new organization, added, “KW’s philosophy of putting agents and ownership on the same side of the table was an incredibly important part of our decision to join Keller Williams Realty.”
This comes on the heels of a year of positive growth for Keller Williams Realty throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company outpaced the downward trend in the real estate market and grew in every category–opening 30 new franchises, ending the year with a 16% year-over-year increase in the number of contracts closed per agent, more than 76,879 associates across North America (up 3%). In addition, the company gave back more than $32.2 million in profit share to its agents.
“We make it our business to get in business with the best–and Anthony and his associates are proven leaders in the Southern Arizona marketplace,” said Mark Willis, CEO of Keller Williams Realty. “It’s our honor to welcome them to the Keller Williams family.”
In 2009, in addition to becoming the 3rd largest real estate company in the U.S., surpassing RE/MAX, Keller Williams Realty received the highest overall satisfaction ratings from home buyers among the largest full-service real estate firms from J.D. Power and Associates for the second year in a row, and was ranked as the No. 1 real estate franchise on the 31st Annual Franchise 500 list by Entrepreneur magazine.
“I am so thrilled to be a part of the Keller Williams family,” said Nancy Colvin, team leader for the new Kolb La Playa office. “Joining forces with Keller Williams Realty is a huge benefit for our agents and was the best decision for our team as a whole.”
“We are confident that with this change, Tucson-area residents will think of us when they think of real estate,” added David Jones, senior team leader in the new operation’s Joesler Village location. ”We’re proud to be one of the leading real estate companies in the state.”
For more information, visit www.kw.com.
