Realogy Holdings Corp. recently announced strategic acquisitions in Harrisburg and Lancaster, Pennsylvania by its subsidiaries, NRT LLC and Title Resource Group.
A subsidiary of NRT, the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage, has acquired substantially all of the assets of Realty Select, Inc. — a multi-office residential brokerage and property management operation in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that does business as Coldwell Banker Select Professionals, Select Property & Association Management and Select Partners. NRT will combine the newly acquired brokerage operations with the brokerage operations of its Camp Hill, Pennsylvania-based company, Jack Gaughen Realtor® ERA®. The combined operations, which accounted for more than $1.1 billion in sales volume and more than 6,000 closed transaction sides in 2013, will now do business under the newly launched banner of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Central Pennsylvania. After a transition period, Select Property & Association Management’s operations will become part of NRT’s recently announced Property and Asset Management Services division.
Title Resource Group (TRG) — Realogy’s full-service title, settlement and vendor management services company — announced that its Harrisburg-based operation, Secured Land, has signed a definitive asset purchase agreement to acquire the assets of Guardian Transfer Corporation, which is Realty Select’s affiliated title and escrow company in Harrisburg, Lancaster and surrounding areas. Secured Land plans to use the Guardian Transfer name after the closing of the transaction, which is anticipated to occur prior to year-end 2014, once closing conditions are met.
Residential Brokerage
NRT will combine its current Jack Gaughen Realtor ERA operations with those of Coldwell Banker Select Professionals. Together, they will now operate as Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Central Pennsylvania with headquarters in Camp Hill and more than 650 affiliated independent sales professionals and 22 offices throughout the region.
“This is part of our opportunistic approach to growth, and we are excited to strengthen our position in this important real estate market,” says Bruce Zipf, president and CEO of NRT. “This move is part of our long-term strategy to create near seamless coverage for our Coldwell Banker clients in Pennsylvania from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, and I am confident that the affiliated sales associates will greatly benefit from this union.”
Quentin Miller, former co-owner of Realty Select, will now serve as president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Central Pennsylvania. Also taking leadership roles with this newly combined operation are Barbara Schmidt, who was most recently Jack Gaughen Realtor ERA’s president and will assume the role of senior vice president and general sales manager; and, Ryan Hess, former co-owner of Coldwell Banker Select Professionals, who will serve as vice president of strategic initiatives.
Miller says, “In addition to our continuing affiliation with an internationally recognized and respected brand, we will fully take advantage of the invaluable benefits of NRT’s state-of-the-art brokerage tools, technology and training as well as expanded marketing exposure throughout the NRT family of companies. This is certain to be a win-win for our affiliated sales professionals and ultimately their homebuyers and sellers.”
In 2013, Coldwell Banker Select Professionals closed 3,873 transaction sides worth more than $739 million in total sales volume placing it in the top 2 companies in Harrisburg/York/Lancaster in the REAL Trends 500 annual ranking report. The company has 11 offices and more than 350 affiliated independent sales professionals.
NRT’s Jack Gaughen REALTOR ERA accounted for nearly $400 million in closed sales volume, and closed 2,221 transaction sides in 2013, placing it in the top 3 companies in Harrisburg/York/Lancaster in the REAL Trends 500 annual ranking report. Jack Gaughen Realtor ERA has 11 offices and more than 300 affiliated independent sales associates.
Title and Settlement Services?Upon acquiring the assets of Guardian Transfer, TRG’s market presence in Central Pennsylvania will considerably increase, doubling the number of title and closing units as measured over the last 12 months. Guardian Transfer provides title services to clients of Coldwell Banker Select through 10 locations in Harrisburg, Lancaster and surrounding areas.
Don Casey, president and chief executive officer of Title Resource Group, says, “This acquisition will significantly expand our title and settlement services operations in Central Pennsylvania, as our sister company, NRT, enlarges its presence in this market. Guardian Transfer is a well-managed company with leaders who are forward-thinking decision-makers and a team of professionals who exhibit a passionate commitment to exceeding their customers’ expectations.”
Scott Storck, currently president of TRG’s operations in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, will expand his role to also oversee the newly combined entity, post-closing. Brian Zulli, currently president of Guardian Transfer, will become vice president of sales for the combined company.
Zulli says, “With this announcement, Guardian Transfer will become an important part of a national title company that is a driving force in the title and settlement services industry. Our natural fit within TRG will create new business opportunities and potential for growth, while maintaining our personalized approach to every customer interaction.”
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