Inman

BHG Real Estate gets bigger

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC, a franchise network that is a part of Realogy Corp., today announced that Rand Realty has signed a long-term franchise agreement to operate under its name.

Rand Realty — which ranked 60th among U.S. real estate companies with $1.3 billion in closed sales volume and ranked 111th in closed transaction sides in 2008, according to research and information company REAL Trends — will now operate as Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Rand Realty.

Based in New City, N.Y., Rand Realty has 800 agents and 19 offices serving Rockland, Westchester and Orange counties — building the franchise network to a total of about 2,165 sales associates and 73 offices.

The company was previously affiliated with Prudential Real Estate.

Sherry Chris, president and CEO, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, said in a statement, "We have highly complementary business cultures and, together, we form a powerful combination."

Greg Rand, Matt Rand and Joseph Rand will continue to serve as managing partners for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Rand Realty, and company founder Marsha Rand, who established the firm in 1984, will remain CEO, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate officials announced.

Greg Rand said in a statement, "Our family-owned firm will be able to leverage the power of this brand in many ways."

Also today, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Rand Realty announced its acquisition of Wolff & Son Inc., a brokerage firm based in White Plains, N.Y., with 128 agents.

Realogy Corp. operations include company-owned real estate offices and franchise networks under global brands including: Century 21, Coldwell Banker, ERA Real Estate and Sotheby’s International Realty, among others.

***

What’s your opinion? Leave your comments below or send a letter to the editor.