Real Living's "expansion unit" was bought by a company called Brookfield Residential Property Services. Real Living just became five times larger.... "expansion unit" comes from the title of a Columbus Business First article.
We (Real Living HER agents) got an email (with the press release) last night and a voice mail.
I work for Real Living HER. That is the company formerly known as HER Realtors. HER Realtors has been a leader in Central Ohio real estate for decades. Real Living HER is the number one real estate company in Central Ohio.
Real Living formed in 2002 is based in Columbus. The "expansion unit" part of Real Living is Real Living Network Services.
Matt Burns of Columbus Business First wrote about changes in Brookfield buys Real Living expansion unit
"The name of Central Ohio’s largest residential real estate brokerage will appear in nearly every state after its Columbus parent sold the division that powered its national expansion."
Brookfield owns GMAC real estate, has for about 9 months... GMAC real estate franchises across the US are the offices that will now have the Real Living name, logo, technology etc.
The Columbus Business First article says: "All of GMAC’s more than 600 offices will take the Real Living name."
Who's who....
Harley Rouda Jr. is the president of the new merged company...
Real Living HER = Columbus 
Real Living Realty Services - Dayton, Cinci, Louisville (I get this franchise confused with Real Living Network Services, the "expansion unit" of Real Living. )
There are Real Living franchises currently in 20 states, there will soon be the red and white signs in 46 states from what I am reading and hearing.
Brookfield Residential Property Services is a division of Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
The Columbus Dispatch article this morning: Real Living joins GMAC realty unit in merger written by Jim Weiker says:
"The deal, consummated this month and announced today, merges Real Living's 2,000 agents in 130 offices with approximately 8,000 GMAC Real Estate agents in 470 U.S. offices. It creates a company with $20 billion in annual real-estate transactions. About 8,000 of GMAC's 13,000 agents in the United States and Canada are expected to become part of Real Living."
What's the effect for buyers and sellers in Central Ohio? Not much, you've already got the good stuff available.
The image at the top is a Real Living ecard.
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This post provided by Maureen McCabe of Real Living HER
Contact 614.388.8249
Website: MaureenMcCabe.com
email: MaureenatMaureenMcCabe.com @
Information is deemed to be accurate but should be verified to your satisfaction. Information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice. Opinions expressed are solely those of Maureen McCabe.
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While I'm sure that Real Living is a fine operation, many GMAC agents are concerned about the lack of name-recognition in Michigan. My concern would be that many GMAC Franchisees will leave to join more recognizable organizations.
Well that certainly is their perogative. Whenever there is change there are people who jump ship. I would think Brookfield RPS would have considered that as they weighed their options.
I have no idea what market you are in from your AR signature or which real estate companies has name recognition in your market.
While I know Real Living is in limited markets Real Living HER has been number one in Central Ohio for years. Best of luck!
To quote an email from my manager!
Hi Maureen: I'm with Sine & Monaghan GMACwhich has three offices in suburban Detroit - Grosse Pointe Farms, Royal Oak and St. Clair. We are a "major player" in those communities which we serve. Of course, all of us here at S&M GMAC and other GMAC offices in the Metro area knew that re-branding was coming. It was inevitable. Few of us looked forward to this "change" because we have worked for years to establish it's strong presence in the market. So, whatever the new name happened to be, it still represents a "fresh start" for the brand in THIS market. Hopefully, the Real Living brand will prove to be successful in all those former GMAC markets like ours.
Have you seen the post on the AR dashboard written to the real estate industry about the merger?
Stefan Swanepoel wrote: Merge creates one of the largest real estate franchises in Northern America
"Although that in its own is huge news (and the largest real estate brokerage acquisition of the year) it is the merging of the two and the rebranding of the whole as Real Living that is electrifying. The reason is that Ohio-based Real Living is a national award-winning real estate brand known for its innovation, customer service and a culture of partnership and collaboration within its network. Last year I even named Real Living as the “Most Promising New National Brand” in my Swanepoel TRENDS Report while Entrepreneur Magazine listed them as one of the Top 50 New Franchises."
My post is about Columbus OH... written and posted to the consumer channel for Columbus OH people. Thanks for stopping by though.