Coldwell Banker merges with Houser Associates
By Staff Reports
Published in News on May 16, 2012 1:46 PM
Coldwell Banker announced Tuesday the merger of the real estate company with Houser Associates Real Estate of Goldsboro.
The merger will strengthen both businesses, said Gary Rabon, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Advantage in Raleigh.
Representatives of Coldwell from several franchises in eastern North Carolina, including Raleigh and Fayetteville, were on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning at the company's office on North Spence Avenue.
"We're excited to be in Goldsboro," Rabon said. "Goldsboro was a key move for us."
Coldwell Banker in North Carolina ranks fifth in the nation in terms of real estate transactions and is third in volume. Coldwell has more than two dozen offices and more than 600 agents in the state.
Coldwell is especially active in dealing with military families involved, Rabon noted, and added that the move to merge with Houser, which is owned by Hal and Nancy Keck, is a perfect fit considering the location of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Coldwell has a strong presence in Fayetteville because of Fort Bragg and the Jacksonville-Wilmington region because of Camp Lejeune, he said.
Rabon said Coldwell officials "hit if off" with the Kecks, who have been involved in the real estate business in Wayne County for years, and that Coldwell leaders "had a good feeling," after meeting with the Kecks to discuss the merger.
"This was a perfect fit," Rabon said. "We don't even go into a market without the right people."
Mrs. Keck said the merger would enable the local business to do an even better job of serving its clients.