Consumer Response Overwhelming for New Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

    DALLAS, May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer response has been overwhelming and
 enthusiastic for Dallas/Fort Worth's newest and largest real estate company,
 according to principals with the recently created Coldwell Banker Residential
 Brokerage.  "Overwhelming and positive response describe our many consumers'
 reactions to the news of Coldwell Banker Paula Stringer Realtors and Wm. Rigg
 Realtors merging and then being acquired by NRT Incorporated," says Susan Dunn
 Arnold, president of the Dallas division.
     The May 3rd merger/acquisition gave the combined companies a giant leap
 forward to first place in the Metroplex and first place in the state, based on
 closed units sold in 1998.  Combined resources for the company include
 1,100 real estate professionals at 33 locations and a $2.6 billion volume from
 closed transactions last year.
     "Our home buyers and sellers, as well as the many associated industry
 partners we have throughout North Texas, are especially excited about the
 increase to 33 locations scattered throughout Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and
 Ellis Counties and serving the D/FW 16-county area," says Ms. Arnold.  "The
 additional asset of three major relocation offices as well as our alliance
 with Cendant Mortgage create a formidable powerhouse of services and
 capabilities.
     "Our international network with other major brokers throughout the world,
 our phenomenal relocation network and our Previews program for marketing
 exceptional properties offer what may be the most intensive one-stop shopping
 situation for buyers and sellers almost anywhere in the world."
     The number one classification was awarded by REALTrends magazine, the
 industry's leading trade journal, named the new company the largest in both
 the D/FW area as well as the state.  The magazine annually publishes the Big
 Brokers Report and places Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage ahead of its
 nearest competitor by 650 closed transactions.  REALTrends measures and
 analyzes market position for brokers across the country.
     Steve Murray, publisher and co-owner of REALTrend, said Coldwell Banker
 Paula Stringer and Rigg closed transactions in 1998 totaling 16,836, placing
 the merged company ahead of the its nearest local competitor, which logged
 16,186.
     "We've had equally positive response to this fantastic new growth step
 from our sales associates and management team throughout the company," says
 Ms. Arnold.  "The concept of offering more services, a broader geographic base
 and a more in-depth professional team has been extremely well received."
     Ms. Arnold and Charles Rogers, president of the Fort Worth division,
 continue as leaders of the newly merged company.  During the announcement
 period, Mr. Rogers said his sales associates were particularly pleased with
 the high technology, international networking and "the best training and
 educational programs in the industry."  "We're describing this as local
 traditions with global connections," he adds.
     The merger/acquisition was described by area industry gurus as perhaps the
 most significant growth move in Texas real estate history, combining resources
 people and location resources and instantly moving the company into a
 leadership position in the market place.
     NRT is the nation's leading residential real estate brokerage company.
 The two merged companies' combined sales in 1998 were generated by sales of
 18,041 units and 11,236 listings.  NRT was founded 18 months ago and has added
 19 major market brokers to its operations in high-profile cities throughout
 the nation.
     Buyers and sellers may contact any Coldwell Banker Paula Stringer or Wm.
 Rigg office, all of which have been newly bannered with Coldwell Banker
 Residential Brokerage.
 
 

SOURCE  Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage