Howard Hanna Merges with Edward Surovell Realtors

Real Estate Company makes commitment to Michigan

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Oct 17, 2012, 05:00 ET

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- At a joint press conference, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services announced that Edward Surovell Realtors of Ann Arbor, Michigan has become part of the Howard Hanna family of real estate. Surovell is one of the largest real estate companies in Michigan and was #1 in homes sold last year in Southeastern Michigan.

As Surovell joins Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, it becomes part of the 4^th largest real estate company in the United States and the #1 home seller in PA and OH, with almost $6 billion in volume and 34,292 transaction sides last year. The company was founded in 1957 by Howard and Anne Hanna with one office on the University of Pittsburgh campus; three generations of the family are involved in the company today with home bases in Pittsburgh and Cleveland and 144 offices across the states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, West Virginia and now Michigan.

Howard W. 'Hoddy' Hanna, III, Chairman and CEO of Howard Hanna, said his family has known the family owned Surovell Realtors for more than 20 years. "Surovell's superb culture, along with the quality of their agents, management team and business, mix well with our family-owned company," said Hanna.

Howard W. 'Hoby' Hanna, IV, President of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services of Michigan and Ohio, added, "Today we are beginning a new chapter in service to real estate consumers in this region. We are excited about the future and growth of both of our companies, as well as the region."

Surovell's Owner, President and CEO, Ed Surovell, stated that over the course of a year, as he examined the needs of his company and sales associates and staff, the decision was made to seek a business relationship with an established super-regional firm that would broaden the company's opportunities while also strengthening their core real estate sales, property management and title insurance businesses.

"We chose to join forces with the Hanna Company," said Surovell, "as it models our own company, in that both are family owned and operated with an emphasis on professional excellence, full-time sales associates and a full line of real estate related services. I've known the Hanna family for many years and our close relationship will allow for an easy transformation from out three decades of growth as Edward Surovell Realtors to our next stage as Howard Hanna Realtors."

Hoddy Hanna added the company's exclusive 100% Money Back Guarantee will be available on homes listed for sale by the company throughout Michigan. "This is a clear demonstration of our commitment to this region and the core markets of Michigan we will serve. We will provide the Howard Hanna Real Estate Services 100% Money Back Guarantee on the majority of our single family home listings to our Howard Hanna home buyers. We are very positive about entering the Southeast Michigan market. This region has a world class university with one of the top medical centers in the country, similar to our Pittsburgh market with Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh and Cleveland with the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University. We know 'eds and meds' are a strong force for a region producing low unemployment rates and stabile home prices."

Helen Hanna Casey, President of the firm, said that Ed Surovell, who founded his real estate company 30 years ago, will be Chairman of Howard Hanna Michigan. "And in support of the exceptional Realtors who are now with us, we intend to retain all existing staff and plan on adding in the near future."

As a full-service real estate company, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services will be introducing mortgage banking and insurance services to its clients in Michigan later this year. This will compliment Surovell Property Management, Corporate Relocation, Title & Closing and Real Estate Brokerage.

The Hanna-Surovell merger provides many benefits for consumers in the Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan real estate market:

A larger company-wide network of 144 office locations with 4,700 sales associates and colleagues in mortgage services, closing and title insurance, land development, insurance services and corporate relocation.
Availability of $150 million in new mortgage money from Howard Hanna Mortgage Services.
Access to Howard Hanna's 100% Money Back Guarantee, providing greater property visibility, and buyer confidence.
Peace-of-mind with the Buy Before You Sell program from Howard Hanna Mortgage Services, providing an exclusive advanced equity loan that makes it possible for buyers to purchase a new home before selling their present home.

Hoddy Hanna ended with, "We're excited about the future and growth of our company in this region of Michigan. Our greatest sense of accomplishment has come from being an integral part of the communities we serve."

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services is the #1 real estate company in Pennsylvania and Ohio and the 4^th largest real estate company in the United States. The company specializes in residential and commercial brokerage service, mortgages, closing and title insurance, land development, appraisal services, insurance services and corporate relocation. With 144 offices across Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, West Virginia and Michigan, Howard Hanna's more than 4,700 sales associates, management and staff are guided by a spirit of integrity in all aspects of the real estate process. To learn more please visit www.howardhanna.com or www.facebook.com/howardhanna