Coldwell Banker Willis-Smith of New Bern is merging with the Coldwell Banker Advantage network, forming a powerful new alliance in real estate. The strategic move was designed to enhance the client experience and expand the geographic presence of the Coldwell Banker Advantage Family of companies, which include Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, Coldwell Banker Advantage, and Coldwell Banker Chicora Advantage.
The merger will provide buyers and sellers across Eastern North Carolina and Northeastern South Carolina with a highly attentive, efficient standard of service, as Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage serves Wilmington and the surrounding areas, Coldwell Banker Advantage serves Raleigh, Fayetteville and Southern Pines, and Coldwell Banker Chicora Advantage serves greater Myrtle Beach.
“Coldwell Banker Willis-Smith is a hugely successful company with a great reputation and exceptional management. We look forward to building on this success,” said Tim Milam, president of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. Stewart Smith, president of Coldwell Banker Willis-Smith, commented that, “This will build on our history of growth, creating substantial benefits for both our agents and our family of clients.”
“Our brokerages have a long, successful history of working together for the benefit of our mutual clients,” said Drake Bratton, vice president of Coldwell Banker Willis-Smith. “All of us are excited for this merger and what it means for the future.”
Smith and Bratton will retain an ownership interest in Coldwell Banker Willis-Smith and continue in their current roles. With the merger, new business partners will include Tim Milam of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, Gary Rabon, president of Coldwell Banker Advantage in Raleigh, and Ralph Huff, president of Coldwell Banker Advantage in Fayetteville.
Company leaders said the growth strategy is centered on providing a range of benefits for agents, buyers and sellers, such as advanced technology to streamline transactions, enhanced social media campaigns and a broader referral network. Other synergies include an extensive marketing presence, a comprehensive training program, and a state-of-the-art virtual Technology Help Desk for agents and customers.
“Our innovative business model and adaptable management structure has been a game-changer in real estate. Since each of our regional offices is led by a local owner with deep community ties and a thorough knowledge of the area, we can offer buyers and sellers a local, boutique-style experience, with the backing of a global powerhouse such as Coldwell Banker,” added Milam.
To contact the best qualified Realtor or find information about career opportunities, call 910-799-3435 or visit SeaCoastRealty.com.
About Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage is the largest and best-selling real estate company in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender and Onslow counties, with a 2018 closed sales volume in excess of $1.7 billion and more than 7,100 closed sales transactions. Sea Coast Advantage was founded in Wilmington, NC in 1988 and joined Coldwell Banker in 1993. Sea Coast Advantage is staffed by more than 590 real estate agents across 20 offices in Southeast North Carolina, in top areas such as Wilmington, Leland, Jacksonville, Carolina Beach, Topsail Island, Hampstead, Southport, Sneads Ferry, South Brunswick, Oak Island, Holden Beach, and Calabash.
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage also has an ownership interest in 18 Coldwell Banker Advantage offices in Raleigh, Fayetteville and Southern Pines, Coldwell Banker Willis-Smith in New Bern, and six Coldwell Banker Chicora Advantage offices in Myrtle Beach, SC. Together, this network encompasses 45 offices and more than 1,300 agents, who successfully assisted their clients with over $3.7 billion in sales and over 16,800 transactions in 2018.
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage has ranked #1 in Southeast North Carolina for 19 years in a row, which is unprecedented in the area. In 2018, The Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage Family of companies was the #2 ranked franchise in the world for all of Coldwell Banker, a network consisting of 92,000 agents worldwide.
Submitted by: Kathy Alexander, Marketing Director, Sea Coast Advantage