a warm welcome

from Area Woman Magazine Oct/Nov '14

by Lake & Home Magazine | Area Woman Magazine

peace on Ea r th Holiday Home Showcase Fall 2014

to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties

By Joyce Eisenbraun

Photography by Sydney Schermerhorn

It’s a name

Most

often associated with a Midwest financial wizard, Warren Buffett, but it is also the new affiliation for old friends in the FM area: Prudential Premier Real Estate has now transitioned to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties. The official move was made on October 15, with the launch of all new signs and sponsorship of the Chamber’s Business After Hours event.

“We are so excited about this opportunity,” said broker Betsy Denis. “It’s a great honor to be selected to be one of the franchise brokerages for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS). They offer a new way of thinking—and new technology to go with it—to enhance the whole real estate experience.” In a recent article in Real Estate magazine, it noted that BHHS is “selective in granting franchises to affiliates who are known for their trust, integrity, stability and longevity.” Irvine, CA-based HSF Affiliates LLC operates the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network. The company is a joint venture of which HomeServices of America, Inc., the nation’s second-largest, full-service residential brokerage firm, is a majority owner. HomeServices of America is an affiliate of world-renowned Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Denis noted that one of the biggest advantages of the franchise change to BHHS will be for the real estate agents. “It’s very expensive to implement the kind of technology support we get from BHHS,” she said. “We now have access to their innovations and expertise, and it will benefit the agents and the consumers they serve.”

The high-tech Global Network Platform, produced by BHHS, includes agent features such as enhanced lead generation, mobile networks and education portals, while also including many advantages for consumers. “They have a Walk Score, and even drive times between the home and selected locations,” said Denis. “It’s a wonderful feature for individuals, like physicians and nurses, who may have to be accessible for emergencies. They now can see if they’re within their time constraints for emergency response.” As Stephen Phillips, president of BHHS, said in a recent interview for Real Estate magazine, “the quality and accuracy of the data we provide consumers is top notch… (consumers) want to work with the premier agents and companies in the real estate business.”

The 40 agents in the local office join a brand that now counts more than 32,000 agents and 1,011 offices in 47 states since its launch a year ago. And BHHS’ innovative strategies have earned them the “Real Estate Agency Brand of the Year” in the 2014 Harris Poll EquiTrend® study, as well as a Gold Stevie Award at the 12th annual American Business Awards.

In addition to supporting agents and consumers, BHHS is also involved in supporting a charity that has been dear to the hearts of many at the local office: Sunshine Kids Foundation. This non-profit provides positive group activities and emotional support for young cancer patients. “We are involved with several fundraisers for them throughout the year,” Denis said. “All the funds raised locally are used to benefit children right here in our community—it’s a wonderful charity, and we’re so pleased to help.”

New opportunities and a new name, but the same familiar faces and exceptional service: a hearty Fargo-Moorhead welcome to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties!