By Doug Smith
dougsmith@charlotteobserver.com
Two real estate firms with a major presence in the Lake Norman area – Coldwell Banker United, Realtors and Century 21 Hecht – will merge, creating a combined operation with about 165 agents.
Mergers and cutbacks are becoming more common in the local industry as residential brokerages struggle to survive the housing downturn.
Tom Martin, senior vice president for Coldwell Banker United, Realtors characterized this announcement as “pushing forward” with expansion.
“When two powerhouse brands combine market share and streamline resources, we are able to expedite our plans for growth in the greater Lake Norman area,” he said.
Century 21 Hecht founder Bob Hecht said, “In today’s market and with real estate in general, you need every tool and support system possible.”
Among the belt-tightening locally, Allen Tate, the Carolinas’ largest real estate firm, said about two weeks ago that it will close 12 offices.
Earlier this year, Cottingham-Chalk & Associates merged with Bissell-Hayes Realtors, and two Sperry Van Ness franchises merged.
Hecht will become part of Coldwell Banker United, which operates in six states, including the Carolinas.
Century 21 Hecht was founded in 1971.
The firm has 55 agents in the Mooresville/Cornelius office and 59 in the Denver office. Coldwell Banker has 49 agents in two Lake Norman locations.
Coldwell Banker United, Realtors will keep its new Lake Norman-South office in Cornelius and move its Mooresville office from Williamson Road to the Century 21 Hecht building on River Highway.
The Denver office will remain at its current Century 21 Hecht location.
The merged offices will serve communities in Catawba, Mecklenburg, Iredell and Lincoln counties and increase Coldwell Banker United, Realtors’ total number of locations in the Carolinas to 25.
