Last week over 350 real estate agents and brokers from Orange County, San Diego, Los Angeles and San Jose attended the launch of Harcourts USA in Orange County and San Jose. Earlier this year Altera Real Estate, one of California’s largest real estate companies with over 700 agents in three states, announced a joint venture with New Zealand/Australia-based Harcourts International a major franchisor with over 6,000 agents in nine countries.
Gary Thomas, CEO and founder of Altera Real Estate, first vice president for the National Association of Realtors®, and chairman of the joint venture company, introduced Harcourts executives Mike Green, managing director of Harcourts International Ltd., and Aaron Hodson CEO, Harcourts USA.
Green, whose responsibilities cover the overall operation and direction of the Harcourts’ group of companies, spoke to attendees about the heart and soul of Harcourts, the history of the company and their focus for the future. “We are going global, with one team – one vision that embraces our values of people first, doing
the right thing, being courageous and enjoying fun and laughter along the way,” Green said.
Hodson will be based in Orange County as CEO for Harcouts USA. He outlined the future direction of Harcourts USA speaking of the company’s values, brand, technology, academy training and the philanthropic agenda of the Harcourts’ Foundation. He also announced the opening of a new Harcourts The Harcourts Team office, Harcourts TCG Real Estate on Cabot Road in Laguna the country achieving sales volumes in Niguel, by real estate broker Christos excess of $100 million annually. Catsouras. “After yesterday’s meeting, I’m fired up,” Other key speakers included said Altera agent Rose Clime, who was one internationally known Rick De Luca of many who welcomed the energy in the known for helping agents adapt to a room as a welcome shot-in-the-arm to changing real estate market and Bob Wolff re-awaken her enthusiasm for her real who is ranked as one of the top agents in estate career. Altera agent Wendy Hooper
Harcourts USA launch creates excitement
said she can’t wait to get started using the technology products that Harcourts’ brings to the table for agents, “I love that Harcourts’ doesn’t just re-brand existing agent technology products for their company, but that they originate them specifically for their agents, hiring their own programmers to design tools and systems based on direct feedback from agents – how awesome is that,” she said. “It will enable me to serve my clients faster and more effectively.”
Dennis Badagliacco, president of the joint venture company reported that the company’s launch in Northern California on November 16, 2010 also met with positive reviews from attendees. “The agents were impressed with the suite of tools available, delighted that the co-branding will go into effect immediately and just thrilled to be associated with an international company,” Badagliacco said.
For information on franchise opportunities, contact Aaron Hodson at 949.389.7833, or e-mail him at aaron.hodson@harcourtsusa.com, and visit www.harcourtsusa.com.
