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| The Coldwell Banker Tradition |
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| The history of Coldwell Banker
is a story of leadership and success. From its beginnings in
the wake of a major earthquake that devastated San Francisco
in 1906, Coldwell Banker has grown to become the premier residential
real estate organization in North America. Coldwell Banker was
founded on a commitment to professionalism and superior customer
service that continues to be the core of our business philosophy
today. Coldwell Banker provides our sales associates with the
strongest support in the real estate industry so they, in turn,
can deliver the support their buyers and sellers need. That’s
the Coldwell Banker tradition. |
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| The Coldwell Banker Heritage |
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After the devastating earthquake
and fire in San Francisco in 1906, young real estate agent Colbert
Coldwell saw the need for honest, knowledgeable and professional
real estate services to help the city rebuild. Coldwell disapproved
of the common practice of that day whereby real estate agents
acquired properties for themselves, often from uninformed sellers
at unfairly low prices, and then resold them for huge profits.
With two partners, he formed the real estate company of Tucker,
Lynch and Coldwell, dedicated to the principle that they would
work only for their customers and not trade for their own benefit
- the beginning of a tradition of integrity and customer support
that continues to this day.
In 1913, Benjamin Arthur Banker joined the firm as a salesman,
and he and Colbert Coldwell quickly discovered they held similar
views and ethics. Banker became a partner in 1914, and the two
remained active in the company throughout their lives. |
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| The Company Grows |
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The early years of the growing, successful
company were devoted primarily to commercial real estate brokerage.
The firm’s first residential real estate office opened
in San Francisco in 1925, and a full-fledged residential real
estate department was formed in 1937. The company’s geographic
expansion began in the 1920s with the opening of offices in
Southern California, followed by Phoenix in the early 1950s
and Seattle in 1969. In the 1970s, Coldwell Banker acquired
prestigious residential real estate firms in Atlanta, Chicago,
and Washington, DC.
By 1990, Coldwell Banker had locations in all fifty states,
and had begun international expansion with offices in Canada
and Puerto Rico. In 1996, Coldwell Banker once again obtained
the rights to sell commercial real estate. The Coldwell Banker
Commercial program allows affiliates to produce a wide array
of services, including market research, acquisitions and dispositions,
leasing, asset and property management, investment property
sales, corporate consulting and advisory services.
1997 marked the formation of the new parent company, Cendant
Corporation. The company’s affiliation with Habitat for
Humanity International, a non-profit organization that helps
build houses for families in need, was re-launched. Coldwell
Banker expanded its market presence south of the border by signing
International franchise agreements in Singapore, Mexico, Central
America, The Caribbean and Bermuda. |
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