Frequently Asked Questions for Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Pinehurst Realty Group Sales Associates August 15, 2017
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES PINEHURST REALTY GROUP SALES ASSOCIATES AUGUST 15, 2017 What was the announcement today? Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Pinehurst Realty Group announced it is merging with the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty family of companies. What is the name of the new company? To maximize the value of the combined organizations and maintain a commitment to its local leadership, the name of the company will remain Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Pinehurst Realty Group. When will the merger officially take place? The merger is effective immediately. The daily operations of the company will continue as usual with no immediate changes. Today you will receive a set of transitional paperwork to be returned by Friday, August 18th. Why is Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Pinehurst Realty Group merging with the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty family of companies? The management teams of both companies believe that combining our operations with the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty family of companies provides a unique opportunity to build an even stronger company that is well positioned to serve the real estate and relocation needs of new and existing clients in Pinehurst and Southern Pines. The combined company has nearly 900 sales associates in 15 offices across North Carolina. This merger offers industry-leading technology tools for homebuyers and sellers, comprehensive marketing and advertising, and one of the nation’s leading corporate relocation networks to benefit both buyers and sellers. What will be the leadership structure? Kay Beran will continue to serve as the Senior Managing Broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Pinehurst Realty Group. Linda Criswell will continue to serve as the Managing Broker of the Pinehurst office and Jim Lawson will continue to serve as the Managing Broker of the Southern Pines office. The Berkshire Hathway HomeServices Carolinas Realty family of companies is led by Tommy Camp, President & CEO, and Dan Washington, Senior Vice President of Sales. Who is the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty family of companies? The Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty family of companies is a full service residential real estate market leader in the Triad, the Triangle, and Charlotte areas, with more than 855 sales associates and 13 offices. It is one of the largest residential real estate firms serving North Carolina’s three major metropolitan markets – doing business as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices York Simpson Underwood in the Triangle, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Yost & Little in Greensboro. They are owned by HomeServices of America, but operate locally. The merger is consistent with the HomeServices of America strategy of building a leading national company with leading local brands, and giving local leaders the freedom and resources to operate in local markets they know best. Affiliated services include relocation services through Carolinas Relocation Services, mortgage services through HomeServices Lending, home warranty through HomeServices Warranty, and title insurance through Preferred Carolinas Title company. Page 1 of 2 Confidential: For Internal Use Only Who is HomeServices of America? HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, is the second-largest homeownership service provider in the United States. Founded in 1998, HomeServices is made up of 39 leading local brands in 28 states, including Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty in the Triad, the Triangle, and Charlotte. HomeServices operating companies offer integrated real estate services, including brokerage services, mortgage originations, title and closing services, property and casualty insurance, home warranties, and other homeownership services. For more information, go to HomeServices.com. What does this mean for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Pinehurst Realty Group sales associates? Sales associates of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Pinehurst Realty Group will have additional marketing, technology, relocation and other resources to enhance their ability to serve their clients. Beginning next Wednesday, August 23rd, weekly training will be held to introduce the many tools and resources that will be available to you to benefit your business. As a part of HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, you can be confident that the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty family of companies will remain financially strong, stable and secure. What are the policies moving forward? The practices and policies of each office prior to the merger will continue for the sales associates of that office at this time. In the future there may be combined policy manuals for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas and Pinehurst Realty Group with some local adaptation for each office. Should we let our clients know? We absolutely encourage our sales associates to inform their clients about the merger and its benefit to them. Letter and email templates have been prepared and will be available for you to use in your office. If you would like assistance with this during the transition, please see your office manager. Will I need new contracts and listing agreements for my current clients now or in the future? The agreements you have in place will continue to be in full force. Nothing has changed regarding listing agreement contracts and agency agreements. Will the compensation plans change? There are no plans to change the compensation plans of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Pinehurst Realty Group at this time. What is the schedule for the next few days? Today, all sales associates and staff with the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty family of companies will be informed about the merger. Shortly after the announcement a press release will be sent to the local media. Tomorrow at 11:30 there is a luncheon for all Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Pinehurst Realty Group sales associates and staff at Pinehurst Country Club, 1 Carolina Vista Drive. What will happen to our company website? The website BHHSPRG.com will remain live until early October. Beginning today, all Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Pinehurst Realty Group listings and sales associates will appear on BHHSCarolinas.com. Each sales associate will have a full website within the BHHSCarolinas.com website that is customizable. Training opportunities for BHHSCarolinas.com and the Intranet, MyBHHS.com will begin next Wednesday, August 23rd. A Training Schedule is enclosed in this package for reference. As stated above, BHHSPRG.com will remain live during this transition period. What will happen to my email? Your current email address will stay the same. What technology is available to me now? There will be training sessions beginning next Wednesday, August 23rd to learn more about the tools that are now available to you. What if I have additional questions? If you have any additional questions, see your office manager or feel free to contact Dan Washington at 704–813–5459 or [email protected] Page 2 of 2 Confidential: For Internal Use Only BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES CAROLINAS REALTY ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES PINEHURST REALTY GROUP Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Pinehurst Realty Group merges with the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty family of companies, expanding the company’s footprint in the North Carolina residential real estate market WINSTON-SALEM, NC (August 15, 2017) – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty today announced the acquisition of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Pinehurst Realty Group, a two-office, 40 agent brokerage company serving the Pinehurst and Southern Pines areas of North Carolina. The transaction expands the footprint of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty family of companies and its position as a market leader in Charlotte, the Triad, and the Triangle metropolitan areas and surrounding communities of North Carolina. With this transaction, the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty family of companies has nearly 900 sales associates in 15 offices. Financial terms were not disclosed. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Pinehurst Realty Group, which was led for many years by William P. Saunders Jr., is one of the oldest and most respected firms in the area, known for its knowledgeable agents and has a long-standing reputation for providing clients in the residential real estate market with the highest level of customer service, expertise and resources. The company’s sales volume for 2016 was nearly $91 million. Kay Beran, the current CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Pinehurst Realty Group, will continue to serve as the Senior Managing Broker. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Pinehurst Realty Group will continue to operate under its existing name without change or interruption. “Pinehurst Realty Group is an outstanding company with a great reputation in the Pinehurst and Southern Pines market,” says Tommy Camp, president & CEO, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty. “We are proud to welcome Kay Beran, BHHS Pinehurst Realty Group Broker/Owner, and her team of top professionals to our family of companies in North Carolina.” “We are delighted to be part of this fantastic group with their track record for sales and service that mirrors our concept of what a real estate firm should be – a great neighbor