Realty merger leads to changes
The familiar red Northwood Realty signs that announce a property's sale will change at the end of August to the “Cabernet and cream” colors of Berkshire Hathaway.
Northwood Realty announced Wednesday that it will acquire Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty and join the Berkshire Hathaway Home Services network.
The merger creates a real estate brokerage of 1,800 agents and 50 offices serving 22 counties in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, according to a news release from Berkshire Hathaway Home Services.
Chuck Swidzinski, who has served as a real estate agent in Butler for 28 years, has been with Berkshire Hathaway and its predecessor, Prudential Realty, for 21 of those years.
Swidzinski said his company will get a group of experienced Realtors while the former Northwood agents will see the benefit of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices' state-of-the-art technology and marketing departments.
“It's a very positive move,” Swidzinski said.
At the end of August, the new company will become known as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty.
Tom Hosack, Northwood Realty's president and chief executive officer, will become co-president and CEO of the newly-formed company. Northwood's Jim Saxon will become co-president and chief operating officer.
Mary Ann Gibson, general manager of Northwood Realty Services' corporate office in Warrendale, Allegheny County, said there are four Northwood offices in Butler County — in Butler, Cranberry Township, Slippery Rock and Sarver.
She said three Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices offices exist in Butler County — in Butler, Cranberry Township and Slippery Rock.
She said all seven offices will remain open as the merger takes place and there are no ongoing talks to combine any of them.
“This union is a wonderful fit for all parties involved,” Hosack said. “We are both family-run companies that care deeply about the success of our agents and employees.”
Ron Croushore, CEO of The Preferred Realty who will become the new company's board vice chairman, said the transaction will bring additional opportunities that will promote growth.
“We thoroughly cover Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio with top agents and a complete line of real estate services,” Croushore said. “Our economies of scale will help us innovate, market and grow our services.”
All sister companies of the two organizations, including lenders and insurance services, will fall under the new Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty umbrella.
