SSK Real Estate and Muljat Group Merge
Two family-owned, independent real estate companies are merging into one firm. Snapper Shuler Kenner Real Estate in Lynden, WA has joined The Muljat Group and will take its name. The SSK Real Estate office, which has 22 agents, will be renamed The Muljat Group North, but there will be few other changes, said Jerry Blankers, branch broker.
The merger was partly the result of a contractual obligation. Paul Kenner, one of the partners at SSK Real Estate, was bought out and the company was required to give up the Snapper Shuler Kenner name. The remaining partners decided to align themselves with another company, reaching an agreement with Frank Muljat. The Blankers family will continue to operate the branch as they have for the past 35 years, with Jerry Blankers remaining as branch broker.
Jerry Blankers said the merger will allow the Lynden office to draw on other resources it previously didn't have, including the Muljat Groups appraisal division. For The Muljat Group, it will be the sixth Whatcom County office and the first in the Lynden area. The Muljat Group has three offices in Bellingham and one in Ferndale.
"It's a great benefit for us because we had considered expanding into the north county area," said Frank Muljat. "It's also a chance for two family-owned companies to grow together. (The two families) have known each other for quite some time and have similar ways of operating."
1.
Amy S.Posted August 11, 2010 10:03 AM
I do a lot of agent training in my area in the northeast and it is always very interesting to see how the market is effective the other brokerage firms around the country.
I am very happy for both parties here and I would like to one day come and visit your area, I have heard so much about Washington and what a wonderful place to live, I have referred quite a few clients in my past who were relocating from my area out to Washington, some day I will have to take the plane ride and visit!
Does your firm have its own agent training facilities? We do here in the north east and I am sure you do have something in place. It is very important now more than ever to keep new and seasoned agents up to speed on the ever changing market especially the mortgage brokers who we work hand and hand with, need to make sure they are on top of all the new laws and changes constantly coming our way.
