Coldwell Banker Resort Realty partners with market-leading mid-Atlantic brokerage
Coldwell Banker Resort Realty, a 40-year-old multi-office brokerage serving Sussex County, officially joined forces Jan. 19 with Coldwell Banker Premier, a regional powerhouse serving Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania.
Coldwell Banker Resort Realty, with offices in Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Seaford and Milford, is strategically situated to support residential sales for primary and secondary homeowners, as well as relocation clients, vacation rentals and commercial real estate. Kathy Newcomb, former president and owner of Coldwell Banker Resort Realty, and Bruce Plummer, managing broker and chief operating officer, will continue in their leadership roles.
The move doubles the size of Coldwell Banker Premier, led by award-winning broker Steve DuBrueler. The nearly 30-year-old brokerage now has 12 offices and approximately 150 agents who were responsible for 1,700 transactions equating to nearly $500 million in sales volume in 2021. This production earns the combined company a 2022 spot on the prestigious Coldwell Banker Chairman’s Circle list as one of the top Coldwell Banker affiliates in the world. The combined companies will be overseen by Coldwell Banker Premier Chief Operating Officer Stephen Meadows.
As part of Coldwell Banker Premier, all agents benefit from health and wealth solutions which provide access to health, dental and vision insurance as well as a 401k plan and deferred compensation plan for all agents and staff. In addition, automation of back-office functions will increase efficiencies for agents, while they also benefit from operational synergies in property management, relocation, training, coaching, and professional marketing support.
Coldwell Banker Resort Realty was established in 1979; its tenure with the brand dates back to 1983. Jim Kiernan was widely known and respected in the community as a successful, growth-oriented business owner who put service excellence above all else. After his death in 2018, daughter Kathy Newcomb assumed leadership of the brokerage, while also serving as senior vice president of marketing and consumer engagement for the company.
Rehoboth Beach and Sussex County, the summer home to President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, are part of a popular vacation and second home market that has risen in popularity and prominence over the last several years, making it a prime market in which to leverage Coldwell Banker’s Global Luxury marketing program.
Coldwell Banker Premier was established by Steve DuBrueler in 1994 and affiliated with the brand in 1995. DuBrueler’s business model is designed to ensure the success of the company’s agents. This service mentality is reflected in DuBrueler’s recent recognition as the Chandler Barton Spirit Award winner, the highest individual honor bestowed by the Coldwell Banker international brand.
The newly expanded company will benefit from a robust referral stream between markets, particularly for those wanting to experience coastal living or looking for a vacation home.
Coldwell Banker Resort Realty President Kathy Newcomb said, “As a family-owned and -led business for more than 40 years, we have a powerful legacy in our community that we believe will be honored and amplified as part of Coldwell Banker Premier, a firm that is very similar to ours. My father’s focus on continuous growth will be in good hands, as will our agents, who will benefit from Steve’s commitment to professional development and success for agents. Our alliance with Coldwell Banker Premier will supercharge our company as we gain access to additional tools and support that will provide us with a distinct competitive edge here in Delaware that will fuel new growth in our market. It was very important for Bruce and me to find the right people that we partner with for the future growth of the company, and we are fully confident in our decision to join forces with Steve.”
Coldwell Banker Premier founder and CEO Steve DuBrueler said, “Our two companies have decades-long legacies of success and dominance within the iconic Coldwell Banker brand. When we first began talking with Kathy and Bruce, it was apparent that our cultures of caring for our agents were so similar. We have also both enjoyed similar growth, as so many have chosen to relocate from urban D.C. and Baltimore. This move allows our clients along the I-81 corridor the opportunity to easily explore second-home ownership along the coast. Joining forces will also allow both groups to be stronger, more agile and better equipped to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the real estate industry. Our leadership teams will work hand in hand to deliver world-class tools, service, and support to all of our agents. I originally launched my company after years of being an agent and dedicated myself to making sure that I was laser-focused on agent needs. That’s why I started the health and wealth concept. I didn’t want our agents to worry about the basic needs of health insurance and retirement opportunities. Access to these benefits is available to all our agents and staff.”
