Flagstaff real estate broker Steve Jackson and Coldwell Banker Residential Affiliates have ended their 32-year business relationship. However, Jackson says the partnership with Coldwell Banker Commercial remains strong. Currently, he is considering his options for the continuation of his company’s residential brokerage activities.
“Coldwell Banker Residential Affiliates was a great partner for many years and did a wonderful job with national advertising; but, over the past five years, they seemed out of touch and more concerned about the bottom line than the people they serve,” said Jackson. “We noticed a decline in their programs and services that directly provided a benefit to our clients and customers on a local basis. We began providing these services and programs through outside vendors at our own expense.”
Jackson says his firm’s investments such as cloud-based technology and property management systems have enabled the company to grow 100 percent in the last five years. Even so, he was notified that Coldwell Banker Residential would not be renewing the franchise agreement. He has since learned the national company has sold the franchise to another Flagstaff firm.
In 1960, Jackson’s father, Douglas Jackson, and his partner, Russ Faulkner, formed Northern Arizona Realty and Investment Company (NARICO). Steve Jackson joined as an agent in 1972 and became a broker and partner in 1975.
In 1982, Sears purchased Coldwell Banker and began selling franchises. “We were the third company in the nation, the first in Arizona, to purchase one of those franchises and became Coldwell Banker NARICO,” he said. “In the ‘80s, Coldwell Banker was a small company that wanted to create franchises throughout the United States in all the Sears stores. The people there did business on a handshake. It was a comfortable situation and it’s been a great partnership up until recently when things started getting really tough (in the real estate industry) and we needed to do some things to help our agents.”
As he considers the future of his residential brokerage business, Jackson says he wants the best for all the people involved. “We will be making that decision based upon our continuing principles of honesty, service and professionalism – all geared toward our clients and customers. Our name will change, but our group of professional agents and brokers will continue to deliver the same excellence that we’re known for. Whatever we do, we want to make sure we’re giving the agents and the staff the best opportunities for them.”
Meanwhile, the commercial real estate services such as property management, commercial leasing and selling will continue conducting business as usual with Coldwell Banker Commercial. FBN
By Bonnie Stevens
Flagstaff Business News