Tomlinson Black Group aligns with Realogy Corp.

Tomlinson Black Group has joined forces with Realogy Corp., a company that provides franchises and support services for several national and international brokerage brands.

The agreement with the Parsippany, N.J.-based company is in the process of being finalized and will enable Tomlinson Black Group to expand into Montana and parts of Idaho and central Washington, said Jim Carollo, head of Tomlinson Black Affiliate Services.

Brokers will be able to open offices or merge with existing franchises operating under the brand names Century 21, ERA, Sotheby’s International Realty, Coldwell Banker and Coldwell Banker Commercial in an expanded market, he said.

Use of the brands is subject to agreements within existing franchise markets and the deal resulted in no change in ownership for the Coeur d’Alene-based Tomlinson Black.

“We’re going to absolutely be Tomlinson Black in Spokane,” Carollo said. However, down the road there may be name changes in other markets. For example, an office could operate as Tomlinson Black Coldwell Banker, he said.

The alliance gives Tomlinson Black clients who are buying and selling increased exposure to and for properties, he said. It also provides access to enhanced training, national marketing and better tools and sales support for the agents.

“It will allow us to be part of the national and international market relating to their referral network,” Carollo said.

Tomlinson Black has more than 500 agents in 14 offices in Washington and Idaho that serve markets in Spokane, Moses Lake, Sandpoint, Coeur d’Alene, Tri-Cities, Cheney, Lewiston and Moscow.

Local Coldwell Banker and Century 21 offices won’t be affected by the alliance because they have protected franchises in the area, the brokers say.

Glenn Crellin, director of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at Washington State University, said the agreement will help position Tomlinson Black for future mergers and acquisitions, which is becoming the primary growth mechanism for companies.

John Beutler of Century 21 Beutler and Associates ran an independent brokerage for years and said there’s a lot to gain when a regional company franchises under national or international brand names. He views the Tomlinson Black alliance strengthening competition.

“I think it opens up opportunities for everyone in the market.”