Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® has expanded its presence in Canada, with the recent addition of Bowes & Cocks Limited, Brokerage in Peterborough, Ontario. The invitation-only network of 500+ residential real estate firms also welcomed Bosley Real Estate in Toronto and Tradewinds Realty in Chester, Nova Scotia earlier this year.

These firms join other Canadian members, including Advantage Real Estate Services in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; CIR REALTY in Calgary, Alberta; DFH Real Estate in Victoria, British Columbia; Harvey Kalles Real Estate in Toronto, Ontario;   Macdonald Realty Ltd. In Vancouver, British Columbia; Profusion Realty Inc. in Westmount, Quebec; Sally McGarr Realty Corp. in St. Catharine’s, Ontario; and The Whistler Real Estate Co. in Whistler, British Columbia.

The network’s continued growth in Canada is a key initiative of the Chicago-based network, which has roots dating back to 1963 and now has coverage in nearly 50 countries worldwide. Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) is the dominant force in North American residential real estate, with more sales units among the top 250 largest brokers in Canada and the top 250 in the U.S., according to REAL Trends Canadian 250 and REAL Trends 500.  Overall, the network is responsible for over 1,000,000 transactions valued at $314 billion in annual home sales annually.

LeadingRE’s unique business model offers a new alternative to Canadian brokers by providing  top-performing independent brokerages with the  tools and connections that would otherwise be available only from a franchise.  Services  include industry-leading programs for   referrals, branding support and global connections online exposure, technology systems, an online learning platform and conferences to foster professional development, a cutting-edge consumer reviews program, and affluent consumer marketing through Luxury Portfolio International®.

“Our growing roster of highly respected affiliates across Canada, combined with our legacy of leadership in the U.S.,  are resonating with brokers across Canada who want to build their own local / regional brand, while still having the resources and global connections of a major worldwide network,” said LeadingRE President and CEO Pam O’Connor. “We are thrilled to welcome our newest affiliates and are committed to adding more top firms as we share our compelling model with firms that share our vision.”

To learn more, visit www.LeadingRE.com.

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Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® has announced the appointment of Brent M. Williams as director, Network Services. In this role, Williams will oversee numerous member services and programs for the global network of 500+ market-leading real estate firms.

Working closely with Vice President, Network Services Erin Koops and the member services team, Williams will manage the RELO® Xchange referral management system, the U.S. Military on the Move™ program and the network’s annual awards, among other critical member-facing initiatives.

Prior to joining the company, Williams served as director of Relocation and Business Development for the fourth largest residential real estate brokerage in Chicago, where he was responsible for the strategic direction of the relocation and e-commerce departments. In this role, he maintained key relationships with relocation management companies, corporate clients and other real estate brokerages. Previous experience includes working for relocation management companies, where he coordinated all aspects of moves for military, affinity and corporate clients.

“Brent’s experience and service-oriented approach make him the ideal addition to our Member Services team,” said Koops. “Having worked in various leadership capacities for real estate firms and relocation companies, he brings a unique perspective that will help us ensure the quality and relevance of the services we bring our member firms.”

Williams is a licensed real estate broker and holds the Worldwide ERC® Certified Relocation Professional designation. Williams is based in the company’s Chicago headquarters and can be reached at bwilliams@LeadingRE.com or (312) 447-5914.

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HGTV has announced the winners of its Doory Awards, a month-long online contest on HGTV’s FrontDoor.com billed as “The Ultimate House Hunt.” The contest, which attracted nearly 50 million page views, featured extraordinary homes from around the world in ten distinct categories.

The winning homes, represented by members of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® and Luxury Portfolio International®, were selected by consumers who voted for their favorites among an elite group of finalists.

In the Waterfront Homes category, a stunning Gulf-front contemporary in Sarasota, Fla., represented by Michael Saunders & Company, won top honors. A modern houseboat from Seattle Wash. swept the Tiny Homes category, represented by Windermere Real Estate. In the International Homes category, a Balinese-inspired villa in Tortola, British Virgin Islands from Smiths Gore Limited earned distinction.

In the Historical Homes category, Ganly Walters’ Tulira Castle in Ardrahan, Ireland received the most votes. Howard Hughes’ historic retreat in Crystal Bay, Nev., represented by Chase International, was named the winner among the Celebrity Homes. In Gourmet Kitchens, a First Team Estates’ Irvine, Calif. home took the honors for a kitchen where “rustic meets elegant.” In Urban Homes, an impressive city-view estate in Honolulu, HI from Choi International won.

A home with a resort-style pool in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. from Premier Estate Properties, Inc. was picked as the favorite Outdoor Retreat. In the Spa Bathrooms category, the favorite was from a home in Pemberton, British Columbia, Canada, represented by The Whistler Real Estate Co. Drawing special attention in the “Your House Has WHAT?” category, a grand home theater in Slinger, Wis., from First Weber Group Realtors, earned the most votes.

In addition to bragging rights, the winning homes will receive additional editorial exposure on HGTV’s FrontDoor.com.

“We are so pleased with the extraordinary response to the 2014 Doory Awards,” said Rich Lacy, vice president, Emerging Brands for HGTV’s Home Category. “This year’s finalists were especially compelling, and we are pleased to give our viewers an inside look into these remarkable homes from around the world.”

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® (www.LeadingRE.com) is the largest network of top independent real estate brokerage firms, with more than 500 companies in nearly 50 countries worldwide. Luxury Portfolio International^® (www.LuxuryPortfolio.com) is the luxury face of LeadingRE, supporting member firms that specialize in the high end market.

To view the Doory Award winners, visit www.FrontDoor.com/doory.

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Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® has named Sheila Barr, SCRP, director of business development. In this role, Barr is responsible for membership recruitment in North America for the LeadingRE invitation-only network of 500+ real estate firms.

Barr brings an impressive range of industry experience, having most recently served as director of business development for an international franchise organization, where she worked closely with brokers, relocation companies and corporate clients. Previously, she was a consultant focusing on sales training and business development for the real estate and relocation industries.

Additional experience comes from more than 16 years working on the management team of a top residential real estate firm, with responsibility for marketing, relocation and property management.

“Sheila brings a deep understanding of the real estate industry and the operations of a successful brokerage company,” said Pam O’Connor, LeadingRE president/CEO. “Her insights and experience make her the ideal person to help us identify and recruit the strongest market-leading independent firms as we continue to expand our network in key markets.”

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® provides its member brokerages with a comprehensive menu of services, including lead generation; outcome-based learning for leaders, associates and staff; web technology and systems; and branding and marketing support, including its Luxury Portfolio International® division. To learn more, visit www.LeadingRE.com.

Barr is based in the company’s Chicago headquarters and can be reached at sbarr@LeadingRE.com or (312) 361-8632.

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Chicago-based Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® announced its 2013 sales statistics today, which again reflect the global network’s dominance in the residential real estate market.

Network affiliates produced over one million transactions valued at $314 billion in home sales in 2013, over $47 billion more than its closest network competitor. In the top 108 markets across the U.S., Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® affiliates also led, with #1 market rankings in 39% of those cities, a testament to the strength of local brands.

Among the top 500 firms in the country, LeadingRE affiliates outsold all other networks in home sales units by over 34%, according to REAL Trends 500, which ranks the largest companies by transaction sides and sales volume. Within this elite group, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® members represented 15 of the top 25 firms in the U.S. in sales volume and produced 25% of the total sales units – over a third more sales than its closest competitor.

“We are delighted to report such impressive results from our network affiliates, indicating the continued leadership of our premier locally-branded firms,” said Pam O’Connor, LeadingRE president/CEO. “Coming together under the LeadingRE banner, these firms create a real estate powerhouse that outsells any single network.”

Figures for the top 500 firms are verified and published by REAL Trends. Figures for total sales of all networks are estimated by using average sales units per agent and average sales price for firms in each respective network from published sources for 2013 production.

The 500+ firms affiliated with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® are represented by 3,500 offices and 120,000 associates in more nearly 50 countries worldwide. The organization provides its affiliates with an extensive range of brokerage services, which include lead generation, cross-market referrals, branding support, luxury marketing, online exposure, technology systems, and industry-leading professional development. To learn more about Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, visit www.LeadingRE.com.

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HGTV has joined forces with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® and Luxury Portfolio International® as the exclusive real estate partners for its annual Doory Awards. Billed as “The Ultimate House Hunt,” the Doory Awards present extraordinary homes for sale to HGTV’s extensive audience, allowing consumers to vote for the homes they find most appealing.

Finalists have been selected in ten categories: Waterfront Homes, International Homes, Celebrity Homes, Tiny Homes, Urban Homes, Historical Homes, Your House Has WHAT?, Gourmet Kitchens, Spa Bathrooms and Outdoor Retreats. Consumers can view finalists and vote for their favorites at HGTV’s real estate site, FrontDoor.com/doory from May 1 through June 5. Winners will be announced June 6.

“Like everything we do at HGTV, the Doory Awards are all about what makes a home compelling and how we can be inspired by a home’s extraordinary design features, breathtaking setting or unique amenities,” said Rich Lacy, vice president, Emerging Brands for HGTV’s Home Category. “Because of our long-term relationship with LeadingRE and Luxury Portfolio, we knew they would be the ideal partners for this year’s awards based on the quality of the network’s firms, the impressive array of homes represented around the world and the emphasis on stunning photography.”

HGTV has aligned with LeadingRE and Luxury Portfolio on a number of marketing initiatives in recent years and announced the Doory Awards partnership during the network’s Conference Week in February at Wynn Las Vegas.

“We are thrilled to bring our member companies an opportunity to reach HGTV’s extensive audience of home enthusiasts through the Doory Awards, as well as future opportunities for editorial exposure on HGTV’s numerous websites and programs,” notes Paul Boomsma, COO of LeadingRE and president of Luxury Portfolio.

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® (www.LeadingRE.com) is the largest network of top independent real estate brokerage firms, with more than 500 companies in nearly 50 countries worldwide. Luxury Portfolio International^® (www.LuxuryPortfolio.com) is the luxury face of LeadingRE, supporting member firms that specialize in the high end market.

To view the Doory Award finalists and cast your vote, visit www.FrontDoor.com/doory.

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Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® has named its new Advisory Council, adding five members and appointing a new chairperson and vice chairperson. The Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) Advisory Council is comprised of top business development and relocation professionals from firms affiliated with the network and works closely with the LeadingRE management team on critical network initiatives. Council members also mentor other network affiliates and serve as ambassadors for the organization’s extensive programs. They are elected by existing members based on industry experience, reputation and willingness to share ideas in support of the network.

The council’s new chairperson is Diane Howard, CRP, CRS, GRI, who was elected to serve a one-year term after recently completing a term as vice chairperson. An industry veteran with more than 23 years of experience, Howard is vice president of client services for Real Estate One, Inc. (Southfield, MI) and will provide strategic guidance to the council. Denise Talboy, vice president of Global Relocation & Corporate Services for The Keyes Company (Miami, FL), was elected as vice chairperson.

Newly-elected members include: Chuck Garrett, Kahala Associates, Honolulu, HI; Dawn Stevens, Jack Conway & Co. Inc., Norwell, MA; Jane Gowarty, Smith & Associates Real Estate, Tampa, FL; Liz Nunan, Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate, Rye Brook, NY; and Pamela Metzger, Colorado Landmark, Realtors, Boulder, CO.

Additional council members include: Dawn Fetherston, Diane Turton, Realtors, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ; Elizabeth Fowler, WestMark, Realtors, Lubbock, TX; Nancy Harmann, GARDNER, REALTORS, Metairie, LA; and Paige Thompson, Zeitlin & Company, Realtors, Nashville, TN.

“The Advisory Council serves a critical role in our network’s ongoing success, helping us ensure the programs we offer our member companies are timely and relevant,” said Erin Koops, LeadingRE vice president, Network Services. “We are so fortunate to have such a highly-respected group of professionals who generously share their time and expertise.”

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® is a collection of over 500 leading residential real estate firms, represented by 4,000 offices and 120,000 associates in nearly 50 countries worldwide. Collectively, the network produces more than one million transactions annually. LeadingRE provides its affiliates with an extensive range of brokerage services, which include lead generation, cross-market referrals, branding support, luxury marketing, online exposure, technology systems, and industry-leading professional development.

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Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® Conference Week, held February 23-27 at Wynn Las Vegas, attracted 2,700 attendees from 20 countries, a record attendance for the event. Hosted by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® (LeadingRE) for its affiliates, the event offered targeted conferences for brokers, relocation professionals, sales associates, luxury specialists, sales managers and marketing and technology professionals.

Among the highlights was the presentation of the network’s annual Performance Awards. The most prestigious honor, the Diamond Award, was given to Watson Realty Corp. (Jacksonville, FL) for the second consecutive year. The Diamond Award recognizes the top member firm, based on participation in all of LeadingRE’s business offerings and signifies the network’s highest level of achievement.

Also presented were the prestigious Crown of Excellence awards, presented to the member firm with the highest level of network engagement in each company-size category. This year’s winners are Allen Tate Company (Charlotte, NC); Michael Saunders & Company (Sarasota, FL); Kentwood Real Estate (Greenwood Village, CO); Charles Reinhart Company (Ann Arbor, MI); Wright Kingdom Real Estate (Boulder, CO); Hamner Real Estate Inc. (Tuscaloosa, AL); and Burt Jordan Realtors (Florence, SC).

Companies recognized for superior performance in Outgoing Referral Production include Allen Tate Company (Charlotte, NC); Watson Realty Corp. (Jacksonville, FL); Michael Saunders & Company (Sarasota, FL); Kentwood Real Estate (Greenwood Village, CO); Charles Reinhart Company (Ann Arbor, MI); Platinum Group REALTORS (Colorado Springs, CO); Hamner Real Estate Inc. (Tuscaloosa, AL); and Shea & Sanders Real Estate Inc. (East Setauket, NY). This award is presented to the member firm within each company size category that has introduced the largest number of clients per sales associate to other affiliates within the network.

Outgoing Sales Production awards were presented to Watson Realty Corp. (Jacksonville, FL); Jack Conway & Co. Inc. (Norwell, MA); Kentwood Real Estate (Greenwood Village, CO); H. Pearce Company (North Haven, CT); Platinum Group REALTORS (Colorado Springs, CO); Hamner Real Estate Inc. (Tuscaloosa, AL); and Burt Jordan Realtors (Florence, SC). Recognition is given to the member firm that has introduced clients to other affiliates within the network resulting in the highest number of closed transactions per sales associate.

Recognized for Incoming Conversion were Real Estate One, Inc. (Southfield, MI); Comey & Shepherd Realtors, (Cincinnati, OH); Heritage Texas Properties (Houston, TX); Lawrence-Arendall-Humphries Real Estate (Birmingham, AL); Burns & Company Inc./Realtors (Baton Rouge, LA); Fish Real Estate, Inc. (Williamsport, PA); and McIntosh & Associates (Jackson, MS). This award is presented to the member firm with the highest incoming conversion rate based on closed transactions resulting from client referrals received from other affiliates.

Equivalent Closing Sales Production awards, recognizing the companies with the highest per agent average of outgoing equivalent closings, were presented to Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate (Rye Brook, NY); Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales, LLC (New York, NY); Kentwood Real Estate (Greenwood Village, CO); Paragon Real Estate Group (San Francisco, CA); Wright Kingdom Real Estate (Boulder, CO); Rutledge Properties (Wellesley, MA); and Bahamas Realty Limited (Nassau, Bahamas).

Winning the Global Alliance Award for Most Outgoing Closings was Macdonald Realty Ltd. (Vancouver, Canada), and the Million Dollar Award for Most Outgoing Closings went to Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate (Rye Brook, NY).

Companies recognized for having the Top 5 Most Outgoing Closings, in order of volume, were:  Weichert Realtors (Morris Plains, NJ); Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. (Chantilly, VA); Watson Realty Corp. (Jacksonville, FL); Allen Tate Company (Charlotte, NC); and Sibcy Cline Realtors (Cincinnati, OH).

Recognized with the Pinnacle Awards for having the most outgoing revenue-generating referrals, regardless of company size, were: Long & Foster Real Estate Inc., (Chantilly, VA); Watson Realty Corp. (Jacksonville, FL); Allen Tate Company (Charlotte, NC); Weichert Realtors (Morris Plains, NJ); and Howard Hanna Real Estate Services (Pittsburgh, PA).

The network’s prestigious Leadership Award, which honors a member broker whose leadership skills have drawn the attention of others, was presented to Diane Ramirez of Halstead Property, LLC (New York, NY), a dedicated member of the local, state and national real estate community for the past 38 years.

The network’s Service Recognition Awards, established to highlight the significant individual contributions that members have made to our organization, were also presented.  Earning the President’s Service Award were Judy Alloway (JBGoodwin, Realtors, Austin, TX); Mark Bardo (Allen Tate Company, Charlotte, NC); Zane Burnett (Fillmore Real Estate, Brooklyn, NY); Rainy Hake (Alain Pinel Realtors, San Ramon, CA); Diane Howard (Real Estate One, Inc., Southfield, MI); and Rob Sibcy (Sibcy Cline Realtors, Cincinnati, OH). Chairman’s Service Award winners were Benedetta Vigano (Giorgio Vigano Real Estate, Milano, Italy) and Larry Zapf (Beverly-Hanks & Associates, Asheville, NC).

Earning praise for Transaction of the Year Award were both Elise Montgomery of CIR REALTY (Calgary, Canada) and GARDNER, REALTORS (New Orleans, LA), while the Referral of the Year Award was awarded to David Shaw of Leonard Ryden Burr Real Estate (Winston-Salem, NC). The Rainmaker Lead Generation Award, recognizing a member company for unique and successful business development initiatives, was presented to Watson Realty Corp.

Top Luxury Brokerage Awards were presented to those companies who best exemplify a strong luxury market presence and high price point expertise, while also embracing the Luxury Portfolio International® brand and contributing to its overall growth and success.  The Luxury Portfolio Best Newcomer Award was presented to

Lyon Real Estate (Sacramento, CA), and the Spirit Award was given to Santa Fe Properties (Santa Fe, NM). The Top International Luxury Portfolio Brokerage Award winner was Ganly Walters (Dublin, Ireland), and the Top Luxury Portfolio Brokerage Award for Overall Excellence is Hilton & Hyland Real Estate (Beverly Hills, CA).

A variety of marketing awards were announced, including the Best Overall Website, awarded to John Greene Realtor (Naperville, IL), and the Most Innovative Brokerage Award, going to Jack Conway & Co. (Boston, MA).

“Recognizing the many achievements of our member companies and leaders is a real privilege and a high point of our Annual Conference,” said Pam O’Connor, president/CEO of LeadingRE.  “In a network that is made up of the most accomplished and productive firms in the industry, earning distinction is a real accomplishment, and we congratulate these winners and all of the companies and individuals who were recognized.”

Beyond the awards, the conference offered a robust educational program on a variety of topics.  Keynote speakers included former Navy SEAL Rorke Denver, who starred in the 2012 hit film “Act of Valor;” bestselling author, entrepreneur and former chief evangelist for Apple Guy Kawasaki; top-rated business author Daniel Pink; and internationally recognized graffiti artist, film maker and author Erik Wahl. In addition, more than 25 other guest speakers addressed a diverse range of real estate topics, from technology and mobile strategies to sales coaching skills to real estate market insights. Additionally, an accomplished group of member speakers shared insights as panelists and speakers.

LeadingRE is a global network of 500+ premier locally-branded firms producing over one million annual home sale transactions. LeadingRE provides its affiliates with an extensive range of brokerage services, including lead generation, cross-market referrals, branding support, luxury marketing, online exposure, technology systems, and industry-leading professional development. LeadingRE’s 2015 Conference Week will be held February 9- 13, again at Wynn Las Vegas. Other upcoming events include the International Symposium October 16-18 in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and the Fall Workshop series.

For more information on the network, visit www.LeadingRE.com.

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A growing number of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® member firms and imageSurge have partnered to showcase properties in an innovative way through the company’s revolutionary Interactive Real Estate Storefront.

imageSurge, a preferred partner through LeadingRE’s Solutions Group Program, offers tools that transform an ordinary real estate office window into a powerful platform, where consumers can search and view listings and explore areas and homes of interest through the window. The system allows real estate offices to publish and update listings with real-time MLS connectivity, integrate other content and post time-sensitive information.

One of the latest companies to deploy the technology is Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate in Vail, Colorado, which has launched two units and has plans to add more. Other LeadingRE members who are using the tool include Brown Harris Stevens and Halstead, which recently expanded their relationship with imageSurge with deployments across their offices in Manhattan, the Hamptons, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Connecticut and New Jersey; Classic Properties in Pennsylvania; Houlihan Lawrence, across Westchester County, NY; Jack Conway & Co. across Massachusetts; and Robert Paul Properties in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Watson Realty Corp. has also signed up as the first agency in Florida to deploy the system.

Members credit the system for its brand enhancement features, for increasing lead acquisition in helping to secure new listings, and generating a sense of pride among agents.

Al Becker, vice president of marketing/operations for Jack Conway & Co., notes, “What we are doing with imageSurge has been incredibly beneficial for our brand, allowing us to offer something that is cutting edge to the consumer and our offices. There is no doubt it gives us an advantage, as we are showing properties 18 hours a day through our window, giving us significantly more foot traffic.”

LeadingRE members will have the opportunity to view an Interactive Storefront at the upcoming LeadingRE Annual Conference, February 25-27 at Wynn Las Vegas, where imageSurge will display the technology as an exhibiting sponsor at the event.

To learn more about Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®, visit www.LeadingRE.com.

To learn more about imageSurge, visit www.imageSurge.com.
About imageSurge

imageSurge (www.imageSurge.com) empowers real estate companies with interactive storefront and in-house kiosk solutions. Its award-winning Interactive Real Estate Storefront transforms ordinary storefront windows into dynamic visual platforms, enabling unprecedented 24/7 lead capture capability and street-side marketing intelligence. imageSurge maximizes efficiency and ROI through an integrated delivery platform of hardware, software, installation and support. 

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Luxury Portfolio International^® has expanded its luxury broker collection with the addition of Meybohm Realtors, the number one real estate firm in Augusta, GA; North Augusta, SC; and Aiken, SC. Luxury Portfolio specializes in the high-end real estate market and is the luxury division of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® (LeadingRE), an organization encompassing over 500 companies with 120,000 sales associates worldwide.

As the largest real estate company in the area, Meybohm brings extensive resources and experience working with a wide range of properties. The company’s luxury program is dedicated to marketing world-class sporting and luxury properties, including equestrian estates, premier golf-oriented homes and historic residences.

“We are delighted to welcome Meybohm Realtors to our network,” said Stephanie Pfeffer-Anton, executive vice president of Luxury Portfolio. “The company’s impressive market share and unique collection of properties make it a welcome addition to our network.”

As a member of Luxury Portfolio, Meybohm Realtors expands its marketing reach through a strategic program that includes the award-winning website www.LuxuryPortfolio.com and targeted online and print advertising that reaches a global audience of affluent consumers. In addition to joining Luxury Portfolio International^®, Meybohm Realtors has affiliated with LeadingRE (www.LeadingRE.com).

To learn more about Meybohm Realtors, visit www.meybohm.com.

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