FLORENCE ? After years of slow growth and economic uncertainty, the Pee Dee real estate market is showing signs of a recovery and has a new company, spawned out of the downturn, to help sell it?Coldwell Banker Segars McMillan and Associates in Florence.
More than a year of discussions led to the merger on June 2 between Joey McMillan?s Florence-based Coldwell Banker McMillan Tiller and Associates and Goz Segars? Hartsville-based Prudential Segars Realty.
Segars and McMillan, the company?s principal owners, say the driving force behind the consolidation of the franchises was the shrinking market of the past several years as well as it being smart business for the companies to merge.
?If times hadn?t been bad, we?d never been talking and then we look at this and even if times were good, we?d be stupid not to talk. It makes more sense,? McMillan said. ?We knew that this would help us both.?
The group also brought on and bought out Gary Dauksch?s Florence-based Century 21 Bell Ray Properties.
With a stronger company, less overhead and an expanded geographical footprint in the Pee Dee, the two say with the additional knowledge their agents have now they will not only sell their respective Florence and Hartsville areas, but will be able to sell the Pee Dee.
?What we are really interested in is we have a strong office in Hartsville and also serving Darlington, Lake City, Marion, Mullins and using this (Florence) as a hub, but still really providing a service that a quality brand can do,? Segars said.
It?s a sign of how the market is changing.
?When I first came here in 2006, I never thought I?d go to Hartsville and sell a house,? McMillan said. ?But I?m learning that we?ve got to be an original company, the client comes in and expects it.?
Especially clients that come through relocation companies such as Brookfield, CARTUS and Prudential relocation?companies they are primary brokers for.
?That?s one of the things that has changed with real estate from the time I?ve been part of it. The need for relocation business at one time it wasn?t that much, but now it?s really a big part,? Segars said.
As Florence and the Pee Dee continue to grow with companies and the jobs that follow, they say their company will be a strong part of that ongoing economic development, in-part to the Segars Development arm, giving them access to the economic pulse of the Pee Dee.
?It?s just another piece of what we bring together. We?ll still have this development arm that helps feed the residential side, and I think all of that together, helps us, Joey and I together, to have an awareness of the needs of the area,? Segars said.
The company now has 60 agents under two roofs, at the main office at 419 S. Coit St. in Florence and 2586 Kelleytown Road in Hartsville. With all that in tow, it?s a hard to ignore that the merger has effectively positioned the new company as the top real estate agency in the Pee Dee by sales and listings.
?I don?t want us to think that our goal is to be No. 1. I think our goal is to have an agent-oriented agency and that we?re efficient in operations and bring value to buyers and sellers,? Segars said. ?I guess that could be a good mission statement.?
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