Sotheby's International Realty(R) Network Opens First Office in Japan

By: Sotheby's International Realty | 1 Shares 150 Reads

April 04, 2008 // Franchising.com // PARSIPPANY, N.J. and TOKYO, JAPAN — Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC today announced the opening of Japan Sotheby's International Realty, its first office in that country.

The office is owned by Urban Corporation, a rapidly growing, integrated real estate company. In July 2007, the Sotheby's International Realty brand announced the signing of an exclusive 25-year licensing agreement for Japan with the company. Hiroyuki Bozono serves as Urban Corporation's chairman, and Shinji Nakamura is president and chief executive officer for Japan Sotheby's International Realty.

"We are very proud that this firm will lead the way for our expansion into Japan," said Michael R. Good, president and chief executive officer, Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC. "I am confident that under Urban Corporation's leadership, the firm will bring an unparalleled level of quality service and integrity to Sotheby's International Realty clients worldwide."

Bozono believes the new firm fulfills Japan's need for a strong global real estate presence. "Japan Sotheby's International Realty will open its nation's door in this new global luxury real estate market," said Bozono. "A luxury real estate brokerage company with a strong international network of hundreds of offices and thousands of sales professionals worldwide is unprecedented in Japan. This exclusive network allows us to ensure customer satisfaction by assisting each client in marketing their properties at both the local and global levels using state-of-art technologies, innovative ideas and exceptional personal service by our internationally-trained staff."

The Sotheby's International Realty network has more than 9,000 sales associates located in more than 470 offices in the U.S. and 29 other countries and territories. Listings from Japan Sotheby's International Realty will be marketed on both the sothebysrealty.com global Web site as well as the sothebysrealty.jp local Web site. In addition to the referral opportunities and great exposure generated from these sources, the firm will benefit from an association with the Sotheby's auction house and worldwide Sotheby's International Realty marketing programs.

Japan Sotheby's International Realty will provide service and expertise to clients throughout the most prestigious areas of Japan. The office is located at Kojimachi 31 MT Building 6F, 5-7-2 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. The phone number is +81-3-5212-3900.

For more information on Urban Corporation, please go to www.urban.co.jp.

About Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC

Founded in 1976 to provide independent brokerages with a powerful marketing and referral program for luxury listings, the Sotheby's International Realty network was designed to connect the finest independent real estate companies to the most prestigious clientele in the world. In February 2004, Realogy Corporation, the world's largest real estate franchisor, entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby's Holdings, Inc. The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby's International Realty name and the development of a full franchise system by Realogy's subsidiary, Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC. Affiliations in the system are granted only to brokerages and individuals meeting strict qualifications. Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC supports its affiliates with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational and business development resources. Franchise affiliates also benefit from an association with the venerable Sotheby's auction house, established in 1744. For more information, visit www.sothebysrealty.com.

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