As seen in the Daily News Record today....



Funkhouser Goes Independent
Longtime Area Realtor Sheds Coldwell Banker Affiliation
By DOUG MANNERS, Daily News-Record

HARRISONBURG — Coldwell Banker Funkhouser Realtors, one of the largest real estate firms in the Shenandoah Valley, is going independent and dropping its affiliation with the national franchiser.

A new website already has launched and about 500 blue-and-white "for sale" signs are being swapped out with new signage — white with a lighter blue — to mark the official start of the Funkhouser Real Estate Group today.

The move returns the company that Joe Funkhouser founded 42 years ago to its roots as an independent real estate agency. Funkhouser first franchised with Prudential in 1992 before teaming up with Coldwell Banker in 2002.

"The landscape of real estate has dramatically changed over the past few years," said Funkhouser, president of the agency, which has offices in Harrisonburg and Woodstock. "[Technology has] eliminated the need for franchised real estate business."

National brand recognition isn't as relevant in today's marketplace, he said, noting that most homebuyers search for information on the Internet before calling a real estate professional.

Going independent gives the agency greater control over technology resources and the ability to make decisions quicker, according to Funkhouser.

The Funkhouser Real Estate Group has partnered with a Colorado-based technology firm that designs websites only for independent real estate agencies.

"We researched for many months to find the best real estate provider," said Kemper Funkhouser, Joe's son and chief operating officer at the agency. "We have market exclusivity. It's a service that is unmatched in our marketplace."

The new website features an expanded search functionality and more tools for customers looking to buy or sell a home, he said.

Dropping the agency's franchise agreement also means it no longer must pay fees to Coldwell Banker. The Realtors didn't say how much money the agency would save, but several sources online indicate that fees usually amount to about 8 percent of total gross sales.

The Funkhouser Real Estate Group has about 60 licensed agents and primarily serves Rockingham, Augusta, Shenandoah, Page and Frederick counties.

Contact Doug Manners at 574-6293 or dmanners@dnronline.com

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Have any questions? Contact Scott Rogers at 540-578-0102 or scott@funkhousergroup.com