By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News stevebrown@dallasnews.com
Four years ago, when Thomas Kunz was appointed chief executive of one of the country's largest real estate companies, he probably didn't suspect that a nationwide housing market slowdown was looming.
From 2004 into early 2006 the U.S. housing market boomed – and so did Century 21 Real Estate.
Now that the home market has softened, Mr. Kunz expects consolidation in the industry to benefit Century 21.
"Today it's a different market, and there is a huge opportunity," he said.
"We are going to see a lot of agents who got into the business get out."
Mr. Kunz – who was in Dallas Friday for a visit with Century 21 offices – said his firm has been holding meetings across the country talking about merger and acquisition opportunities.
He said that during tough times, both sales agents and consumers see positives with working for a major national brand.
And some sales agents are learning how to cope with the new realities of the market, he said.
"You have all those folks who have never seen a marketplace that wasn't going vertical," Mr. Kunz said.
"There are a lot of those folks that don't know how to knock on a door or pick up the phone," he said.
Mr. Kunz's trip to Texas had to be a welcome break.
While markets in California, Nevada and Florida are sagging, Texas housing markets by comparison are doing just fine.
"You guys are very blessed," he said.
"When you look at Dallas and Fort Worth, homes are undervalued for the incomes you have in this marketplace."
Like most others in the industry, Mr. Kunz is watching closely to see how the spring housing market pans out.
"Of course, we look at every spring that way," he said.
Century 21 is planning a marketing campaign next month to get properties in front of buyers.
"We are encouraging our agents to hold open houses in April," Mr. Kunz said.
"If we can get consumers into the homes, we can start talking about some of the opportunity there."
Century 21 in Charleston South Carolina
Four years ago, when Thomas Kunz was appointed chief executive of one of the country's largest real estate companies, he probably didn't suspect that a nationwide housing market slowdown was looming.
From 2004 into early 2006 the U.S. housing market boomed – and so did Century 21 Real Estate.
Now that the home market has softened, Mr. Kunz expects consolidation in the industry to benefit Century 21.
"Today it's a different market, and there is a huge opportunity," he said.
"We are going to see a lot of agents who got into the business get out."
Mr. Kunz – who was in Dallas Friday for a visit with Century 21 offices – said his firm has been holding meetings across the country talking about merger and acquisition opportunities.
He said that during tough times, both sales agents and consumers see positives with working for a major national brand.
And some sales agents are learning how to cope with the new realities of the market, he said.
"You have all those folks who have never seen a marketplace that wasn't going vertical," Mr. Kunz said.
"There are a lot of those folks that don't know how to knock on a door or pick up the phone," he said.
Mr. Kunz's trip to Texas had to be a welcome break.
While markets in California, Nevada and Florida are sagging, Texas housing markets by comparison are doing just fine.
"You guys are very blessed," he said.
"When you look at Dallas and Fort Worth, homes are undervalued for the incomes you have in this marketplace."
Like most others in the industry, Mr. Kunz is watching closely to see how the spring housing market pans out.
"Of course, we look at every spring that way," he said.
Century 21 is planning a marketing campaign next month to get properties in front of buyers.
"We are encouraging our agents to hold open houses in April," Mr. Kunz said.
"If we can get consumers into the homes, we can start talking about some of the opportunity there."
Century 21 in Charleston South Carolina
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