Nelson Realty, RHC announce merger agreement
By Nelson Daily Staff
Randi Jensen, The Nelson Daily
One door closes, another opens.
After nearly a decade in business — eight years to be exact — Nelson Realty is closing its doors and merging with RHC Realty. The two real estate companies have been exploring the idea to merge for a year or so and began the gradual transition late last fall.
The deal will be finalized Monday (February 3, 2014).
Nelson Realty will be bringing with it a sizable Property Management portfolio that has been and will continue to be managed by Trevor Jenkinson under the RHC banner. As well, almost 40 Nelson Realty listings will transfer over to RHC along with its four realtors.
Burke Jones, one of the Nelson Realty realtors, will be talking a 6-8 month leave of absence, which was in the works prior to the merger.
“This will make our office stronger,” said RHC owner Glen Darough who has worked as a real estate broker in Nelson since 1981.
“David (Gentles) will be a great resource for our staff. He’ll be the go-to guy.”
Gentles has worked in the real estate business here in the Kootenays for 34 years and has held numerous Directorships on the Kootenay Real Estate Board.
Nelson Realty was a family owned and operated business.
“We’re very excited about it from both a business and personal perspective,” Gentles said. “My wife Joan and I are especially looking forward to being able to take family vacations together.”
RHC, which stands for Robertson Hillard Cattell, has been in business in Nelson since 1908. Glen Darough and his wife Tammy bought it in 1994 and became affiliated with Remax in 1996.
“RHC was Nelson’s top selling real estate office in 2013. We’re usually up there, trading off that position with Coldwell Banker” claims Darough. “This is an exciting time for us and really looking forward to having Dave in our office.”
When asked if this merger is going to affect their business, Don Selby, managing Broker at Coldwell Banker said, “No. It’s not going to make much difference to us.
“Realtors are always moving from one firm to another,” Selby added.
