The Coldwell Banker ® Story

After the devastating earthquake and fire that leveled San Francisco , Calif. in 1906, unscrupulous deals in real estate preyed on a vulnerable populace trying to rebuild . On August 27, 1906, a 23-year-old real estate agent named Colbert Coldwell recognized the need for integrity, ethics and professionalism in the industry and opened his new real estate firm with the customer as its focus. Coldwell's straightforward business principles set the cornerstone for one of the most successful brands in America 's history. That brand is Coldwell Banker® .

One hundred years after its founding, the nation's oldest national real estate organization is known as an industry leader and innovator, while still practicing the benchmark for outstanding customer service. The Coldwell Banker network has grown from one office in ravaged Northern California to the largest real estate franchise organization and ninth largest franchisor in the world 1 with $325.9 billion in closed sales volume and more than 126,000 sales associates working in more than 3,800 offices in 29 countries and territories.

Along the way, Coldwell Banker has set high standards for the real estate industry and has achieved many “firsts” in the industry. It was the first to offer comprehensive service guarantees to homebuyers and sellers and the first advocate and the practice of Seller Disclosure, Coldwell Banker also transformed the real estate process into a consumer friendly experience through its easy to navigate Web site which was first to provide nationwide listings in one portal. Its Coldwell Banker Concierge ® Service Program that matches customers to local service providers such as contractors to assist in every facet of the home buying and selling process, was another innovation.

Coldwell Banker has paved the way for millions to enjoy the American Dream of homeownership while serving as a community leader in the cities and towns that it serves. Through the “100 Homes by our 100 th Anniversary” campaign, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation and its affiliated companies are in the midst of raising approximately $5 million to support 100 Habitat for Humanity home builds across the nation by its 100 th anniversary celebrated in 2006. Coldwell Banker affiliated companies also support countless charitable endeavors, including the United States Marine Corps Reserves program, “Toys for Tots”.

Coldwell Banker was independently owned until 1968 when it went public. The company was bought by Sears in 1981 and franchising operations began the following year. Sold in 1993 to the Fremont Group, Coldwell Banker was later acquired in 1996 by HFS, now known as Cendant. Cendant has announced that it will spin off its real estate group, which includes such world-renowned brands as Coldwell Banker , Coldwell Banker Commercial® , CENTURY 21®, ERA® and Sotheby's International Realty®, in the second quarter of 2006