WEICHERT, REALTORS® - SUDLER INTERNATIONAL IS NEWEST CHICAGO AFFILIATE

CHICAGO, July 15, 2011--Sergio Martinucci, president/CEO and sole broker/owner of Sudler International Realty on Chicago’s north side, has announced that the company is now WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Sudler International, an independently owned and operated franchise with Weichert Real Estate Affiliates (WREA).  The announcement came five months after Sudler International Realty became an independent agency.  Nearly two years earlier, Martinucci assumed the top position of the company under the Sotheby’s real estate banner.  

Martinucci has considerable franchise experience.  Early in his career (1980), he acquired a local independent.  In the next 20 years, he expanded the business to 11 offices and affiliated his company with two successive national realty brands. He sold his interest in the last franchise in  2000, then concentrated on the acquisition and development of commercial real estate, later obtaining an ownership interest in what became the Sudler firm. 

“The move to Weichert is the result of some investigation, during which I learned, among other things, that Weichert, Realtors® had a very profitable year,” Martinucci said.  “The last several years have been challenging for our company,” he added.  “The Weichert name and image will do us a world of good.”  

WREA President Martin J. Rueter traveled from New Jersey headquarters on July 11 to introduce Weichert to the agents and staff “in person,” Martinucci noted.  “This is not traditional franchise behavior, but Weichert is run by Realtors, so they do things differently.” From founder Jim Weichert to Rueter and his staff, the team consists of people who have been in the field as realtors, brokers, office owners, managers and agents.WREA claims nine other franchised offices in the greater Chicago.  The organization launched its first affiliate in 2002 and by 2005 was identified by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the nation’s fastest growing franchises.  To date, affiliates operate in key markets in 36 states. Together with company-owned offices, approximately 18,000 agents are at work from coast-to-coast.   The parent company, Weichert, Realtors®, is one of the nation’s largest privately owned providers of real estate and home ownership services.  One-stop shopping, relocation outreach, top Internet presence, agent training and leads direct to agents cement the Weichert reputation. WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Sudler International is located at 1952 North Elston Avenue in Chicago.  Martinucci can be reached for comment at 773-305-7200 or        sergio.martinucci@yahoo.com