ERA Real Estate Experiences Outstanding Growth in Florida

PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- ERA Franchise Systems, Inc. today announced that it experienced 10-year high growth in the Florida real estate market in 2004. Through a combination of existing affiliate growth and the affiliation of new companies, the ERA(R) network added 24 new offices in the Sunshine State. The national real estate network now has 130 offices and more than 1,250 sales associates and brokers throughout Florida.

"This past year, we had our best year of growth and expansion in the state of Florida in over a decade," said Jack Kornfeind, senior vice president of operations, ERA Franchise Systems, Inc. "Our innovative products, services and support allowed us to help existing franchisees grow their business, while also attracting high quality real estate companies to join the ERA system."

The growth of existing ERA affiliates in Florida was led by ERA Showcase Properties & Investments of Merritt Island. ERA Showcase added four offices in 2004, including a new office in Palm Bay and three new offices in Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral and Melbourne as a result of a recently completed merger.

"One of the things that has fueled our recent growth has been the desire to provide the best services possible to our customers. By increasing our company infrastructure we are able to provide better services to our agents and they in turn are able to provide added value to customers during the home buying and selling process," added Barbara Keller, broker and co-owner of ERA Showcase Properties & Investments. "Being part of the ERA network has provided us with many tools and resources that have helped us in this effort to grow our business while maintaining our dedication to customer service."

In addition to growth by existing brand affiliates, the ERA system welcomed a number of new Florida real estate companies to its franchise network in 2004. These companies often listed the technology, training and marketing systems available as the most common reasons why they decided to join the ERA real estate network.

Corey Berman, broker and president of Menu Realty, a 7-year old real estate firm in Daytona Beach, Fla., was impressed with the many tools and resources ERA Real Estate has to offer.

"For years, I have had every franchise in the world approach me. And I always told them, if you can show me that you have the tools to make my agents more successful and help my company grow, I'll sign up today," said Berman. "When I saw what ERA Real Estate could offer me, I stayed true to my word. Since joining the ERA network, I have seen my sales volume triple and have been able to acquire four additional offices. I just wish I joined sooner."

The 24 new ERA affiliate offices in Florida from 2004 include: * ERA Advantage Realty (Sebring) * ERA Alamo Homes Realty (Orlando) * ERA Atlantic Coast Realty (Edgewater) * ERA Atlantic Coast Realty (New Smyrna Beach) * ERA Beach Ball Realty (Gulf Breeze) * ERA Beach Ball Realty (Pensacola) * ERA Beach Ball Realty (Pensacola Beach) * ERA Capital Realty (Westin) * ERA Chipola Realty (Chipley) * ERA Chipola Seminole Realty (Sneads) * ERA Community Realty (Tallahassee) * ERA Menu Realty (Daytona Beach) * ERA My American Dream Real Estate (Plantation) * ERA Neil Fischer Realty & Investments, Inc. (Mt. Dora) * ERA Select Realty (Valrico) * ERA Showcase Properties & Investments (Cocoa Beach) * ERA Showcase Properties & Investments (Cape Canaveral) * ERA Showcase Properties & Investments (Melbourne) * ERA Showcase Properties & Investments (Palm Bay) * ERA Signature Properties (Estero) * ERA Stress Free Realty (Pembroke Pines) * ERA Tom Grizzard, Inc. (Leesburg) * ERA Total Realty Services (Madiera Beach) * ERA Westchester Realty (Miami) About ERA Franchise Systems, Inc.

ERA Franchise Systems, Inc. is a global leader in the residential real estate industry with more than 30 years experience in developing consumer-oriented products and services. ERA Real Estate has earned the prestigious 2004 J.D. Power and Associates Award for "Highest Overall Satisfaction For First Time Home Buyers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms." The ERA(R) real estate network includes approximately 33,200 brokers and sales associates and more than 2,600 offices throughout the United States and 30 other countries and territories. Each office is independently owned and operated except offices owned and operated by NRT Incorporated. ERA Franchise Systems, Inc. is a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation and part of its Real Estate Franchise Group. ERA(R) information is available to consumers at ERA.com. For additional information about ERA Franchise Systems, Inc. as well as expert commentary on emerging trends in the real estate industry, visit the Cendant Media Resource Center at http://www.cendant.com/media/.