Published: May 27, 2009 10:06 pm      

ERA Advantage Realty officially opens new branch in Mount Nebo

A new branch of ERA Advantage Realty officially opens this evening in Mount Nebo.

ERA Advantage Realty of Princeton, Bluefield and Beckley announced the establishment of its new office in Nicholas County, which has been in business since earlier this month, owner Mike Hazlewood said.

“Unlike what we see in other parts of the country, our local market is indeed healthy,” Hazlewood said Wednesday. “We are confident enough in its future performance that we will continue to invest in ways and means to better bring our listings to the public.”

ERA Advantage Realty is a new facet its predecessor, C.N. Kirby Realty Co., which opened its doors in 1955.

Hazlewood followed his late father Trevor’s footsteps into the real estate business 21 years ago and brought the ERA franchise to the company,

“The conversion to the ERA franchise system was a big decision,” he said. “It was the right thing at the right time, since with the changes in the real estate industry, a company must be positioned to have a regional, even national, appeal.”

One factor impacting Hazlewood’s decision to add the ERA franchise was the Web.

“The Internet changed the way that people purchase, and the market real estate and the vast resources of ERA enabled us to maximize our ability to serve both buyers and sellers of real estate in the southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia regions,” Hazlewood explained.

Co-owner Lee Ann Murray also serves as associate broker and relocation director for the company.

Hazlewood said Murray is a nationally recognized salesperson who ranked among the top 20 ERA agents worldwide in 2008, in a pool of 26,000 agents.

“Her service to customers is unprecedented,” he said. “It is that leadership throughout our company that has ERA rated number one in customer satisfaction.”

Hazlewood invited the public to attend the grand opening of the Mount Nebo ERA Advantage Realty office at 5 p.m. today.

The new branch is located at 27 Wilderness Highway (Old Route 19).

Those who want more information may call 304-872-6712.

— E-mail: jfarrish@

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