Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Real estate firms retrench: Cost-cutting moves include bankruptcy, mergers

According to the Michigan Association of Realtors, the number of association members statewide has decreased from 31,164 at the end of 2006 to 24,289 at the end of 2008.

In metro Detroit, the number of Realtors decreased from 13,155 at the end of 2006 to 9,918 at the end of 2008.

While losing business in the bad economy is the root cause of the companies' problems, losing agents hastens the downfall, Century 21 Town & Country said in its bankruptcy court filings.

Century 21 Town & Country President John Kersten did not respond to requests last Wednesday for an interview by phone and through e-mail. His bankruptcy attorney also declined to comment.

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