Grizzard Is Now The Biggest Realtor In Lake County

Real Estate Giants Merge

DAVID DONALD
Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 --- Leesburg Daily Commercial

LEESBURG -- Two Lake County real-estate giants have merged to form the largest realty company in Lake and Sumter counties.

Neil Fischer ERA signed a contract with Tom Grizzard ERA Monday selling all its assets.

"I have a lot of respect for their (Grizzard) organization," Neil Fischer said. "We've been good competitors over the years."

Gus Grizzard, owner of Tom Grizzard ERA, said the merger would make the company the largest Realtor in Lake in shear volume, with more than 1,000 active property listings and more than 100 real-estate agents.

"I've always wondered ... about what it would be like to put these two teams together," said Grizzard. "This is a merger of two very strong real-estate companies. It's a pretty big move."

Fischer and Grizzard would not reveal the price of the transaction.

Grizzard said despite the downturn in the economy, now is the time to take advantage of growth opportunities.

"We are just now coming out of a very difficult economy and housing market," he said. "There couldn't have been a better time for this opportunity to come about."

The merger brings together two companies that each have a solid foundation to build upon, Grizzard said.

Grizzard said he'll continue to grow the company and expand its Internet presence. The combined Internet marketing of Grizzard and Fischer opens the company up to a large pool of buyers, which benefits homeowners wanting to sell their homes, Grizzard said.

"I'm focused on growth," he said. "But it's going to be profitable, manageable growth."

Fischer has two offices, one in Eustis and the other in Leesburg. Grizzard has four offices, two in Leesburg and one in The Villages and Tavares. Grizzard said he would close Fischer's offices in Eustis and Leesburg and combine their operations into Grizzard's.

Fischer said he's confident in Grizzard's ability to look after his clients and employees.

After almost three decades in the real-estate business, Fischer said he decided it was time to retire.

"It's time to do something different," he said. "Lake County has been very good to me and my family."

A devout Georgia Bull Dogs Fan, Fischer said he and his wife plan to move to north Georgia.

When Fischer decided to sell the business, Grizzard was the first one who came to mind, he said.

"I have a lot of faith that he'll (Grizzard) take good care of my people." said Fischer. "He's very progressive and has a lot of great goals."


Grizzard Is Now The Biggest Realtor In Lake County


 
ERA Tom Grizzard, Inc.
Doug DuVarney - ABR, SRES, e-PRO
Cell: (352)255-3236
Fax: (352)326-8895
E-Mail: homes@DougDuVarney.com
Richard Beliveau - SRES
Cell: (352)255-1030
Fax: (352)315-9292
E-Mail: rbeliveau3@comcast.net
1300 Citizens Blvd. Suite 150, Leesburg, FL 34748

BACK



      
All rights reserved.
REALTOR -- A Registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.