IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 6, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Realty Information Systems, dba Help-U-Sell Real Estate, today announced the launch of its global expansion, with offices in South Africa that promise to change the South African real estate landscape by offering Help-U-Sell Real Estate's fee-for-service business model. Since opening an office in Pretoria earlier this year, the company has already established 12 franchise offices throughout the country.
"The expansion of Help-U-Sell Real Estate into South Africa exemplifies how the real estate market is growing and changing worldwide with consumers taking a more active role," said Steve Ozonian, Chairman of Realty Information Systems, dba Help-U-Sell Real Estate.
Help-U-Sell Real Estate is America's premier provider of professional licensed real estate services, empowering consumers with access to information and choice, while offering a set-fee alternative to paying the ancient commission-based fee model. The Help-U-Sell Real Estate model was the pioneer and the leader for providing an alternative to the heavy, unfair burden of the traditional commission structure, which has virtually gone uncontested for years in a non-transparent industry.
"The new offices in South Africa are exciting because they offer opportunities in the diverse African market as well as the beginning of a global market for Help-U-Sell Real Estate," noted Ozonian. "The expansion into South Africa is just the first step for our global development as we realize the company's core principals will be effective and beneficial to consumers in many different countries."
The set-fee model allows customers to choose the level of service they wish in their home buying or selling experience as well as save considerable amounts of money compared to traditional real estate models. In fact, Help-U-Sell Real Estate estimates that it saved sellers over $400 million in the past year compared to what they would have spent on 6% commissions to traditional brokers, thus allowing consumers to retain a significant portion of their equity.
"While working for Help-U-Sell Real Estate in the U.S., we soon realized that the American and South African property markets bore many similarities," said Robert Stevens, Director of Help-U-Sell Real Estate South Africa. "It was therefore a viable business opportunity for South African entrepreneurs and would be a catalyst for change in the South African real estate market."
The lower cost fee-for-service model has become increasingly appealing, as sellers are more concerned about protecting their equity and Help-U-Sell Real Estate's menu-driven system gives the consumer choices in the level of service and a clear set fee. Clients of Help-U-Sell Real Estate have the added benefit of utilizing their savings for a down payment on another home, new furnishings or other important financial needs.
"We have Help-U-Sell franchises opening in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban," said Stevens. "With the strong interest in the Help-U-Sell system, we're also planning to add new franchises in the cities of Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and Cape Town; and Help-U-Sell will have a presence in four South African provinces within the next six months."
Today, 77% of real estate buyers are using the internet to search for a home. This high percentage means that technology has changed the role of the traditional broker forever, making the services they provide more consultative and specialized. Help-U-Sell Real Estate makes use of a targeted and proven marketing strategy, supported by a website with over 3 million listings and provides details on homes available through Help-U-Sell Real Estate. Buyers can obtain information without obligation and sellers are assured that they will receive a customized service and a fair return on their property without respect to the price of their home.
Help-U-Sell Real Estate is the leading provider of fee for services giving consumers access to information and choice, and offers a set-fee alternative to paying the traditional commission. Help-U-Sell differs from traditional brokers, not in the level of services provided by its licensed brokers throughout the country, but in the dollar amount that the consumer pays for those services.
With approximately 1,000 offices throughout the United States and South Africa, Entrepreneur Magazine ranked Help-U-Sell Real Estate as the fastest growing real estate franchise for 2005. For the sixth consecutive year, the company was ranked in the Top 50 across all industries in the magazine's 26th Annual Franchise 500. For more information, please visit www.helpusell.com.