BUFFALO NEWS

Century 21 Winklhofer buys Hopkins Square office

By LISA HAARLANDER
News Business Reporter
8/13/2002


Century 21 Winklhofer has tripled its size by buying the Grand Island office of Century 21 Hopkins Square Realty.

Century 21 Winklhofer previously had one office on Main Street in Clarence and sold about $12 million worth of homes last year with 20 agents. The Grand Island office sold $22 million worth of homes last year with 10 agents, who are all remaining with the office, said Eric Winklhofer, vice president of the real estate agency.

Geraldine Andolina, the top agent among all Century 21 offices in the region for the last four years, works in the Grand Island office and sold about $15 million worth of homes last year.

"They have a huge presence on the island and we're hoping to grow that even more," Winklhofer said.

Judy Colvin, owner of Century 21 Hopkins Square, said she sold the Grand Island office because she found it too difficult to manage two locations.

"Both offices are very successful and growing and I increasingly felt that each office deserved more attention from management. So I made the decision to sell the Grand Island office," she said in a prepared statement. "I chose to sell to the Winklhofer team for a number of reasons. The agents very much wanted to stay with the Century 21 system and I've known and respected the Winklhofers for many years."

Robert H. Winklhofer is president of the company, and his wife, Judy, is a vice president. Their children, Eric and Amy, are also vice presidents.

"With our experience and the active management we have, we are able to provide both our offices with the support they need to reach their ultimate potential," Eric Winklhofer said.

Century 21 Hopkins Square was the largest Century 21 office in the area last year, and sixth overall, based on its 328 transactions. Colvin would not reveal the company's sales volume.

Century 21 Winklhofer was the 23rd largest real estate agency in the area last year, according to number of transactions, and is the oldest Century 21 franchise in the area.