Alameda Association of REALTORS Announces Merger with Bay East Association of REALTORS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alameda Association of REALTORS® Announces Merger with the Bay East Association of REALTORS®

Alameda, California (August 24, 2016) – The Alameda Association of REALTORS® (AAOR) has joined forces with the Bay East Association of REALTORS® (Bay East) to provide outstanding services for real estate professionals and protect home ownership and private property rights.

“This is a major step in preserving the Alameda Association of REALTORS® presence in the City of Alameda and I’m very pleased our membership had the vision and foresight to vote overwhelmingly for the merger with the Bay East Association of REALTORS®,” said Steve Sorensen, 2016 AAOR President.

Members of both associations approved the merger which will become effective January 1, 2017. AAOR will continue offering services through 2016.

The merger creates a new Alameda Chapter of Bay East. As a chapter, members will continue their local engagement through established AAOR committees. AAOR staff will join the Bay East team and continue serving Alameda REALTORS® at a North County Service Center located in the City of Alameda. All members of the newly-merged associations may access services and programs at both the Alameda location and at the Bay East location in Pleasanton.

“This merger will allow us to retain our local identity and dedicated staff while enjoying the many benefits that come along with being part of a large association” said Michael Baldasarra who will serve as the 2017 Alameda Chapter Chair. “This collaboration will give us expanded resources, flexibility and networking opportunities as well as the assurance that Alameda REALTORS® will continue on with our tradition of community engagement, involvement and charity which has been the lynchpin of the AAOR for so many years.”

Sorensen expanded on the merger benefits, “As the Alameda Chapter of Bay East Association of REALTORS® we will continue to offer premium services locally to our members and clients but with highly expanded resources that will benefit both.”

The merged association will bring Bay East membership to approximately 5,450 REALTORS® and 400 Affiliate members. “Almost a third of our membership comes from outside our primary service area of southern and eastern Alameda County,” said Kim Ott, 2016 Bay East President. “This merger creates new opportunities for us to serve those who are working in other parts of the Bay Area.”

Bay East members also approved a merger with the Northern California Commercial Association of REALTORS® which will provide access to commercial real estate listings, services and professional opportunities.

Sorensen concluded, “I’m looking forward to the next chapter in our association’s long and storied local tradition here in the City of Alameda.”

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CONTACT:
Dee Ostrofsky-Williams
510.523.7229
staff@AlamedaAOR.org