HomeServices Buys Real Estate Research & Strategy Firm

Real estate solutions company HomeServices of America has acquired 1000WATT, which provides strategy, research and creative focused on the residential market. HomeServices says the move supports its evolution 'from a quiet industry juggernaut to a leading voice for consumers and real estate professionals.'

HomeServices is part of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, itself a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The firm's OnePoint solution - developed this year in partnership with 1000WATT - connects 'every part of the homeownership journey,' giving guidance to consumers via local real estate agents on areas including brokerage, mortgage, title and insurance. Through HSF Affiliates LLC, it operates the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices real estate brokerage franchise network.

1000WATT was founded in 2007 by Brian Boero and Marc Davison, and advises companies across real estate topics including residential brokerage, franchising, mortgage and title - providing strategy, research, brand positioning, identity, creative, design, communications and marketing. The entire 1000WATT team will now join HomeServices, with Boero serving as Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer and Davison as Chief Creative Officer of the parent company. HomeService says the combined firm will help leaders and agents understand changing consumer expectations, agent sentiment and opportunities in their businesses and markets.

Chris Kelly (pictured), President and CEO of HomeServices of America, says of the acquired firm: '1000WATT has spent nearly two decades inside this industry, working with hundreds of companies and developing a perspective and skill set that is difficult to replicate. Bringing this team and the research platform they've built inside HomeServices gives us an extraordinary combination of industry knowledge, research, strategy and creative talent to help us further execute our vision of a Complete Real Estate Experience.'

'HomeServices of America has built something singular,' says Boero, 'a scaled national enterprise that includes brokerage, a wholly-owned top-25 mortgage lender, a 50-state title footprint, a nationwide insurance company, and now mortgage servicing. We've seen that unique structural advantage come alive in the past year working with Chris and the HomeServices team, and can't wait to bring all of our energies to bear on an effort of this reach, scale and ambition.'

Web site: www.homeservices.com .