Coldwell Banker makes its presence known
The American franchise behemoth Coldwell Banker (CB) plans to invest several million euro in Poland by the end of this year. The company, whose transactions last year had a total value of $326 (zł.1,049) billion, claims it is number one in the world of real estate.
"I believe that Coldwell Banker, which is easily recognized by every American, will become a well-known company in Poland also," said the president of CB Polska, Krzysztof Litwiński. He said the company's service would be adjusted to the Polish market, providing an efficient system of information flow and working across borders. "A Pole who wishes to buy a property in Spain will now be able to do it from Poland," says Litwiński. "We are not just offering a search engine."
The company operates a global internet system for property offers, and no Polish company can claim such an extensive network.
The president of CB Europe, Wayne Vandenburg, said that its presence in Poland will be a long-term commitment. This year the company will open several offices in Poland's major cities, with the number of offices depending on the market.
The company's head office will be in Warsaw at Plac Piłsudskiego. However, it will base its activities for the moment on converting existing local agencies. "In the US, 98 percent of our offices are conversions," says Litwiński. The cost of the franchise has not been established yet, but CB assures it will be adapted to Polish conditions.
Polish real-estate firms are putting on a brave face, despite the formidable new competitor. Marcin Jańczuk, a spokesperson for Polanowscy Nieruchomości, said: "Polanowscy has a strong position on the market, and that is why we are not afraid of competition." Wiesław Lesiak from Echo Investment welcomed the newcomer: "It is good when competition appears. Our market is not consolidated, so Coldwell Banker's presence could raise the standard."
"We offer total transparency," says Vandenburg, explaining that CB will only cooperate with licensed developers, and its aim is to create a good product for them. After Spain, France, Holland, and Ireland, Poland is the fifth country in Europe in which CB has decided to operate. Worldwide the company is present in 29 countries, with 3,700 offices and 120,000 working agents.
Only time will tell if the American leader triggers a revolution or simply ripples the water on the Polish real-estate market.
"I believe that Coldwell Banker, which is easily recognized by every American, will become a well-known company in Poland also," said the president of CB Polska, Krzysztof Litwiński. He said the company's service would be adjusted to the Polish market, providing an efficient system of information flow and working across borders. "A Pole who wishes to buy a property in Spain will now be able to do it from Poland," says Litwiński. "We are not just offering a search engine."
The company operates a global internet system for property offers, and no Polish company can claim such an extensive network.
The president of CB Europe, Wayne Vandenburg, said that its presence in Poland will be a long-term commitment. This year the company will open several offices in Poland's major cities, with the number of offices depending on the market.
The company's head office will be in Warsaw at Plac Piłsudskiego. However, it will base its activities for the moment on converting existing local agencies. "In the US, 98 percent of our offices are conversions," says Litwiński. The cost of the franchise has not been established yet, but CB assures it will be adapted to Polish conditions.
Polish real-estate firms are putting on a brave face, despite the formidable new competitor. Marcin Jańczuk, a spokesperson for Polanowscy Nieruchomości, said: "Polanowscy has a strong position on the market, and that is why we are not afraid of competition." Wiesław Lesiak from Echo Investment welcomed the newcomer: "It is good when competition appears. Our market is not consolidated, so Coldwell Banker's presence could raise the standard."
"We offer total transparency," says Vandenburg, explaining that CB will only cooperate with licensed developers, and its aim is to create a good product for them. After Spain, France, Holland, and Ireland, Poland is the fifth country in Europe in which CB has decided to operate. Worldwide the company is present in 29 countries, with 3,700 offices and 120,000 working agents.
Only time will tell if the American leader triggers a revolution or simply ripples the water on the Polish real-estate market.
