It may not be a boom time for residential real estate, but the central New Jersey market has rebounded enough to encourage the start-up of one new residential agency. Robbinsville-based Smires & Associates, founded by Ed Smires, who has been in real estate for 17 years, has more than 120 listings, even though the firm is only four months old. As of this month, 36 agents have joined the company. The company’s geographical target is Hamilton, Robbinsville, Upper Freehold, Bordentown, and Burlington.
Smires began working in real estate when he was 23 years old. “I was in the construction business and was always fascinated with it,” he said. “It went hand-in-hand.”
Smires, whose father was a factory worker and whose mother worked for McGraw Hill, grew up in Hamilton. He now lives in Allentown. He said he decided to begin his own company after his experience working with bigger franchises, including ReMax, Keller Williams, and Century 21.
“I was just unhappy with the way they conduct business,” he said. “I’ve been doing it for 17 years now, and I know what the client needs and what the client wants.”
Smires & Associates, 2355 Route 33, Second Floor, Robbinsville 08691; 609-259-1414; fax, 609-259-1499. www.smiresandassociates.com
