Special to The Leader

Jerry Hughes Realty, which has served the real estate needs of Orange County, Texas, for nearly 40 years, has joined forces with American Real Estate ERA Powered, headquartered in Beaumont, Texas. The move coincides with the retirement of brokers/owners Jerry and Loretta Hughes. His daughter-in-law, Debbie Hughes, who has had an active leadership in the firm for many years, will now serve as the Orange branch leader while continuing to serve in a sales capacity.

The full-service brokerage which handles residential and commercial real estate, was responsible for more than $50 million in sales volume in 2016. Founded on the old-fashioned principles of integrity and dependability, the firm has also embraced today’s technology to enhance service to clients.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Jerry Hughes Realty team as two great companies become one,” said Jaime Hensley, broker/owner of American Real Estate ERA Powered. “The addition of this market-leading firm, which has been a household name in the community for nearly four decades, expands and strengthens our service area in South East Texas. This expansion also allows us to increase our coverage area for inbound relocation clients and provide additional company-generated business for agents.”

“As we looked for ways to bring our firm to the next level, we found a great cultural fit with American Real Estate ERA Powered,” said Debbie Hughes. “Our companies have a long history as competent, well-respected and professional competitors who hold similar values. We are excited to leverage ERA’s state-of-the-art technology and marketing platforms to strengthen our value proposition and support agent recruitment as we expand our presence in Orange and the surrounding counties.”

The Jerry Hughes Realty operations will be rolled into the American Real Estate ERA Powered and marketed locally as the Jerry Hughes Team.

Since joining the global ERA network in 2013, American Real Estate ERA Powered has experienced a 45 percent increase growth in GCI, with a 37 percent increase in agent count.

The addition of Jerry Hughes Realty increases the company revenue by nearly 20 percent.

Founded in 1950 and now the Southeast Texas market leader, American Real Estate ERA Powered with more than 100 sales associates has offices in Beaumont, Nederland, Lufkin and Orange. Centrally located in the Gulf Coast’s major industrial area known as the Golden Triangle, the firm serves the community’s residential, commercial and industrial real estate needs.