Columbia, Md., February 23, 2007—Michael McKenna and David R. Vane have taken their partnership into the franchise arena as part of the rapidly growing Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. Newly-named WEICHERT, REALTORS® – New Colony, the office at 6925 Oakland Mills Rd. Suite A COLUMBIA, MD 21045, was opened by the lifelong friends and sales team in 2004 as New Colony Realtors. “As a Weichert affiliate, we are now able to give our agents the tools and the training necessary to maximize their talents and serve our community,” Vane said.

McKenna, who serves as a Realtor and the company’s general manager, and the franchise’s Broker Vane, site many other reasons for choosing the Weichert® brand, “including Weichert’s company culture,” McKenna said, “which supersedes all its competitors.”

Weichert Real Estate Affiliates is the franchise arm of Weichert, Realtors®, one of the nation’s largest privately owned providers of real estate and home ownership services. From the top down, the organization is managed by people who have actually been in the field as Realtors, Brokers and former office owners. Home to more than 6,300 sales associates among its franchised sales offices, Weichert Real Estate Affiliates launched its first independently owned and operated office in January 2002 and since has grown to more than 300 signed offices in 29 states.

The full-service organization includes mortgage and insurance services, a commercial and investments division, a new homes and land division, an award-winning Internet lead generation platform, and a multinational relocation company. Support services also include in-house marketing and advertising, dedicated public relations, Realtor recruitment, in-person local training for agents and managers, and extensive online education. The affiliates group hosts regular meetings and events for franchisees and sales associates, such as Broker Council meetings, management “retreats” and an annual national convention.

McKenna and Vane were joined in the conversion announcement by Weichert Affiliates President Martin J. Rueter. “As we continue to expand throughout the eastern seaboard, we are delighted to welcome aboard people of the caliber of Michael and David, and have great expectations for the superior service this affiliation will bring to the market,” Rueter said.

Both owners have previous experience with Weichert. Vane, a native of Maryland, began his career as an agent with Weichert a year before graduating college, working part time while earning a bachelor’s degree in social science from Frostburg State University. Later, he entered the field full-time and earned an Associate Broker license with another local company.

McKenna, also a Frostburg graduate, acquired his license through a Weichert, Realtors pre-licensing program and affiliated with a local company. He teamed with Vane and they soon made the decision to open their own agency in October 2004.

A grand re-opening event will be announced. Meanwhile, an ambitious recruiting campaign is under way at WEICHERT, REALTORS® – New Colony, including free Career Night seminars set to run every Tuesday at 7 p.m. beginning March 1.

Vane, McKenna and the sales team of WEICHERT, REALTORS® – New Colony can be reached at (410) 381-3331 OR http://www.newcolonyrealtors.com/. .

Weichert has nearly 18,300 sales associates in more than 490 company-owned and franchised sales offices in key markets throughout the U.S. A family of full-service real estate and financial services companies, Weichert helps customers buy and sell both residential and commercial real estate, and streamlines the delivery of mortgages and home and title insurance. For more information, Weichert’s customer service center can be reached at 1-800-USA-SOLD or at Weichert’s Web site, http://www.weichert.com/.

Each Weichert franchised office is independently owned and operated.