West Seattle biznews: About those Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices real-estate shingles you’re seeing

A new name started turning up today on a whole lot of real-estate shingles around West Seattle (and elsewhere). It’s the name you see on the signage with which we photographed Mike Gain today – a year and a half after his company Prudential Northwest Realty announced it had been bought by an entity affiliated with tycoon Warren Buffett. Now, it has a new name, described as “inspired” by that affiliation: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate. The change was celebrated at a company gathering at the Museum of Flight, where we found local agents including (below, from left) Travis Duty, Sean Jolly, Sonya Wind, Jeralee Knittel, and Steven Henke:

Gain is president/CEO of the newly rechristened company, which includes more than 350 agents working from six offices, in West Seattle as well as Burien, Bellevue, Federal Way, Kent, and Lynnwood, and is a WSB sponsor.

Jim Biava November 6, 2013 (8:32 am)

I love Mike Gain and all my friends at Prudential Northwest, I mean Berkshire Hathaway. I loved it when they were “The Local Professionals” and all the money stayed in our local economy. As Bob Dylan sang, “The times they are a changing.” I sincerely wish success and the best of luck to all my friends!

Mr Elliott November 6, 2013 (10:03 am)

I really like the visual identity.

The Hulk November 6, 2013 (10:49 am)

Different name, same antiquated business model.

Josh November 6, 2013 (1:02 pm)

That web site (on the sign) sure has a lot of letters in it, looks confusing. I wonder if West Seattle will embrace the new name.

WSforever November 7, 2013 (3:54 pm)

Love seeing our local agents. I have personally had Steve Henke and Jeralee Knittel help with my real estate needs! They are FABULOUS! I would recommend them 100%.

Josh November 7, 2013 (9:33 pm)

Is it still local though? Berkshire Hathaway is not local from what I understand. I’m curious, if we use the local guys (Windermere, John L. Scott, etc.), does that money stay in the area (West Seattle or at least the Seattle area) as opposed to Remax, Prudential, etc? I’d prefer to use a local company.

WSB November 7, 2013 (10:02 pm)

It’s a local company affiliated with a national brand. As is Windermere. John L. Scott is regional. I’m not privy to the details of the financial arrangements, but just so you know, the two you mention are no more (nor probably less) local than this company. – TR

mike November 8, 2013 (5:22 pm)

This company, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate employees over 350 local sales people and 45 employees who work in West Seattle. They live, work shop and spend their hard earned money right here locally. Their corporate headquarters are in Jefferson Square right here in west Seattle. The people who work for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, previously Prudential are still “The Local Professionals” just like they were when they were Cayce and Gain Inc Realty.

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