The United Country Auction Services, one of the leading real estate auction agencies of the United States, has reportedly expanded in Texas, opening new franchisees in the area.
UCAS announced that it opened 21 new offices in the first four months of the year. The company added that the growth was a result of the number of real estate professionals wanting to improve their service expertise.
UCAS recently added Central Texas Auction and Realty in Belton to its growing portfolio of auction business franchisees.
"With their combined experience in both the auction and real estate industries, Trey Gallaway and Jeff Parker are ideal additions to the United Country team," said Mike Jones, president of United Country Auction Services, in a statement. "We eagerly welcome Trey and Jeff as our franchise partners, as this partnership now allows us to bring the UCAS advantage of unparalleled marketing and technology tools to auctioneers and agents in and around the Belton area and surrounding counties."
News of the expansion comes at a time when the real estate auction industry is gaining traction. The number of properties being sold by auction method has more than doubled in the past few years and interest in the industry has also grown exponentially.
More recently, Google - the web search giant - invested $50 million in Auction.com - the online auctioning platform. It also bought 4 percent stake in the company and took up two major positions on Auction.com's board of directors.
"Google is the world's greatest internet company, and we're thrilled to have the opportunity to work closely with them. This will give us an opportunity to tap into their deep expertise in digital marketing and mobile, as well as in building world-class products," said Jeff Frieden, CEO and Co-Founder of Auction.com, in a statement.
On the growing demand in the auction industry, Shawn Terrel - vice president of United Country Auction Services - told Realty Today in an earlier interview:
"The importance of auctions in the real estate marketplace is that they will eventually become the primary method of selling property."
"I believe we will see a much stronger majority of residential and commercial real estate in this country being offered to the public, via the auction method of marketing in the foreseeable future," he added.
