REAL ESTATE : Coldwell Banker Acquires Sun Harbor Realty in San Diego

Officials at Coldwell Banker Residential Group are publicity shy about speculation that the company’s managers are in negotiations to buy the operation. But they want everyone to know when they buy another of the independent chains that used to dominate the Southern California market.

This time, Coldwell Banker spokeswoman Carol Beekman said, the franchising organization has acquired the five offices and 300 staff members of Sun Harbor Realty in San Diego County.

The purchase gives Coldwell Banker, already No. 1 in the coastal area of north San Diego County, about 24% of the market, said Tom Williams, president of the Coldwell Banker Southern California division. Sun Harbor had been No. 2, he said.

Coldwell Banker, based in Mission Viejo, has more than 2,000 offices nationwide.