National Realty Buys 32-Office Chain

National Realty Trust, franchiser of more than 300 Coldwell Banker residential real estate offices, said Wednesday it has acquired a 32-office chain in New Jersey that will operate under the ERA name.

The $8-million cash purchase of the Burgdorff, Realtors chain is National’s first acquisition of offices for the ERA brand. The Mission Viejo-based company was formed by the spinoff last year of the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage operation by hotel and real estate office franchiser HFS Inc.

National has begun buying independent real estate companies that it will franchise under one of HFS’ three national real estate brands--ERA Franchise Systems Inc., Century 21 Real Estate Corp. and Coldwell Banker Residential Affiliates. Robert J. Arrigoni, National’s president and chief executive, said the company expects to acquire more than 200 additional offices by the end of next year.