Alliance Acquires Two Realty Franchises

A new residential real estate group called the Alliance Team said Friday it has acquired two Century 21 franchises in Orange County for an undisclosed sum, boosting its total number of offices to eight. Alliance, which operates in Orange, Los Angeles and Riverside counties, said it purchased offices of Century 21 Duncan & Associates in Garden Grove and Los Alamitos. Alliance was formed by Jimmy La Peter, who owns five franchise offices, and James Joseph, who co-owns Century 21 Grisham-Joseph in Whittier. The deal is part of a consolidation trend that has swept the industry over the past three years as smaller companies face larger, well-heeled rivals. Joseph said Alliance found it could be more competitive by spreading advertising, Internet and other costs over a larger number of agents. Combined, he said, the franchises employ 300 sales agents, who closed 2,000 deals worth $300 million last year. Alliance’s other Orange County offices are in Anaheim and Anaheim Hills.