Now it’s her turn to move

Mark Dilbeck of Dilbeck Realtors has laid out the welcome mat for Ellis Realty, folding the 45-year-old La Crescenta firm into its own family of real estate experts.

“They’ve been very welcoming to us,” said Norma Ellis, president of Ellis Realty. Dilbeck’s company will increase by about 30 agents when Ellis and her team move into the firm’s La Crescenta office at 2943 Foothill Blvd. The branch will change its name to Dilbeck-Ellis Realtors.

“It feels good to have my name attached to their La Crescenta office,” Ellis said. “I’m proud to be affiliated with them.”

The decision to hand over the managerial reins was somewhat hard for Ellis, but she feels that the benefits with be worth it.

“Dilbeck has so many tools and systems for my agents,” she said. “They have an [information technology] department, a wonderful website and 15 offices that will be able to use our people.”

But just because she is no longer calling the shots, don’t count Ellis out of the game. She will continue serving her client base, part of the job that she enjoys the most.

“I’m not retiring,” she’s quick to point out, “however, I am looking forward to slowing down some, to ‘smell the roses,’ and spend more time with friends and family. It’ll be nice to just be an agent.”

Mark Dilbeck, the president of Dilbeck Realtors who also recently announced the opening of a Calabasas office, is eager to bring on the Ellis team.

“We are able to grow because we are committed to providing the best possible service for our clients and sales partners,” Dilbeck said.

“Happy customers and agents translate to more market share and growth opportunities,” he added.

Ellis Realty’s move from their office at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Foothill Boulevard is due to be completed at the end of next week; Dilbeck leased the space for escrow services.

“It was a big decision,” Ellis said of the change, “but I know it’s the right one. Their company is very much like ours, built on integrity and service. It’s really a good fit.”