Coldwell Banker Helman Realtors Announces New Partnership, Advanced Services
(Terre Haute, Ind.) – A familiar family business in West Central Indiana is continuing its commitment to business, community and family with a major next step for the organization.
On Wednesday, December 1, Coldwell Banker Helman Realtors announced it will be joining forces with the largest Coldwell Banker franchise affiliate in the United States, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group.
“This is a family owned business working with another family owned business,” explains Coldwell Banker Helman Realtors President, Troy Helman.
Adds Coldwell Banker Helman Realtors Vice President Bernice Helman, “Our business is growing and changing, but our commitment to the Terre Haute community, our commitment to our clients, our brokers and staff will not change. In reality this change will only make us better and stronger.”
Better and stronger indeed. Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group, the largest Coldwell Banker franchise affiliate in the United States, counts nearly 60 offices within its network in states including Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. Similar to the Helmans, the Prodehl family has been in the business for four decades.
“My father, Ed Prodehl, started his real estate career in 1971 and is our Chairman today,” CEO Mike Prodehl has explained in the past. “While the business side of real estate has changed over the years, we’re still a family-owned company with family-first values. Our agents are family and so are our clients.”
The same philosophy is what has led the Helman group to be one of the largest and most successful brokerages in West Central Indiana. Founded in November, 1968, by Larry and Susan Helman, the company at the time was called “Larry Helman Agency” with just two employees, Larry and Susan. Less than 10 years into business, the agency expanded, moved to 400 Ohio Street, incorporated and added the “Has the Key” tagline, which many Terre Haute residents remember fondly.
In the fall of 1982, the company became an affiliate of Coldwell Banker Residential Affiliates, and the name changed to Coldwell Banker Larry Helman, REALTORS.
Continuing with the theme of family business, Larry and Susan’s son Troy joined the business, along with his wife Bernice. The couple assumed ownership in 2009 with the name changing to Coldwell Banker Troy Helman, REALTORS and eventually Coldwell Banker Helman.
Soon after Troy and Bernice took over the business, they added yet another family to the mix, in December 2010. Williams and Associates and Coldwell Banker Troy Helman, REALTORS merged to become the largest real estate firm in the Wabash Valley. Williams & Associates, founded in 1938, brought extensive experience and credibility to the already strong brokerage. Bert and Patty Williams, the second generation of agents, remained active with Coldwell Banker Helman Realtors.
The merger with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group marks the next step for this family business; offering more services to not only clients but brokers and staff as well. Both Troy and Bernice Helman will continue working with the company in management as well as sales positions.
“The products and services Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group offers is well beyond anything that we could offer to our clients and brokers,” Bernice explains. “We are so excited for this next step in the careers of our staff and our Brokers. We have secured each and every position moving forward. This isn’t Troy and I moving onto something else, the entire team is taking this next step.”
The advantages are endless for both clients and brokers. Whether selling a house or serving clients, the Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group boasts state-of-the-art marketing services, top social media channels, pre-certified home services, relocation and referral networks and countless hours of service to the community.
“When discussions started with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group, we instantly connected as a family business and one that values community service,” Troy explains. “This is a positive change for our business and we plan to continue what we have built, both in business and community. Bernice and I will still serve on the many boards and volunteer groups we have worked on for years. This is our home and we look forward to bringing new services and energy to Terre Haute.”
More about Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group is the largest Coldwell Banker franchise affiliate in the United States, #1 in Indiana, #1 in Illinois and #1 in Wisconsin. There are over 1,600 professionally trained Realtors® serving clients from our 60 residential real estate offices, 2 commercial offices, and are involved in over $4 billion in residential home sales annually. Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group has been honored with the prestigious Coldwell Banker Chairman’s Circle for 30 years. It is one of only 51 Coldwell Banker companies to receive this distinguished award.
More about Coldwell Banker Helman Realtors
Coldwell Banker Troy Helman, REALTORS as founded in November, 1968, by Larry and Susan Helman, and originally operated under the name of Larry Helman Agency. At the time Larry and Susan were the only persons in the firm. The original location was upstairs at 1115½ Wabash Avenue, over Susan’s mother’s dance studio. In about eight years, Larry and Susan purchased the land at 400 Ohio Street because of its proximity to other business professionals. The new office had desk space for nine Sales Associates plus the brokers and support staff. A short time after its founding the name was changed to Larry Helman Agency, then later incorporated, and eventually became Larry Helman Agency “Has the Key”, Inc. In the fall of 1982, the company became an affiliate of Coldwell Banker Residential Affiliates, and the name changed to Coldwell Banker Larry Helman, REALTORS.
Troy Helman joined the firm after graduation from Indiana State University in 1984. Troy has been involved in numerous real estate committees on the state and local levels.
He has received the Realtor of the Year, served as president of the Terre Haute Area Association of REALTORS, the MLS board and was appointed by Governor O’Bannon as an Indiana Real Estate Commissioner.
In 2009, the tradition continued with the ownership shifting to Troy Helman and his wife and business partner, Bernice Helman and the name changed to Coldwell Banker Troy Helman, REALTORS and eventually Coldwell Banker Helman, as it remains today. Bernice joined the firm after a successful, 20 year career in the banking industry. Bernice has served on various committees through the local board, Indiana Association of REALTOR as well as The National Association of REALTORS. She has received the prestigious, Good Neighbor Award by NAR, as well as The Hero of the Year award given by Coldwell Banker International. Bernice served as Treasurer, Vice President, and President of the Indiana Association of REALTORS. Berice is currently Vice Chair of Public Policy and Relations for the National Association of REALTORS.
The entire Helman family has served on a variety of civic and community organizations and received community awards in addition to the professional awards.
In December, 2010, Williams and Associates and Coldwell Banker Troy Helman, REALTORS joined forces to become the largest real estate firm in the Wabash Valley.
Williams & Associates was founded in 1938 by Bert O. Williams. In 1970 Mr. Williams’ son, Bert Williams Jr. joined the business. Both Mr. Williams have been active in the business and community. Bert O. Williams, an alumnus of Indiana State University and Voorhees Law School, passed away in 1985.He had been President of the Terre Haute Area Association of Realtors and its MLS, its Realtor of the Year and he was the President of the Indiana Association of Realtors and its Realtor of the Year. Mr. Williams was most active as an MAI real estate appraiser, and he held several leadership roles in that organization. Bert Williams Jr., an alumnus of Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, has also been President and Realtor of the Year for the Terre Haute Area Association of Realtors and its MLS. He also has served as the Chairman of the Board for the Terre Haute Area Chamber of Commerce and has been on several public and private Boards of Directors. Patty Williams became the president of Williams and Associates and has over 35 years of experience in the real estate industry. She has assisted over 2600 families with their real estate needs and has sale in excess of $270 million in lifetime sales. She holds the Graduate Realtor Institute designation (GRI). Now with over 40 years of real estate experience, Bert and Patty remain active with Coldwell Banker Troy Helman, Realtors and with other real estate development activities.
