Longtime Waccamaw Neck Real Estate Companies Joining Forces in a Merger Set to Go into Effect at the Start of the New Year
Pawleys Island, SC – The Litchfield Company Real Estate and The Lachicotte Company/Christie’s International/NAI Commercial Real Estate have today announced the merger of their business operations. The merger integrates two of the longest-standing and most reputable real estate/rental companies on the Waccamaw Neck.
The Litchfield Company is the largest comprehensive real estate sales and vacation rental management company in the Carolinas. Over the last decade, the company has expanded its reach and quality of real estate services primarily by hiring and training top quality agents and has grown through mergers with other small- to medium-sized brokerages that share its culture. With the addition of The Lachicotte Company, The Litchfield Company’s eight locations now include: Litchfield corporate headquarters, Prince Creek/Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Wyboo, Lake Marion, Georgetown and Lachicotte offices. The combined company will now comprise approximately 160 agents with sales of more than $300M in 2019 and the largest vacation rental company in the area with over 700 vacation and annual rental properties.
“The merger with The Lachicotte Company is a natural fit, given our similarities in culture and the progressive delivery of full-service real estate sales and rentals,” said Vice President and Broker-in- Charge of The Litchfield Company, William B. Davis, Jr. “The combined strength of The Litchfield Company and The Lachicotte Company will bolster our ability to deliver ever-higher quality real estate and vacation rental services to our clients and customers.”
The rental arm of The Litchfield Company, Litchfield Beach Vacation Rentals, will now incorporate the Lachicotte portfolio of beach vacation home rentals in Pawleys Island, the Litchfield beaches, and Debordieu Colony. “This merger is great news for guests and rental property owners from both companies. The combined reach of our company databases and marketing platforms will exponentially increase options for our guests as well as exposure and potential revenue for our owners,” says Bill Baldree, Managing Partner of The Litchfield Company Vacation Rentals.
The Litchfield Company recognizes the importance and value of the Lachicotte legacy in the area and plans to continue the name, as well as the two existing affiliations of CHRISTIE’S International Real Estate and NAI-Commercial. Lachicotte Broker-in-Charge, Kathy Besse notes, “The values that The Litchfield Company operates under align so well with our professionals at Lachicotte. We have a unique chemistry in our office with amazing agents and staff, as does The Litchfield Company—we are excited to be combining these two powerful teams.”
The Lachicotte Company was established in 1991 by well-known local entrepreneur and real estate developer, A.H. “Doc” Lachicotte. In 2012, two iconic Lowcountry families—the Lachicottes and Coopers—joined forces when The Lachicotte Company merged with Vintage Estates Realty. In 2018, Doc Lachicotte passed the torch to the four Cooper siblings—Gina Cooper, Christy Cooper Whitlock, Chuck Cooper, and Gary Cooper. After operating the business for two years, the family decided to accept the opportunity of the merger so that they could focus on other business ventures and shared partnerships. “We see the character, integrity, and longevity of The Litchfield Company as a great fit for the Lachicotte name and culture. Royce’s and Will’s proven track records and outstanding reputations in the community were the prime reasons we felt the merger was right for our staff, agents, clients and customers,” says Christy Whitlock, Managing Partner and CEO of The Lachicotte Company.
President and CEO of The Litchfield Company, G. Royce King agrees, “The merger is one of families. We see the Lachicottes and Coopers as we see ourselves. Their reputations are impeccable. This merger will continue an environment in which each team member is ethical and moral, always strives to do better at our profession, treats team members as they would like to be treated and views the present and future with optimism.” He continues, “We will be a synergistic team that grows and prospers internally and externally, is committed to excellence personally and professionally, and gives our hearts to our customers – past, present and future.”
About The Litchfield Company: Since 1956, The Litchfield Company has been connecting families with the finest selection of homes in beach, river and golf communities along South Carolina’s scenic coast. Dedicated to serving the residents and property owners of the communities along the South Carolina coast, the company is committed to developing personal relationships based on honesty, integrity and professionalism. The Litchfield Company offers real estate development, sales, vacation rental management, long-term rental management and marketing services. Today, the Litchfield Company is the largest real estate sales and vacation rental management company along the Carolina coast. For more information, visit our website at: www.thelitchfieldcompany.com
About The Lachicotte Company: The Lachicotte Company was established in 1991. As the Grand Strand’s exclusive affiliate for CHRISTIE’S International Real Estate and NAI Global, the full-service brokerage offers both Residential and Commercial Real Estate Services complete with Property Management. In addition, the Rental Division provides vacation planning and rental services, vacation home property management as well as long-term rental management and placement. For more information about The Lachicotte Company, visit the Company’s website at www.lachicotte.com. For more information on NAI-Lachicotte, visit www.nailachicotte.com.
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My grandmother was a Cooper in Plantersville, and her brother Uncle Henry Cooper, a local entrepreneur.