CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Intero Real Estate Services, a leading U.S. real estate brokerage that has recently expanded its brand globally, as a franchisor, through Intero Franchise Services, Inc. and Intero International Franchise Services, LLC, announced the signing of three new franchisees resulting in five new offices in California. Additionally announced, Rich La Rue will serve as the Intero area developer in Southern California.

As President and the Intero area developer in Southern California, La Rue will convert his two real estate brokerage offices to Intero in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. Both offices are scheduled to operate under the Intero brand beginning on January 7 with more than 100 agents combined.

"In an extremely difficult time in the housing market when many of his competitors were closing offices, Rich La Rue proved his exceptional leadership by growing his operation and succeeding," said Intero CEO Gino Blefari.

La Rue brings more than 27 years of experience in real estate sales and management to Intero highlighted by his 2010 growth of 59.4% in his company-owned real estate offices.

"I am honored to be joining the Intero brand, a truly innovative organization that is growing while others are shrinking," said La Rue. "I am excited for the opportunity and all that we can achieve together."

Two additional Intero Real Estate offices will open in Northern California – one in the Vietnam Town area on the east side of San Jose, and one in Milpitas, which is transitioning on January 8 with approximately 20 agents from the former company name Prestige Realty. The offices will operate under the leadership of owners Steven Tran and Dylan Nguyen and manager, Hector Molina.

Finally, in June, a former Windermere Real Estate office located in the Evergreen area of San Jose, California, will transition to the Intero brand. Marvin and Denise Morris will operate this new franchise location.

About the Intero® brand

Founded in 2002, Intero Real Estate Services, Inc. has quickly become one of the premier real estate brands in the U.S. In 2004, Intero Franchise Services Inc. began franchising and currently is operating in many of the western states. In 2008, Intero International Franchise Services, LLC embarked on developing territories in Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Americas. The companies are private and headquartered in California's Silicon Valley.