New Business: Turpin Real Estate Ready to Make its Mark

Turpin Real Estate began 50 years ago in Mendham, so it's by no means a new business. But its recent foray into Chatham—it opened up a branch here earlier this month—makes good sense, according to President John Turpin.

"For a long time, the Chatham market has fed the markets we've had previously," Turpin said. "When I got into the business 10 years ago, some of my first transactions were in this area."

The Turpins have owned the building at 186 Main St. since 2006 but only opened their branch at the beginning of this month. The company also has offices in Bernardsville, Oldwyck, Mendham and Far Hills.

And it was now, he said, that it made sense for the group to open up here.

"Chatham is a relatively brisk market compared to the rest of the state," Turpin said. "We've been operating in this town without an office here. It just seemed like a no-brainer."

Turpin said the opportunities for a business like his—because of its medium-sized nature—are better than ever. Its ability to provide information on its Web site can give it an advantage, he said, over other, larger companies such as Coldwell Banker, which previously dominated the print news advertising market that an independent company like Turpin had no chance of penetrating.

Turpin said the company's goal is to provide community information to people—such as local news—that doesn't necessarily have to do with home buying or anything related to that. Instead, he hopes the site becomes a hub of sorts.

"Just to become a resource is our main goal, so that people will turn to us whether they want to buy a house or whether they want to know the weather," Turpin said.

The branch's five agents all live nearby, and Turpin said "by virtue of that, we will be" part of the community. So far, he said, business has been going well.

The company's independent nature, he said, should serve it well in the current economic environment.

But its central location in Chatham, he said, is one of the best aspects of the recent branch opening.

"I'm thrilled to be here," Turpin said. "I think this is a great move for us."