Although it’s been operational since mid-March, the newest @properties franchise officially launched today in La Crosse, Wisc. This is first Wisconsin location for Chicago-based @properties, which began offering franchises to independent operators late last year.

The franchise has been purchased by two of the area’s top real estate agents – Bill Favre and Ryan Wessel, formerly of RE/MAX Results and Berkshire Hathaway Home Services North Properties, respectively.

Favre and Wessel will serve the greater La Crosse area out of the building they recently purchased and renovated at 1844 E. Main St. in Onalaska, a city in La Crosse County.

“This is an exciting moment for La Crosse real estate. We have seen our market evolve and become much more sophisticated in recent years, and we have been looking for a solution to meet our clients’ always-increasing expectations,” Wessel said in a press release. “We have found it in @properties.”

Serving as agents at their former brokerages, Favre and Wessel have made the leap to ownership with @properties and have merged their combined 8-person teams into the new company.

“With our team and @properties, homebuyers and sellers are going to experience the best marketing and technology in the local industry, as well as enhanced service throughout the transaction,” Favre said in the press release. “And the community is going to benefit from an organization that is always focused on making a positive impact. It’s real estate the way it should be in 2021.”

Both Favre and Wessel grew up in the La Crosse area, located on the Mississippi River about halfway between Madison and Minneapolis, Minn. the La Crosse metropolitan statistical area has a population of 135,000.

“Bill and Ryan are two local entrepreneurs who came along and set a new standard. But they know they can raise the bar even higher, and we are thrilled to support them in that effort. They are a great fit for @properties, and @properties is going to be a great fit for La Crosse,” said Thad Wong, co-founder and co-CEO of @properties.

The La Crosse area is home to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, as well as a number of corporate headquarters including Organic Valley and Kwik Trip. The Mayo Clinic Health System and Gundersen Health System anchors the region’s large healthcare community.