Readle buys Stull’s Coldwell Banker corporation, which will now have two Hays locations

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Coldwell Banker now has two locations in Hays.

Patty Stull has been owner/broker of Coldwell Banker Executive Realty in downtown Hays for nearly 36 years.

Stull sold her Coldwell Corp. on Sept. 24 to independent real estate agent Robert Readle. New Coldwell Banker signage — outdoors and indoors — will soon be installed at Readle’s office on the corner of 22nd and Vine streets.

Stull, 72, is not retiring. She will still list and sell real estate from her office at 1001 Main.

“For a long time, I’ve known I don’t have a successor,” Stull said. Her three daughters are grown and working their own jobs, with no interest in taking over their mom’s business.

She wanted to find someone to become the new owner who “has passion and great care for the clients, has good ethics, is reliable and accountable.”

Stull says she found all that in her 38-year-old competitor, Robert Readle, when she approached him with her idea of selling her franchise to him.

Stull will mentor Readle, who appreciates the opportunities and support Coldwell Banker offers. It’s the largest franchise real estate company in the country.

“Being independent for so long (since 2014), we’ve really had to learn the nuts and bolts of the business. It’ll be pretty liberating to have that kind of backing behind us,” Readle said, “and we’re really looking forward to what it’s going to do for all of our agents.”

Readle considers Stull “a titan, one of the best in town. I really admire the work that she does.”

He reinforced their shared values and passion for the industry.

“A good Realtor loves working with people and helping them achieve their goals,” agreed Readle, who also has a background in finance.

“Of course, there’s a business side. You have to run an office, maintain files, follow regulations. When Patty and I are doing that at the same time, it’s kind of redundant. Now that we’re working together, she gets to put that on my desk now,” he said with a smile.

“My location at 1001 Main is intact and I’m not going anywhere,” Stull promises. “It was very hard to let go … but I’ve been smiling every day.”

The partnership creates the largest real estate company in Hays with 20 agents.

The company was started in 1967 by broker/owner/builder Robert Finch who bought the Coldwell Banker franchise in 1982. Stull purchased it in 1984.