By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

For the first time in nearly 150 years, Gurney Becker & Bourne has opened two suburban offices for its real estate and insurance operations.

President Sam Gurney confirmed that it has leased space at 5152 Main St. in the Village of Williamsville and at 4063 N. Buffalo Road in Orchard Park. The firm remains headquartered on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo.

"These strategic locations will enable us to serve suburban agents and clients with greater convenience and to capitalize on the opportunities we see in these growing markets," Gurney said.

It also should help break the perception that his firm worked exclusively in the city, he said, adding, "We've always had a fair amount of suburban listings and deals."

Joseph Tomasello will head the Williamsville office and Daneen Vincent will oversee the Orchard Park office.

The firm recruited seven new agents, as well, and Gurney said he expects to add more in coming months.

"Our suburban business has been expanding steadily," he said.

While city properties and business have been its forte, it has a healthy stock of suburban listings and clients.

"We apply the same firepower to sell the $80,000 house as we do to sell the $800,000 house," Gurney said. "We believe the less-expensive properties deserve the same energy, effort, advertising and marketing as the high-end ones."