Bruce Kammer and his employees have been helping Pearl River County residents with their real estate needs for the past 32 years.

In that time, he has seen the market go through several trends, but currently he describes the market as stable since he expects this year to end with the same amount of sales as the last. And while he would like to see the market increase, it’s still doing better than in 2008.

Kammer said he and former business partner, Butch Jackson, started as Realtors at Country Properties when the business started in 1985. At that time they were working for a broker. But two years later, the owners of the business decided to sell, leaving no backup plan for the employees. It was then that Kammer spoke with Jackson and pitched the idea of buying the business.

Kammer eventually bought Jackson out of his share two years later, and has continued to run the business ever since. In 1993, Country Properties franchised with Coldwell Banker, providing the agency with access to information from other franchises across the region and country. Kammer also opened the Poplarville office in 1993. Today, the local agency serves all of Pearl River County, with some coverage branching out to Lumberton, Wiggins and Kiln.

Kammer said that by having an office in Poplarville he can better serve residents living in the northern part of Pearl River County and looking to relocate to the area.

“I’ve always thought that was real important to have that office up there,” Kammer said.

While he doesn’t sell very many properties in other counties, he said he does refer his customers to other Coldwell Banker agencies in the areas of the customer’s interest.

Coldwell Banker Country Properties’ two offices are located at 919 Mississippi 43 N., Picayune, and 4656 Highway 53, Poplarville.

Currently, 12 people are employed at Coldwell Banker Country Properties. Including Kammer and the office receptionist in Picayune, eight Realtors work out of the Picayune office, and two work out of the Poplarville office.

The Picayune office can be reached at 601-798-7942 and the Poplarville office can be reached at 601-795-3112. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. but customers can reach their Realtor after hours and on the weekends via cellphone.