Sixty-Two Years at Windermere Van Vleet Real Estate

Now celebrating its 62nd year serving the southern Oregon community, Windermere Van Vleet Real Estate has a rich history. Robert E. (Bob) Van Vleet established the company in 1954. Louise Myers joined as a sales associate in 1957, and Leo Zupan joined in 1960. In 1964 the three became partners and formed the corporation known as Van Vleet & Associates.

That same year, they purchased a lot at the corner of Third and Lithia Way (375 Lithia Way), and built a single-story brick building, later adding a second story. The Ashland Van Vleet office remains in that location today, and the company has also added offices in Eagle Point, Jacksonville, and Medford, with the main office located at 1117 E. Jackson Street in Medford.

The Ashland office is now the domain of Leo’s son, John Zupan, who joined the firm in 1972, straight out of Southern Oregon College (SOC). “When I decided to make real estate my career, I felt the best way to learn was to teach,” John said. “I taught some courses that were prerequisites for the real estate exam, but in 1973 I married Marilyn, and we considered moving to Portland. When Bob Van Vleet heard this, he told me he wanted to retire and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

At that same time, Louise Myers decided to sell, and Leo and John became the father-son owners of a 7-agent office in Ashland.

“My son Devin sold real estate for the company for three years, then got married and moved to Nashville for eight years,” John said. “He and his family returned last year, and our plan is that he will be the third generation Zupan to manage the company.”

Windermere Van Vleet is a full-service real estate company, with the exception of property management. In 1993, with the advent of the Internet, the company decided to become a franchisee of Windermere, which has always been on the cutting edge of technology.

“When you work with Windermere, you get agents who always have the clients’ best interests at heart,” John said. “We foster a team philosophy in all of our offices. That philosophy comes from the top down and assures that all of our clients get a full-service team behind them at all times. If their primary agent is not available, there is always someone to assist.”

For more information, the Ashland phone number is 541-482-3786 (Medford: 541-779-6520). You can also visit them at www.vanvleet.com, or like them on Facebook.