<table> </table> Graham-Welch &amp; Associates has been the fastest growing real estate company in the Kansas City area for three years in a row and is now poised for even more expansion, according to Kent Welch, president and CEO.</p><p>Tory Graham partnered with Welch in 2004 to start the company that has specialized in marketing new-home communities and during its four-year history has grown 275 percent, a rate that has earned it the honor of being the fastest growing real estate company in the area, according to the <em>Kansas City Business Journal</em>.</p><p>Now Graham-Welch is branching out to include the existing-home market and is actively recruiting real estate agents who specialize in selling existing homes. As part of that expansion, the company has created a high-tech work lounge for agents and clients at its office at 8740 W. 151st St. in Overland Park.</p><p>The new space has an open coffee house feel devoid of cubes like the standard real estate office. The area is decorated with leather couches and chairs and has WI-FI capability. A Starbucks coffee machine provides refreshment while agents and clients discuss what will best serve the clients&#8217; needs. Two 52-inch flat-screen televisions provide entertainment and are available for agents&#8217; presentations to clients. Open work stations are tucked unobtrusively along the wall, allowing agents to conduct business without detracting from the relaxed atmosphere.</p><p>This space is part of Graham-Welch&#8217;s expansion strategy for adding sales of existing homes to its portfolio. The other is its &#8220;100+ Plan&#8221; for bringing on new agents.</p><p>&#8220;The simplicity of the plan is that the agent who assists in the growth of the company financially benefits from that growth,&#8221; Welch said. &#8220;The plan allows the agent to eventually create income that exceeds over 100 percent of the commission they earn by helping new GWA agents come on board. The beauty of the plan is that agent can continue to create income from the agents they recruit by maintaining their license with GWA.&#8221;</p><p>The addition of agents specializing in resale homes will not alter the company&#8217;s attention to its new-home communities. It now markets 25 new-home communities in the Kansas City area with a staff of nearly 60 on-site agents. Graham believes the company&#8217;s expansion into the resale market will bolster sales in its new-home communities because GWA will be able to assist new-home buyers in selling their existing homes.</p><p>When potential homebuyers visit any of the 25 homes in Graham-Welch communities that are on the Spring Homes Tour beginning today, they may ask any on-site Graham-Welch agent for information and help in selling their existing home. The homes tour continues through May 18 and GWA communities with homes on the tour are listed on the Graham-Welch Web site.</p><p>Both Graham and Welch believe the company&#8217;s marketing approach and work ethic will continue to allow it to grow at a record pace. &#8220;Our attention to the details of every aspect of new-home development and our in-depth understanding of the market have been great assets for the company&#8217;s success,&#8221; Graham said.</p><p>&#8220;The future of GWA is exciting,&#8221; Welch said. &#8220;The potential for this company is immense. The key to our future is grounded in our past. Our desire to improve our procedures at every level and a strict quality control of the results we produce will undoubtedly allow us to maintain our edge for future growth and expansion.&#8221;