No financial terms were disclosed. The Hermitage real estate agency at 1620 E. State St. was owned by Donna Reed who will stay aboard as associate broker. Mrs. Reed has 35 years in the real estate trade while Walt Johnson, owner of ERA Johnson, has 25 years of experience in the business.

Under the deal, all of the Hermitage's Realtors will remain and Johnson said he has added two coordinators to handle mailings, updating the businesses Web site and the West Penn Multiple Listing Service.

"It will allow the agents to concentrate on listing and selling property,'' Johnson said.

Also, homes listed at the Hermitage office will be placed on the existing ERA Johnson's web site at: erajohnson.realtor.com.

"Fifty-six percent of all homebuyers start their on the Internet,'' Johnson said. "Now more than ever you need a good presence there.''

Mrs. Reed bought the Hermitage agency in 1994. Previously, it was owned by the late Evelyn Amsdale.

ERA and Century 21 are both owned by Cendant Corp., of Parsippany, N.J. which also owns Coldwell Bankers. The company franchises all three real estate agencies. ERA Johnson was started by Johnson's grandfather in 1912.

An open house for the agency is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, March 15, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, March 16.