CENTURY 21 American Homes, one of the top CENTURY 21 firms in the state of New York, has merged with independent Cruse Real Estate, effectively combining two unique business models to create the best-in-class hybrid real estate model in the Long Island and New York metro area. Expanding the CENTURY 21 American Homes footprint to ten offices with nearly 450 agents, the merger will welcome young up-and-comer and Cruse Real Estate broker/owner, Michael Kenduck, the leading broker in the default real estate market on Long Island, as the top agent in the company, having closed more than 130 listings in the last year himself. The integration will enable CENTURY 21 American Homes to combine its resources with Cruse Real Estate and expand its services from full service residential real estate to the default market, with a focus on short sales and REOs. "We couldn't be more excited about welcoming Mike and his team to the CENTURY 21 American Homes family," said Mike Litzner, broker/owner of CENTURY 21 American Homes. "Our goal with this merger is to set a new standard as a best-in-class hybrid. Cruse Real Estate's default industry experience with foreclosures and short sales together with our unshakable, first position traditional footprint makes us an unstoppable influence throughout Long Island and metro New York." The move brings CENTURY 21 American Homes to ten strategic office locations, including the newest addition located at 43 Jackson Ave. in Syosset, with more than 1,600 transactions and more than a half-billion dollars of annual real estate sales. The merger comes at a time when the real estate market is heating up in New York. Sales have increased 11% over the last year, while prices have increased about eight percent year-over-year. Headquartered at 1856 Hempstead Tpke., N.Y. CENTURY 21 American Homes will continue to provide full-service real estate assistance, specializing in both residential and default sales throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens County and Brooklyn.