Photo via Western Pioneer Properties website.

A move to north Fresno marks another chapter in the growth of a local real estate and mortgage company.

On Friday, Western Pioneer Financial & Properties will cut the ribbon on their new office at 1398 W. Herndon Ave., #205. Members of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce will be on hand for the celebration.

Western Pioneer began in 2008 at Maple and Nees avenue, said Scott Handley, mortgage banker and broker. It was only three of them at their 250 square foot office. They then moved to Shaw Avenue and following that, Palm and Alluvial avenues — their home before their current one.

Now, the firm has 75 employees for their real estate brokerage and mortgage lending operation. They have 38 real estate agents and 33 loan officers.

The firm provides brokerage and lending services as well as real estate holdings and property flipping.

Remote work during the pandemic had allowed the company to operate at their size but a return to the office meant finding a new space.

Handley had seen the property at Herndon and Fruit avenues where Better Homes and Gardens was previously located. He liked the visibility they get along Herndon Avenue.

“Western Pioneer is very involved in the community. We are involved in numerous nonprofit organizations. We have annual Christmas drives giving back to the community. Western Pioneer wants to continue to be involved and serve the community,” Handley said.