George E. Roddy Sr., president of the 40-year-old foreclosure listing service and Roddy Information Services, has bought Georgetown-based Flip Flop Reports from Lila Pecht, who will be part of the operation. "Her expertise is very much needed," Roddy says, noting that the search has begun for a North Austin office for three full-time employees and about 10 contractors, with George E. Roddy Jr. at the helm.

Roddy tells GlobeSt.com that he intends to add the full gamut of services and seminars now available for five counties in North Texas to the Central Texas menu. The plan is first Austin, then San Antonio: markets he plied from 1974 through 1985 and then exited as commercial real estate took a dive. His long-term business plan calls for statewide coverage, excluding the Greater Houston area. But for now, he's content to conquer Austin and San Antonio in a two-pronged plan arising from a steady increase in Central Texas foreclosures. Just in Travis County, the midyear commercial and residential postings totaled 343 versus 175 in 2002 and 172 in 2001.

Roddy says he wants to be part of the market in good times and bad. "As the market improves, we want to be a part of it," he emphasizes.

Since the 1985 retreat, Roddy says he always had hoped to return to doing business in the heart of Texas, but wasn't sure if it was in the cards. He's been kicking around the idea for the last two years. With the decision now made, the plan is to hit the market hard for Foreclosure Listing Service subscribers and then ramp up a Roddy Report and a Central Texas version of DFW Real Smart.com.