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NORTH ATTLEBORO - The Coldwell Banker real estate offices in North Attleboro and Taunton are closing, but the company said its employees can continue working at other area offices.

The North Attleboro office on Toner Boulevard employs about 31 sales associates, while Taunton has 22 listed on its Web site.

Joe Papagno, the manager of the North Attleboro office, said Tuesday he has informed his sales associates of the move. The North Attleboro office will close by the end of this month, he said.

He said the firm that owns the local office also has outlets in Mansfield, Easton and Franklin, and consolidating operations would be more efficient.

"It's not because we are not profitable." he said, describing the move as a "repositioning." The overlap between the area offices did not make sense, he said.

Papagno said some of his employees were sad about the closing, but others recognized they will be going to facilities with better technology.

"We're making a home for everyone," he said.

He said some associates, however, may decide to retire rather than move.

Real estate organizations said they did not think other agencies would be closing.

Eric Berman of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors said it is common for agencies to open and close, but he has not heard of any widespread closings because of the slowdown in the real estate market.

Joan DeCosta of Northern Bristol County Association of Realtors - which represents many Attleboro area agencies - said the housing market is tough right now, but she has not had any members close shop.

The Taunton and North Attleboro offices are owed by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage of New England, which is a subdivision of NRT, one of the largest real estate firms in the country.