Metro Brokers Company News

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers Becomes First Local Referral Partner for ZipRealty

January 26, 2011

ATLANTA (January 26, 2011) - Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, the largest residential real estate firm in Georgia and ranked among the top 55 brokerage firms nationally, today announced it has signed an agreement to become ZipRealty, Inc.’s (NASDAQ: ZIPR) first local referral partner. Under the unprecedented agreement, residential real estate sales leads coming through the ZipRealty site for Greater Atlanta and the North Georgia region will be assigned to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, whose agents will now work directly with those prospective home buyers and sellers. With the closing of ZipRealty’s Atlanta operations announced earlier this month, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers has hired ZipRealty’s agents in the Atlanta area, who have transitioned to become part of Metro Brokers’ dedicated Internet Response Team. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“I believe our company will benefit from the combination of ZipRealty’s internet reach and the lifestyle, customer-centric approach of our brokerage firm,” said Kevin Levent, president and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers. “Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers is pleased to add this additional online sales channel, and we are proud to welcome the professionals from ZipRealty to our team. Going forward, we will continue to provide unparalleled service to guide today’s self-directed consumer by leveraging innovative real estate tools and technology in our marketplace.”

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers is the largest residential real estate firm in the state of Georgia, according to active agent count numbers from the Georgia Real Estate Commission. It has 25 office locations and approximately 2,000 agents in the Greater Atlanta area. In 2010, REALTOR® Magazine ranked Metro Brokers in the Top 55 nationally in transaction sides. Founded in 1979, the brokerage was started with one office and has since grown to be one of the nation's largest full service real estate companies.

“This agreement is a highlight among a series of changes we’ve made to focus ZipRealty on core strengths in technology, online marketing and our most successful local markets,” said Lanny Baker, ZipRealty CEO. “Atlanta is an exciting real estate market, and we believe that Metro Broker’s strong local presence and technology-centric approach to real estate is a perfect match with ZipRealty’s online presence and technical capabilities.”

About Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers is an independently owned and operated franchisee of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. The company is an industry leader, offering a wide range of real estate services including residential sales; rentals; foreclosures; pre- and post-license training; corporate relocation; new home sales and marketing; and other related services. The company operates a unique business model based on the centralization of processes driven by technology. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers’ award-winning website provides visitors with everything they need to help them with one of life’s most important purchases. For more information, visit www.metrobrokers.com or call 404-843-2500.