Inman

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers partners with ZipRealty

Atlanta-based Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers has signed an agreement to become the first referral partner to national brokerage company ZipRealty.

ZipRealty had announced the referral agreement earlier this month — as a part of a restructuring plan that includes the closure of offices in 11 markets — but did not name the company at that time.

Under the agreement, real estate leads from ZipRealty’s Greater Atlanta and North Georgia region will be assigned to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, and those agents will "work directly with those prospective homebuyers and sellers."

The Metro Brokers office "has hired ZipRealty’s agents in the Atlanta area, who have transitioned to become part of Metro Brokers’ dedicated Internet Response Team," according to an announcement today.

The companies did not disclose financial terms for the deal.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers reported that it is the largest residential brokerage firm in Georgia, with 25 offices and about 2,000 agents in the Greater Atlanta area.

The restructuring by ZipRealty leaves the company with operations in 24 markets and 20 states.

"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, in a statement.