Metro Edge - Q4 2025 by Metro Brokers

MOMENTUM IS BUILDING – NOW’S THE TIME TO GET AHEAD

As we move into the final stretch of the year, we’re finally seeing the shift we’ve been waiting for. November brought more activity and renewed confidence, with buyers and sellers who sat on the sidelines now beginning to re-engage.

This creates a real window for those who stay active and present through the holidays.

I’ve been seeing the momentum up close with Guaranteed Move®. Working hands-on with these properties, the improvement is clear: Stronger inventory, better activity, and more opportunities for agents. Momentum is building, and it’s happening across multiple divisions of our company.

Agent engagement has also been exceptional. Our AI workshops continue to draw big crowds, the X-celerator Rally brought incredible energy, and holiday gatherings across our offices are helping agents stay connected with their communities. These are exactly the activities that set the stage for a strong start to 2026.

We also have big news on the horizon: Our new company website is on track for release before the end of the year, focused on generating more leads and opportunities for our agents. And coming in 2026, every agent will receive a Canva Enterprise account at no cost, giving you even more marketing support.

Even with the holidays ahead, now is not the time to ease up. The agents who take action now – reconnecting with their sphere, showing up, and using the tools around them – will be the ones leading the market when the new year begins.

We’ve pushed through the toughest parts of this cycle. Now it’s time to stay sharp, stay connected, and capitalize on the momentum that’s finally taking shape.

INDUSTRY NEWS

ATLANTA CRACKS TOP 5 “MOST FUN CITIES IN AMERICA” AGAIN

This year, WalletHub placed Atlanta at No. 4 nationally on its list of America’s “Most Fun Cities,” marking the second consecutive year the city cracked the top five. According to the analysis, the ranking reflects a deep and diverse mix of things to do — from live music venues, dance clubs, parks and playgrounds to festivals, gyms, and cultural attractions — all evaluated across 65 different metrics covering entertainment, nightlife, recreation, and cost.

[Urbanize Atlanta]

AI WORKSHOPS: EMPOWERING

METRO BROKERS AGENTS

This year, Metro Brokers brought hands-on AI Workshops to several of our offices — Combined North Georgia, Peachtree City, Forsyth, Northlake, Paulding, and Stockbridge — helping close to 400 agents transform the way they market, communicate, and manage their business. The message was simple: Have no fear, AI is here – not to replace agents, but to empower them.

Across every workshop, agents learned how to draft faster, not harder — using AI to turn property details, social content, newsletters, and marketing ideas into polished drafts in a fraction of the time. By letting AI take on routine writing and brainstorming tasks, agents reclaimed hours each week to focus on what matters most: nurturing relationships, winning listings, and closing more deals.

GOLDMAN SACHS BACKS NEW $65M EASTSIDE DEVELOPMENT

The long-vacant “Bag Factory” site near East Lake is coming back to life as Vela Park — a transformative, nearly 12-acre mixed-use development by Perennial Properties. What had been nothing more than a grassy field is now being reimagined into hundreds of new residences (apartments and townhomes), a large greenspace, and a central retail component. At the heart of it all will be Vela Park Food Works, a planned food hall featuring six different chef-driven culinary concepts.

Once complete, Vela Park promises not just a place to live, but a lively, connected community: green lawns, outdoor dining, walkable paths, and the kinds of amenities that give new life to the East Lake / Decatur area.

[Urbanize Atlanta]

Hear from Agents Who Have Attended!

“It really helped that the AI workshop was hands-on learning and it opened up a new world for me on AI. I’ve created several marketing items based on top trends using AI since this class.” Kirbi Smith – Ellijay

“A very good workshop – helpful, interactive, engaging, fun and is easy to implement.” Martha Thomas – Gwinnett

“The AI Workshop was very beneficial for me and my brand. I learned how to personalize and target social media posts to resonate with my niche market or individual audience.” Angela Morton-Bey – Newnan

“The workshop was great! I gained a lot of gems from it.” Janie Foy – Peachtree City

The Better Retreat Recap

METRO BROKERS AT BETTER RETREAT: UNPLUGGED NASHVILLE

A week of inspiration, innovation, and a little bit of country magic.

More than 40 Metro Brokers agents and staff traveled to Nashville this fall for Better Retreat: Unplugged Nashville—an energizing blend of connection, learning, and celebration. The week kicked off with a lively Western-themed opening party that set the tone for spirited networking and camaraderie, followed by dynamic education sessions centered on marketing trends, leadership, and the future of real estate.

One of the most memorable moments came from BHGRE President Ginger Wilcox, who shared an emotional onstage conversation with her mother, a 45-year real estate professional. Their discussion highlighted the compassion and purpose that drive the industry. Leadership insights also came from Metro Brokers President & CEO Kevin Levent, who emphasized fiscal discipline, staying visible, and leading with integrity. Innovation was a central theme throughout the retreat as speakers explored how AI and emerging marketing tools are reshaping the real estate landscape. BHGRE Chief Marketing Officer David Marine shared impressive brand growth and previewed upcoming tools like Canva for BHGRE agents. The retreat concluded with a private celebration at Friends in Low Places, creating an unforgettable finale to a week that showcased the heart and vision of the BHGRE network.

Event Highlights

• 40+ Metro Brokers agents and staff in attendance

• Western-themed opening night party and networking

• Emotional keynote with BHGRE President Ginger Wilcox and her mother

• Leadership insights from President & CEO Kevin Levent

• AI-focused sessions on the future of real estate

• Brand growth presented by CMO David Marine:

» 140% increase in website traffic in 2024 (+12% in 2025)

» 200% boost in brand awareness; 11M+ total impressions

» 90% increase in social engagement; 40% Gen Z & Millennial audience

• Preview of Canva for BHGRE agents coming early 2026

• Private closing celebration at Friends in Low Places

View Event Photos Here!

6 Keys to Creating Trust in Real Estate

Trust isn’t just a nice-to-have in real estate — it’s the foundation of every lasting client relationship. Back in October, Marketing Director Tyler Brenner hosted a webinar with Clay Thomas our Paulding office, where they explored the human side of sales and shared real-world strategies agents can use to build deeper, more authentic connections with their clients.

HERE ARE THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS

Lead with Relatability

Finding common ground

— whether through family, shared interests, or community — helps clients feel seen beyond the transaction.

Put Yourself in Their Shoes

Every client has a different story. Seeing from their perspective turns you into a trusted advisor.

Watch The Full Webinar Here!

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT:

Listen Effectively

Understanding their motivations allows you to respond with empathy and provide clearer, more tailored guidance.

Trust Outweighs Experience

NAR data shows trust ranks higher than experience, price, or brand when clients choose an agent. Care, sincerity, and client-focused service carry more weight than years in the business.

Consistency Builds Confidence

Follow-up matters. Small actions like remembering details or checking in show clients you care.

Relationships Fuel Referrals

Strong relationships don’t just win clients — they create advocates who help build your long-term business.

At the end of the day, trust is built through authenticity, consistency, empathy, and care. It’s not about closing a deal; it’s about building relationships that last through multiple transactions, referrals, and life changes. As Clay said during our session, “Clients want to feel like a person, not a number.” When you focus on that, you unlock the real key to success in real estate.

Georgia Natural Gas

Rewars

For Referrals

Looking for an easy way to earn some extra rewards while helping your clients save on their utility bills? Our preferred vendor, Georgia Natural Gas® (GNG), has brought back their popular Real Estate Rewards Program — and it’s the perfect time to take advantage.

Now through December 31, 2025, GNG is offering a $500 digital Visa® Prepaid Reward Card when you make five or more qualifying referrals in a single month. That means you could earn up to $1,500 in bonus rewards this fall!

Even better — every individual qualifying referral earns you a $60 Visa® Prepaid Reward Card, so every connection counts.

HERE’S HOW TO GET STARTED:

1. Register or Log In at gng.com/gnghub, the exclusive site for real estate professionals.

2. Share the Housewarming Offer: Your clients can receive $120 in bill credits or a discounted rate when they sign up for service.

3. Earn Rewards! You’ll automatically receive your Visa® Prepaid Reward Card for each qualifying referral, and you’ll get that $500 bonus when you hit five or more in a month.

It’s a win-win: your clients get great savings, and you get rewarded for helping them make a smart move. For assistance with gngHub, contact their member support team at gngHub@gng.com.

What A Success!

On November 18, BHGRE Metro Brokers’ X-Celerater and XPLODE Rally brought the energy to The Barley Garden in Fayetteville, GA! Agents from across the region gathered for an afternoon packed with inspiration, recognition, and actionable insights.

The event kicked off with a warm welcome from Oliver Adams, followed by a keynote from President & CEO Kevin Levent, who recognized the amazing support of our sponsors and leadership team. Agents heard from top coaches Donna Cade, Bernard Strong, Tammy Noll Adams, and Kristy Serkedakis, explored

marketing and AI strategies with Tyler Brenner, and were inspired by XPLODE agents Autumn Stanley, Sonya Williams, and Ebony Cooper, who shared how the program transformed their businesses.

The excitement continued with “Let’s Talk Money” featuring Carole Hodge, the presentation of Top X-Celerater Agent awards, and closing remarks from Kevin Levent. With lunch, networking, and celebration throughout, this rally was an incredible success—thanks to our agents, sponsors, vendors, and staff for making it unforgettable!

Watch the recap video here!

Kirbi Smith Featured in Forbes

Kirbi Smith, from the Ellijay office, has been featured prominently in Forbes as part of a special piece highlighting Georgia’s best hiking trails.

While the full Forbes article spans various trails across Georgia, Kirbi’s contribution highlights the unique appeal of the Ellijay region — combining outdoor lifestyle, natural beauty, and real estate opportunities in the North Georgia mountains. The feature underscores why buyers are drawn to this area.

Kirbi’s feature is a wonderful recognition of her authentic love for the North Georgia mountains and her ability to represent the lifestyle that makes Ellijay so special. Her insight and enthusiasm shine through, showing how her work goes far beyond real estate. It’s about helping people discover a place they can truly call home.

A huge congratulations to Kirbi Smith for achieving this recognition! We couldn’t be more proud to see her recognized on such a national platform.

Read the Full Forbes Article Here!

Jelani Linder: Elected Mayor of Stone Mountain

Metro Brokers is proud to celebrate Jelani Linder with Coldwell Banker Commercial Metro Brokers on his election as Mayor of Stone Mountain, Georgia.

After months of dedicated campaigning and community engagement, Jelani shared his excitement following the win: “Stone Mountain — We did it! Together, we showed what’s possible when a community believes in progress, collaboration, and unity… This marks the beginning of true change for our city — the start of building a Stone Mountain we can all be proud of.”

Jelani’s leadership, both in real estate and public service, continues to reflect the values we hold at Metro Brokers — integrity, vision, and community impact. Please join us in congratulating Mayor Jelani Linder on this inspiring achievement!

Make 2026 Your Breakthrough Year

Success in real estate is not a matter of chance; it results from deliberate planning and strategic thinking. Real estate professionals must map out their goals and plot a course to achieve them in an everevolving market. This is where a well-crafted business plan comes into play.

“From here on, it’s not about division or negativity — it’s about progress, transparency, and shared purpose. One Village. One Vision. One Stone Mountain.”

JELANI

LINDER

Download the Business Planning Workbook!

WHY DO YOU NEED A BUSINESS PLAN?

We’re in an industry where every turn can present new challenges and opportunities. A wellstructured business plan is your key to success. It empowers you to set clear goals, navigate market challenges, and build a thriving career.

Every year, we publish a simple and effective Business Planning Workbook to help you focus on what’s important. Using this workbook, you’ll define your goals, conduct market research, identify your niche, develop lead generation strategies, and create a solid budget. This structured approach empowers you to take control and adapt to changes in the market or your personal circumstances.

With a solid plan in place, you’ll weather the storms of the real estate market and chart a course for enduring success. Set your mind for success and do not allow failure to be an option!

Festivals, Fun, and Fall Leads!

Metro Brokers agents showed up in style for this year’s fall festival season! Several offices jumped right into their local celebrations, proudly representing the company, meeting tons of new faces, and proving once again that when you take advantage of the advantages, great things happen.

Offices

What a weekend! The Duluth Fall Festival was the perfect mix of fun, teamwork, and community connection. Agents from Stockbridge, Northlake, Covington, McDonough, Perimeter, and Stonecrest all came together to represent Metro Brokers. With our green branding and plenty of event gear from the Supply Superstore, the group caught everyone’s attention. Even better? Everyone walked away with leads and stories to tell. The feedback has been fantastic, and the team is already talking about next year’s event!

Over in Villa Rica, the crew brought their A-game to Thrill at the Mill in downtown Villa Rica. Between the candy, costume contests, and prize giveaways, the morning was packed with energy. The Metro Brokers booth looked amazing thanks to creative decorations and branded goodies that helped agents stand out. This event proved that a little planning (and a few Supply Superstore touches) can turn a simple booth into a memorable experience for the whole community.

Boo Bash – Ellijay Office

The Ellijay office went all out for their annual Boo Bash, and the turnout was incredible — around 1,400 people showed up! Adults and kids alike came in costume, and the fun didn’t stop there. The team kept things running smoothly, even when they ran out of candy and had to send “runners” for more.

Guests loved the games, the cake walk, three selfie stations, and the Halloween movie showing. There was also massive inflatable house that became a crowd favorite. Inside, they handed out candy while families enjoyed the festive fun.