Metro Development Group is doubling down on its Realtor-first strategy, recognizing the professionals behind more than 2,000 home sales annually through high-value incentives, exclusive experiences and a year-long program designed to reward performance and deepen engagement.
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Julie Goforth Birch, Realtor Liason, poses with Ryan Kessell, one of the winners at the Metro MVP event.
At the core of the strategy is the Metro MVP Realtor Program, a year-long initiative rewarding performance and strengthening Realtor relationships across Angeline (Pasco County), Sandal Key (Hernando County), Seaire (Manatee County), and Southshore Bay (Hillsborough County). A total of 542 Realtors participated, earning 2,284 points through home sales, event attendance, and digital engagement, with additional opportunities to earn points through social media activity and attending Metro-hosted events throughout the year.
More than $75,000 in prizes were awarded throughout the program, with monthly incentives ranging from electric bikes and professional development to exclusive lagoon experiences. Grand prizes included a brand-new car, a luxury getaway for two, and an ICON EV cart. Collectively, the top five MVP Realtors generated more than $11 million in closings.
"Realtors are at the center of everything we do, and we want them to know how much we value their dedication, hard work and partnership,” said Lisa Gibbings, Vice President of Corporate Affairs. "They bring our vision of inland coastal living to life every day with prospective buyers.”
"When Realtors succeed in our communities, we all succeed," said Julie Goforth Birch, Realtor Liaison. "They continue to be one of our top sources of qualified buyers, and this program was designed to support how they do business while strengthening the relationships that drive our growth.”
“More than 70% of homes in Metro’s communities are sold with the help of a Realtor,” continued Gibbings. “Recognizing and rewarding their impact is one of Metro’s core values.”
Top-producing agents were Chunhong Xiao ($5,649,415 in total sales), followed by Lei Cheng ($1,885,750), Bill Merritt ($1,430,990), Madison Cruz ($1,423,780) and Luz Duguarte ($1,405,870).
To drive consumer traffic, Metro's Tour and Score Sweepstakes generated nearly 200 entries, offering prospective buyers a chance to win a VIP Tampa Bay Buccaneers experience and an ICON EV Cart for touring model homes in participating Metro communities. Winners included Evan Langston (Seaire) and Allen Lizardo (Sandal Key).
"At Metro, we're breaking the mold by going above and beyond to strengthen our relationships with Realtors and support their success in meaningful ways," said Gibbings. "Innovation is at the core of everything we do, shaping how we design our communities and how we invest in the partnerships that drive our growth."
For more information, visit www.MetroDevelopmentGroup.com
About METRO Development Group
Founded in 2003, Tampa-based Metro Development Group has been redefining Florida living and master-planned communities for more than 20 years. As Florida's largest privately held residential developer, Metro focuses on managing all aspects of land development by working with investors, landowners and award-winning builders. Metro has set a gold-standard of inland coastal living through innovative technologies, iconic entryways and world-class amenities, including its signature MetroLagoon. In 2023, two of Metro's Pasco County communities - Mirada and Epperson - were ranked among the 50-top-selling master-planned communities in the country by real estate consulting firms RCLCO and John Burns Real Estate Consulting. For more information, visit MetroDevelopmentGroup.com.
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Media Contact: RaeChelle Davis
RDavis@CatalystCG.com
