California-based zipRealty has just launched in Dallas. Soon, the city will see the VW bug around the city being driven by the company's field agent, just as San Franciscans have for the past year.

The company is already in operation in major metropolitan cities along the California Coast, Seattle, and Atlanta, and the Dallas expansion will bring the total metropolitan areas, which are all "wired cities" or cities with a heavy concentration of Internet users, served to seven.

The company's business model is based on hiring licensed, experienced real estate professionals in two service categories - the customer service agent which finesses the transaction, and the field agent which handles all the mobile aspects such as showings.

In less than seven months since its inception, zipRealty.com has received thousands of registrations from individuals searching for an alternative to traditional real estate practices, boasts the company, including round the clock Internet access to listings and expert advice from online and field agents. The company also offers up to $20,000 cash-back at closing of escrow.

zipRealty.com opens in Dallas within two weeks of its Houston-based rival e-Realty, which has also recently expanded to the Austin area. Both companies are targeting wired cities with high employment and rapid housing growth.

Dallas is one of the top three relocation destinations in terms of jobs and housing growth, and one of the top ten wired cities, according to telecommunications hubs.

Published: March 14, 2000

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.