Saratoga Springs, NY – Buffalo-based HUNT Real Estate ERA announced Monday that is has formed a new joint venture with Empire Home Realty, Inc. based out of Saratoga Springs. Empire Home Realty currently operates two offices with over 30 agents associated with the firm and an average sale price of over $450,000. The newly established partnership will operate under the name of HUNT Real Estate ERA.

Eric Eckardt, who was the Founder and President of Empire Home Realty, is now a General Manager of the region and Partner with HUNT Real Estate ERA in the new joint venture in the Greater Capital District Region.

“By joining forces with HUNT Real Estate ERA, we will now offer consumers a broad menu of products and services throughout the Greater Capital Region and Adirondacks. HUNT’s consumer-focused website, huntrealestate.com, their comprehensive marketing tools and agent systems, advanced technologies and overall commitment to our region made this a great strategic alliance for us. More importantly, our clients and agents will all benefit as a result,” said Eric Eckardt.

HUNT Real Estate ERA is ranked 15th in closed transaction sides among the nation’s largest real estate brokers (as reported in sales figures for 2008) with multiple offices in New York, Florida and Arizona. The company was also recognized by REALTOR® among the fastest growing real estate brokerages in the United States. HUNT Real Estate ERA will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year in servicing homebuyers and sellers throughout the State of New York.

“Through the acquisition of Empire Home Realty, we can efficiently expand our operations in the Greater Capital Region, which is very important to us,” said Peter F. Hunt, Chairman and CEO of HUNT Real Estate Corporation. “We are serious about our commitment to the Capital Region and look forward to other opportunities to bring our level of service to this region.”

Initial plans call for aggressive agent recruitment and training, as well as the establishment of HUNT ancillary services in the Capital Region, including mortgage origination, title abstract and insurance, and property and casualty insurance. HUNT’s Customer Support Center, which is located in Depew, NY, offers extensive marketing and customer service support to all of HUNT’s internal and external customers and stakeholders. It will provide strategic and tactical marketing direction to the Capital Region offices, including lead generation, advertising, web-based and direct mail marketing, and agent prospecting services.

To learn more about HUNT Real Estate ERA in the Capital Region market, visit www.huntrealestate.com or call 518.580.4000.