AJC.COM: Jenny Pruitt & Associates is rebranded

Harry Norman umbrella grows in Atlanta area

By Kevin Duffy

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Harry Norman Realtors is absorbing Jenny Pruitt & Associates, creating one of the largest residential real estate firms in Atlanta with 1,474 agents.

The two agencies are owned by HomeServices of America, an affiliate of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. Last year, they merged office operations. The latest merger puts all agents under the Harry Norman brand. Dan Parmer will be CEO and Martha Hayhurst will be president.

Thousands of local real estate agents have left the business because of slumping home sales, but Hayhurst said that is not why the merger occurred. “This alliance just seemed the right way to make the firm stronger,” she said.

Parmer said the new Harry Norman will be the largest residential real estate company in Atlanta in terms of sales volume.

Harry Norman was started 79 years ago and grew to more than 1,000 agents. Jenny Pruitt began 20 years ago and employed about 340 agents before the merger.

HomeServices acquired Harry Norman in 2006 and Jenny Pruitt in 2001. Founder Jenny Pruitt left to help start Atlanta Fine Homes.

Buffett and other investors own Berkshire Hathaway, a holding company of 50 firms, including MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co., which owns HomeServices. HomeServices owns several real estate firms throughout the country.

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