BHHS Gallo Realty marks more than 1,000 units sold in 2017

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Gallo Realty held its annual company meeting Jan. 11 at 99 Sea Level in Bethany Beach. The company closed its offices so management, agents and staff could gather to reflect on accomplishments of 2017 and set goals for 2018.

Company Vice President Andrew Ratner led the meeting, emphasizing the company’s vision to be the most successful and highly respected brokerage in the area. He reiterated the company mission to provide services and support that exceed clients' expectations, which in turn increases the growth and profitability of company agents. The company strives to maintain the highest standards of professional and ethical business practices with the public, clients and fellow Realtors.

Ratner analyzed the company performance during 2017, with news that sales agents outperformed the ambitious yearly target set the year before. Total sales volume increased by an incredible 35 percent from 2016 to 2017. The company also experienced a 15 percent increase in units sold, with units totaling 1,034.

"I am so proud of our sales agents," he said. "They are more like matchmakers than salespersons. They work hard to bring buyers and sellers together. This is a competitive market, and our company provides training, administrative support and marketing tools to enable them to excel. Our agents truly take advantage of our numerous programs, as evidenced by our incredible success this past year."

Looking forward to 2018, Ratner noted that the momentum should continue full steam. The company has introduced several new marketing programs: professional in-house photography, personalized mobile apps for each sales agent, targeted social media advertising for all listings, and a new Cloud-based transaction management system.

"I am very confident that the new resources, combined with our already advanced systems, will enable our agents to continue to increase their productivity and provide our clients with exceptional service," said Ratner.

The company's rental division also enjoyed a successful year. Rental agents and clients alike appreciate the sophistication and speedy, complete service provided by new rental software. Because of the challenges posed by rental websites like VRBO and Airbnb, Ratner stressed the company strengths: knowing the market and providing unbeatable customer service. Ratner noted that the rental departments specialize in both vacations and long-term rentals. "A large 26 percent of our rental business is comprised of long-term rentals," he said. "This is particularly important in eastern Sussex County, where rental living options are not plentiful."

The three offices of Gallo Realty welcomed 15 new agents and staff members during 2017: Agents Rick Chamberlin, Terry Coleman, Deborah DeMarco, Eleanor Gebhart, Turner Hastings, Miles Lupari, Christopher Roark, Daria Rowe, Don Schlater, Colleen Scott and Robin Thompson; and staff members Cory Cornelius, Pat Courts, Cheryl Sentivan and Elynore Trait.

Ratner summarized the Gallo Gives Foundation fundraising efforts. Between agents contributing a percentage of transactions and the company matching 100 percent, the foundation donated over $37,000 to local causes: high school scholarships, hurricane relief, Prevent Child Abuse Delaware, Meals on Wheels, Gardenia House, Sussex Strong Foundation, Greater Lewes Community Village, Boys & Girls Club, DFRC, Family and Friends of Wesley, Special Olympics Delaware, Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Cape Community Fund.

The members of the 2018 foundation committee include: Chris Beagle, Donna DiLuzio, Marie Dispoto, Adriane Gallagher, Tricia Ratner, Lana Warfield and Taylor Wilkinson.

The highlight of the meeting recognized the top agents in the company. Several of these agents will also be recognized at the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices national convention in San Antonio, Texas, in March.

• Chairman's Circle Diamond Award (over $200 million in sales volume): The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group
• Chairman's Circle Platinum Award (over $21 million in sales volume): Laurie Bronstein
• Chairman's Circle Gold Award ($15 million-$20 million in sales volume): The Lurty Team and Barbara Morales Associates
• President's Circle ($8 million-$10 million in sales volume): Lana Warfield and Joanne Young
• Leading Edge Society ($5 million-$7 million in sales volume): Patsy Carpenter, Beth Evans, Kathy Ford
• Honor Society ($3 million-$5 million in sales volume): Cindy Baker, Chris Beagle, Joe Choma, George Cole, Marie Dispoto, Mark Grabowski, Rupert Smith, George Thomasson, Mary Jo Timmons and Steve Timmons
• Rentals - Gold Club (over $120,000 in gross commission): Alyssa Bishop, Donna DiLuzio, Margaret Iorii, Maureen Kyritsis and Kim Rebman.

Ratner also honored individuals celebrating anniversaries with BHHS Gallo Realty. Celebrating 15 years with the company: Joe Choma, David Lurty, Lana Warfield and Billie Wilkinson. Celebrating 10 years: Melanie Anderson, Cindy Baker, Rachel Cooper, Maureen Kyritsis and Cyndi Myers. Celebrating 5 years: Cindy Benjamin, Chris Holt, Catherine Hughes, Erin Lee, Patty Masten, Gloria Miller, Opal Scott, Jeremy Smith and Joanne Young.

At the end of the meeting, the company presented its fourth annual Community Service Award to sales agent Kathy Ford, who was instrumental in creating the Cape Community Fund, an organization which assists those in need in the Cape Region.

"Kathy's desire to reach out and help others is inspiring to us all," said Ratner. "She has a huge heart and always finds a way to make life better for others."