Coldwell Banker recognizes top agents for 2018

Coldwell Banker Resort Realty recently held its annual awards ceremony to celebrate the many accomplishments of 2018.

In 2018, 18 new agents and staff joined the Rehoboth, Lewes, Milford and Seaford offices. The combined efforts of all branches led to a continued strong presence as an industry leader. Particularly noteworthy were the growth of 17.59 percent in sales volume in the Milford branch, 5.96 percent in the Rehoboth Branch office, and 12.8 percent in the commercial division over the previous year. Companywide, Coldwell Banker Resort Realty sales division represented 907 transaction sides.

Bruce Plummer, broker and chief operating officer, led the meeting and was most proud to announce Coldwell Banker Resort Realty’s annual compilation of client satisfaction survey results. In 2018, 98.14 percent of survey respondents were very satisfied, and 99.07 percent would recommend and/or use the services of Coldwell Banker Resort Realty again.

The rental division continued its growth in market share by increasing internet exposure for the company’s rental clients through partnering with websites such as Trip Advisor, Findrentals.com, Flip Key and VRBO. Coldwell Banker continues to be a leader in technology with a digital rental catalogue accessed by a simple scan of a QR code via any smartphone. 2018 brought the introduction of linen packages for rental guests, the ultimate convenience for traveling tenants.

Out-of-town guests and potential buyers remain connected with the firm, as well as area weather and traffic, via two webcams, one oceanfront on Swedes Street in Dewey Beach and one at the Rehoboth branch.

The sales department continued promoting the latest technology incorporating use of the Matterport camera and equipment to produce three-dimensional and virtual reality tours of its listings. This technology allows a potential buyer to practically walk through a home room by room online and sets Coldwell Banker Resort Realty sellers apart from their competition.

2018 also brought new managers to both the Lewes and Milford branches. The Julie Gritton Team joined the Lewes branch in May 2018, and team members’ energy and commitment to the Lewes community is plentiful. The Lewes branch hosted a pet adoption event in October and a community open house in November. The branch recently completed a food drive, partnering to collect 1,147 pounds of food for the Food Bank of Delaware to distribute to  area residents in need.

Joanne Milton returned to Coldwell Banker Resort Realty’s Milford branch as branch manager in 2018 and has proven to be an energizing force for sales growth. In October, the Milford branch achieved the highest sales month in that location’s history. The Milford branch also recently completed a toy drive with the Greater Milford Chamber of Commerce.

Showing commitment to the community, all four branches came together to participate in the SCAOR RPAC Corn Hole Tournament, the Gabby Gobble 5K Run/Walk on Thanksgiving Day, the Lewes Christmas Parade, the Rehoboth Christmas Parade and a dinner presentation at the Immanuel Shelter in Rehoboth.

The sales department attributed sales strength to its strong referral relationships with organizations such as the Cartus Brokers Network, a strategic service center which assists more than 148,000 transferees, expatriate assignees and members each year across 160 countries, and provides referral services to more than 60 of the Fortune 100 corporations.

Coldwell Banker Resort Realty agents remain committed to continuing their education, with many agents earning their Smart Home Technology Certification in 2018.

“Critical to the success of our firm is the strength of the Coldwell Banker brand,” said Kathy Kiernan Newcomb, senior vice president of marketing and consumer engagement.

Coldwell Banker has remained strong as a real estate company for 112 years. Today 92,000 agents are located within 47 countries and across the United States. The Coldwell Banker brand continued to excel in luxury home sales in 2018, selling $148 million per day in $1 million-plus transactions. Coldwell Banker was the first company to adopt the use of a seller disclosure statement as a standard practice. 2018 brought 69.9 million online engagements. Coldwell Banker distributes property and market information to over 900 partnering websites.

Top producer awards for the firm were presented to: Skip Faust – Top Closed Listing Volume and Top Closed Sales Volume for Coldwell Banker Resort Realty, Rehoboth branch; Julie Gritton, Top Closed Listing Volume and Ruth Sivils, Top Closed Sales Volume for the Lewes branch; Lee Johnson – Top Closed Listing Volume and Top Closed Sales Volume for the Seaford branch; Dana Byrd – Top Closed Listing Volume and Lori Milton – Top Closed Sales Volume for the Milford branch. Harold Marmon was recognized as Top Producing Agent for the Rental Department of Coldwell Banker Resort Realty, with Sally Chaney and John O’Leary recognized as compiling the top three agents.

Other members of the President’s Silver Circle recognized for outstanding performance in 2018 were Kathy Newcomb, Aimee Debenedictis, Adam Gaull, John Bohne, Brenda Hudson, Melissa Rudy, Linda Book, Joyce Kendall, Ben Steward, Ruth Sivils, Trina Joyner, Beth West, Tricia Sulecki, Dawn Loeffler, Nancyann Price, Jeff Kemp, Melissa Martin, Julie Gritton, Joanne Milton, Bill Mantyla and Terry Burke. Members of the prestigious President’s Gold Circle were Rick Bennett, Sally Chaney, Dennis Barnes, Lori Milton, Beth Dorman, Harold Marmon, Dana Byrd, John O’Leary, Carla Riddle, Myles Martin and Debra Hartney. Recognized in the Chairman’s Platinum Circle were Lee Johnson and Nitan Soni.

Recognized in the Chairman’s Elite Circle was Skip Faust.

Recognized for the 2018 Chairman’s Award, presented by their peers for outstanding service and professionalism, were Skip Faust for the Rehoboth sales branch, Julie Gritton for the Lewes sales branch, Lee Farris for the Seaford sales branch, Joanne Milton for the Milford sales branch, and Carla Riddle for the rental division.

Also recognized for Coldwell Banker Manager’s Choice, an award for outstanding commitment to the firm, were Melissa Rudy for the Rehoboth sales branch, Janice Pelan for the Lewes sales branch, Nancyann Price for the Seaford sales branch, Wanda Rash for the Milford sales branch, and Yolanda Bernoski for the rental division.

Coldwell Banker Resort Realty honors the memory of Bill Vernon with an annual Coldwell Banker Resort Realty Pillar Award. This is annually bestowed upon the firm’s agent or staff member who most exhibits the firm’s culture and core values of integrity, service, hard work, professional competence, cooperation and innovation. The 2018 Pillar Award recipient was Carla Riddle.

Special recognition was also given to agents whose 2018 customer survey results revealed a 100 percent perfect rating in each category answered. The 2018 Manager’s 100 Percent Club members were Linda Book, Ruth Sivils, Nitan Soni, Joanne Milton, Dawn Loeffler, Melissa Rudy, Dana Caplan, Christine Grace and Aimee DeBenedictis.

“The strength of Coldwell Banker comes from top-producing sales and rental associates like these who give outstanding customer service, produce excellent results and have made a commitment to their clients, the firm and the community in which they excel,” said Plummer. “It is an honor to have them as part of our organization.”

Coldwell Banker Resort Realty’s vision statement is to be the admired and trusted team of highly skilled and innovative real estate professionals passionately working in unison to create an extraordinary experience for all we serve.

“We work diligently, one client at a time, to accomplish this vision,” said Newcomb.

Coldwell Banker Resort Realty offices are at  20184 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach; 800 Kings Highway, Lewes; 22350 Sussex Highway, Seaford; and 711 North DuPont Blvd., Milford. The company has been serving Sussex County for more than 35 years.