BHHS Gallo Realty Reaches New Heights – Over 900 Units Sold in 2016

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Gallo Realty held its annual company conference on Jan. 11, 2017 at 99 Sea Level, Ocean Suites in Bethany Beach. As is customary, each year, the company closed all offices so agents, staff, and management could celebrate the many accomplishments the firm enjoyed in 2016.

Company Vice-President Andrew Ratner led the meeting, which highlighted the company’s very successful 2016 year and set goals for 2017. Ratner emphasized the importance of providing the best customer service possible and committing to achievement goals, all part of the company’s vision and mission statements.

“ ‘Community-Minded, Customer-Focused’ is our company motto and the driving force that fosters our success. Our exceptional customer service and commitment to our local community are what sets us apart from other firms,” Ratner noted. “At the beginning of each year, I believe that is critically important to reiterate this and recommit to these ideals.”

In addition, Ratner stressed to his agents their responsibility in overcoming challenges to ensure that each client’s transaction proceeds as smoothly as possible. “Real Estate is an increasingly complicated business, and every transaction presents its own unique circumstances. It is our responsibility as professional REALTORS® to go above and beyond to service our clients.”

Ratner summarized the company’s performance figures for the past year.

The Sales Division experienced an excellent year in 2016, with 901 closed sales resulting in $322 million in sales volume. “I set a very aggressive goal at last year’s meeting of 900 units sold, and we made it,” Ratner proclaimed.

“Gallo Realty is number three in the county in market-share, which is strong,” he noted. “But we are number one in a critically important category, units sold per agent. Our 2016 company average is 10 units sold per agent; three more units than any of the other top companies in our market. Our model is NOT to have the largest number of agents in the area, but to have highly productive and professional agents who can best serve our clients.”

To reach the 2017 goal of 1,000 units sold, The Excelleum Coaching Program for Gallo Realty agents is being launched in February. Created by Debbie DeGrote, Excelleum is one of the most reputable coaching firms in the country.

“Our agents will now have a resource unlike any other in our marketplace,” stated Ratner.  “In partnership with Excelleum, we have customized a full, year-long coaching program for our agents, incorporating our unique marketing programs into the strategies that will be learned through the coaches. Our goal is to develop and hone good practices into their business model, thereby increasing each agent’s individual productivity.”

Gallo Realty experienced a successful 2016 in sales, rentals, and commercial transactions, and all three of its offices grew in strength. The company welcomed 17 new agents and support-staff members in 2016, in all three offices: Bo Bilobran, Bryan Bowles, Lynn Ceritano, George Cole, Jr., Joseph Cole, Kitty Cole, David DePaul, Gale DiBona, Donna DiLuzio, Debbie Fannan, Turner Hastings, Jana Newton, Paulina Owedyk, John Reffner, Michael Rhue, Rupert Smith, and Kathy Wilson.

Ratner presented awards to the top agents in the company.

Sales and Rentals Awards:

• Chairman’s Circle Diamond Award – Over $100 Million in Sales Volume: The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group.
• Chairman’s Circle Platinum Award – Over $20 Million in Sales Volume: The Andy Staton Group.

Chairman’s Circle Gold Award – Over $16 Million in Sales Volume: Barbara Morales Associates

• President’s Circle – Over $8 Million in Sales Volume: Cindy Baker, Laurie Bronstein, Beth Evans Team, and The Lurty Team.
• Leading Edge Society – Over $5 Million in Sales Volume: Joe Choma, Kathy Ford, Lana Warfield, Joanne Young,
• Honor Society – Over $3 Million in Sales Volume: Chris Beagle, Patsy Carpenter, George Thomasson, Peter Walling.
• Platinum Club Rental Award – Over $185,000 in Gross Commission: Melanie Anderson.
• Gold Club Rental Awards- Over $120,000 in Gross Commission: Alyssa Bishop, Rachel Cooper, Micah Parker/Carolyn Turner, Maureen Kyritsis, Kim Rebman.

The Rental Division had a most incredible year, booking nearly 4,000 reservations during 2016. “We have three teams of top-notch agents who go the extra mile for our guests,” Ratner said. “They work tirelessly to ensure that our guests have the best experience possible.”

In addition, the Rental Division implemented a new, more powerful property-management software, which will prove a boon to clients and homeowners alike. “This switch is a leap into the future,” he noted. “The software will make rental transactions easier and faster for both guests and rental agents – this is an important investment and a commitment to our customer-service goals.”

At the conclusion of the event, the company also presented its third annual Community Service Award to Lewes Rental Manager Adriane Gallagher. “Our company motto is ‘Community-Minded, Customer-Focused,’ and Adriane exemplifies this ideal through her devotion to Sussex Strong, the charitable arm of the Sussex County Association of REALTORS® . . . among many other groups,” Ratner noted.

On the national level, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has as one of its main focuses in 2017 to expand the franchise internationally. “In just three short years, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has become the fifth-largest real estate franchise in the country,” stated Ratner.

In preparation of opening franchise offices overseas, the national company developed a new international website in 2016, translated into several languages. The network is currently comprised of 42,000 agents in over 1,200 offices in 47 states.

About BHHS Gallo Realty

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Gallo Realty is an award-winning, full-service real estate firm that has been serving the resort region since 1979.  The firm has three main offices, located in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach, with two satellite locations in the Lewes area.  The company is independently owned and operated. Visit GoToGallo.com for details.

About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, based in Irvine, CA, is a brand-new real estate brokerage network built for a new era in residential real estate. The network, among the few organizations entrusted to use the world-renowned Berkshire Hathaway name, brings to the real estate market a definitive mark of trust, integrity, stability and longevity. Visit berkshirehathawayhs.com for details.

About HSF Affiliates LLC

HSF Affiliates LLC, based in Irvine, CA is a joint venture of which HomeServices of America, Inc., the nation’s second-largest, full-service residential brokerage firm, is a majority owner. HomeServices of America is an affiliate of world-renowned Berkshire Hathaway Inc.