Coldwell Banker Resort Realty names top agents for 2020

Coldwell Banker Resort Realty held its annual awards banquet in a virtual format, celebrating the many accomplishments of the last year.

In 2020, an additional 12 agents joined the Rehoboth, Lewes, Milford and Seaford offices.The combined efforts of all branches led to a continued strong presence as an industry leader.

Bruce Plummer, broker and chief operating officer, led the meeting and reflected on the 2020 challenges, changes, victories and accomplishments.

The resort area experienced its first short-term rental ban due to the COVID pandemic. The rental division team worked especially hard to shift travelers’ arrival dates and help them adjust to new travel restrictions. Its market share growth continues by increasing internet exposure through partnering with websites. A team with decades of experience, the rental division welcomed summer guests wearing masks and were socially distanced to protect travelers. Enhanced cleaning procedures were implemented across the properties, with even the keys, parking passes and pool passes being sanitized between guests. Once people were able to travel again, the demand was particularly strong for beach vacations. 

The sales department continued its strength county-wide, with four locations in Rehoboth, Lewes, Milford and Seaford comprising nearly 100 agents licensed in Delaware. 

2020 brought a further commitment to the community, with participation in events such as collecting food for the Food Bank of Delaware and participating in Lewes Lights, all within COVID-19 restrictions.

Coldwell Banker Resort Realty has remained an industry leader for more than 40 years. “Critical to the success of our firm is the strength of the Coldwell Banker brand,” said Kathy Kiernan Newcomb, president. “Coldwell Banker has remained strong as a real estate company for 115 years.”

Top producer awards were presented to Skip Faust, Top Closed Listing Volume, and Nitan Soni, Top Closed Sales Volume for the Rehoboth branch; Julie Gritton, Top Closed Listing Volume and Top Closed Sales Volume for the Lewes branch; Lee Johnson, Top Closed Listing Volume, and Jeff Kemp, Top Closed Sales Volume for the Seaford branch; and Joanne Milton, Top Closed Listing Volume and Top Closed Sales Volume for the Milford branch.

Members of the President’s Silver Circle recognized for outstanding performance in 2020 were Teresa Queen, Irene Tillman, Carla Riddle, Aimee DeBenedictis, Dennis Barnes, Tyler Smiley, Mary-Beth Pepper, Ben Steward, Richard Tikiob, Terry Burke, Adam Gaull, Trina Joyner, Jeff Gibson, Nancy Price, Beth West, George Ehrmann and Rick Bennett.

Members of the prestigious President’s Gold Circle were Lee Johnson, Kathy Douglass, Melissa Rudy, Jeff Kemp, Bill Mantyla, Ken Wolfe, Joanne Milton, John O’Leary, Myles Martin and Sally Chaney.

Recognized in the Chairman’s Platinum Circle were Nitan Soni, Beth Dorman and Kathy Newcomb.

Recognized in the President’s Platinum Circle were Julie Gritton and Skip Faust.

Recognized with the 2020 Chairman’s Award, presented by their peers for outstanding service and professionalism, were Nitan Soni for the Rehoboth sales branch, Julie Gritton for the Lewes sales branch, Jeff Kemp for the Seaford sales branch, Ken Wolfe for the Milford sales branch, and Bill Mantyla for the rental division. Also recognized for Coldwell Banker Manager’s Choice, an award for outstanding commitment to the firm, were Beth Dorman for the Rehoboth sales branch, Jeff Gibson for the Lewes sales branch, Rick Bennett for the Seaford sales branch, George Ehrmann 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. It 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 2020 recipient of this award was Beth Dorman.

The COVID pandemic brought an unprecedented decline in housing inventory. 2020 ended with a 39.6 percent decline on the national level of homes for sale. It was the lowest housing inventory year on record. With lower supply and increased demand, homeowners saw rapid appreciation in their home value. Buyers were forced to present offers with escalation clauses and oftentimes made an offer without viewing the home in person. These trends have continued in 2021.