Harper Hertrich, a third grader at Worcester Preparatory School, traveled last month to Annapolis with family, teachers and representatives from the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (Coastal) for a special recognition ceremony with Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford. The ceremony, held in the Maryland State House, honored nine students from across the state who were chosen by the Maryland REALTORS® as finalists in this year’s Fair Housing Art Contest. Hertrich is the finalist from the Lower Eastern Shore. Pictured, from left, are Rutherford, Hertrich and Maryland REALTORS® President Merry Tobin. Submitted Photos
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Realtors Join Firm
BERLIN — Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty recently welcomed top-producing real estate professionals Marlene Ott and Spike Sands to its Ocean Pines office.
Marlene Ott
“We’re excited to welcome Marlene and Spike to the company,” said Terri Bracciale, regional president of the company’s Baltimore metro region. “Not only are they amazing agents with proven track records of successfully helping buyers and sellers for many years, but they’re also terrific people and a true pleasure to work with.”
Ott has been a real estate leader in the Maryland coastal area for over 40 years. She consistently ranks in the highest 10 percent among the nation’s top producers and has received numerous accolades over the years, including Metropolitan Magazine’s Best Realtor® award, the Women’s Council of Realtors’ Businesswoman of the Year award, and a Lifetime Achievement award and Super Nova award from the Coastal Association of Realtors.
“Marlene was the one who actually started me on my own career path in real estate,” said Sharon Curtiss, branch manager of the company’s Ocean Pines office. “She recommended that I get my license back in 2001, which I did, and we then became friends through the Women’s Council of Realtors. I can personally vouch for Marlene’s integrity and professionalism, and we are all so pleased that she and Spike have decided to affiliate with us.”
Spike Sands
Sands has been a resident of Ocean City since 1994 and has been delivering superior service to his clients since entering the business in 2010. A top producer with consistent five-star ratings on Zillow®, he is currently among the Coastal Association of Realtors’ top 50 in sales volume for Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties. With a deep expertise and vast knowledge of Ocean City and its surrounding towns, Sands prides himself on his sharp eye for great value and keen sense of opportunity.
“On behalf of Spike, we’re both so pleased to be joining the company,” Ott said. “Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty’s brand has always stood for knowledge, expertise and a commitment to superb customer service, which is what we’ve delivered and continue to deliver to the home buyers and sellers in the Eastern Shore year after year.”
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Coastal Holds Fair
OCEAN CITY – The Coastal Association of REALTORS® (Coastal) held its fourth annual REALTOR® Fair & Technology Expo on Wednesday, April 17 at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City.
The event featured 50 sponsors and vendors that provide services utilized by REALTORS® to expand their business and better serve their clients. Over 300 real estate professionals, both locally and from across the state and Delaware, attended the event. Participants partook in complimentary heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages, as well as an event photo booth and Money Machine.
Prior to the REALTOR® Fair & Technology Expo, Coastal hosted a General Membership Meeting, which featured information on the state of the association as well as a presentation by real estate attorney Al Monshower of Monshower, Miller & Magrogan.
“We were thrilled that our event doubled in size compared to last year because it shows that our sponsors and vendors see value in connecting with our members and helping them grow their business,” said Coastal President Bernie Flax. “We’d like to thank our sponsors for their tremendous support and our members for attending the event.”
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Leadership Academy Graduates
ANNAPOLIS – Two members of the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (Coastal) Board of Directors graduated from the 2019 Maryland REALTORS® Leadership Academy.
Steve Parsons of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Salisbury and Austin Whitehead of Whitehead Real Estate Executives in Salisbury were honored recently in Annapolis for completing the program.
The Maryland REALTORS® Leadership Academy was formed by REALTORS® who understand the important role they play in their community and the need to enhance the leadership skills, knowledge, and competencies of fellow REALTORS® interested in making a difference in their personal lives and in their communities.
The Maryland REALTORS® Leadership Academy offers an intensive curriculum designed to develop skills in leadership, communications, strategic planning, legislative and government affairs, community involvement, and interaction. Classes are conducted over seven months and stress the value of professional and personal commitment to business, charitable, and civic endeavors.
Parsons received the W.H.C. Wilson Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to the graduate who best demonstrates integrity, a desire to lead, and a high ethical standard, both professionally and through community involvement.
Parsons has been a REALTOR® since 2013 and holds the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) designation and e-PRO Internet Professional, the Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), and the Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE) certifications. In addition to sitting on the Board of Directors, Parsons chairs the association’s Education Committee as well as the committee that plans the annual REALTOR® Fair & Technology Expo. He is also currently a member of the Networking & Community Outreach Committee.
Whitehead has been a REALTOR® since 2014 and received the association’s Rising Star Award in 2017. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, Whitehead currently co-chairs the association’s Government Affairs Committee. He is a Sterling R Major Investor in the REALTOR® Political Action Committee.
“Today we honor the commitment you’ve made to step up and become the leaders our industry needs,” said 2019 Maryland REALTORS® President Merry Tobin at the Annapolis ceremony. “Always be honest, forward thinking, and passionate when given the opportunity to lead.”
“We are incredibly proud of Steve and Austin for working hard to complete this rigorous program,” said Coastal President Bernie Flax. “They are the future of our association and our local market, and we are grateful to them for being such dedicated volunteers.”