By Linda O’Flanagan
The Real Estate Board of New York honored leading residential brokers last night during a charity gala event at Chelsea Piers.
Following what Steven Spinola, REBNY president, called a challenging year, the brokers celebrated the most skillfully transacted deals while also raising money for charity.
Sharon Baum of The Corcoran Group took home The Henry Forster Award for lifetime achievement.
Baum’s body of work, with more than a billion dollars in sales, has helped shape the landscape of the residential real estate market. She has brought an analytical approach to selling homes that changed the way clients are serviced and a great champion of the co-broking system, which is a lifeline to the business today.
Baum was a recipient of Girls Inc.’s high-profile, “She Knows Where She’s Going” Award. She has also committed herself to a number of other local charities and organizations, including Citymeals-on-Wheels, Puppies Behind Bars, and is a member of the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club Women’s Board.
Norman Horowitz of Halstead Property, LLC, won the first prize Residential Deal of the Year Award in the residential sales category.
Burt Savitsky, Diane Abrams and Felise Gross of Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales took second prize along with Keren Coplan-Ringler of Warburg Realty Partnership, Ltd. Ann Bialek and Madalyn Robbins of Halstead Property LLC were the third prize winners along with Dell Rubin of Prudential Douglas Elliman.
The Rookie Salesperson of the Year Award was given to Sarah Williams of Halstead Property, LLC for her impressive entry into New York City’s residential real estate sales market.
For rentals, the first prize Residential Deal of the Year Award was presented to Lydia Sussek of The Corcoran Group along with David Spencer of Prudential Douglas Elliman.
“The Residential Deal of the Year Awards is one of the event highlights of the year in real estate,” said Spinola.
“It is such a special evening because we get the opportunity to honor those individuals who have contributed to not only the real estate community but also to the community at large. I congratulate all of this year’s winners, and thank everyone for attending and helping raise money for such an important cause, REBNY’s Residential Member in Need Fund.”
The REBNY Residential Member in Need Fund gives financial grants to REBNY members facing hardship because of a physical illness or a family crisis. Over the last 23 years, the event has raised more than $2 million for various charities.
Award winners are chosen anonymously through a judging committee. Only members of firms who have not submitted deal entries are allowed to judge.
