County Realtors awarded at luncheon
FRANKLIN TWP — Two shocked Realtors received top awards and 66 of their colleagues were recognized for their sales Wednesday at the annual Butler County Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence awards luncheon at the Atrium.
“I’m honored and surprised,” said Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ Jared Sullivan, who was named 2022 Realtor of the Year. “I have the best workplace in the industry, and I’m thankful every day I can get up and do it.”
He said working with the Chuck Swidzinski team at Berkshire Hathaway is like working with his second family.
“They are the best part of my job,” Sullivan said. “We work hard together and support each other.”
Rookie of the Year honors went to Josh Houston of Clear Choice Enterprises.
Megan Rummel, president of the association, said Houston, a Slippery Rock University graduate, has recorded more than $1 million in sales in the single year he has been a Realtor.
“He’s not afraid of a challenge and he’s eager to learn,” Rummel said.
Houston called the Rookie of the Year award “unexpected.”
“My first year in real estate has been a ton of fun,” he said. “I left what I thought was my dream job to move to my actual dream job (in real estate).”
Houston attributed his success to one thing.
“I prioritize relationships,” he said. “That is what this industry is all about.”
A dozen Realtors at the luncheon were installed as officers in the association.
A handful of longtime local Realtors attended the luncheon, including Ed Shields, Lucille Skrak and Lorraine DiDomenico.
Shields grew up in the realty business as his parents, Carl and Elsie Shields maintained their realty office in the family’s home.
Ed Shields, of Ed Shields Realtors, attained his real estate license in 1958 and continues to work.
Shields said while the business has changed greatly over the decades, one fact remains the same.
“There are three things in real estate: buyers, sellers and money. And one of them is usually missing,” Shields said.
He said he has sold industrial, commercial, multiunit, agricultural and every other kind of property during his years in real estate, including a caboose on a few acres that were used as a camp.
He said the field of real estate has improved over the years, as Realtors are now held to a code of ethics and buyers also have a real estate agent, a practice that began 22 years ago.
Skrak, of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, has been a Realtor since 1977.
She said a home’s sales agreement was one page long when she started in the business.
“Now it’s about 30 pages,” she said.
DiDomenico has been a member of the association of Realtors for 38 years, having served as president four times as well as state director, district vice president and national director.
“We are not just Realtors; we are professionals,” DiDomenico said.
She has enjoyed her long career in real estate and has no plans of stopping anytime soon.
“We really get to be part of everyone’s lives and help them with the next step in their journey,” DiDomenico said of helping folks select a home.
Sadler Priest of EXP Realty and the association’s president-elect, said he is glad the luncheon could be held this year after being canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’re starting to get back to more in-person events, and we look forward to more,” Priest said.
