Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Copy Link
1st Quarter 2020 Sales Leaders
Congratulations From Geoff Green, President Of Green Team Realty, To Our 1st Quarter Sales Leaders
I am pleased to announce our 1st Quarter Sales Leaders for 2020. They are Jennifer DiCostanzo of our Warwick Office, and Barbara Tesa of our Vernon Office. 2020 started out strong, giving us all high hopes for a very successful year. Then towards the end of the 1st quarter, everything changed. Normally, I’d be photographed presenting an award to each quarterly sales leader. However, while I can’t congratulate them in person, I can do so here.
Once again Jennifer tops the production charts. Her work ethic is second to none and it shows. Jen is a tremendous Realtor who we are extremely grateful to call a Green Teamer!
Barbara is the consummate professional. Always responsive, always learning, and always producing. We are extremely fortunate to have Barbara as part of our team.
Jennifer DiCostanzo and Barbara Tesa at Green Team 2019 Awards Ceremony
Jennifer DiCostanzo, Green Team New York Realty
Jennifer DiCostanzo is no stranger to the Sales Leader Award. She has received the Yearly Sales Award each year since joining Green Team in 2015. Jen received the MVP Award in 2017 for more than $10 Million in Sales. Then again, in 2019, for more than $12 Million in Sales. Jen attributes her success to caring about her clients, working hard, and constantly learning. By keeping informed, she is best able to serve her clients to the best of her ability. Even in the midst of a pandemic.
With the challenges presented by COVID19, Jen has shared relevant information and resources with the community. She has written columns published in local newspapers. Jen feels it is important for people to understand their options. And that can range from mortgage forbearance to understanding current restrictions. Further, she has advocated on behalf of local organizations needing help and support as they give help and support to the community.
Jen’s thoughts on Covid19’s impact on real estate transactions
We began the first quarter off with a very strong market. Then suddenly overnight COVID changed every aspect of our lives. We had to immediately customize business practices and protocols. However, even though we are in a climate of social distancing, real estate needs are very much a priority and at the forefront of keeping the economy stable and on track. And by implementing cutting edge technologies, we are able to handle complex real estate market operations.
Stepping off of 2020 1st quarter has fueled stronger client relationships. We have had to seamlessly accelerate to virtual and remote platforms. And by doing so have transitioned both home buyers and sellers safely during a COVID market.
This is truly an essential time for both buyers and sellers to evaluate options and their own financial stability. It’s also an essential time to work with experts who understand the changing requirements and regulations that impact the decision to buy or sell a home. Now, more than ever, it is vital to work with real estate professionals, from your agent, lenders, attorneys and home inspectors, who are familiar with local regulations, safety concerns, etc. to make sure that your transaction proceeds on track and safely, with as little stress as possible. However, setting a level of expectation is vital so you can easily adapt to COVID timing factors. They have also been adjusted with remote and limited staff in all business platforms, from local, municipal and state agencies, and may indeed require more patience. It’s important to remember they are also working through COVID conditions as well.
Barbara Tesa, Green Team New Jersey Realty
Barbara Tesa is also no stranger to the Sales Leader Award, She received the award for the 3rd and 4th Quarters of 2017. Barbara also received the Captain’s Club Award for 2019, with between $3 and 5 Million in sales. Further, she received the New Jersey Realtors Circle of Excellence Award for 2017, 2018, and 2019. When Barbara joined Green Team New Jersey Realty, she brought with her an extensive resume. She has 20+ years of experience in residential and commercial real estate management. And she has been a successful, licensed real estate agent in New Jersey for 11 years now. Barbara’s motto is, “YOUR Property… MY Priority!” Which is fitting, because it’s important to her that her clients feel confident their interests are top priority throughout a transition.
Barbara’s thoughts on Covid19’s impact on real estate transactions
The beginning of the quarter started off strong with a very active January/February and early March. It felt like buyers and sellers had a lot of confidence in the market on both sides. Then, the uncertainty of real estate in COVID-19 times gave buyers and sellers a pause in mid-March. However, it seems to have been only temporary because buyers have remained active with their searches, their desire to see homes in person, and their desire to move. And sellers still want to sell.
We are just doing things a little differently now, taking every precaution with clients under social distancing guidelines when entering properties, meeting for home inspections, and right through to closing a transaction. People are still on the move and we will keep them moving as smoothly as possible. Despite COVID-19, based on the activity I’ve been seeing in the last 3-4 weeks, I’m looking forward to a robust remainder of the year. I am finding that people still want to move on with their plans, so the determination is there in the market.
Winning Your Own Race
2017 Green Team Momentum BuilderAward
This is a very special award, given to the Green Team Sales Associate who has created the most positive and consistent momentum in their professional career and personal life.
The 2017 Momentum Builder Award was presented to Tammy Scotto of the Green Team’s Warwick Office. Just as Tammy persevered in both her professional and personal life, Geoff Green persevered in his belief in her. To Geoff, it’s all about the journey, and about not giving up, no matter where the road takes you. According to Geoff, there are three components to success in the real estate business: time, intellect and persistence. Seems like sometimes the three may not align in the beginning. But, as in Tammy’s case, the intellect was there, her persistence paid off and eventually she had the time to put into her real estate career.
Tammy’s Story – In Her Own Words
“Firstly, I want to say thank you to Geoff for giving me this award this year. I really do appreciate the acknowledgment. There are MANY other agents here at the Green Team that deserve to be standing up here right along with me, so thank you. When Geoff called to tell me he wanted to honor me with this award, he said he was really thinking about the year and was going to talk about “Overnight Success.” I said to him, “Are you sure you want to give this award to me? I’ve had my license for 19 years!”
19 years ago I got 2 licenses. One was my Real Estate license, the other my marriage license. I’m happy to say both are in full effect and going strong today. But, as many of you know, this means I have been selling real estate through all stages of family life. I was selling as a mom with infants, toddlers and now teenagers. I am anything but an overnight success. Yet for me, that worked. My marriage and my family were and are number one in my life. But the reason I stuck it out with real estate is because it’s the only job I know that allows you to control your own schedule. We can turn it on and off as life requires. Lord knows we work all hours of the night and weekends. Yet we can also schedule around volunteering in school, sports events and other activities.
And the rest is history!
I’ve learned a LOT over these past 19 years. But, to be honest, I’ve learned the MOST the past 4 years. Four years ago I was selling real estate (very part-time) and working another job. Finally, I thought maybe I should just let my license go. The company I was with was going to start charging a monthly fee that I was not willing to pay. So I thought about it and was just going to get out of the business. My husband said, “Don’t do that, you’ve had it this long, maybe look at other options”.
So after a phone call to LucyAnn [Tinnirello] which led to a phone call from Geoff Green, the rest is history. In 2015, Geoff, LucyAnn, Jacque & I went to a Buffini convention in Philly and Geoff was talking about the Captain’s Club. He looked back and said, “Next year, right Tammy?” I said, “Nah, 2017.” Well, I had that gut feeling I needed that ONE extra year to get my business really going. And with all of the tools that Geoff provides for us, I learned how to really ramp up my business. It means a lot to actually have a broker that wants you to be successful and that is why you will be stuck with me for a VERY LONG TIME!!!!!
Winning your own race…
Part of the Green Team mission statement says: “A Real Estate Agent that is highly productive is more likely to deliver excellent client service than someone who is not. Couple that with a Real Estate Agent who has the time and ability to lead a meaningful life, and you have the perfect environment for an exceptional client experience.”
We’re all different and unique in this room. Some of us are go-getters right out of the gate. I was more of a Tortoise than the Hare….slow and steady… But I’m winning my personal race and wouldn’t give anything for the time I spent with my young kids. Finally, whichever one you are, make sure you’re doing it for you. I am living a meaningful life, have time to enjoy my family along the way and now I’m making a great living as well. 2017 was a great run and I’m looking forward to more years like it ahead! “
Lucyann Tinnirello 2016 Momentum Builder of the Year
When Geoff Green told me I was being awarded the 2016 Momentum Builder of the Year Award and that he would like me to speak at our Awards Ceremony, I was thrilled but didn’t know where to begin. My research revealed that momentum means force and speed of an object through circumstances, kinda like us going through the different times of our lives.
February 26th, 2012 life as I know it was forever changed, I stood devastated and alone, really alone, my husband Johnny, my childhood sweetheart, best friend, lover, right arm, confidant was gone. I thought to myself, this was not supposed to happen, not now, not yet. We had much more to do together. But God had a different plan for us. My husband was gone, you know that saying “We plan and God laughs”, well it became my reality. From that day on I was just going through the motions, I was totally numb, he was not coming back. I tried everything to move on I even went to a bereavement group. Once there a man stood up, who had just lost his wife, and he said to me, “take baby steps and remember there is no right or wrong way to grieve it’s what works for you”. His words stayed with me, although I could not use them right then, I kept them close.
I was miserable, hard to be around, I didn’t even like me. So can you imagine what I did to others especially my children who were in their own pain losing their father whom they adored, I was a mess and they were frustrated with me and I wouldn’t listen? In my heart, I knew that everyone cared, but I didn’t. Heading down the road to destruction, poor health, poor finances and getting worse.
One day my son said to me “Mom we need you to get a grip, we don’t want to lose you too. We need you to get healthy and come back to us, your grandchildren need you even more now. I love my children more than life but the magic word was grandchildren. Realizing they were the only ones that put a smile on my face. I started thinking my grandchildren complete the circle of love Johnny and I created. I realized that he is still with me every day, in their smiles, gestures, and the fun that we have together. Now instead of tears I think of all the wonderful memories Johnny and created with our children and grandchildren this is what pulled me through.
Today I am addressing my health, my finances, and my relationships, I still have more to do but again baby steps. I now choose happily! So don’t forget to take time out to create memories with your loved ones because memories are more important than the material things in life.
Real estate what can I say, I love it, I must, being in it for 33 years. For my momentum and what a few things that I have learned along the way:
-
WIN: What’s Important Now.
-
It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice.
-
Hoping and wishing are excuses for not doing
-
There is no one way to know before experiencing.
I am so happy to be part of this amazing team, The Green Team! Thank you for the wonderful support I receive on a daily basis from some very special people in our office; A special thank you to Geoff Green for all of his support especially through these difficult past five years. Thank you to Theresa Russo, Donna Roberts & Amy Green you are a delight to work with, your smiles are catching, and I so appreciate your patience with this BC (Before computer person ), Dylan Czubak thank you for not laughing at my endless computer questions and last but not least Linda VanDeWeert god took Johnny, then put you in my path. I cherish our friendship, your honesty and caring means a lot to me.
I humbly accept this award….I couldn’t help but realize I am not lucky I am blessed.
