Green Team Awards Ceremony for 2017
Geoff Green takes the name of his company, the Green Team, quite seriously. Being an agent here is all about being part of a team. It’s about perfecting your craft, providing consummate service to each and every client. Also, it’s about providing support to your team mates. Furthermore, it’s about reaching for and achieving goals. At the Green Team Awards Ceremony, those goals were recognized. On January 26, 2018 the Green Team family came together to celebrate a very good year. 2017 saw many agents not only succeed in their goals, but surpass them. As a result, Geoff presented the framed certificates with pride.
Geoff was asked how it felt to have so many of his agent’s reach various levels of success. “I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude,” he replied. After starting this company 13 years ago, Geoff is seeing his goals surpassed by people he deeply cares about. One of the things that he loves about this business is its ability to help improve, even change, lives. And knowing that he has had a part in creating the training, the support, the vehicle and the opportunity for change means everything. Because, above all, this business is about people.
Awards were presented at Albert Wisner Library, followed by a Post Awards Ceremony Celebration hosted by Jeremy Miller of First Home Bank at the Historic Warwick Inn.
Presentation of awards was by category.
And the Green Team’s First MVP Award, for $10+ Million in Sales Volume, Goes To…
Finally someone broke Geoff Green’s record of $10 Million in sales in a year, and he couldn’t have been happier or prouder. When Geoff first met Jennifer DiCostanzo, he told her that he saw her as becoming the #1 Agent in all of Orange County, not merely in the Green Team. When asked about how she felt on achieving over $10 Million in sales in 2017, Jen replied… “Rewarded.” “Humbled, honored to be recognized for all the hard work and long hours I put in. This is something you don’t take lightly. The numbers don’t mean everything. You need tunnel vision; just focus on meeting the expectations and needs of your clients. That is ultimately the goal, and in the end, everyone wins.” Jen is excited to have raised the bar, both for herself and for her fellow Green Team associates.
Jen lovingly acknowledges the support and contributions of her family. She couldn’t have done this without them. They’re a team, organizing and having flexibility because of her often erratic schedule and long work hours. Her recipe for success? When you are given an opportunity, determination, hard work, keeping current, and keeping steady will keep you on track. “When you love what you do,” says Jen, “it’s not work. I can’t imagine doing anything other than Real Estate.”
In addition to the very special MVP Award, Jen was awarded Yearly Sale Leader for 2017 and Citizen of the Year, for her outstanding contributions to our local community. In the middle photo, Jen and Vernon Yearly Sales Award Winner, Keren Gonen, happily display their awards.



And It’s Another Triple Win…
In the Vernon office, Keren Gonen scored a triple play. In addition to being Yearly Sales Leader for 2017, Keren was voted Team Player and Citizen of the Year by her coworkers. What makes this all even more special is that this was Keren’s first year as an agent. Furthermore, to Geoff Green, Keren is a shining star, a remarkable sales person with tenacity and drive to be at the top. Keren truly believes that where a person lives has a big impact on their happiness. Therefore, she loves helping her clients, whether they are buying or selling, achieve their goals and enhance balance and happiness in their lives. She dedicates herself to providing them with the best real estate experience possible. In real estate, Keren has found her balance and happiness. And, in the Green Team, a new home.

Momentum Builder Award
This is a very special award for the Green Team Sales Associate who has created the most positive and consistent momentum in their professional career. The nominee has had the same impetus reflected in many aspects of their professional career, and in their personal life. This year, Tammy Scotto was honored and moved the ceremony attendees with her story and words of inspiration.
The Captain’s Club
The Captain’s Club is one of the ways that Geoff recognizes and rewards the members of his team who have achieved a certain level of success in their business. Agents who have achieved a sales volume of $3 Million or more are acknowledged. There are benefits that go along with getting to this level. According to Geoff, it’s about more than sales volume. It is about showing that you have what it takes to be the captain of a team.
Captain’s Club – Warwick

From left to right: Dean Diltz, Angela Murphy, June Cosgrove-Hayes, Pip Klein, Tammy Scotto and Vikki Garby. Not shown in photo: Chris Kimiecik, Nancy Sardo, Denise Schmidt and Lucyann Tinnirello .
Captain’s Club – Vernon

From left to right: Barbara Tesa, Charles Nagy and Keren Gonen.
Top Producer Awards
Agents in this category reached over $2 Million in sales volume.
From Left to Right: Linda VanDeweert and Terry Gavan of the Green Team Warwick Office proudly display their awards, as do Ted Van Laar and Joyce Rogers of the Vernon office. (Not Shown in Photo: Stacy Springer, Vernon office)


And last, but definitely not least…
The Warwick office selected Donna Roberts as its Team Player of 2017. Donna is the person who is there for everyone, doing everything. She keeps the agents and the offices running smoothly. And, she did a remarkable job coordinating this event. Thank you, Donna!

Looking forward to another great year!
Giving Back to our Communities
2nd Annual Light Up the Holidays Contest
The Green Team’s 2nd Annual Light Up the Holidays Contest and the generosity of our communities made the holidays brighter for two local charities. This year, Green Team’s Warwick office selected Warwick Playground Dreams as its designated charity. And Green Team New Jersey Realty in Vernon raised funds for the Vernon Township Senior Center. Agents from each office hit the streets, the phones and their email, contacting local professionals and businesses and asking them to become part of this community effort. Becoming either a Gold, Silver or Bronze Sponsor, donations were made out directly to the charity, in amounts corresponding to the level of sponsorship. The 2017 sponsors have a permanent place on our website and you can view them here.
This year the Green Team changed things up a bit. Instead of one, there were now three ways to participate. You could enter your home or business yourself. Or you could enter a business or someone else’s home. And this time. the Green Team “elves” drove around to take in the holiday decorations and also to take photos of homes they felt expressed the warmth and light of the season! In each county, there were 1st, 2nd and third place winners, decided upon by committee votes. Each winner received a framed certificate featuring a photo of their decorated home or business.
Presentation to Warwick Playground Dreams

On January 10, members of the Green Team Home Selling System in Warwick were excited to present representatives of Warwick Playground Dreams with donations totaling $3,650. This non-profit organization is dedicated to making sure that children of all abilities have access to playground components that will allow them to play together in a safe, inclusive environment. The playground, located in Stanley Deming Park, will encourage the free play and creativity necessary for both physical and cognitive development. A true labor of love, the playground will be community built in the Spring or Fall of 2018. To donate or volunteer, visit the organization’s website.
Appearing in this photo, from left to right, are: Donna Roberts, Adrienne Lepre, Geoff Green, Megan Cardenas, Keren Gonen, Jen DiCostanzo, Hannelore Chambers, Steven Lichtenberg, Kerri Fenton Foley, Toni Kreusch, Alan Norberg, Kim Lesley and, in front, Gianna Lepre.
The Orange County Winners, from 1st to 3rd place…



Presentation to the Vernon Township Senior Center

What better time to present donations to the Senior Center than at their annual holiday party! There was a full house and joyous atmosphere as the seniors celebrated the holidays … and the donations totaling $2,750. The money raised will help provide the seniors with new activities, craft supplies and other enhancements to the Center’s programs. Jane Damstra, Director of the Senior Center (pictured on the left, being presented with donation checks by Green Team New Jersey Realty’s Barbara Tesa), has wonderful plans! If you’d like to donate or volunteer at the Senior Center, click here for more information.
The Sussex County Winners, from 1st to 3rd place…



The true joy is in the giving…
And perhaps that is the most wonderful thing about this event. Whether sharing your beautiful corner of the world, decked out in lights to celebrate the season… Or helping to raise money for a worthy cause, or donating to that cause. Or perhaps volunteering your time and expertise, maybe by helping to build a playground or teaching tech tricks to a group of seniors… This is the true meaning of Lighting Up the Holidays!
Sussex County Real Estate – October 2017 Market Review
Green Team’s Real Estate Market Overview
October’s Market Review Meeting was held a little more than a week before Thanksgiving, and a little more than a month before we ring in a new year. It’s the perfect time to talk about goals that have been set, goals that have and have not been met, and goals that have been exceeded. The Green Team’s Warwick office is one of the top ten agencies in Orange County, with a goal of being one of the top five! And the Vernon office, which opened its doors just 18 months ago, is already in the top 25 of all Sussex County agencies! The Warwick office, as of October 31 it has already exceeded 2016’s year-end total. Green Team New Jersey Realty does not have a full year to compare 2017’s sales to, but its anticipated year-end sales will clearly demonstrate a successful accomplishment for a new agency.
Exceeding Goals and Expectations
2017 has seen exciting goals being set and met by agents in both offices. Mention Sales Leader Awards in Warwick, and there are two names that immediately come to mind: Jennifer DiCostanzo, 2016 Sales Leader and First Quarter Sales Leader Award winner for 2017, and Nancy Sardo, winner of the 2nd and 3rd Quarter Sales Leader Awards for 2017. Jen has already exceeded her goal for this year, and Nancy is close to reaching hers. Who will be the 4th Quarter Leader and who will be 2017 Sales Leader? We can’t wait to find out! And, while these two battle it out, Chris Kimiecik, while new to real estate, has blasted way past his goal of $1,000,000 in sales. Other agents have either reached or exceeded their goals, and others are still working towards meeting theirs. In Vernon, Keren Gonen is a shining star! Another agent new to the business, Keren set a very high first year goal of $3,000,000 – and she has already exceeded that! These agents are excellent examples of the opportunities and possibilities that exist in our industry, as well as demonstrating the hard work, dedication and drive that it takes to reach and then exceed goals. There are many other agents who are exceeding the goals they set for themselves for 2017. Green Team’s agents in both offices are working hard, constantly striving to improve their knowledge and skills, all while providing top notch service to their clients. 2018 looks to be an exciting year for all.
“How is the market?”
When a client asks this question, an agent’s answer is indicative of their level of professionalism and knowledge. This market review meeting focused on how to analyze local real estate stats to provide a clear and accurate portrait of market conditions to clients.
Local Market Reports – Sussex County, NJ
Average Sold to Asked Ratio
This is the percentage a house sold for under or over the last asking price (not the original price).
Sussex County:
With an average of 96.8%, the Sold to Asked Ratio in Sussex County in 2017 has been higher than any of the previous four years. There has been a slight downward trend since July, but this can be attributed to a seasonal fluctuation. Besides, October’s average of 96.35% is still higher than any month during 2013 to 2016.

Units Sold
The term units here includes single family homes, condominiums, townhomes and multi-family homes with 1-4 units.
Sussex County: Here again, the stats show that the 2017 market is hot, with more units being sold this year than in any of the years from 2013 to 2016. There was a dip in September, but then a rise in October.

Average Days on Market
The faster things are selling, the hotter the market, so look for the lowest number on the graph as opposed to the highest. In New York State, the calculation was changed so that it is from the List Date to the Contract Date, rather than to the Binder Date, which was the standard 3 years ago.
Sussex County: With an average of 91.03 days on the market, 2017 once again proves itself to be a hotter market than the previous four years.

Homes that sold at 100% or more of last asking price
Sussex County: In October the number dipped slightly below last year’s October number, but still almost one-third of homes are selling at 100% of their asking price – or above it!

Average Price
Sussex County: Despite the market being hot, prices have gone down since 2013, when the average price was $243,909. In 2017, it’s $221,196. In fact, on average, prices are lower this year than the last four years. When pricing a home for a client It is essential to look at hyper-local comparables.
So, How is the Market?
After reviewing all of the data contained in the graphs for these categories for Sussex County and Orange County, the real estate market is Hot!!! If trends continue their upward climb we can anticipate another great year in 2018. Continue setting goals and let the market help you achieve the best possible deals for sellers, and find the best home, at the best price, for buyers.
Our Next Market Review Meeting
Our November Market Review Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 12. As always, we look forward to keeping on top of our goals and discussing matters that are important to the success of your real estate transaction with our agents. We’ll then be posting information that we hope you’ll find interesting and helpful.
Sussex County Real Estate – November 2017 Market Review
Green Team’s Real Estate Market Overview
2017 – A Year of Growth and Success
The last Real Estate Market Review Meeting of 2017 marks a year of growth and success on both company-wide and individual levels. In both the Warwick and Vernon offices, many sales associates have met or exceeded the goals they set at the beginning of the year. Many of the agents in Warwick doubled their sales from last year, including Nancy Sardo, Vikki Garby, Tammy Scotto, Angela Murphy, Chris Kimiecik, Julianna Green and Jane Reilly. As the Vernon office opened this year, there are no numbers from 2016 to compare to. However, the New Jersey sales associates are setting the bar high for next year. Eight agents had sales exceeding $1 million – and some exceeding $4 million! Keren Goren, Charles Nagy, Barbara Tesa, Ted Van Laar, Joyce Rogers, Heidi Hyland, Stacy Springerand Kimberly Lasalandra will have to set their goals high for 2018 to compare with their sales this year.
The Importance of setting goals
The numbers from December won’t be available until next month, but projections look very good and once the final numbers are in and tallied with the year to date numbers, award winners will be determined. The excitement builds! Will Jennifer DiCostanzo, winner of 2016’s Sale Leader Award take the prize again this year for the Warwick office? Will Keren Goren, a highly motivated newcomer to real estate, take the prize for the Vernon office? Stay tuned…
The Green Team Annual Award Ceremony will take place on January 26, and Fourth Quarter Sales Leader Awards and Sales Leader Award for 2017 will be announced. All of the agents who have become Quarter Sales Leaders and Sales Leaders for the Year have been goal setters. According to Geoff Green, the importance of the Personal Action & Engagement Plan for 2018 cannot be overstated and he encourages all Green Team agents to complete and submit theirs and start the New Year on the right note!
How is the market?
It is imperative that agents understand how to analyze local real estate stats and be able to provide a clear and accurate portrait of market conditions to their clients. Fluctuations from month to month may seem minor, but tracking them throughout the year gives a good indication of where the market stands. Trends towards a sellers or buyers market will affect advice to clients, whether they are buying or selling a home. The importance of this information is why a monthly meeting is held to go over the previous month’s statistics and overall trends for the year.
Local Market Reports – Sussex County, NJ
Average Sold to Asked Ratio
The percentage a house sold for under or over the last asking price (not the original price).
Sussex County: There was an increase in the Average Sold to Asked Ratio from October to November, from 96.38% to 96.76%, continuing the trend of 2017 being higher than any of the previous four years.

Units Sold
The term units here includes single family homes, condominiums, town homes and multi-family homes with 1-4 units.
Sussex County: The stats show that the market continues to be hot, with more units being sold this year than in any of the years from 2013 to 2016. While there was a rise in units sold from September to October, there was a slight dip in units sold in November. Even with that dip, the number of units sold this November is higher than the number of units sold in the same month in each of 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Average Days on Market
The faster things are selling, the hotter the market. Look for the lowest number on the graph as opposed to the highest. The calculation was changed in New York State. It’s now from the List Date to the Contract Date, rather than the Binder Date.
Sussex County: Consistently lower than the previous four years, November stats showed an average of 86.86 days on the market.

Homes that sold at 100% or more of last asking price
Sussex County: This number rose from October. 36.42% of homes sold at 100% or more of their last asking price – more than one-third!

Average Price
Sussex County: Despite the market being hot, prices have gone down since 2013, when the average price was $243,909. In 2017, it’s $221,994. November has seen a rise in average price to $229,779 from $214,056 in October. On average, prices are lower this year than the last four years. So it is essential to look at hyper-local comparables when pricing a home for a client.

What do these stats mean for buyers and sellers?
All the of above statistics show a market where sellers are in a strong position. A quarter to over a third of homes are selling at 100% or more of the seller’s last asking price. Homes are remaining on the market for shorter periods than any of the last five years. This is not a market where buyers have a strong upper hand when it comes to negotiating. Nor do they have the luxury of time. Thinking about selling? Now is a great time to find out what your home is worth.
The importance of a strong offer
With the shortage of inventory in today’s market combined with the above data, it has become increasingly important for buyers to come in quickly with a strong offer on the house they would like to call home! Buyers may not realize that increasing their offer by a few thousand dollars may only amount to an additional $20 or $30 in their monthly mortgage payment. Sellers may be receiving multiple offers. And other buyers may not be reticent about making a strong offer if they really want the house. It’s important to discuss your options with your real estate agent. Your agent will advise you on making that all important offer on the home that you want!
Light Up the Holidays is Making the Season Brighter for Two Local Charities!

Local businesses and individuals have joined forces with the Green Team by becoming sponsors for our Second Annual Light Up the Holidays event. To date, Orange County sponsors have raised $3,400 for Warwick Playground Dreams, and Sussex County sponsors have raised $2,350 for the Vernon Senior Center. Sponsorship donations are made directly to the charity, and you’ll find these generous community and business members featured on the Green Team’s website, where they will have a permanent place of honor! It is not too late to join our sponsors in making a lot of dreams come true.
And now the fun begins! We are looking for photos of homes that reflect the beauty of the season to feature on our website and Facebook page! Enter your own home, nominate your neighbor, or a business whose decorations you admire! Also, don’t be surprised if a Green Team member has admired your light display and left you a placard asking you to register on our website! Visit https://www.greenteamhq.com/luh2017 to register, to see the community members who have donated so generously to these two charities, and to place or see your home in the competition!
Wishing all a joyous holiday season!
Click on the images below to view homes in your area that have been entered into the Light Up The Holidays 2017 contest so far. Continue to check back as homes will continue to be added through the new year.


The Green Team Lights Up the Holidays… and Faces at the Vernon Township Senior Center
The G
reen Team celebrates the holiday season by recognizing the joy and beauty of homes and businesses whose decorations Light Up the Holidays and our communities. And it celebrates the ideals of giving and sharing that are at its core by raising money for local charities.
Meet the Vernon Recipient of Light Up the Holidays 2017 Donations
Keren Gonen of Green Team New Jersey Realty shocked Jane Damstra, Director of the Vernon Township Senior Center, when she told Jane that her organization had been selected as its designated charity. Jane’s shock, however, soon turned to excitement as she started imagining what the sponsorship donations could mean to the approximately 200 seniors who come to the Center annually. On any given day you can find between 38 and 50 seniors ages 60 and over at the Center. First of all, some come for the lunch provided by the Senior Services Nutrition Program for a $2 donation. And many are there to enjoy the activities offered by the Center. Currently these include Zumba, shuffleboard, line dancing, Wii bowling and pool, cards, watching DVD’s. Almost all of these activities involve minimal cost, and don’t provide the challenge and creativity that many seniors crave.
And now Keren has shocked Jane once again. On November 30 she presented Jane with $1,450 in donations. Furthermore, with the continued generosity of local businesses throughout Sussex County, there will be more to come.
Local Businesses Can Make a Difference
Aging does not bring an end to creativity, to curiosity, to learning, to enjoyment of life. Local businesses that sponsor the Green Team’s Second Annual Light Up the Holidays Contest can make a real difference in the lives of Vernon’s seniors. Because, now programs that Jane had only dreamed of can start to become reality.
One of her top priorities is the purchase of two laptop computers. They’ll be used as part of a training program with tech-savvy high school volunteers. The volunteers will teach the seniors to use the internet to talk to faraway family members, pay bills, and more. A group of talented knitters at the Center create items for donation to charitable causes. However, wool can be expensive. Thus, another priority is crafting supplies, including wool needed for these projects. Jane would also love to start a watercolor class. And she’d like to bring in guest speakers and instructors. Generally, fees exceed what the program budget will allow. Furthermore, there are other programs she wants to start – day trips for the many who are no longer able to drive themselves. Trips to the mall, to see local theatre productions… The list goes on.
Brighten your community through Light Up the Holidays!
Local professionals, businesses and individuals can work with the Green Team to bring exciting new programs to Vernon’s vibrant senior population. And if what comes around goes around, there will be light and joy enough for all of us! For more information about the Green Team and its Second Annual Light Up the Holidays Event, visit https://www.greenteamhq.com/luh2017/, and for more information about the Vernon Township Senior Center, visit http://www.vernontwp.com/services/senior_center/,
Barbara Tesa Wins Third Quarter Sales Leader Award – 2017

VERNON, NJ – (November 1) Green Team New Jersey Realty in Vernon, NJ is proud to announce that Barbara Tesa is the recipient of its Third Quarter Sales Leader Award.
Though relatively new to Green Team NJ Realty, Barbara is no newcomer to the real estate industry. She brings to the Green Team over 20 years of professional experience in residential and commercial real estate management and 8 years as a successful licensed real estate agent in New Jersey. Barbara’s professionalism, knowledge and commitment to her clients is evident in the numbers: 4 out of the five transactions she had for this quarter sold in under 30 days!
When asked what her motto for success is, Barbara promptly replied: “Your Property…My Priority!” She went on to explain, “I believe the strongest asset I have personally is really listening to what the client has to say and making it my priority to deliver for them. When listing a property, besides having a great rapport with the sellers, I feel marketing is key. Coming on board with Green Team New Jersey has provided me with so much opportunity to broaden my marketing skills, it has paid off. The added plus at Green Team is the positive morale and encouragement here; it’s such a pleasure working with a Broker who is hands on and truly takes an interest in each agent’s performance. Happy to be part of the “TEAM”!”
According to Geoff Green, “This is Barbara Tesa’s first Green Team Quarterly Sales Leader award, and I am more than confident that it won’t be the last. In fact, I think it will be the first of many. Barbara is a consummate professional who is always looking to improve her craft of selling homes. We are extremely blessed to have Barbara in our Agency and we look forward to assisting her to many future Quarterly Sales Leader awards.”
Barbara and her husband, Rudi, bought and sold several homes in Bergen County before discovering the magical combination of resort living and the natural beauty of Sussex County at Crystal Springs, where they currently reside. As a realtor and long-time resident there, Barbara has worked with many clients buying or selling in Crystal Springs, as well as surrounding areas. So, you can add expertise in Resort Homes to Barbara’s list of qualifications, along with membership in Garden State Multiple Listing Service, National Association of Realtors and the Sussex County Association of Realtors.
The Dynamic Duo has done it again!
Charles Nagy and Theodore Van Laar Win Second Quarter Sales Award
VERNON – (August 9, 2017) Green Team New Jersey Realty in Vernon, NJ is proud to announce that Charles Nagy and Theodore Van Laar recently won the Second Quarter Sales Leader Award.
Geoff Green puts it best… “The Dynamic Duo has done it again! Actually, this is their first Green Team Quarterly Sales Leader Award, but I just had to say that! In all seriousness, Charlie and Ted are an exceptional team within Green Team New Jersey Realty. They have a tremendous amount of experience between the two of them and they are just getting started on their road to success at Green Team New Jersey. It will be fun to watch how far they can take their business!”
To say they have a tremendous amount of experience is almost an understatement! Together, they have spent over 70 years in the real estate business.
For over 31 years, Ted Van Laar has been a trusted sales associate, specializing in resort properties. Ted and wife Rosanne were first attracted to the beauty and amenities of area resorts back in 1979. Through the years they have shared their appreciation and enjoyment of the Mountain Creek, Crystal Springs and Great Gorge resort area with their three children, friends and family. Ted has a reputation for honesty and integrity, and he enthusiastically shares his love of the Resort lifestyle with his clients, whether they’re looking for a primary residence, second home or an investment property.
Charles Nagy and wife Lynne live in Crystal Springs, where he enjoys playing golf and taking part in other activities available in the community. Charles has been involved in different aspects of the real estate business for the past 40 years. His experience includes the creation and sale of real estate tax sheltered investment offerings; real estate management of high rises and garden apartment complexes; development of raw land for construction of residential homes and, for 18 years, as a builder of residential properties. He has also obtained his certification as a Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource. For two years running (2014 and 2015), Charles was one of Sussex County’s Top Sale Producers, earning the Bronze award. His achievements continue, as shown by this award:
“We are honored to win top producers of Green Team New Jersey Realty for the second quarter of the year. The environment of the New Jersey office promotes an atmosphere of camaraderie which makes for a fun and highly productive environment. Not to mention the one-of-a-kind business model intentionally developed to enhance our client services through continual agent training and support, modern marketing and client appreciation program.”




