The Tribune

Bahamas Realty has named Silvina Andrews as its overall top producer for 2012, with Pyper Gordon-Parker as top leasing agent and Sara Parker as top producer for exclusive listings. James Bernard won the Most Improved Agent title.

Lynden Moncur is the new employee of the year, chosen from the salaried employees of the 63-year-old company.

“We are very proud of the performance of these top agents, and Lynden Moncur who has been with Bahamas Realty nearly all his working life,” said Bahamas Realty chief executive, Larry Roberts.

Mrs Andrews, a sales associate and a ‘Million Dollar Broker’, took the Top Producer honours for the third time. She has also won most improved agent.

She said: “The biggest challenge this past year was simply not having the number of clients that I would usually see through referrals and advertising. With the instability of the market, buyers have difficulty making the commitment.

“In this business it’s important to work smart and not spread yourself thin. Real estate is a service industry, and clients will remember the entire experience, so I take the time to step out of the box and make their experience memorable. Purchasing a home should be fun and exciting, so I try very hard to take on the stress so the client doesn’t have to.

“During these difficult times it has also been difficult for buyers to find financing. I’ve had a couple of experiences this year in the luxury market where financing fell through, but thankfully I have built relationships during my time in this business and, with the clients’ trust, we managed to make it work.”

Mrs Gordon-Parker, a broker and sales associate,has won top producer in leasing almost every year.

A California native, she began working at Bahamas Realty in 1999, and has become a consistent top producer in real estate sales and rentals.

Mrs Parker, a broker and sales associate, credited her top producer of exclusive listings award to ‘Bahamas Realty NOW’, the home and garden-style TV show for which she is executive producer and host, about to start its sixth season.

“The show airs twice weekly, so I am now recognised just about everywhere I go.

“People remember my name and contact me to list their properties exclusively, which makes them eligible for the MLS and for inclusion in our show,” she said.

Mr Bernard, an appraiser and sales associate, is a graduate of Virginia Tech University. He worked in Washington D.C. with the largest real estate management company in the eastern US for several years before returning to the Bahamas to continue his real estate career.

Mr Moncur, from Cat Island, started working with Bahamas Realty in 1996 as a painter.

“It’s hard to define Lynden’s job. He is a mainstay of the company, always willing to go the extra mile to be helpful to our clients and other employees, “ says Bahamas Realty director Donnie Martinborough, head of the company’s commercial section.

“Achieving Employee of the Year signifies someone very special, highly respected by his fellow staff members. His enthusiasm and work ethic make him a role model and I salute him,” said Bahamas Realty president Robin Brownrigg.

The Bahamas Realty Employee of the Year is chosen from the salaried staff by all the employees of the company.

Mr Brownrigg, said of the top producers: “ Silvina and Pyper are both consistent top achievers, leaders in the industry, exemplary in achieving the most well balanced performances of all our agents.

“Listings are a key component of our business and we congratulate Sara for bringing in so many. We hope other agents will follow her lead.

“James is a newcomer in sales and we are just amazed at his success in high-end properties. I congratulate them all.”