During their recent annual meeting at Farmstead Golf and Country Club, Sussex County Association of REALTORS® named Catherine Kut REALTOR® of the Year for 2024.

The winner of this respected award is chosen annually by a committee of REALTOR® peers. The criteria for being named REALTOR® of the Year include involvement in the Sussex County Association of REALTORS®, National Association of REALTORS®, community and humanitarian service activities, business accomplishments, and overall REALTOR® spirit.

About the REALTOR® of the Year Recognition

According to Emily Bowden, Executive Officer for the , “The REALTOR® of the Year is a person that gives of themselves. They do not look for compliments, they do not announce what they do or wait for someone to ask of them. They volunteer, they help others…What they do comes from their hearts. Cathy exemplifies the good that REALTORS® stand for.”

Doug Radford, Broker/Owner of �ʹ�����app Exceptional REALTORS®, could not agree more. “I speak on behalf of the entire organization when I say that we are immensely happy to see Cathy recognized by SCAR,” said Radford. “Not only is she an amazing mentor and sales agent, but she is an amazing lady. Cathy is not the braggadocious type, but she puts 110% toward everything. She has done so much in the local community and agent community and fully deserves this honor.”

Getting to Know Cathy Kut

A resident of Sussex County since 1974, Cathy has never been known to sit idle. She received her real estate license in 1986 and has seen significant professional success, amassing dozens of awards from New Home Sales to Five Star Professional Awards to NJ REALTORS® Circle of Excellence.

Outside of business, Cathy dedicates hours of her time to numerous community activities such as the annual United Way Chili Open Golf Outing, Lake Mohawk German Christmas Market, and Boy Scouts of America’s Tribute to Women’s Banquet. She has been a member of the Board of Directors for Sussex County Big Brothers & Big Sisters, United Way, the Chamber of Commerce, among others. However, in the true and humble Cathy style, she says her greatest achievement is her family. Her three sons and six grandchildren are what she calls her “shining stars.”

Onward and Upward

“So many people sing the praises of Cathy Kut,” said Patrick van den Bossche, President of �ʹ�����app International. “She has been a pillar in our real estate family for years, and does a tremendous job supporting her fellow Executives, among others, throughout Sussex County. We are proud of her accomplishments and thrilled to see her named 2024 REALTOR® of the Year. She exemplifies what it means to be called an Executive.”

Cathy is currently a producing manager and mentor at �ʹ�����app Exceptional REALTORS® in Sparta and can be reached at 973-903-2908 or CathyKut@RealtyExecutives.com.

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On November 1st, Pam Vreeland, a Sparta, New Jersey Realtor® with �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors®, was named Realtor® of the Year. The award was announced at Farmstead Golf & Country Club during the annual breakfast meeting of the .

Candidates for the award were considered based on Realtor® spirit, involvement in local, state, and national associations, business accomplishments, community service, and humanitarian services.

Upon presenting the award to Pam, Sussex County Association’s President, Sandra Gardner, explained that someone with Realtor® spirit demonstrates the principles defined by the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, is highly respected by the general public and peers, and continues to educate himself or herself in their practice.

“Realtor® spirit is more than just a set of values, it is a way of life. Pam is the perfect example of what Realtor® spirit is: dedication to the furtherance of good real estate practice, completing advanced real estate leadership coursework, mentoring new Realtors®, along with always lending a helping hand or offering advice to those in need. Over the years Pam has dedicated countless hours to the Sussex County Association of Realtors®, serving on its board of directors, participating in numerous committees, bringing new ideas, and always giving a helping hand where needed,” said Gardner.

In addition to her work with local real estate professionals and Sussex County Association, Pam has created an inseverable connection to the local community. Pam has assisted with applying for grants, fundraising for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and coordinated blood drives. She has dedicated numerous years to the Lake Mohawk Preservation Foundation and served as a trustee. Two years ago, Pam and her husband, Mark, bought a farm where they work with , which rents part of the farm to offer therapy through animals for mental health, trauma, autism, and special needs. Recently, Pam became the President of the Sussex County Habitat for Humanity where she works hard promoting its mission of partnering with people in the community to help build and improve homes.

“There is a reason why we call our agents ‘Executives’, and Pam is a prime example,” said Doug Radford, co-owner of �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors®. “Those who are truly professional and passionate about their work understand that real estate isn’t just about a transaction- it is a calling to be of service to others. It is about caring for your community and those within it, both in the course of business and also in our personal time. This recognition is well-deserved and hard earned, and we could not be more excited for Pam.”

Pam Vreeland will be honored at the Realtors® Triple Play Convention in Atlantic City on December 5th.  She can be reached at 201-317-9883 or by calling the �ʹ�����app branch office at 973-729-7141.

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�ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors®, of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, was recently honored as �ʹ�����app International’s Extraordinary Brokerage of the Year at the 2019 Annual Conference held in Scottsdale, Arizona. The award is given annually to the brokerage who exemplifies the �ʹ�����app brand through culture, technology and the continuation of forward thinking leadership.

�ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors®, with 13 branch offices and over 300 real estate professionals throughout northern New Jersey and Pike County, Pennsylvania, affiliated with �ʹ�����app 10 years ago under the leadership of Kyle Poskitt, COO and President Doug Radford. The brokerage has grown consistently in agents, transactional and dollar volume annually, and has been recognized as one of the top brokerages nationally by top real estate industry rankings. This award comes as another stepping stone of success, as �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors® was named “Brokerage of the Month” in March 2017. The company is known for attracting top Realtors® in the area.

“We were so happy to recognize the hard work of everyone in the company at this year’s conference,” Patrick van den Bossche, President of �ʹ�����app International said. “The service they give their agents and clients has been aspirational to the International brand and has ensured agent success. The Extraordinary Brokerage award is a great addition to the already established success the company has achieved.”

“Our company has been so successful because of our experienced and knowledgeable agents,” Radford said. “As a company, we feel that it is our responsibility to provide our agents with the finest marketing, technology and administrative support so that they can focus on what they do best, assisting and guiding home buyers and sellers through the process.”

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�ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors® has been recognized by Energage as the best mid-sized workplace in North New Jersey. The program invited organizations across businesses, non-profits, and government offices to uncover the best places to work and provide valuable insight to employers. With offices throughout northern New Jersey and Pike County Pennsylvania, �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors® was recognized as the Top Workplace in the Midsize Category (150-399 employees) and also received a special award for direction.

Chief Operating Officer called the recognition a “big deal” as the awards came directly from the firm’s people. Awards were based on a study which surveyed employees at participating workplaces and then ranked employers on the results of those 24-question surveys.

“We are honored to be recognized as one of North New Jersey’s best places to work,” said Doug Radford, President of �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors®. “Supporting our Executives and putting them first is what sets us apart. We run a support center where we provide administrative, marketing and technological support to our Executives so they can focus on what they do best: building relationships and servicing their clients.”

In addition to providing a great workplace for real estate professionals to thrive, �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors® also mobilizes its employee base to give back to the community. Over the course of the year, more than sixty Executives, support staff and affiliates volunteered with Habitat for Humanity to help construct new homes in Dover, New Jersey for families in need.

“As an independent contractor I feel fully supported at �ʹ�����app. Coming from a competing broker just a few months ago, I can say that I should have made a change years ago. I am loving real estate again!  Also thrilled to have had the opportunity to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity,” stated one real estate professional in their anonymous survey response.

To read more about what members of the �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors® team had to say, .

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RISMedia just announced the , and seven �ʹ�����app brokerages ranked among the best of the best. RISMedia’s based on 2016 sales volume was released earlier this spring in Real Estate magazine.  The Top 1,000 Power Broker report ranks firms by both 2016 transactions and sales volume.  In addition to the rankings, the report paints a clear picture of how the leading brokerages across the country are both setting and adjusting to trends, while gearing up for a low-inventory environment.

RISMedia’s Power Broker Report is the longest running real estate ranking in the U.S., listing residential real estate firms by number of closed transaction sides and total closed sales volume. �ʹ�����app companies that earned a spot in the top 1,000 report include:

• �ʹ�����app Phoenix, and in Arizona, led by Jeff Hawke, Joel Moyes, Jeff Murtaugh, Gerry Russell, and John Dwyer
• �ʹ�����app Associates in Tennessee, led by Steve Fogarty
• in California, led by Jim Tanner
• �ʹ�����app Integrity in Wisconsin, led by Dale Schaechterle, Dana Keegan, and Claire Zastrow
• led by Steve and Nancy Summers
• in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, led by Kyle Poskitt and Doug Radford
• , led by Donald R. Bonnell

Company	State	Sales Rank	Sales Volume	Trans. Rank	Trans.
�ʹ�����app Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma	AZ	49	$3,020,758,598	35	12,413
�ʹ�����app Associates	TN	137	$1,518,018,012	73	7,308
�ʹ�����app Santa Clarita	CA	284	$861,710,373	559	1,636
�ʹ�����app Integrity	WI	319	$770,286,448	252	3,178
�ʹ�����app of Kansas City	KS	361	$691,170,453	232	3,389
�ʹ�����app Exceptional REALTORS®	NJ	604	$418,564,525	404	2,118
�ʹ�����app Northern Arizona	AZ	632	$397,609,381	610	1,497

�ʹ�����app Rankings | Courtesy of RISMedia’s 29th Annual Top 1,000 Power Broker Report

The top 1,000 brokerages included in the annual report climbed in productivity in 2016 compared to 2015, closing 3,655,765 transactions and generating $1,164,210,203,384 in sales volume. This represents a more than $38 billion increase in sales volume, with an increase in total transactions nearing 200,000.

“While the forecast for homeownership is bright, 62 percent of responding Power Brokers almost unanimously report that the inventory shortage continues to be a problem – and a big one,” said John E. Featherston, RISMedia CEO and Publisher. “And with low inventory comes pent-up demand and rising prices, putting many on alert for another bubble, making it more important than ever to prepare for the future, no matter what it brings.”

A longstanding leader with the �ʹ�����app brand, Steve Fogarty of �ʹ�����app Associates reported to RISMedia his strategy for keeping agents prepared for the challenges of any market.

“We’ve implemented many things over the past few years that have been extremely well received.  We were paperless long before the vogue of going paperless, we have a true compliance division that oversees all listings, sales and closings, we have a great marketing department, and our staff is always available to help agents,” Fogarty explains.

�ʹ�����app Integrity in Hartland, Wisconsin made the ranking for the fifth year in a row. Throughout market fluctuations over the years and potential changes on the horizon, Dana Keegan explains how they have remained steadfast in their focus.

“As a company, we have always been people-centric. Every decision we make stems from one simple question ‘will this best serve our people?’ Our foundation is based off four pillars; independence, profitability, support and culture. Our vision for the future continues to be people focused, by providing an environment where our Executives can best serve their clients and build a business that reflects them,” said Dana Keegan.

Congratulations to all of the �ʹ�����app brokerages who made RISMedia’s Top 1,000 Power Broker report. We wish you continued success as you gear up for the future, preparing to guide buyers and sellers through any market. For more on the complete 2016 report, visit

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, with offices throughout northern New Jersey and Pike County Pennsylvania, has been named the Brokerage of the Month for March 2017. The firm, which recently celebrated 15 years with the �ʹ�����app brand, continues to dominate their local market, opening new offices, garnering national recognition and serving the local community in meaningful ways.

On March 31, 2017 REAL Trends recognized �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors® in the , which ranks the top 500 residential real estate companies by sales volume and closed transaction sides. In the 2017 ranking, �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors® climbed 69 spots in the annual nationwide report, placing at #413 by 2016 transaction sides. The firm was also the only brokerage in the Fairfield, New Jersey area that made the list.

Under the leadership of partners Kyle Poskitt, COO, and President Doug Radford, �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors® has opened four new office branches in the last year, including �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors® Butler, Oakland, Wayne and Dover, bringing the brokerage office count to 14 locations.

“Supporting our Executives and putting them first is what sets us apart from the competition,” Radford explains.  Providing the back-end support that high producing agents require to be successful has been a focus for �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors® from day one. “We run a support center where we provide administrative, marketing and technological support to our Executives.  We feel that our associates should be the rain makers, focusing on what they do best, building relationships and servicing their clients,” says Poskitt.

“There is no other brokerage in New Jersey that has a support center like ours. We recognize that a brokerage is only as good as the agents associated with the company. The goal of our support team is to give our associates more time to be client-facing and to assist them in winning more listings and growing their business. Our hope is that if we provide the very best support to our Executives, that they in turn will provide the very best service to their clients and everyone wins,” adds Radford.

Radford and Poskitt’s strategy is working. Based on year-over-year closed transaction data from the , �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors® is the fastest growing real estate company, growing by 38% in 2016. The numbers compare real estate brokers with at least 1,000 closed transaction sides included in the GSMLS last year.

Demonstrating excellence in real estate and ensuring a smooth transaction for buyers and sellers is not the only way �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors® gives back. Recently more than sixty Executives, support staff and affiliates completed four days of volunteering with . The group came together to help in Dover, New Jersey for families in need.

As a company and through the efforts of individual Executives and staff, �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors® actively supports numerous New Jersey causes and organizations, giving generously of their time, talents and resources.

Pictured above, members of the �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors® team and affiliates band together with Habitat for Humanity to build homes in Dover, New Jersey.

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Diana Bustamante has been working in the real estate industry for over 25 years. “My first semester in college, I started working part-time as a receptionist at a real estate office. The manager offered to pay for my classes to get a real estate license but I found the ‘sales job’ too difficult because of the time limitations,” she explains. “But when I graduated from college I couldn’t find a job that would pay what I wanted, so I decided to try real estate.”

She then went from being an agent to a Broker and a real estate instructor. She specializes in corporate, military and retirement relocation, as well as commercial and investment real estate.

“Every day is different. You get to meet new people all the time and some clients become great friends,” she shares.

Bustamante believes that fostering meaningful relationships is at the core of her job.

“One of my past clients told her family that if they ever purchased a house it had to be with me or she would disown them. I’ve sold houses to seven members of that family. And I’m very appreciative for the referrals and the trust I’ve been able to maintain with the family throughout the years,” she says, emphasizing, “The relationship is always more important than the sale.”

Recently Bustamante earned a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation, successfully completing specialized training on the complex and critical aspects of international transactions. The certification is the only international designation recognized by the and places her amongst 3,500 international property specialists in 45 countries.

“I hope to be more proactive in helping people who want to relocate to other countries after retirement or purchase a vacation home outside of the US,” Bustamante states.

And as for anybody planning to move overseas, Bustamante has three pieces of advice:

• Do your homework
• Work with an experienced real estate agent who can guide you through the entire process
• Always expect the unexpected

“Relocation requires attention to detail and a lot of follow up, so when I receive a relocation opportunity I do my best to help my clients throughout the process,” she adds.

Bustamante is a Broker with �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors® Fairfield. For more information, visit Diana Bustamante’s website or follow her on .

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�ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors of New Jersey recently celebrated their 15th anniversary. At an event hosted by owners Doug Radford and Kyle Poskitt, they acknowledged the outstanding work of their support staff, management team, dedicated associates and industry partners, saying, “It takes an incredible group of talented professionals working together to make it all happen.”

According to Radford, the partners teamed up in 2001 “with a dream of offering superior client service” and have now grown to over 260 Executives in 12 branches. The brokerage has offices throughout Northern New Jersey, Upstate New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania, including Butler, Byram, Fairfield, Little Falls, Oakland, Pompton Plains, Randolph, Sparta, Vernon, West Milford and Woodland Park in New Jersey, and Milford in Pennsylvania.  The firm also has affiliated companies that offer mortgage, title and home warranty services.

�ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors recently received national recognition in the 2016 REAL Trends 500 report, placing in the top 500 real estate companies in the country ranked by closed unit transaction volume. 

“Our associates and our clients love our company, because we have professionals handling every aspect of the marketing and administration behind the scenes. Our support center staff handles all incoming phone calls and internet home inquiries and seamlessly forwards all calls and inquiries directly to the homes’ listing agent.  Who knows the house better than the listing agent?” asks Radford. “As logical as this system sounds, we are the only brokerage in New Jersey that operates this way,” he adds. 

The firm is continuing to grow and expand, with plans to open their 13th office in Wayne, New Jersey this summer. “We are looking forward to another 15 years of success for the �ʹ�����app Exceptional Realtors® brokerage, as well as the continued growth and development of the �ʹ�����app brand throughout New Jersey,” says Radford.

For more information, visit online or call them toll free at 866-742-5732. You can also find them on , or .

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This year seven �ʹ�����app brokerages placed on the survey.  in Tennessee, in New Jersey, in Wisconsin, , �ʹ�����app of Nevada, in California, and �ʹ�����app Phoenix,��,�� ���Ի���Green Valley all made the list.

The REAL Trends 500 ranking highlights the country’s leading real estate firms, rating the top 500 companies by transaction sides and sales volume.

“Due to the requirement that all information be independently verified, the REAL Trends 500 remains the trusted source for information about the performance of these firms,” according to the organization. And in order to qualify for placement, firms needed to close at least 1,702 transaction sides during 2015.

�ʹ�����app Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma closed nearly 9,700 sides and generated $2.7 billion in sales last year. The Arizona group ranked 49 for both volume and sides. Headed by Jeff Murtaugh and Gerry Russell, this franchise includes over 1,000 brokers and Executives in south and central Arizona.

The number one firm in East Tennessee for over three decades, �ʹ�����app Associates placed at 72 with 6,808 sides and 143 with $1.3 billion in sales.

�ʹ�����app Santa Clarita, also the top real estate firm in their community, generated almost $900,000 in sales last year. The franchise also celebrated their 25th anniversary last year and is consistently named in best real estate firm lists by Real Trends, RISMedia, and LA Business Journal.

Making the REAL Trends 500 list for the first time this year, �ʹ�����app Exceptional ranked 482 by sides. The franchise closed 1,754 transaction sides in 2015. The New Jersey-based firm also serves Upstate New York and Northeast Pennsylvania.

�ʹ�����app of Kansas City placed squarely in the middle, ranking 231 by sides and 363 by volume. According to Broker/Owner Steve Summers, “The greater Kansas City real estate market is doing very well.  The tight inventory in many areas has resulted in a very competitive marketplace for buyers, making it a great time to sell your home. The current low interest rate environment makes it an excellent time to buy a home as well.”

Rounding out the survey at 456 by volume and 494 by sides is �ʹ�����app of Nevada. One of the fastest growing franchises in the state, �ʹ�����app of Nevada recently was honored by the City of Las Vegas for passing the milestone of 25 years of operation.

REAL Trends 500 is in its 29th year and remains a trusted source of information on the real estate industry.

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