Prudential honors real estate agents

This week, Prudential Americana Group held its general sales event where it recognized its 2012 top real estate individuals and teams in Nevada and throughout Prudential Real Estate’s North American franchises.

The company, which operates the largest Prudential franchises in Nevada and Arizona, increased its closed volume by more than 20 percent year over year, completing nearly $2.4 billion in real estate sales volume for 2012.

“The types of transactions posted in Las Vegas varied significantly from the previous year,” said Mark Stark, CEO of Prudential Americana Group and Americana Holdings. “In 2011, nearly half (48 percent) of our Nevada sales were bank-owned properties. In 2012, that made up only 27 percent of sales. Short sales made up 36 percent of sales, up from 24 percent the previous year, and traditional sales comprised 37 percent, up from 28 percent, of our total sales volume.

“Though we might see an uptick in bank-owned properties hitting the marketplace in 2013 it will not be significant,” Stark said. “The great news is we will continue to see a healthy rise in traditional sales throughout 2013 and expect traditional sales to exceed 60 percent of total sales this year. We also expect to see a consistent flow in short sale transactions due to the extension of the federal Mortgage Debt Relief Act.”

Stark predicts fewer units will close with higher sales prices in 2013.

“We expect continued investor demand in Las Vegas as long as rental demand continues and cash flowing issues do not arise.”

Stark’s predictions were met with enthusiasm at Prudential Americana’s annual sales event, held Thursday at the Wynn Las Vegas. About 600 people attended for the announcements of its top sales professionals and teams during 2012.

Among the announcements was news that three Prudential teams will be recognized next month at the national Prudential convention for being among the top 10 in the country.

The McGarey Group made Prudential Real Estate’s top 10 list for commercial sales, The Napoli Group for residential units sold and Shapiro & Sher Group for residential closed volume. These three teams will be recognized as one of the top 10 among thousands throughout Prudential Real Estate’s North American network.

Ernesto Ibarra was named Employee of the Year and The Craig Tann Group was again recognized as the company’s top contributor to the nonprofit Sunshine Kids Foundation.

Prudential Americana Group supports dozens of charitable organizations including Opportunity Village, Susan G. Komen For the Cure and the Sunshine Kids Foundation.

Americana Holdings is the sixth-largest Prudential Real Estate franchise in North America, which includes both Prudential Americana Group in Nevada and Prudential Arizona Properties. Combined, this company has 21 offices and 1,900 real estate sales executives. It has been recognized by JD Power and Associates multiple times for its commitment to customer service.

It also houses a fully accredited real estate school with free continuing education classes every month. For more information visit www.americanagroup.com.