Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty Celebrates Success at Annual Awards

Company Leaders Honor Forever Agent, Forever Brand

Every year, the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty team turns their attention to the company’s Annual Awards. Interest, anticipation and enthusiasm builds leading up to the event, when hundreds of real estate professionals gather to celebrate, connect and learn who earned the company’s highest honors.

With a red carpet entrance and Hollywood glam, the lively and imaginative event demonstrated how excellence earned through dedicated efforts inspires prosperity, recognition, respect and satisfaction. The company is proud to represent real estate’s “Forever Brand” and celebrate its Realtors’ award-winning achievements.

“Our Forever Agents are dedicated industry leaders with an enduring commitment to their clients and the community, and I am so appreciative of their loyalty and contributions to our success,” said Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty President and CEO Christy Budnick. “Our team understands that the concept of home buying and selling doesn’t start or end with the transaction. Together, our company will forever serve the lives, lifestyle and needs of our clients.”

Company awards presentations highlighted the event, recognizing numerous achievements including the firm’s impressive accomplishments.

In 2019, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty achieved more than $1.2 billion in closed sales. The company continues to be the leader in luxury properties (priced $750,000 and above) throughout Northeast Florida. In the luxury division, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices ranked No. 1 in closed sales with a 14.8 percent market share, No. 1 in new listings with a 13.6 percent market share, No. 1 in pending sales with a 14.5 percent market share and No. 1 in active listings with a 20 percent market share in Duval, Clay and St. Johns counties.

The company’s 2019 top producers were honored for their accomplishments and success. The top company award winners include:

Priscilla Johnson of the Ponte Vedra/Nocatee office led as Top Producer with $30 million in closed sales.

Stefanie Bernstein of the St. Augustine/Murabella office was named Top Listing Agent with 53 listings.

Anita Vining of the San Marco/San Jose office was honored as the company’s Top Transaction Agent with more than 151 transactions.

Joe Collerd of the Beaches/Intracoastal West/Southside office was the Top Sales Agent with 52 sales.

The Rigdon and Combs Team of the St. Augustine/Murabella office was recognized as the Top Producing Team with more than $13 million in closed sales.

Melissa Ott of the St. Augustine/Murabella office was named Rookie of the Year with more than $4 million in closed sales.

Mike Rolewicz of the Ponte Vedra/Nocatee office was honored as the Sophomore Slugger with 12 million in closed sales.

The Ponte Vedra Office, under the leadership of Managing Broker Holly Hayes, received the Top Office/Chairman’s Cup award, which recognizes success in a number of categories including client feedback, recruiting, listing sides, closed sides, per person productivity, closed volume and profitability.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty is already soaring to new heights in 2020. For more information about the company’s services and award-winning team, call (904) 296-6400 or visit FloridaNetworkRealty.com.

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Portability Benefit Can Reduce Tax Burden

There is an often forgotten benefit that is available to property owners and could save you thousands of dollars in property taxes. The benefit is portability, which is the ability to carry accrued property tax savings from one homestead residence to another.

“Everyone who is thinking about purchasing a larger home or downsizing to a smaller one should consider the potential tax savings portability may give them,” said Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty Vice President Kevin Waugaman. “Portability of homestead tax savings in Florida is designed to allow homeowners to move from one home to another without having their new property taxes deter the move.”

(Kevin Waugaman, Vice President Core Services)

Portability in Florida refers to the ability of a property owner to transfer some or all of the ‘Save Our Homes’ benefit on a previous homestead to a new established homestead. The law was passed as a constitutional amendment in January 2008. The ‘Save Our Homes’ benefit is the difference between the assessed value and the market value of an existing home. Homeowners can use the benefit to reduce the assessed value of their new home which in turn will lower the taxable value after the appropriate exemptions are applied. The portability benefit is limited to $500,000.

“The portability benefit was put into place back in 2008 because homeowners were being dissuaded from moving since the tax bill on their new home would be significantly more than what they currently paid,” said C. Dennis Luettich Jr., Associate Counsel, Gibraltar Title Services, LLC, a partner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty. “At the time, many homeowners stayed put and didn’t move for fear of paying taxes. Portability works for homeowners who either are purchasing a larger property or who are downsizing to a smaller property.”

(Dennis Luettich, Associate Counsel, Gibraltar Title Services, LLC)

Here is how it works: If the new home is more expensive than the previous home, the homeowner is permitted to “port” 100 percent of that benefit to the new home’s market value. If the new home is less expensive than the previous home, the homeowner is permitted to “port” a percentage of the benefit to the new home’s market value.
All Floridians who have had homestead on a Florida property are permitted to “port” their homestead to another property within two years of selling. Homeowners must submit a Portability form in addition to filing for the Homestead Exemption. If you sold and purchased a new property last year, it’s not too late. The deadline to file is March 1.

If you would like to find out how portability impacts your property, contact your local property appraiser’s office or the professionals at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty. The real estate firm’s dedicated and knowledgeable Realtors can provide expert consultation and guidance.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices offers a core services approach, featuring a team of knowledgeable and valued partners to assist clients in every aspect of the transaction. Whether you are buying or selling, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty can help you take advantage of the best opportunities in the market. For more information, visit FloridaNetworkRealty.com.

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