REBNY presents 25th Annual Residential Deal of the Year Awards at Retrospective Gala

While celebrating 25 years of savvy deal-making by New York's City's top residential real estate brokers, ten professionals were honored for their ground-breaking deals and professional achievements at the Real Estate Board of New York's 25th Annual Residential Deal of the Year Awards and Charity Gala last night. The Residential Deal of the Year Awards, the biggest event of the year for REBNY's residential brokerage division, was held at The Pierre. At the festive celebration, special acknowledgment was given to previous winners over the last 25 years. A proclamation from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg declared October 24, 2013 REBNY Residential Division Day. Presented by Miriam Harris, executive vice president of real estate transactions at New York City's Economic Development Corporation, the proclamation praised the residential brokerage division for its efforts in the last 25 years to bolster New York City's residential real estate market. Jeffrey Rothstein of Douglas Elliman, who took home The Henry Forster Award for lifetime achievement. The highly-anticipated Deals of the Year award winners are...Jeffrey Rothstein of Douglas Elliman, who took home The Henry Forster Award for lifetime achievement. The Henry Forster Award goes to an individual who has a long-standing reputation for excellence in residential real estate and is a top-producing agent, and also displays outstanding ethical conduct in the profession and contributes to cultural, charitable and community organizations outside and within the industry. Rothstein serves as the Executive Vice President and Director of Sales for Douglas Elliman's West Side offices. He is noted for growing Douglas Elliman's West Side sales force to approximately 300 sales associates and staff members with insightful leadership, and for increasing its overall sales volume to exceed one billion dollars consistently for the past eight years. In addition to his professional affiliations, Mr. Rothstein is involved with numerous cultural, charitable and community organizations from chairing the Broadway Malls charity fundraiser, to youth basketball programs, and spearheading the beautification of Morningside Park. He's also an active REBNY member serving on several different committees including the West Side committee, and Deal of the Year Charity Gala and Award committee. The Rookie Salesperson of the Year Award was presented to Vincent Smith of Halstead Property, LLC for his impressive entry into New York City's residential real estate sales market. Smith is recognized by his colleagues for being results driven, customer-focused and financially-savvy when working with clients to make their real estate goals a reality. He has served in executive capacities for a number of Manhattan Fortune 50 companies including American Express, Pfizer and Citibank. Heather Stein of Brown Harris Stevens, Suzan Kremer of Douglas Elliman, Lisa Larson of Warburg Realty Partnership, and Judith Oston of Halstead Property Other winners included Heather Stein of Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales, LLC, who took first prize in the residential sales category. Suzan Kremer of Douglas Elliman along with co-brokers Daniela Kunen of Douglas Elliman and J. Roger Erickson of Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. took second prize. Lisa Larson of Warburg Realty Partnership, Ltd. was the third prize winner. For rentals, the first prize went to Judith Oston and Donald Correia along with co-broker Lisa Rosenstein of Halstead Property, LLC. "The Residential Deal of the Year Awards recognizes the industry's cream of the crop," says Steven Spinola, REBNY President. "After presenting these awards for 25 years, we thought it was important to mark this significant anniversary by honoring the trailblazers who have had a special part in creating the vibrant and highly-desirable residential market in New York City." The gala raised money for The REBNY Residential Member in Need Fund, which gives financial grants to REBNY members facing hardship because of a physical illness or a family crisis. Over the last 25 years, the event has raised more than $2 million for various charities. Award winners are chosen anonymously through a judging committee. Only members of firms who have not submitted deal entries are allowed to judge.