Fonville Morisey’s Talvia Peterson Honored with Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award

Long & Foster Real Estate, parent company of Fonville Morisey is proud to announce that Dr. Talvia Peterson, vice president of agent development, award-winning sales agent and co-broker of Fonville Morisey’s Lochmere office in Cary, North Carolina has received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.

December 2022 was a noteworthy month for Peterson. In addition to being honored by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the awards ceremony in Las Vegas, she earned her Ph.D in Entrepreneurship & Business Administration.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) recognizes citizens who have achieved a certain number of community service hours over the course of a lifetime. Established in 2003, the PVSA honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities and inspires those around them to take action.

Peterson earned the award for providing over 10,000 hours of public service to her community over the past 23 years.

“The biggest honor goes to the lives that were empowered in the communities that I helped serve,” said Peterson. “I will continue to make meaningful efforts in the community as a Realtor.”

A real estate veteran for seven years, Peterson began her career with Long & Foster as an agent, earned her broker’s license, then expanded into coaching and training both new and seasoned agents. A licensed real estate instructor, her teachings empower agents to provide the best-in-class customer service to their clients and achieve success. She has created several agent training programs including “The Golden Hour”, which are one-on-one training sessions providing an opportunity for agents to learn the latest technology tools and ask questions.

As an accomplished and energetic sales and marketing leader, Peterson is a sought-after speaker and trainer in other Fonville Morisey offices throughout the region. “I am the ‘go-to’ for all ‘how-to’ questions,” said Peterson.

A few of the many ways Peterson has impacted her community include providing educational workshops for minority women aspiring to be entrepreneurs, organizing camps centered around building confidence in young women and initiating ‘No Senior Without Christmas’, a gift-giving campaign serving senior facilities. She has also initiated training and development for female entrepreneurs in Brazil and Columbia, South America.

“We congratulate Talvia for this prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Larry “Boomer” Foster, president of Long & Foster Real Estate. “Talvia’s boundless energy and passion to help others is a great asset to Fonville Morisey and her community.”

Married for 23 years, Peterson has a daughter attending the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She attributes her success to a very positive and protective circle of friends and family who energize her to give back to others.

Long & Foster Real Estate is the nation’s No. 1 real estate company as part of HomeServices of America. For more information, visit LongandFoster.com.

Long & Foster Welcomes the Seaside Seven Team

Top-producing real estate team joins Bethany office of Long & Foster

The Seaside Seven Team, a leading real estate team on the Delaware Shore, has joined Long & Foster Real Estate, the nation’s No. 1 real estate brokerage, as part of HomeServices of America.

“We’re thrilled to have the Seaside Seven Team join Long & Foster,” said Todd Vickers, managing broker of Long & Foster Real Estate in Bethany Beach. “Their commitment to their clients and support of their agents aligns well with Long & Foster’s values – the Seaside Seven Team is a perfect fit for the Long & Foster Bethany family.”

The Seaside Seven Team comes to Long & Foster from a competing local brokerage, where they built a thriving business. The team will be led by Vickers and the group will work from Long & Foster’s Bethany Beach office at 33298 Coastal Highway.

“Long & Foster’s outstanding reputation, understanding of resort markets and their strong leadership led us to join the company,” said several Seaside Seven Team members. “For Realtors looking to grow their careers, Long & Foster offers tremendous training and mentoring programs. For consumers, the company’s all-inclusive approach bringing together everything from mortgage and title to insurance and moving, inspection and vacation rentals—simplifies the complex real estate process for our clients.”

A team since 2016, the 9-person operation consistently ranks among the best teams in the area. They serve buyers, sellers, investors and renters along the Delaware and Maryland Shore and beyond. Since inception, the team has produced $413M in sales with an average sale price of nearly $600,000. The team’s agents have been in the business for an average of 24 years.

“Like Long & Foster, the Seaside Seven Team works together to help each member succeed,” said Larry “Boomer” Foster, president of Long & Foster Real Estate. “The Seaside Seven Team’s skills, knowledge and experience combined with Long & Foster’s state-of-the-art tools and technology will help each of them grow their business while providing the highest level of service to local buyers and sellers in the years ahead.”

To learn more about Long & Foster, visit longandfoster.com.

Long & Foster’s Jolanda Knezevich Sells Riverside Estate for Over $3 Million

Spectacular contemporary home sells for well over list price

Long & Foster Real Estate congratulates agent Jolanda Knezevich on the sale of 7401 Riverside Drive, a magnificent, contemporary, riverfront home in Richmond, Virginia. Knezevich, a sales agent in Long & Foster’s Strawberry Street office in Richmond, listed the property at $2.5M and it sold in record time for $3.06M – more than $500,000 over the asking price.

“The first offer came in less than 24 hours after our first showing,” said Knezevich. “After multiple offers, the home sold for well over asking price – at $754 per square foot, which is high for Richmond area homes – and closed in three weeks.”

Knezevich is known as a brilliant negotiator and a dedicated realtor who consistently goes above and beyond to ensure her clients have a successful home sale. She knows the Richmond market well and is adept at just the right improvements and staging a home needs to get top dollar. For her purchase clients, she’s an expert at knowing just how to create a winning offer.

This was one of five properties that sold for over $3M in metro Richmond and surrounding counties last year. Built in 2001, the home has four bedrooms, three full bathrooms and two half bathrooms, over 4,000 square feet on nearly two and a half acres.

Overlooking the James River, this architectural masterpiece is exquisitely designed to capture optimal panoramic views, with floor-to-ceiling windows. The home’s open sleek design, combining warm wood with blue and soapstone Artisan brick and block work, creates a Zen-like atmosphere.

The calming ambiance is enhanced by opening one of the glass doors or relaxing on the patio to enjoy the magical sounds of the James River, from the sound of rushing water to birds singing. The well-equipped kitchen has bespoke cabinetry and premium appliances. A few of the other outstanding features of this home include custom LED lighting, smart switches and thermostats, heated floors and a whole-house generator.

Long & Foster Real Estate is the nation’s No. 1 real estate company as part of HomeServices of America. For more information, visit LongandFoster.com.

Jeff Detwiler Named as an Inman Power Player

Jeff Detwiler, president and CEO of The Long & Foster Companies, has been named to Inman’s debut class of the Inman Power Players. The exclusive list includes industry executives, founders, innovators and visionaries who play a crucial role in shaping the future of real estate.

“I’m honored to join my fellow real estate leaders on the inaugural Inman Power Players list,” said Detwiler. “Long & Foster has more than 50 years of history, driving our industry towards new and better ways of doing business—our all-inclusive approach being one of the most well-known and desired among consumers. We’re thrilled to earn this recognition not only for what we’ve brought to the industry so far, but what we’ll continue to deliver going forward.”

Inman is one of the industry’s top media outlets, and the list was curated by its editorial team. Over 120 professionals were included on the list, including Gino Blefari, CEO of HomeServices of America, Long & Foster’s parent company.

To view the list, go to https://www.inman.com/power-players-awards/.

Long & Foster Leaders Named to 2023 Swanepoel Power 200

Jeffrey S. Detwiler and Larry “Boomer” Foster recognized in annual industry list

Two members of the Long & Foster leadership team have been named to the 2023 Swanepoel Power 200 – Jeffrey S. Detwiler, president and CEO of The Long & Foster Companies, and Larry “Boomer” Foster, president of Long & Foster Real Estate. The Long & Foster Companies is the parent company to Long & Foster Real Estate, the nation’s No. 1 real estate company as part of HomeServices of America.

Created by Stefan Swanepoel and Rob Hahn in 2014, the annual list recognizes those in the real estate industry who are considered the most powerful and influential.

Detwiler was named No. 32 on this year’s list, and Foster was named No. 136 on the list, which includes 200 CEOs, top executives and other leaders in the residential real estate industry.

“Those named to the Swanepoel list are innovative leaders in the real estate industry, and there are many worthy experts and professionals included,” Detwiler said. “Our goals at Long & Foster have always been honesty, integrity and innovation, and we are proud to have been named to the Swanepoel Power 200 list again.”

“Being named to a list that includes so many of our distinguished peers and top real estate industry professionals is an honor,” said Foster. “It also validates Long & Foster’s success and I’m very proud to be part of it.”

The rankings are based on several criteria including an individual’s personal influence, their tenure in the industry, the office they hold and the decision-making power of that office. Their company’s financial status, size and significance within the industry, as well as its geographic reach, are also considered in the process. Additionally, the individual’s future contributions to the industry are part of the evaluation criteria.

Gino Blefari, president of Long & Foster’s parent company, HomeServices of America, was ranked No. 1 on the list.

For more information about the Swanepoel Power 200 list, visit Swanepoel.com/power200/. For more information about Long & Foster, visit longandfoster.com.

Four Reasons Why Now’s a Good Time to Sell

While the housing market traditionally heats up with the weather, buyers are looking year-round. If you’re thinking about selling your home, here are a few reasons why now is a great time to get it on the market.

Appreciation. Your home’s value is based on the market, not the season. In the last few years, home values have increased by more than 20% in some areas, creating a significant profit for homeowners when selling.

Motivated buyers. Spring and summer are generally considered the “peak seasons” for real estate, but prospective home buyers that start shopping in January are serious, motivated and ready to buy.

Reduced competition. Inventory is already tight, and it can be even more restricted in the winter months. With fewer homes on the market, sellers face less competition. A home that’s in great shape and shows well will stand out.

Winter weather: Use colder temperatures to your advantage by making your home look and feel warm for showings with plenty of heat, warm lighting, a cozy fire and perhaps the smell of freshly baked cookies.

If you are considering selling your home, your real estate agent can provide you with a comparative market analysis of your home’s value. Plus, your agent can offer advice on how to get your property ready for market and guide you throughout the entire selling process, no matter the time of year.

Alternatively, if you’re planning to buy a home, your agent can help you prepare so you’ll be ready to make a winning offer.

Working with a Long & Foster real estate professional with local market knowledge and industry expertise will help you reach your real estate goals in 2023.

Long & Foster’s Tina Holt Recognized as 2022 Women in Business Honoree

Tina Holt, senior vice president and regional manager of Long & Foster Real Estate’s Hampton Road and Northeastern North Carolina regions, has been selected by Inside Business as a Women in Business Honoree for 2022.

The Women in Business Achievement Awards were created to celebrate women who have been successful in their business and careers, have made a significant impact on the business community and local economy and have served as mentors and examples to others.

By honoring these women, we seek to encourage other women to trust their abilities, strengthen their self-confidence, and become thought leaders and trailblazers in our region.

A Realtor since 1993, Holt came to Long & Foster’s Oceanfront/Coastal office in 2013 as a branch manager. In 2017, she took management of another office in Virginia Beach, as well as three locations on the Eastern Shore. Always looking to further the company’s footprint, Holt was quickly able to expand service into Maryland’s Eastern Shore as well as Northeastern North Carolina, including the Outer Banks.

When questioned for the Women in Business article, Holt provided some amazing advice. “Don’t compare yourself to others. Be authentic, transparent, and approachable. Just be you and know that if you take care of the people, everything else will take care of itself,” said Holt.

Long & Foster Real Estate is the nation’s No. 1 real estate company as part of HomeServices of America. For more information, visit LongandFoster.com.

Amber Valenzuela to Lead Long & Foster’s Perry Hall Office

Amber Valenzuela has been named managing broker of Long & Foster Real Estate’s Perry Hall office, located in Baltimore, Maryland.

“Amber is a highly knowledgeable, experienced leader,” said Larry “Boomer” Foster, president of Long & Foster Real Estate. “I’m confident that her leadership and support of the agents in the Perry Hall office will ensure their ongoing success of helping local buyers, sellers, renters and investors meet their homeownership goals.”

A real estate veteran for over 15 years, Valenzuela started her career as a sales associate in Long & Foster’s Perry Hall office. In the years since, she gained substantial experience in residential and multi-family sales, bank foreclosures, and property management. Her ability to generate and build relationships, manage multiple projects at once, and effectively negotiate for her clients helped her achieve success as an agent, and she ranked as one of Long & Foster’s top producers from 2010 to 2017.

“This provides a great opportunity for Amber to share her passion and talents for the business with the Perry Hall agents,” said Cindy Ariosa, senior vice president and regional manager of Long & Foster’s Baltimore and Western Maryland region. “Amber’s leadership skills combined with her focus on education and training will lead the agents in the Perry Hall office to even greater success.”

Valenzuela translated her sales expertise into a new role as a trainer with Long & Foster’s Professional Development team, which she joined in 2018. She taught numerous Launch courses in the region, helping agents learn the sales strategies and skills to achieve success.

“I’m excited to take on this new role to lead the real estate professionals in the Perry Hall office,” said Valenzuela. “I look forward to helping new and experienced Realtors to reach their highest potential by providing them with Long & Foster’s latest and greatest tools, technology and training.”

Long & Foster Real Estate is the nation’s No. 1 real estate company as part of HomeServices of America. For more information, visit L ongandFoste r.com.

Long & Foster’s Cindy Ariosa Elected by Bright MLS as Chairman of the Board of Directors

Ariosa serves as chair for the second consecutive year

Long & Foster Real Estate congratulates Cindy Ariosa, senior vice president, for being elected to the Bright MLS Board of Directors as Chairman of the Board for 2023. Ariosa will serve as chairman for the second consecutive year and has been a member of the Executive Committee for six years since Bright MLS was formed.

Bright MLS is the leading multiple listing service (MLS) in the Mid-Atlantic representing over 100,000 real estate professionals in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia, who serve more than 20 million homeowners in its footprint.

“It is an honor to continue serving Bright’s subscribers and shareholder associations as board chair,” said Ariosa. “2022 was a transformational year for Bright in terms of the company’s joint venture announcements, as well as the significant progress made in the areas of expansion and partnerships that are equally aligned with a superior experience and returning value to our Brokers. Now, as we approach 2023, I join my fellow executive committee members in welcoming the new members of the board to Bright MLS. Our work positioning Bright as the most innovative MLS in the industry will be greatly enhanced by their insights and experience.”

Ariosa has been with Long & Foster for more than 20 years and serves as senior vice president and regional manager for the Baltimore/Eastern Shore/Western Maryland regions. She has grown the company in her region from 22 to more than 40 offices. Specializing in business development, coaching, technology, recruitment and retention, Ariosa has led 1800 sales associates to reach over $5 billion in sales.

“As an outstanding, dynamic leader, Cindy will again bring her vast real estate knowledge to successfully guide Bright MLS throughout 2023,” said Larry “Boomer” Foster, president of Long & Foster Real Estate. “We congratulate Cindy on this appointment to the board and are proud of her commitment to the industry and for continuing to serve in this leadership role.”

Long & Foster Real Estate is the nation’s No. 1 real estate company as part of HomeServices of America. For more information, visit LongandFoster.com.

Long & Foster Ranked Among World’s Top Training Companies

Long & Foster is the only residential real estate brokerage honored by Training magazine in 2023

Training magazine, the leading publication for learning and development professionals, has named Long & Foster Real Estate to its prestigious list of the world’s top training companies for 2023—the Training APEX Awards. Long & Foster not only ranked among some of the business world’s top companies, but also is the only residential real estate brokerage honored in this year’s awards.

“Since our founding in 1968, we’ve become known as the brokerage that not only teaches new sales associates how to succeed in the business, but also provides the insights and education for well-established agents and teams to build and grow their careers,” said Jeffrey S. Detwiler, CEO of The Long & Foster Companies, parent company of Long & Foster Real Estate. “Internally, our training programs have always been well received, receiving high ratings from attendees, and now, we’ve earned one of the highest honors in the global training industry.”

Long & Foster’s teams have long focused on having the best trained and best equipped real estate agents in the business. The company provides sales associates with a wealth of marketing and technology tools, as well as a variety of business development, continuing education and other learning opportunities—many of which are offered to our agents for no cost.

“It’s an incredible honor that we’ve earned, thanks to the many talented training and development professionals on our team,” said Larry “Boomer” Foster, president of Long & Foster Real Estate. “I appreciate all the hard work they’ve done to create such tremendous training programs for Long & Foster and our sales associates.”

Lee McGinnis, vice president of Long & Foster’s Professional Development division, added, “It is a core value of Long & Foster’s and our Professional Development team to continuously increase the professionalism of our agents through new and innovative training content and platforms. We are honored to receive this recognition and look forward to adding even more value to our sales associates, and in turn, consumers across the East Coast, in the upcoming year.”

Training magazine will recognize all the honorees of its Training APEX Awards at a ceremony in February 2023, at which point the publication will announce the final rankings. To learn more about the awards, visit trainingmag.com/training-magazine-announces-its-2023-training-apex-awards-winners/.

Long & Foster is the nation’s No. 1 real estate company as part of HomeServices of America. For more information, visit LongandFoster.com.