Sandra Stewart to Lead Growth and Development at Long & Foster

Long & Foster Real Estate announces the appointment of Sandra Stewart as its new Director of Growth and Development in the Washington, D.C., region. In her role, Stewart will collaborate with the company’s leadership to enhance efforts in attracting new talent to the organization. With over 25 years of sales and leadership experience in the real estate industry, she’s a strong motivator for new agents and high performers alike and an exceptional addition to Long & Foster.

“I’m excited to join Long & Foster and its talented team of real estate professionals,” said Stewart. “Having grown up in the D.C. area, I’ve long known Long & Foster for its industry expertise and commitment to its agents and clients. Similarly, I consider every agent who joins our team my business partner—that relationship is so important to me—and it’s incredible to be part of a company that shares those values.”

A native Washingtonian, Stewart holds several prestigious industry certifications, including Accredited Buyer’s Representative, At Home with Diversity, Certified Residential Specialist and Graduate, Realtor Institute designations. She has been recognized as a top-performing manager and has volunteered with national and local Realtor associations over the years.

She served as a Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors (GCAAR) Director from 2020 to 2021 and has been an instructor with the organization for almost a decade. Stewart is currently the Vice President of a local National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) chapter, has held a leadership role with the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance’s DC Chapter, is a past President of the Women’s Council of Realtors (WCR) – Greater Capital Area Network, and a member of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP).

“Sandra is a powerhouse real estate leader, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to our team,” said Kenneth Fagan, senior vice president and regional manager at Long & Foster in Washington, D.C., Montgomery County and Southern Maryland. “Her infectious enthusiasm for real estate and her passion for helping people succeed are invaluable and will ensure our continued success in building a dominant sales team throughout the greater D.C. market.”

Known for her positive approach and energy, Stewart even keeps a bell with her at all times—ringing it to celebrate the successes—personal or business—of any team members with whom she’s worked. She also actively supports local and national Realtor events, helping highlight the overall positive contributions of the real estate industry to the local community.

Before joining Long & Foster, she served as the designated broker for a local franchise, overseeing more than 500 associate brokers and salespersons. Prior to that opportunity, Stewart worked with other local brokerages in strategic growth and management positions.

She has a degree in Electrical Engineering from The Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and earned her real estate license in 1999. She transitioned into real estate full-time in November 2001 to gain flexibility for her family, and through the years has built an impressive career while giving back to the industry. In her spare time, Stewart enjoys traveling and attending professional sporting events with family and friends.

The Fonseca Group Ends 2024 with Record-Setting Sale

Leading Realtors Deborah and René Fonseca closed the year on a high note. The duo, who lead the Fonseca Group of Long & Foster Real Estate in McLean, Virginia, represented both the buyers and sellers of 2211 Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, D.C. The property sold for $7.25 million on Dec. 31, 2024.

The luxury property sale ranked as the 6^th highest for December and the 18^th highest for the year in the D.C. metro region. It also was the top sold listing for Long & Foster in the D.C. metro region for 2024 and the Fonseca’s top sale for the year as well—an impressive achievement for the team.

Located on the prestigious Embassy Row, the 1920s mansion has been recognized as an historic building by the National Park Service. With the guidance of the Fonsecas, the sellers—an East Coast investment firm—meticulously renovated the property, restoring its old-world elegance while incorporating modern luxury.

The Fonsecas worked in alignment with the sellers to develop an effective strategy that encompassed construction plans and design elements featuring high-end finishes. They marketed the property as both a commercial and a residential opportunity, ensuring flexibility for potential buyers, whether a foreign government or private individual. A family from the West Coast purchased the home, becoming only the second residents and fourth-ever owners.

The Fonseca Group has established a reputation for excellence in the luxury real estate market. With a commitment to providing unparalleled service and expertise, Deborah and René Fonseca consistently deliver outstanding results for their clients. This latest achievement further solidifies their status as leading real estate professionals in the area.

“We are thrilled to end the year with such a significant sale—truly only a few properties in D.C. boast such a remarkable story and rich background as 2211 Massachusetts Avenue,” said Deborah Fonseca. “It reflects not only the strength of D.C.’s luxury market, but also the trust our clients place in us to navigate these high-stakes transactions.”

René Fonseca added, “Closing this sale on the last day of the year is a testament to our team’s dedication and hard work. We’re grateful for the opportunity to represent both the buyers and sellers in this transaction.”

The Fonseca Group’s success is a result of their strategic marketing, extensive network, and deep understanding of the local market dynamics. Their ability to connect buyers with exceptional properties has made them a sought-after team for luxury real estate transactions. As they look to 2025, they remain committed to providing exceptional service and achieving outstanding results for their clients.

Long & Foster Names New Leadership Team in Ocean City

Long & Foster Real Estate has named Andy McBride as managing broker for its Ocean City office. McBride has led the office on an interim basis for the past few weeks and is excited to take on the role permanently. In addition to his responsibilities as managing broker, McBride will oversee Long & Foster Vacation Rentals in Ocean City, further strengthening the connection between the brokerage’s sales and rentals teams.

McBride brings a wealth of experience in both real estate sales and management. As an agent, he has successfully guided countless clients through the buying and selling process, leveraging his extensive real estate expertise. More recently, as managing broker at Long & Foster’s Eastern Shore locations, McBride has focused on helping agents build their own businesses while delivering exceptional service through Long & Foster’s all-inclusive real estate experience.

Supporting McBride in this new leadership structure is Donna Jupitz, who has been appointed as the sales manager for Long & Foster’s Denton, Cambridge, Easton/St. Michaels, Salisbury and Ocean City offices—all of which McBride oversees as managing broker. Jupitz brings decades of real estate sales and leadership experience to her new role. She joined Long & Foster in 2007 as an Associate Broker in the Easton office and has since taken on additional responsibilities as an instructor with the Long & Foster Institute of Real Estate. Her unique teaching style has made her a favorite among licensees and new students alike.

Before joining Long & Foster, Jupitz served as managing broker for a local real estate franchise, which she helped grow along the Eastern Shore. Additionally, her background as a registered nurse instilled in her the value of exceptional customer service and the ability to balance multiple priorities while addressing unexpected challenges—all abilities that have helped her and the associates she’s supported in real estate.

“These appointments bring together our Eastern Shore offices under a unified leadership team, and it will present new opportunities for our agents to learn and build their businesses with Long & Foster,” said Athena Petersen, senior vice president and regional manager of Long & Foster Real Estate. “With Andy and Donna’s combined skillsets and talent, as well as the many resources of Long & Foster, our agents will deliver even greater results for their buyers, sellers, and renters.”

For more information about Long & Foster, visit LongandFoster.com.

Robin Wilson to Lead Long & Foster in Frederick

Long & Foster Real Estate has appointed Robin Wilson as the managing broker of its Frederick, Maryland, office. In her new role, Wilson will also oversee the brokerage’s Braddock Heights, Cumberland, Frederick/North Market, Hagerstown, and Thurmont locations.

With nearly two decades of experience at Long & Foster, Wilson has established herself as a leading sales associate in the Cattail Creek (Ellicott City) location. Her extensive background in real estate is complemented by a personal passion for the industry, which she inherited from her mother, a successful agent in her own right. Born and raised in Maryland, Wilson has gained a deep understanding of the local market and its unique charm.

Her commitment to the community is further demonstrated by her family’s involvement in local education. This connection to the community enhances her ability to serve agents and their clients, as she understands their needs and aspirations beyond the physical aspects of a home.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Wilson is an avid reader and enthusiastic traveler. These interests enrich her personal life and contribute to her ability to connect with clients on a deeper level.

“Robin is an engaging leader whose decades of experience enable her to guide both new and experienced associates to success,” said Athena Petersen, senior vice president and regional manager for Long & Foster Real Estate’s Baltimore, Western Maryland and Eastern Shore region. “I’m thrilled to welcome her to the team and am confident our office will achieve great results with her leadership and the many resources of Long & Foster, including our all-inclusive real estate experience.”

For more information about Long & Foster, visit LongandFoster.com.

Real Estate Agents: Here’s Where You Can Find New Ideas for the New Year.

As we embark on a new year, it’s essential for professionals in the real estate industry to stay ahead of the game and explore new ideas for success. To help our own agents achieve their goals this year, Long & Foster is kicking off 2025 by sponsoring RISMedia’s popular Rocking in the New Year 2025 virtual conference, taking place on Jan. 9.

This highly anticipated event will feature top industry experts who will share valuable insights and success strategies for the year ahead. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from top-producing agents and brokerage executives, including Patrick Bain, Long & Foster’s own CEO and President, who will discuss the importance of enhancing the customer experience.

The Rocking in the New Year 2025 virtual conference is a must-attend event for real estate professionals looking to achieve even greater results in 2025. With a focus on innovation and forward-thinking, this conference will provide attendees with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the ever-evolving real estate landscape.

You can sign up for the event at no cost – courtesy of Long & Foster – by going to https://rocking.rismedia.com/checkout/select-tickets/?coupon=qpQjIjjN.

Five Reasons to Buy in 2025

How do you build long-term wealth? Homeownership is key: as real estate appreciates and grows in value, you build equity and wealth. If you – or your family or friends – are thinking about making the move from renting to owning, here are five reasons this might be the year.

Stabilizing Mortgage Rates. Rates are holding steady in the 5.5 to 6.5% range. With guidance from a professional mortgage consultant like our partners at Prosperity Home Mortgage, you can secure a rate that suits your needs and even set yourself up to refinance later if rates drop.

Increasing Property Values. Home sale prices have been rising across the country, driving increased property values for homeowners. Homeownership is a powerful tool to create long-term wealth, as you build equity in your home through your mortgage payments.

Potential Tax Benefits. Some costs of homeownership, such as mortgage interest and property taxes, often may be eligible for tax deductions. Make sure to consult your tax professional to determine which benefits you can take advantage of if you own a home or purchase one soon.

Design Freedom. As a homeowner, you can choose how to decorate and design your property—there’s no asking a property owner’s permission to paint a few walls or retile a bathroom. It’s a flexibility that lets you make your home truly your own.

Growing Inventory. Experts predict more homes will be on the market this year, creating more opportunities for first-time and move-up buyers. If you want to stay updated on what’s available in your desired markets, let me know.

Partnering with a professional agent, like those at Long & Foster Real Estate, ensures a seamless process, whether you’re buying or selling. With our market expertise and all-inclusive real estate services—including mortgage, title, insurance, inspection, moving and more—we’re here to make your journey to homeownership smooth and successful. Ready to explore? Connect with an agent today.

Washingtonian Honors Long & Foster Team in its Faces of Washington 2025

Washingtonian magazine released its annual Faces of Washington feature—spotlighting the many industry professionals who are leading their firms and clients to great results.

Among the many top executives featured were Long & Foster’s own Patrick Bain, CEO and President of The Long & Foster Companies. Bain was recognized as the Face of DC’s Leading Real Estate Company. In a short feature about him and his achievements, Bain shared that Long & Foster is focused on delivering residents with a streamlined and simplified real estate experience. “Consumers want an all-in-one transaction, and Long & Foster delivers,” Bain said in the article.

Long & Foster prestigious One Bethesda office also earned honors in the publication. One Bethesda was named as the Face of Bethesda Real Estate, with Managing Broker Jeremiah Ganeto sharing with the publication how this real estate office stands out from the rest. “We’re a destination,” Ganeto said. “Our agents come to learn, collaborate, educate and grow, and our success proves we’re doing that.” So far in 2024 alone, the office’s 350 agents have sold more than $1.5B in real estate.

Plus, many of Long & Foster’s leading agents were recognized in the publication.

Kimberly Cestari was honored as the Face of Chevy Chase Real Estate and Beyond. Cestari talked about her passion for real estate with Washingtonian, as well as her background in both interior design and home staging. She ranks as one of Long & Foster’s top agents across the expansive company and leading individual agent in D.C.

Lilian Jorgenson was named as the Face of Women in Real Estate. Jorgenson has been a dominant force in the industry for over 40 years, earning honors with Long & Foster, local associations and industry organizations. As she told Washingtonian, she’s driven to meet new people and help them achieve their real estate goals, and that’s been key to her longtime success.

Laurie Mensing earned recognition as the Face of McLean Real Estate. Nationally ranked for her real estate expertise and results, Mensing told Washingtonian that it’s her ability to “negotiate the absolute best price and terms the market will bear, while educating the consumer of the many differences in the metro DC market,” that’s been key to her success.

Traquel N. Butler was honored as the Face of “Chocolate City” Real Estate. A full-service real estate expert, with a background in real estate development and investment, Butler brings a commitment to supporting buyers and sellers at all levels, which has helped her earn numerous honors and achieve tremendous sales results.

Tricounty Suburban Realtors Association Honors Long & Foster’s Kathy Opperman

Recognition celebrates Opperman’s contributions to the community through her charity, Pillars of Light and Love

Kathy Opperman, one of Long & Foster Real Estate’s esteemed managing brokers, has earned the first-place Community Service Award from the Tricounty Suburban Realtors Association. Along with this prestigious recognition, Opperman received a generous $10,000 grant for Pillars of Light and Love, a nonprofit charity that she founded 10 years ago.

“I am truly honored to be recognized by my peers for the work we’ve done through Pillars of Light and Love,” Opperman said. “This award and grant will further our mission and enable us to continue making a difference in the lives of those we serve.”

Since its founding, Pillars of Light and Love has been committed to offering free support groups and empowerment programs to youth and adults in the local community. The recognition and grant received by Opperman serve as a testament to the impactful work the charity has carried out over the years. A few of its recent achievements include opening the So Much to Give Inclusive Café in November 2022, providing employment opportunities to 60 individuals with disabilities. Additionally, in July 2023, the charity launched the So Much to Give Inspiration Studio, an art and music studio dedicated to individuals with disabilities.

More recently, the So Much to Give Inclusive Café expanded to coffee counter service within Montgomery County Community College in Parkhouse Hall, and it opened a second counter this fall in the Health and Science Center at the college. These additions created dozens more jobs for individuals with disabilities.

Pillars of Light and Love also has served thousands with its monthly Kindness Projects. Through this volunteer program, area residents and businesses donate items that are assembled by volunteers and then distributed to hospitals, nursing homes, chemotherapy treatment centers, foster homes, animal rescues, and more. All of Pillars of Light and Love’s charity work is dependent on contributions by the local community, making this grant even more essential for its ongoing efforts.

For more information about Pillars of Light and Love, visit PillarsofLightandLove.org. To learn more about Long & Foster, go to LongandFoster.com.

Lauren (LT) Tate to Lead Long & Foster’s Fredericksburg Office

Long & Foster Real Estate has appointed Lauren (LT) Tate as managing broker for its Fredericksburg, Virginia, office. With over three decades of industry expertise, Tate brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success to her new position.

Tate joined Long & Foster from a competing local franchise, where she served as executive vice president and managing broker. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role as a company and agent liaison for all technology platforms, including the highly popular CRM, kvCORE, where she excelled as a master trainer.

In addition to her extensive sales and management experience in real estate, Tate is the current President Elect of the Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors (FAAR). She is set to be installed as its President next month, further solidifying her commitment to the local real estate community. Tate has also worked closely with FAAR as a coach and trainer, and most recently, she collaborated in creating business development programs for Long & Foster Real Estate’s Northern Virgina and West Virginia region.

Known for her passion in coaching agents to grow their business, Tate utilizes a variety of proven methods, including Buffini Peak Producers, Tom Ferry, Workman, and now Sherri Johnson. Her results-driven approach, combined with her hands-on leadership style and tech-savviness, has made her a respected figure in the industry. Tate is highly skilled in broker management, problem-solving, and transforming Realtors.

“We are thrilled to have LT join our team as the managing broker for our Fredericksburg office,” said Karen Kidwell, senior vice president and regional manager of Long & Foster in Northern Virginia/West Virginia. “Her leadership and expertise will be invaluable in driving our continued success. Plus, LT’s extensive industry knowledge, coupled with her enthusiasm and dedication, make her the ideal choice to lead the team to new heights.”

Long & Foster’s Fredericksburg team will also benefit from the continued support of Chip Taylor, their dedicated sales manager. Together, Tate and Taylor will work collaboratively to provide exceptional service and support to their clients.

For more information about Long & Foster, visit LongandFoster.com.

Long & Foster’s Mary Bowen Elected to Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® Board of Directors

Bowen elected to serve two-year term

Long & Foster Real Estate congratulates Mary Bowen, managing broker of the Arlington and Falls Church offices, for being elected to the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® (NVAR) Board of Directors. Bowen will serve on the board for a two-year term (2025-2026).

Located in Fairfax, Virginia, NVAR supports its 13,000 members with essential resources, including industry education, advocacy, networking, and professional development opportunities.

To be considered for the election, Bowen went through an interview vetting process, which narrowed a pool of individuals down to eight. Four of the eight were elected by the members. Bowen currently serves on the NVAR Board of Directors this year (2024) in an appointed role, as well.

A graduate of the University of Mary Washington with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Bowen has been with Long & Foster since 2009. During her tenure, she has served in a variety of leadership and mentoring roles, and her focus on training and coaching have proven invaluable to the Realtors on her teams. As an active member of NVAR, Bowen has led various groups such as the Young Professionals Network and the New Member Advisory Group.

“We congratulate Mary on this appointment to the board and are proud of her commitment to the industry and for being selecting to serve in this leadership role,” said Karen Kidwell, senior vice president and regional manager of Long & Foster’s Northern Virginia and West Virginia region.

In December, Bowen will be installed to the NVAR Board of Directors to serve in the upcoming year.

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.