The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) recently honored its top producers with the release of the NAHREP® Top 250 Latino Agents Award, a publication recognizing the industry’s leading Hispanic real estate agents and brokers. Currently in its fifth year of publication, the list commends Hispanic real estate professionals who have demonstrated high performance numbers and a commitment to excellence.
Supporting sustainable Hispanic homeownership, members of the NAHREP Top 250 represent a combined total of 5 million closed transactions in 2015 and over $5.26 billion in total sales volume. Standing out from nearly 50,000 Latinos in real estate, these professionals are furthering the American Dream in their markets, and beyond.
Claudia Restrepo of Keller Williams Realty The Legacy Group in Spokane, Wash., achieved the No. 1 spot on the Top 250 list, the first woman to land first place since the list’s inception. “Hispanic women have become one large demographic group of homebuyers,” says Restrepo. “This shows how independent Hispanic women have become, and how important it is to really build relationships and help them achieve their dreams.”
“Hispanic homeownership is increasing,” agrees Top 250 honoree Mario Negron, owner/broker associate of RE/MAX Prestige in Houston, Texas, No. 2 on the Top 250 list. Negron notes that more Hispanics are entering the playing field, with the exception of millennials. “Homeownership for that age group is moving into their 30s, rather than early 20s like it used to be.”
“Hispanic homeownership is paramount to the overall U.S. homeownership rates,” says Leo Pareja, No. 7 on the 2015 list. Pareja, with Keller Williams Realty Leo Pareja Team in Falls Church, Va., is also the 2016 NAHREP president-elect. “Latinos are leading in household formation and workforce participation and are joining the middle class household numbers faster than any other demographic group. Hispanic homeownership is and will be the driving force in housing over the coming decades,” continues Pareja, who has landed on the top 10 list every year since the origination of the NAHREP Top 250.
Top 250 honorees come from a variety of franchises from across the country, with experience ranging from fledgling agents with only one year under their belt, to seasoned real estate professionals who have been in the industry for over a decade. Their diverse range in experience shows it takes more than time to reach the top.
“I love what I do and my people come first,” says Negron, who has worked in the real estate industry for eight years. “The best part of my job is handing someone keys and seeing them smile, especially a first-time buyer achieving the American Dream. That means a lot to me.”
“Being the first woman to ever win the honor is very emotional for me, and I hope this to be an inspiration to all the women out there who are in this country working hard to build a better life for their families,” says Restrepo. “I want them to realize that it doesn’t matter your background or if you have a thick accent. It can be done.”
“When I started in this business , Latino consumers were considered an emerging market or a niche business,” says Pareja, who is excited about his upcoming NAHREP presidential term. “I love being able to educate and share the reality of where housing is shifting to. I hope to continue seeing NAHREP grow in chapters and members. Our mission is to empower the practitioners who serve the market. The folks involved in the organization, regardless of their background, will be the most prepared and ready to serve the current consumers ready to realize their American Dream.”
The Top 250 agents and mortgage originators will be honored at NAHREP’s 2016 National Convention & Latin Music Festival on Tuesday, September 20 during NAHREP’s General Session II, Industry Leadership in Los Angeles.
During the convention, Top 250 honorees will participate in exclusive masterminding sessions geared for top producers. Here, top Latino industry professionals from across the country will gather to exchange ideas, business practices and success tactics with their peers. Through these collaborative sessions, participants will glean the tools and insight they need to maximize success in their market.
In addition to ranking agents based on transaction productivity, the Top 250 examines age demographics among the candidates, gross commission incomes earned, the top ranking agents in volume, and more. View the full list here.
For more information, visit www.nahrep.org.
