REBNY Celebrates Industry Excellence at 37th Annual Residential Deal of the Year Benefit & Celebration

Charity and Awards Event Attracted Approximately 360 Members to Recognize Distinguished Achievement for Residential Brokers and Agents

Please see photos from the event HERE

New York, NY – New York City’s residential brokerage community gathered on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Guastavino’s in Midtown Manhattan for the Real Estate Board of New York’s (REBNY) 37th Annual Residential Deal of the Year Benefit & Awards. The event honored outstanding professionals and deals from 2025, while raising funds for the REBNY Member in Need Fund, which provides financial assistance to brokers and agents facing unexpected hardship.

In addition to recognizing the year’s top deals, the evening also honored individuals for exceptional leadership, service and integrity across the residential brokerage community.

The awards were judged by members of the Residential Advisory Board, Residential Ethics Committee and Co-Chairs of Residential Committees.

Deal of the Year Awards – 2025 Transactions:

• The First Place Residential Sales Deal of the Year Award was given to Rick Kelly of Alta Real Estate and Jeremy Stein of Sotheby’s International Realty.

The top deal centered on a Midtown penthouse that had been on and off the market for more than a decade without selling, despite multiple listing attempts by different brokers. After taking over the listing, the property was relaunched and later taken to auction, which ultimately did not produce a buyer. Months later, a previous prospect was engaged, but the agents had to navigate the existing auction agreement that complicated the timing of a sale. By working through those constraints with all parties involved, Rick and Jeremy were able to get the deal closed, setting a record for the building and marking one of Midtown’s highest resales in recent years.

• The Second Place Residential Sales Deal of the Year Award was given to Deanna Kory and Federica Floris of The Corcoran Group.

The sale involved an eight-room co-op apartment owned by a longtime resident facing foreclosure after unknowingly falling behind on mortgage payments. With the auction imminent, the brokers intervened to halt the foreclosure and stabilize the situation, working with legal counsel, building management, and the seller to address significant maintenance and condition issues within the home. After preparing the apartment for market and navigating a highly sensitive sales process, they ultimately secured a buyer from within the building. The transaction required years of persistence, careful coordination and ongoing support for the seller, culminating in a successful closing that preserved the seller’s equity and allowed her to remain in the building.

• The Third Place Residential Sales Deal of the Year Award was given to Zak Resnick of Compass and Amelia Gewirtz and Andrew Phillips of Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC.

This co-op purchase involved a buyer committed to a property priced well above what comparable sales and the buyer’s financial profile could support. After multiple rejected offers, the broker introduced a creative structure that paired a financial offer with experiential components tied to the buyer’s profession as a Broadway performer in an effort to bridge the gap. While the sellers ultimately declined, the approach reframed negotiations and kept the deal alive. The transaction was ultimately completed after the buyer secured additional financial support, allowing them to meet the seller’s price and successfully navigate the co-op approval process.

• The Residential Rental Deal of the Year Award was given to Dakota Scotto and Lawrence Rich of Compass.

A penthouse rental quickly attracted strong interest and an above-asking offer shortly after hitting the market. While the initial applicant appeared qualified, delays in providing standard documentation and funds raised concerns during the lease process. After setting firm deadlines that were not met, the brokers made the decision to terminate the deal and move forward with another interested party. The second applicants completed the process without issue, securing the apartment at full asking price and ensuring a smooth and reliable closing for the landlord. Shortly thereafter, the brokers saw the initial applicant’s mugshot in the news following his arrest on serious charges, confirming the concerns that had surfaced during the deal process.

In addition to the Deal of the Year awards, REBNY honored multiple individuals for their contributions to the industry.

• Bess Freedman of Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC for The Henry Forster Memorial Award.

Recognizing her significant impact on both the real estate industry and the broader community, Bess Freedman has led Brown Harris Stevens with vision and purpose since becoming CEO in 2018. She has driven the firm’s growth while upholding a steadfast commitment to professionalism, ethical standards, and client-first service, alongside championing industry-leading workplace policies and meaningful social impact initiatives. A member of REBNY’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee, her influence across both business and community exemplifies the spirit of this prestigious lifetime honor.

• William Abramson of Buchbinder & Warren for The Eileen Spinola Award for Distinguished Service.

This award honors a REBNY member who has made significant contributions through dedication to education, ethics, and advocacy for the betterment of the real estate industry. In addition to his service on REBNY’s Residential Rental and Retail Committees, and his recent appointment to the REBNY Commercial Brokerage Advisory board, William’s longstanding commitment to public service and industry engagement reflects the core values of this distinguished award.

• Beth Gittleman of Compass for Residential Agent of the Year.

With more than two decades in New York City real estate, Beth was recognized for her leadership in the industry, as well as her leadership within REBNY and contributions to the Member in Need Fund. As co-founder of The Catalyst Team, ranked among the top 1.5% of teams nationwide, she has consistently delivered strong results while fostering collaboration, commitment to advancing the industry, and giving back to the community.

• Lauren Weigand of Compass for Residential Rookie of the Year.

Recognized for an exceptional start to her career, Lauren made an immediate impact by generating her own opportunities and contributing to more than $27 million in closed volume in her first full year. She has quickly distinguished herself through record-setting transactions, strong client relationships, and a collaborative, results-driven approach that sets her apart as a rising talent in the industry.

• Barbara Fox of Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC and John Wollberg of Side for Industry Champion Award.

Recognized for their extraordinary leadership and longstanding commitment to REBNY and the Residential Member in Need Fund, Barbara has been involved since its inception and John joined in 2008, with both serving as enduring beacons of the initiative ever since. Together, they have played a pivotal role in building the fund into a cornerstone of the residential brokerage community, fostering a culture of generosity and support across the industry.

“Behind every transaction is a story of persistence, problem-solving, and trust,” said James Whelan, President of the Real Estate Board of New York. “This year’s honorees exemplify the expertise and dedication it takes to navigate New York City’s housing market, often under high-stakes and unpredictable circumstances. We are proud to recognize not only these standout deals, but the broader contributions residential professionals make to the strength and stability of our city.”

For more information on this year’s winners and honorees or to donate to the REBNY Member in Need Fund, please visit www.rebny.com/member-in-need.

###

ABOUT THE REAL ESTATE BOARD OF NEW YORK

The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) is the City’s leading real estate trade association. Founded in 1896, REBNY represents commercial, residential, and institutional property owners, builders, managers, investors, brokers, and salespeople; banks, financial service companies, utilities, attorneys, architects, and contractors; corporations, co-partnerships, and individuals professionally interested in New York City real estate. REBNY conducts research on various civic matters including tax policy, city planning and zoning, rental conditions, land use policy, building codes, and other city, state, and federal legislation. REBNY regularly publishes market data, policy reports, and broker surveys. In addition, REBNY provides for its members: informational, technical, and technological resources; networking and charitable service opportunities; qualifying and continuing education courses; professional education programs, seminars, and designations; career-changing awards; legal advice; and a wide range of additional member benefits. For more information, please visit www.rebny.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Fiona Bundy

communications@rebny.com

(212) 616-5208