News

Greater Bergen REALTORS® (GBR) celebrated Pride Month in June with the third annual Lunch and Learn event, Empowering LGBTQ+ Voices & Homeownership at GBR headquarters in Saddle Brook. This year, the event was co-hosted by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee and the Young Professionals Network (YPN).

"In our business, allyship, leading with intent, and fostering an inclusive environment are paramount; and it all starts with us," stated GBR 2024 DEI Committee Chair, Andre Porter.

Saddle Brook, NJ - June 18, 2024 - Greater Bergen REALTORS® hosted the annual Midyear Meeting& Affiliate Trade Show last week at the Teaneck Marriott At Glenpointe for over 300 members.

The highly anticipated event began with a gourmet breakfast and networking in the grand ballroom, where members mingled and met with event sponsors, Main Street Title & Settlement Services; Think Mortgage; Top Notch Moving & Storage LLC.; Ferrer Goldfine Law Group; Clever Inspections; NJ Lenders Corp. Mortgage Bankers; East Coast Capital; Crown Home Mortgage; AnnieMac Home Mortgage; Bond Street Mortgage; NextGen Mortgage; Prestige Cleaning; and Legacy Mortgage Group Inc.

After opening remarks from GBR Chief Executive Officer, Jorge Ledesma, 2024 President, Lisa Comito took the stage, addressing members: "Greater Bergen REALTORS empowers the success of those we serve by focusing on connections, advocacy, resources, and education. Our goal this year is to highlight our REALTOR value to the public, our value as an association to our members, and a focus on helping you with health and mental well-being."

Saddle Brook, NJ – June 13, 2024 - The 2024 DEI Real Estate Summit, a two-day regional Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion summit designed to build curiosity and inclusive practices among members of the real estate industry, was held on June 3-4, 2024, at Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott.

The DEI Real Estate Summit is collaboration between the National Association of REALTORS®, New Jersey REALTORS®, Greater Bergen REALTORS® (GBR), Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS®, New York State Association of REALTORS®, North Central Jersey Association of REALTORS®, and Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS®.

Encouraging attendance at such conferences is essential for fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our industry,” stated GBR Board Director, Dalia Flores. “The DEI Summit provided a platform for REALTORS® to exchange perspectives, establish a common ground, and ensure that every individual is truly recognized and valued.”

Saddle Brook, NJ – June 11, 2024 – Greater Bergen REALTORS® charitable organization, the REALTORS® Care Foundation (RCF) hosted their annual event of the summer, the 2024 Golf & Tennis Outing on June 3, 2024 at Montammy Golf Club in Alpine, NJ.

"This organization means a lot to me and my fellow Trustees," stated 2024 RCF President, Shana Sanchez, "It is a lot of boots-on-the-ground work and effort that allows us to make a difference in our communities. We appreciate all who support us and continue to support the REALTORS® Care Foundation’s mission to give back."

Saddle Brook, NJ – May 23, 2024 –  U.S. existing-home sales recently fell from a one-year high, dropping 4.3% month over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.19 million, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), as higher interest rates and rising sales prices continue to keep some prospective buyers on the sidelines. Average 30-year mortgage rates have topped 7% in recent weeks, while the median existing-home sales price hit $393,500 as of last measure, a 4.8% increase from the previous month, according to NAR.

"Based on the monthly report in our area, home prices are still going up while the number of homes for sale are going down. This means we are still in seller's market,” states Greater Bergen REALTORS® 2024 Immediate Past President, Alireza Memar.

Saddle Brook, NJ – May 22, 2024 –  Greater Bergen REALTORS® (GBR) and the New Jersey Multiple Listing Service (NJMLS) 2024 Leadership Academy invited New Jersey REALTORS® (NJR) leadership to GBR headquarters in Saddle Brook, NJ on May 16, 2024 to speak in front of the 12 students in their final session of the semester for the 2024 program.

“We are bringing information from New Jersey REALTORS to our class to help them prosper and give them resources so they can grow in their leadership journey,” stated GBR 2024 President-Elect, Nicola Esposito.

Saddle Brook, NJ - May 13, 2024 - Greater Bergen REALTORS® (GBR) Executive leadership team, Board of Directors, and association committee leaders and members attended the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) 2024 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings in Washington D.C. on May 4-9, 2024.  The five-day stretch of Legislative Meetings was an opportunity for over 9,000 REALTORS®, lawmakers, and industry leaders across the country to participate in critical public policy conversations to advance the real estate industry.

"It is important now more than ever that REALTORS® stay at the forefront of legislative and real estate industry updates," stated GBR Chief Executive Officer, Jorge Ledesma. "Greater Bergen REALTORS® strives to provide our members with the most up-to-date industry knowledge and resources they need to best serve their clients and be successful." 

Saddle Brook, NJ - May 3, 2024 - On April 27, on National Rebuilding Day 2024, Greater Bergen REALTORS® (GBR) nonprofit organization, the REALTORS® Care Foundation and the Community Service Committee joined forces with local nonprofit partner, Rebuilding Together North Jersey, in volunteering time and resources to repair and clean the home of a local homeowner in Teaneck, NJ.