The Tribune

ERA Dupuch Real Estate has named Carla Sweeting as its agent of the year, after she enjoyed the best year of her 13-year career in becoming its top performer for 2013.

“It was a banner year for Carla, who exemplifies the two main characteristics of a successful realtor; knowledge and dedication,” said ERA Dupuch founder and president, Peter Dupuch.

“She knows this market like few others. Ask her about a house and she likely knows the ins and outs, its listing history and probably the price that was paid last time it was sold.”

Beyond that, said Mr Dupuch, it is dedication that made Ms Sweeting such a high achiever.

“We believe the realtor’s job is to do more than just list, market and bring a buyer to the vendor and, once the offer is agreed between the parties, turn it over to the attorneys,” said Mr Dupuch.

“And Carla is a stellar example of this. She goes way beyond. I’ve seen her become the right arm clients come to lean on, the friend who personally gets utilities hooked up, drives an elderly client to the bank, delivers documents by hand, opens up for appraisers and does whatever it takes to provide that sense of comfort and security that makes the sale or purchase of a home as seamless as can be.”

ERA Dupuch Real Estate has been the top-performing franchise affiliate in the region for many years. Its past top performers, including Ken Chaplin and Dave McCorquodale, won their bragging rights with high-end sales, primarily on Paradise Island. Ms Sweeting’s record was different – a combination of rentals, sales and re-sales, almost all by referral or repeat clients.

But while the woman with the personal touch worked more transactions, she said there is still a major void in the market.

“The void in the market is for the first-time home buyer in the $250,000 to $350,000 range,” said Ms Sweeting, who served on the Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) Board for five years.

“We need both more inventory and more participation in that range from banks or other lenders.”

ERA Dupuch Real Estate was founded in 2000, and is an affiliate of ERA Real Estate, a worldwide network of 2,300 offices and 31,000 agents.