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Vanatta, Wittemyer in top 100 in 2007

Pam Vanatta and Chris Wittemyer of Prudential Steamboat Realty weren't surprised when they arrived at Prudential's national convention in New Orleans on March 16 and saw a talk on the program devoted to "How to Prosper in a Down Market." But it wasn't particularly relevant for them.

"Steamboat is fundamentally different for traditional markets," Wittemyer said. "It's always been that way for mountain towns."

Vanatta said one factor that insulates Steamboat from the struggling national housing market is the absence of large, publicly held tract-housing developers who rely on high-volume development.

Vanatta and Wittemyer excelled locally and nationally in 2007 and were recognized by their peers in New Orleans with the presentation of the Top 100 Award for Realtors and teams. Vanatta ranked ninth out of 68,000 real estate agents in the Prudential network and Wittemyer ranked 48th.

They found themselves keeping company with Realtors from Manhattan and California communities like La Jolla in the awards rankings.

"Last year I was number 29 and my goal this year was to be in the top 10," Vanatta said. "I think that message is so important. If you define a goal and really work hard, you will reap the benefits. We were lucky to be in a climate last year where a lot of property was purchased. I had a couple of huge deals last year. It was a year like you dream about."

The award that ranked most important to co-owners Vanatta and Cam Boyd was the elite Gibraltar Circle Award. The award is presented to the top 40 companies in the Prudential Real Estate Network and is based upon sales performance. Prudential Steamboat Realty competed against nearly 2,100 offices to earn the award. Prudential Steamboat closed $650 million in sales last year, Vanatta said.

Both Vanatta and Wittemyer were quick to acknowledge their team members at Prudential Steamboat.

Jim Walters and Melisa Owens work closely with Wittemyer.

Vanatta said her two buyers agents, Kelly Silva and Anne Mayberry, with Heidi Flint and Stephanie Peasley, help her concentrate on what she does best.

Cam Boyd, Kathy and Erik Steinberg, Vanatta and Wittemyer were named to the Chairman's Circle - diamond level, for their sales in 2007. This award recognizes associates who excel in residential sales. Sales associates who qualify for this award place in the top 0.5 percent of the Prudential Real Estate Network.

Lisa Olson and Beth Bishop were named to the Chairman's Circle - platinum level, for their sales in 2007. Sales associates who qualify for this award place in Prudential's top 1 percent.

Tom Wilson, Colleen de Jong, Dutch Elting, Jennifer Fritz, Cheryl Foote, Molly Hibbard, Robyn Higginbotham and Karen Hughes were named to the Chairman's Circle - gold level for their sales in 2007. Sales associates who qualify for this award place in Prudential's top 2 percent.

Adrienne Stroock, Annette Hall, Dave Maloney, Kim Kreissig, Vicky Hanna, Charlie Dresen Darrin Fryer, and Steve Elkins were named to the President's Circle level for their sales in 2007. Sales associates who qualify for this award place in the top 3 percent of the Prudential Real Estate Network.

Cindy MacGray, Bobby Aldighieri, Barkley Robinson, Marc Small, Greg Forney and Harry Thompson have all been named to the Leading Edge Society for their sales in 2007. This award recognizes residential sales professionals who exemplified great sales measures in closed residential units.

- To reach Tom Ross, call 871-4205

or e-mail tross@steamboatpilot.com