The inaugural Brokerage of the Year Award, presented by Alabama REALTORS®, recognizes brokerages that demonstrate exceptional commitment to the profession and to the communities they serve. 

With numerous brokerages throughout the state, the award is divided into three categories: Small Brokerage of the Year (1-15 agents), Medium Brokerage of the Year (16-50 agents) and Large Brokerage of the Year (51+ agents). 

Meet this year’s award-winning brokerages:

For Mark Jones, broker/owner of Prestige Properties, meaningful service is the cornerstone of success. His team places a strong emphasis on building personal relationships and giving back to the Auburn and Opelika communities they operate in.

“We really prioritize meaningful, personal relationships with our fellow community members and being good neighbors,” Jones said.

In work, this looks like involvement in different real estate committees and serving as industry leaders. In the community, this means hyper-local involvements based on what matters to the small-but mighty Prestige Properties team.

“We have the beauty of being really flexible with where we focus our charitable efforts,” Jones said. “From improving bike lanes in the community to supporting local sports programs our agents’ children are in, to simply giving financial help to someone in need, we’re able to give where it matters most to our agents and community.”

A self-proclaimed professional at debunking surprises, Jones was completely taken aback at the firm’s recognition as an Alabama REALTORS® brokerage of the year.

“It was the biggest surprise! I was astounded to learn we had won,” he said. “It was such a special recognition. It still makes me tear up thinking about it.”

Founded just four years ago by broker/owner Jamie Reeves, MeritHouse Realty was built on the principle of “people over profits.”

“We started by laying the foundation that, instead of high brokerage fees, a portion of every transaction goes toward a charity in honor of our clients,” Reeves said. “It really caught on. This year alone we doubled the number of MeritHouse agents.”

This giving-first philosophy is further seen through the brokerage’s partnerships with various area school systems and its community give-back efforts. It’s also part of the culture of how agents interact within the team, and out in the field.

“We all have the same outcome, and we really try to make things a team effort,” Reeves said. “We’re better together, and that’s reflective in our culture, and in our work with other agents.”

When learning about MeritHouse’s achievement from Alabama REALTORS®, Reeves was, in real estate fashion, ‘floored.’

“It was so exciting to learn that we had won,” Reeves said. “Without each of our incredible agents, this wouldn’t be possible. I’m truly honored.”

Mark Moody, broker/owner of MarMac Real Estate, knew he wanted to be a REALTOR® at age 10. Passing his real estate exam at 20, he spent 26 years as an agent before founding MarMac Real Estate in 2007 with a clear mission: develop the industry’s most successful agents.

“I believe in helping agents get to the top of their profession,” he said. “I want to work with the most educated and productive agents, and I’m committed to doing everything I can for our agents to support them.”

This commitment is evident in MarMac’s annual six-week bootcamp that equips agents with the know-how, resources and mindset to excel.  

The brokerage’s dedication to agents is reflective of its efforts in the community. Through MarMac Charities, funds are raised annually for local organizations. To-date, more than $300,000 has been donated.

Winning the award as a large, independent brokerage was particularly meaningful for Moody.

“To win this as an independent firm feels very special,” Moody said. “This recognition is symbolic of our incredible team and the hard work we put in each day to be our best and do right by our community.”