The Newtown Board of Realtors have named Kathy Hamilton, of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, the recipient of its coveted Realtor of the Year award.

The longtime Newtown resident originally came to town in 1973, then after college she lived in the Hartford area for eight years while working for United Technologies. She returned to Newtown in 1995.

Hamilton has an engineering degree and spent 16 years as a software developer before beginning her career in real estate in December of 2015.

“I wanted to do something different — a little flexible, so I could attend to my children who were still in the Newtown public schools,” Hamilton said. “My mom was in real estate in the ’80s and I thought that would be a great change for me. I like to help people and my computer background is great for this ‘always online age.’”

Hamilton will celebrate her three-year anniversary at Berkshire Hathaway this December and is currently the treasurer of the Newtown Board of Realtors.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, realtors have been declared essential workers and continue their obligations while practicing social distancing.

Hamilton said the board meetings have been accomplished via Zoom and that the group’s first in-person gathering since the pandemic was for a luncheon at the Dickinson Memorial Park pavilion on September 24.

“It was big enough and outside so that we could continue appropriate social distancing. It was great to see everyone — although we were behind masks, except to eat,” Hamilton explained.

It was there that Jill Wolowitz presented her with the Realtor of the Year award.

“I was very surprised and honored,” Hamilton said. “Changing careers was a very big step for me and I’ve had a great deal of help from many of my fellow realtors and close friends. The award meant a great deal to me.”

Her day-to-day relationships throughout her real estate career have also meant a lot to her and she is appreciative to all those who have supported her over the years.

Hamilton said, “I love helping people and am forever grateful for the support I have received from my family and friends. I could not do this without them. I feel like my clients, both current and past, are now part of my extended family.”

Realty In Newtown

After a surge in people buying homes during the start of the pandemic — many of whom were moving from out of state into in Connecticut — Hamilton says people are still on the move into the fall season, with interest rates still low.

“Most properties are going under deposit in a short amount of time if they are priced well. Many properties have multiple offers, which is causing the base prices to rise gradually since this summer. The lack of inventory is also causing the rental market to be competitive,” Hamilton said.

She predicts this will continue into the springtime.

For buyers, Hamilton recommends people prepare ahead of time and make sure they have a pre-approval letter before going house hunting, as it will help narrow their search.

“Have an honest conversation with your mortgage person as to your expectation that they should be available to write pre-approval letters for you anytime — even on the weekend. This enables you to be fully prepared to make an offer at any time, especially in this time where there are multiple offers. If they are hard to get ahold of, move on to another organization,” Hamilton said.

She understands that buying a property is a major life decision and advises people do their best to ignore the “buying frenzy” and to make sure they are certain before making an offer.

“I am always of the opinion that the right opportunity will present itself if you are patient,” Hamilton said.

For sellers, she suggests taking care of any deferred maintenance to entice more buyers and to interview more than one realtor when they are ready to sell.

She added, “If you are selling or want to sell in the near term, meet with your realtor to help you fully prepare your house for showings. It takes longer than you think to get ready. Your realtor should be adept at staging your house, pricing it for the market, and professionally market your home online.”

As for those looking to rent, they should be prepared to show that they can afford the monthly rent and that they have good credit.

“Renting has become very competitive as the inventory is low and many are considering renting as an alternative until a property is found for purchase,” Hamilton said.

To contact Kathy Hamilton of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, call 203-417-2167 or e-mail kathyhamilton@bhhsne.com.