When Sal and Bette Gallo first opened their doors as Gallo Realty in 1979, interest rates were 12-15 % and the average price range for a beach home was $32,000 to $400,000 in Rehoboth Beach and $35,000 to $200,000 on Lewes Beach. The husband-and-wife team both worked for local REALTORS prior to starting their own firm; Bette managed the Lewes office of Anderson & Stokes and Sal managed Crowley, Evans and McCafferty Realty in Dewey Beach.

 

Within a couple of years after striking out on their own, the market couldn’t have been in worse shape, when interest rates jumped to 18 and 20%.“Making the deal work” involved more than just a couple of showings, cell phone calls and e-mails. Driving contracts to Washington, D.C. or Wilmington at 5 pm on a Friday night was just another day in the life of a good REALTOR back then. Without the MLS or virtual tours on the Internet, property possibilities didn’t get ruled out until the property was shown, so numerous showings were the norm. 

 

Over the past 30 years, many changes and challenges have affected the Sussex County Real Estate market, and all the while, Prudential Gallo has risen to the occasion with forethought and enthusiasm.   The husband and wife team has grown to include office locations in Rehoboth Beach and Lewes, over 55 sales agents, 12 rental agents, numerous sales and support staff, and a full-time marketing department.  

 

The success of the firm has been attributed to the strict adherence to their mission statement: “At Prudential Gallo, REALTORS^®, our goal is to exceed the customer’s expectations for reliable service and professional assistance in selling, buying or renting Real Estate.”

 

Andrew Ratner, broker at the Rehoboth Beach location, and Sandy Wright, broker at the Lewes location, both strive to maintain this standard in every transaction that Prudential Gallo agents enter into. Although Prudential Gallo has embraced the growth of technological tools that allow agents to enhance sales performance, the firm never allows “technology” to stand in the way of treating every customer and client with warmth, understanding and “old-time” customer service.

 

Being a respected and trusted entity in the community has also contributed to the longevity of the firm.   The majority of the sales and rental associates have lived and worked in the resort area for quite some time . . . a lot of whom were raised in Sussex County, or others who are now raising their children in Sussex.   The commitment made by Prudential Gallo management and individual agents and staff is constantly visible through volunteerism and the financial support of many local arts organizations, schools, hospitals, charities, churches, town and county councils.

 

Holding steady as one of the top-three firms in the resort industry for the past several years, Prudential Gallo, REALTORS^® will continue to focus on going above and beyond to satisfy clients’ needs, and looks forward to many more successful years in business.