Several local Realtors have been recognized for their work by Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors in its annual Forty Under 40 awards. 

An awards ceremony was held May 19 at Venue8600 in Scottsdale. 

Scottsdale Realtor Lauren Ballard, who serves as division president at The Jason Mitchell Real Estate Group, has won the Forty Under 40 award three times. She says  it's an honor to be recognized for her work.

"I love being surrounded by hard working and like-minded agents year over year as a third time winner," Ballard said. "The best part is that the award is not given solely for production, but also leadership and community involvement. I believe that real estate is about the mission not the commission so that makes the (Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors) Forty Under 40 a very meaningful award." 

2023 individual winners are:

• Lauren Ballard (Jason Mitchell Real Estate)
• Aaron Bils (Locality Real Estate)
• Laura Briggs (Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty)
• Joel Chacko (Realty Executives)
• Nicole Demas (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Arizona Properties)
• Karlii diGrazia (Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty)
• Joy Dorvinen (Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty)
• Janelle Flaherty (Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty)
• Adam Gitter (The Brokery)
• Shawn Glazier (beSpoke Real Estate)
• Alison Guelker (Walt Danley Local Luxury Christie’s International Real Estate)
• Kimberli Horyza (Hague Partners)
• Ashley Jewett (Walt Danley Local Luxury Christie’s International Real Estate)
• Jonah Joffe (Launch Powered by Compass)
• Kayla Kerulis (eXp Realty)
• Ashley Krolak (Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty)
• Mauricio Lacerda (eXp Realty)
• Savanah Lamey (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Arizona Properties)
• Taylor Magnuson (eXp Realty)
• Katie Metz (Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty)
• Kendal Mohr (Realty Executives)
• Brett Nicholas (RE/MAX Fine Properties)
• Shay Noonan (Real Broker AZ)
• Reno Paccioni (Dwellings Realty Group)
• Stefano Pecci (Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty)
• Allyson Pereira (eXp Realty)
• Adrienne Perry (Call Realty)
• Eugene Quackenbush (Get Your Nest)
• Mikhail Quijada (The Brokery)
• Cody Ramirez (Realty Executives)
• Erin Rose (Omni Homes International)
• Nicole Ryan (Coldwell Banker Realty)
• Sophia Satow (Realty Executives)
• Katie Scala (Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty)
• Elizabeth Shapiro (Porter Vacation Rental Management)
• Salvatore Shkreli (Realty Executives)
• Sean Steimer (Realty Executives)
• Eric Tont (Dwellings Realty Group)
• Josh Wein (HomeSmart)
• Courtney Weston (Keller Williams Realty Phoenix).

2023 team winners are:

• Baccus Realty Group (Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living)
• Rosin Team (eXp Realty)
• The Cilley’s (Realty Executives).

“I would like to thank our Young Professionals Network panel for reviewing all of the individual and team applications submitted for this year’s Forty Under 40 Awards,” Scottsdale Realtors 2023 President Chris Nace said in a press release. “Forty individuals and three teams are being recognized for their production, community involvement, industry dedication and unique selling proposition.”

Marketing partners for this year’s Forty Under 40 Awards include VIP Mortgage, Guaranteed Rate, AJF Inspections and Chicago Title Agency and AZing Realty Media.

As for the local real estate market, Ballard points out that it is still moving quickly as inventory remains low. 

"Arizona has experienced a population boom following a long period of low builder production. What does all this mean? We don’t have enough homes for the amount of people moving here nor the generation who is entering the buyer pool," Ballard said.

She explained that Arizona has notoriously built out, not up — putting houses on big lots and homebuilders didn't do a lot of vertical building for density. She notes that in a "healthy" market, the amount of homes for sale in Maricopa County should be between 23,000-25,000. Currently, there are about 12,000 homes for sale. 

"The interest rates are higher than the artificially low rates we saw in 2020-22 but as buyers come to recognize we are unlikely to see 2-3% rates again they are making moves! I consider this to be an opportunity market," Ballard said. 

Editor's Note: Managing Editor Melissa Rosequist contributed to this article.