Applications are open now for the team Recognition Awards and the Pathways Award through Thursday, Jan. 29. No application is required for individuals to qualify for the individual Recognition Awards.

Details on the eligibility requirements, award categories and applications are listed below.

Eligibility requirements

  • No application is required for individuals to qualify for the awards. GCAAR is working with Bright MLS again this year to identify all qualifying members based on the 2025 individual transaction data entered into Bright’s system. If individuals who believe they are qualified to win an award do not receive an email by mid-February or wish to have off-MLS transactions included toward your transactions, we encourage you to complete the online application to give us more information.
  • Participation in the GCAAR Recognition Awards is open to all current primary GCAAR REALTOR® members who have been in good standing since January 1 of the previous year and who hold a broker, associate broker or salespersons license. (Note: Membership in Bright MLS does not automatically constitute membership in GCAAR).
  • All team members must be primary GCAAR REALTOR® members. Team member production of non-members will be excluded from the entry submission volume.
  • Principal Brokers are not eligible to enter the team competition, as the Real Estate Commission does not permit brokers as teams.
  • Transactions must have settled during the specified calendar year to be eligible for the GCAAR Recognition Awards.
  • Bright MLS transaction volume dollar amount and transaction count will be used in determining the entrant’s award level.
  • If submitting credit for a listing, please submit an application and include a copy of the ALTA Settlement Statement.
  • If you represented a buyer and were the listing agent during a transaction, you would receive both transactions and/or the total volume from both sides. New construction will be counted toward your total sales volume. Rental property transactions will not be counted toward your total volume or transaction number.
  • Production resulting from an agent’s entering of builder’s listings in the Bright MLS on the builder’s behalf are not qualified entries and will not be counted.
  • Only sales and listings settled while entrant was a member in good standing of GCAAR will be considered.
  • All entries are subject to audit.
  • Use of digital GCAAR Recognition Award winner badges, Zoom backgrounds and awards collateral: As a REALTOR®, you make the commitment to honor and follow the Code of Ethics as issued by the National Association of REALTORS®. Usage of the digital GCAAR Recognition Award winner badges and Zoom backgrounds are no different. As outlined specifically in Standard of Practice 12-13 within the Code of Ethics, here is a reminder of your proper usage of the digital badge: Standard of Practice 12-13: “The obligation to present a true picture in advertising, marketing, and representations allows REALTORS® to use and display only professional designations, certifications and other credentials to which they are legitimately entitled.”
  • When advertising or otherwise using the description of the award, it must read exactly as it appears on the awards badge, including the year.
  • Language such as Top REALTOR® and Top Producer cannot be used.
  • Abuse of or failure to comply with these terms of use will be reported to GCAAR and treated as an ethics violation.

Individual awards

GCAAR works closely with Bright MLS to pull all qualifying members based on the individual transaction data entered into Bright's system for a particular year. No application is required for individuals to qualify for the awards. We notify all winners by email.

Below are the individual award categories, based on settled transactions in Bright MLS or other transaction-report evidence submitted to GCAAR.

  • Platinum Award - At least $50,000,000 in volume or 100 transactions.
  • Gold Award - At least $30,000,000 in volume or 60 transactions.
  • Silver Award - At least $20,000,000 in volume or 40 transactions.
  • Bronze Award - At least $10,000,000 in volume or 30 transactions.

STOP!

No application is required this year for individuals to qualify for the awards.

GCAAR is working closely with Bright MLS to pull all qualifying members based on the 2025 individual transaction data entered into Bright's system. We will notify all winners by email.

You may only complete the application below if:

  1. You do not receive an email on February 12, 2026, and/or

  2. You wish to have off-MLS transactions included toward your transactions.

Award entrants will be recognized for their individual 2025 settled transactions based on the below referenced awards categories.

  • Platinum Award - At least $50,000,000 in volume or 100 transactions in 2025.
  • Gold Award - At least $30,000,000 in volume or 60 transactions in 2025.
  • Silver Award - At least $20,000,000 in volume or 40 transactions in 2025.
  • Bronze Award - At least $10,000,000 in volume or 30 transactions in 2025.

GCAAR members who are applying for a Recognition Award as part of a team are not eligible to participate as an individual in the individual category.

Physical awards to display in front of your colleagues and clients will be available for purchase beginning at the event.

Remember, individuals ONLY need to complete this application if you wish to have off-MLS transactions included toward your sales, OR if you believe you qualify as a winner but do not receive a confirmation email on February 12. Please complete the information below to enter an individual category for the GCAAR Recognition Awards. Be sure to submit your application no later than Thursday, January 29, 2026.

 

Please provide the name, email and phone number for the person we should contact if we have questions about this application. GCAAR reserves the right to contact you if there is an issue.

Enter the applicant into GCAAR's Recognition Awards Program for the calendar year of 2025 in the individual category selected below:
Please confirm the applicant's information is correct when filling out each field below.
If you order an award, this is how it will appear on the award.
If you order an award, this is where it will be shipped.
Attach any ALTAs you would like included in your 2025 transaction data.

Provide transactions settled between 1/1/2025 - 12/31/2025; PDF preferred. Reminder: GCAAR has already pulled individual transaction reports from Bright MLS. If you qualify for a higher award level than what shows in Bright, through off-MLS or other transactions, please attach your ALTAs or other documentation here.
The applicant's primary membership affiliation is GCAAR and the applicant agrees to follow all of the eligibility rules and advertising guidelines.
This is where any awards collateral will be sent. Please do not use a generic office email.

IMPORTANT!

Please make sure all fields are filled out and select the "Complete submission" button below to complete your application. There is no fee to apply.

All applicants will be notified of their award status on February 12, 2026.

Physical awards to display in front of your colleagues and clients will be available for purchase beginning at the event on March 5.

For questions, email GCAAR Awards.

Register for GCAAR's March 5 Recognition Awards event!

GCAAR is holding a celebratory reception for this year’s Recognition Award winners on Thursday, March 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Pooks Hill Marriott (5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda, MD).

Winners and other GCAAR members may register for $15 on our website. 

Note: Registration is first come, first served – be sure to sign up early, as space is limited!

Team awards

Applications are required to be considered for a team award based on your transactions for a particular year.

Team production is recognized as a “Team” award. GCAAR members who have reported to their broker that they are part of a team are not eligible to win an individual Recognition Award. All team members must be primary GCAAR REALTOR® members.

Team award categories

Small Team (2-3 agents):

  • Platinum Award - At least $60,000,000 in volume or 100 transactions.
  • Gold Award - At least $30,000,000 in volume or 60 transactions.
  • Silver Award - At least $20,000,000 in volume or 50 transactions.
  • Bronze Award - At least $10,000,000 in volume or 40 transactions.

Medium Team (4-9 agents):

  • Platinum Award - At least $60,000,000 in volume or 100 transactions.
  • Gold Award - At least $30,000,000 in volume or 60 transactions.
  • Silver Award - At least $20,000,000 in volume or 50 transactions.
  • Bronze Award - At least $10,000,000 in volume or 40 transactions.

Large Team (10+ agents):

  • Platinum Award - At least $150,000,000 in volume or 190 transactions.
  • Gold Award - At least $120,000,000 in volume or 160 transactions.
  • Silver Award - At least $80,000,000 in volume or 120 transactions.
  • Bronze Award - At least $50,000,000 in volume or 90 transactions.

Please complete the information below to enter a team category for the GCAAR Recognition Awards and be sure to submit your application no later than January 29, 2026.

Award entrants will be recognized for their team 2025 settled transactions based on the below referenced awards categories.

Small Teams (2-3 agents)

  • Platinum Award – At least $60,000,000 in volume or 100 transactions.
  • Gold Award – At least $30,000,000 in volume or 60 transactions.
  • Silver Award – At least $20,000,000 in volume or 50 transactions.
  • Bronze Award – At least $10,000,000 in volume or 40 transactions.

Medium Teams (4-9 agents)

  • Platinum Award – At least $60,000,000 in volume or 100 transactions.
  • Gold Award – At least $30,000,000 in volume or 60 transactions.
  • Silver Award – At least $20,000,000 in volume or 50 transactions.
  • Bronze Award – At least $10,000,000 in volume or 40 transactions.

Large Teams (10+ agents)

  • Platinum Award – At least $150,000,000 in volume or 190 transactions.
  • Gold Award – At least $120,000,000 in volume or 160 transactions.
  • Silver Award – At least $80,000,000 in volume or 120 transactions.
  • Bronze Award – At least $50,000,000 in volume or 90 transactions.

GCAAR members who are applying for a Recognition Award as part of a team are not eligible to participate as an individual in the individual category.

All team members must be primary GCAAR REALTOR® members.

All applicants will be notified of their award status on February 12, 2026. Physical awards to display in front of your colleagues and clients will be available for purchase beginning at the event on Thursday, March 5.

Please provide the name, email and phone number for the person we should contact if we have questions about this application. GCAAR reserves the right to contact you if there is an issue.

GCAAR offers platinum, gold, silver and bronze Recognition Awards in the following categories. Please select one of the options below:
Please confirm the team information is correct when filling out each field below.
If you order an award, this is how it will appear on the award.
If you order an award, this is where it will be shipped.

Please upload your team's Bright MLS reports.

Pull 1/1/2025 - 12/31/2025; PDF preferred.

Attach any ALTAs you would like included in your team’s 2025 transaction data. Provide transactions settled between 1/1/2025 - 12/31/2025; PDF preferred.

How does your team report transactions in Bright MLS?
The primary membership affiliation of all team members is GCAAR and we all agree to follow all of the eligibility rules and advertising guidelines.
This is where any awards collateral will be sent. Please do not use a generic office email.

IMPORTANT!

Please make sure all fields are filled out and select the "Complete submission" button below to complete your application. There is no fee to apply.

All applicants will be notified of their award status on February 12, 2026.

Physical awards to display in front of your colleagues and clients will be available for purchase beginning at the event on March 5.

For questions, email GCAAR Awards.

Register for GCAAR's March 5 Recognition Awards event!

GCAAR is holding a celebratory reception for this year’s Recognition Award winners on Thursday, March 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Pooks Hill Marriott (5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda, MD).

Winners and other GCAAR members may register for $15 on our website. 

Note: Registration is first come, first served – be sure to sign up early, as space is limited!

Pathways Award

All Pathways Award nominees must submit an application with details about how they help clients from underserved communities along the various pathways to homeownership and include their volunteer activities that occur outside of work that demonstrate their commitment to helping individuals from underserved communities (e.g., National Fair Housing Alliance, Habitat for Humanity, etc.).

The GCAAR Pathways Award is a way to champion and elevate our primary GCAAR REALTOR® members who are committed to guiding and supporting their clients from traditionally underserved communities along the various pathways to homeownership. 

This is a member’s opportunity to describe to us how they went above and beyond in the specified year to be considered for the GCAAR Pathways Award.

All applications are subject to review and approval by GCAAR staff and volunteer leadership. Note: Names are redacted for leadership review.

Please complete the information below to apply for the GCAAR Pathways Award. Be sure to submit your application no later than Thursday, January 29, 2026.

The GCAAR Pathways Award is a way to champion and elevate our primary GCAAR REALTOR® members who are committed to guiding and supporting their clients from traditionally underserved communities along the various pathways to homeownership.

All Pathways Award nominees must submit an application with details about how they help clients from underserved communities along the various pathways to homeownership and include their volunteer activities that occur outside of work that demonstrate their commitment to helping individuals from underserved communities (e.g., National Fair Housing Alliance, Habitat for Humanity, etc.).

This is a member’s opportunity to describe to us how they went above and beyond in the specified year to be considered for the GCAAR Pathways Award.

All applicants will be notified of their award status on February 12, 2026. Physical awards to display in front of your colleagues and clients will be available for purchase beginning at the event.

All applications are subject to review and approval by GCAAR staff and volunteer leadership. Note: Names are redacted for leadership review.

Please provide the name, email and phone number for the person we should contact if we have questions about this application. GCAAR reserves the right to contact you if there is an issue.

Please confirm the applicant's information is correct when filling out each field below.

If applicable, please check the affordable housing programs your clients used in 2025.
My primary membership affiliation is GCAAR and I agree to follow all of the eligibility rules and advertising guidelines.

There is where any awards collateral will be sent. Please DO NOT use a generic office email.

 

IMPORTANT!

Please make sure all fields are filled out and select the "Complete submission" button below to complete your application. There is no fee to apply.

All applicants will be notified of their award status on February 12, 2026.

Physical awards to display in front of your colleagues and clients will be available for purchase beginning at the event on March 5.

For questions, email awards@gcaar.com.

Register for GCAAR's March 5 Recognition Awards event!

GCAAR is holding a celebratory reception for this year’s Recognition Award winners on Thursday, March 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Pooks Hill Marriott (5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda, MD).

Winners and other GCAAR members may register for $15 on our website. 

Note: Registration is first come, first served – be sure to sign up early, as space is limited!

Benefits

Winning a GCAAR Recognition or Pathways Award entitles you to use the phrase "2026 GCAAR Recognition Award Winner" or "2026 GCAAR Pathways Award Winner" on all communications with your clients and colleagues for that given year.

  • A marketing badge and graphics to use on your email, website, social media and Zoom, and the right to use the phrase “2026 GCAAR Recognition Award winner” or “2026 GCAAR Pathways Award winner” on all communications with your clients and colleagues.
  • During the awards event on Thursday, March 5, you'll have the opportunity to have your photo taken and placed on a customized background to promote your award win.
  • Name recognition on GCAAR's website, gcaar.com.
  • The opportunity to purchase a physical award for your home or office. Awards will be available for purchase beginning at the awards event on March 5 and will close on June 30.