The Central Valley Association of Realtors named Shelly Bell of Bell Real Estate the Realtor of the Year.

The Realtor of the Year award is the highest accolade bestowed upon a member of the association. It represents outstanding achievements serving CVAR, the real estate profession and the community.

Bell began her real estate career in 2003 and has also acquired her broker license. She and her husband Robert,  also known as Bell Real Estate Services, work in Turlock's Geer Road PMZ office.

Bell said her goals are simple: to build relationships within the community and serve with respect, and loyalty, and to exceed expectations while conducting business in a professional manner. Bell Real Estate is based on repeat and referral business and the organization has always been focused on impacting and improving the lives of others.

Bell's work in the community extends beyond real estate as she headed up the Turlock Can Tree fundraising event. With the tremendous assistance of many local Realtors and affiliates, the annual fundraiser was able to help 2,000 families and seniors with food baskets during the holiday season.

Bell acknowledged that there is so much need throughout the local communities and there is a satisfying feeling knowing that you can touch others in a way most of us will never understand.