Pulse of the City News gives 12th straight customer service awards to three Mid-Atlantic firms

Pulse of the City News recognized three Mid-Atlantic businesses with their 12th consecutive Pulse Award for customer service. The honors highlight long-term performance in real estate and construction, with ratings based on years of collected customer-experience data.

Why it matters: - The 12th straight award signals sustained customer service performance, not a one-year spike. - The Pulse Award can matter to buyers and clients who use third-party recognition as a shortcut for trust in real estate and construction. - The awards also reflect how customer experience has become a competitive edge in service-heavy local industries.

What happened: - Pulse of the City News honored three Mid-Atlantic businesses with their 12th consecutive Pulse Award for outstanding customer service. - The award winners were Nancy Kowalik Real Estate Group in Mullica Hill, New Jersey; Doug Pruett Construction Company, Inc. in Annapolis, Maryland; and HomeLife Access Realty in Ashland, Virginia. - The recognition was announced July 6, 2026. - Each company received an award for continued commitment to customer satisfaction. - Each company also received a 12th straight Pulse Award.

The details: - Nancy Kowalik Real Estate Group serves South Jersey and has nearly two decades of industry experience. - Founder and CEO Nancy Kowalik has helped thousands of buyers and sellers navigate the market. - The real estate team emphasizes innovative marketing strategies and five-star service. - The agency focuses on building lifelong client relationships and delivering an exceptional client experience. - Doug Pruett Construction Company, Inc. handles projects ranging from minor renovations to large-scale total remodeling for residential and commercial clients. - Doug Pruett Construction specializes in modular homes, decks, sunrooms and screened porches, kitchen and bath remodeling, historic restoration, and custom home building. - The company combines modern construction techniques with a focus on preserving original structures. - HomeLife Access Realty helps homebuyers find homes and helps homeowners sell for the best value. - HomeLife Access Realty says clients come first and that the team provides an elevated level of service to each client. - Pulse of the City News says it honors businesses and professionals in construction and real estate that provide excellent customer experience. - The Pulse Award is based on performance data collected on an ongoing basis since 2009. - Pulse assigns annual ratings to companies to provide a longer-term view of performance. - The award is reserved for businesses earning 4- or 5-star ratings. - Nancy Kowalik Real Estate Group’s award page is available here. - Doug Pruett Construction Company, Inc.’s award page is available here. - HomeLife Access Realty’s award page is available here.

Between the lines: - The award program is built to reward consistency over time, which can help distinguish firms with durable customer satisfaction from firms with short-term gains. - The focus on construction and real estate suggests Pulse is positioning customer service as a measurable standard in industries where referrals and trust drive business. - The database dating to 2009 gives the award more historical context than a single annual review.

What's next: - Pulse of the City News and The Stirling Center will continue recognizing companies and individuals that combine quality work with strong customer service. - The Stirling Center will continue offering customer-first learning resources, including articles, courses, and training tools. - Companies seeking recognition will likely continue competing for the top 4- and 5-star ratings that qualify for the Pulse Award.

The bottom line: - The 12-year streak puts customer service consistency at the center of the recognition, not just project quality or sales volume.