In February, CNNMoney listed Sarasota among the top 10 “Turnaround Towns” in the country. Two significant recent home sales by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty ─ including the largest sale in Sarasota County ─ help tell why.
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty’s (formerly Signature Sotheby’s International Realty) associate, Mark Huber of the Longboat Key office, represented the buyer in the highest-priced residential real estate transaction in Sarasota County in 2012. The 6,618-square-foot, five bedroom, six bath Gulf front home located at 1255 Westway Drive on Lido Shores closed for $7.1 million on April 4, marking the fifth estate in Sarasota County to sell for more than $4 million in 2012. Huber then listed this buyer’s current Longboat Key home on 640 Rountree Drive for $4.195 million.
On Casey Key, a $5.77 million modern, beachfront estate also closed on April 5, which is the largest sale on Casey Key in 2012. This transaction marks yet another significant sale in the area in recent weeks and bolsters reports such as the Brookings Institute’s study of metropolitan areas that noted Sarasota as one of the strongest areas to enjoy economic recovery in the country. The firm’s agent, Jayne Irene of the Venice office, represented the buyer in the Casey Key transaction.
Judy Green, President and CEO of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty says Sarasota’s strong showing can be attributed in part to its national recognition as the best place to retire in the U.S. thanks to its climate, natural beauty and wide array of outdoor and cultural offerings.
“The demand to live on Florida’s vibrant Cultural Coast shows no sign of abating and we will continue to strategically expand the firm, as evidenced by our new location in Lakewood Ranch, to meet the growing need,” Green added. “There is a decided difference in the market from this time last year. Prices are increasing and the opportunity to seize on lower prices and above-average inventory is waning.”
Signature Sotheby’s International Realty officially changed its name to Premier Sotheby’s International Realty in April, establishing its Southwest Florida footprint under one name. Adding to the firm’s ongoing success, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty was recently ranked by Real Trends as No. 48 of the 2012 Top 500 Brokerage Companies in the U.S. by volume. With more than 450 associates, the firm has 18 offices along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Under Green’s leadership, the firm achieved sales of more than $1.7 billion through the end of 2011.