New Firms to Represent Sotheby's International Realty Brand in Florida, Minnesota

By: Sotheby's International Realty | 4 Shares 302 Reads

November 06, 2008 // Franchising.com // PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC today announced that Signature Sotheby's International Realty in Sarasota, Fla., and Lakes Sotheby's International Realty in Edina and Wayzata, Minn., have joined its luxury real estate network, replacing SKY Sotheby's International Realty, which formerly represented the brand in those areas.

Signature Sotheby's International Realty is owned by Judy Green, Donna Moore and Richard Taylor, with Green serving as managing partner. It will operate at 783 South Orange Avenue, Sarasota, with approximately 40 agents serving the greater Sarasota market area.

Lakes Sotheby's International Realty is owned by Jeff and Olivia Hornig, with Jacob Smith serving as manager. It will continue to operate at both the 4388 France South, Edina, and 130 Lake Street West, Wayzata, locations with approximately 40 sales agents serving the Twin Cities and surrounding areas.

"These are key markets for our brand, and we have two groups of seasoned professionals to lead these firms," said Michael R. Good, president and chief executive officer, Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC. "No stranger to the Sarasota real estate market, Judy Green is a well-respected industry leader with more than 30 years' experience and has a true understanding of her customers' needs. Jeff and Olivia Hornig are professionals with rich backgrounds as office owners and sales agents."

Green believes her experience serving in leadership roles with several major real estate companies will help her better serve her clients. "Having worked closely with many of the largest real estate companies in the nation, I look forward to utilizing my experiences to create one of the most successful real estate companies in Florida to serve the luxury market," she said. "I am so excited to say we are opening our company with many of the top real estate professionals in the Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte county markets."

According to Jeff Hornig, his knowledge of the community and its history will be an asset for the area's consumers. "The Hornig family has longstanding roots in this community, having just celebrated our fiftieth anniversary providing housing to the Twin Cities, and I am proud to continue the fine tradition my family built," he said. "Thanks to this brand, and our agent's wealth of experience, we will be able to offer our clients premier marketing, and the ability to get homes sold in tough economic times."

The Sotheby's International Realty network currently has more than 10,000 sales associates located in more than 500 offices in 36 countries and territories worldwide. Signature Sotheby's International Realty and Lakes Sotheby's International Realty listings will be marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global Web site. In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, the firms' brokers and clients will benefit from an association with the Sotheby's auction house and worldwide Sotheby's International Realty marketing programs.

Signature Sotheby's International Realty can be reached at (941) 365-4156. Both Lakes Sotheby's International Realty offices can be reached at (952) 230-3100.

About Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC

Founded in 1976 to provide independent brokerages with a powerful marketing and referral program for luxury listings, the Sotheby's International Realty network was designed to connect the finest independent real estate companies to the most prestigious clientele in the world. In February 2004, Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services, entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby's, the operator of the auction house. The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby's International Realty name and the development of a full franchise system by Realogy's subsidiary, Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC. Affiliations in the system are granted only to brokerages and individuals meeting strict qualifications. Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC supports its affiliates with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational and business development resources. Franchise affiliates also benefit from an association with the venerable Sotheby's auction house, established in 1744. For more information, visit www.sothebysrealty.com.

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