Real Estate Reports

+ RE/MAX Platinum Realty opens on St. Armands
RE/MAX Platinum Realty recently moved to larger quarters in Suite 100 of 500 John Ringling Blvd., on St. Armands Circle, and is now a full RE/MAX franchise instead of a branch office.

Broker-owner Bryan Guentner said in a prepared statement that converting to a full franchise is one step toward the company’s goal of expanding its reach into Longboat Key.

“Only full franchises are shown as office locations on REMAX.com and Global.REMAX.com, which will give our St. Armands agents more exposure,” he said. “As our expansion continues, we are looking forward to attracting more Longboat Key agents and clients. We want to continue to position our company as the premier international luxury real estate brand in Sarasota and beyond.”

+ SAR reports median sale prices rose in October
Median sale prices rose in Sarasota County in October 2013 compared to last October’s numbers, according to the Sarasota Association of Realtors (SAR).

Single-family home prices were up 11.6%, with a median price of $185,776 this year compared to $166,500 last year. Condo prices rose 20.7%, with a median price of $175,000 this year, compared to $145,000 last October.

The county had 818 total property sales in October, up slightly from the 793 sales recorded for the same month in 2012.

“There was definitely a shift in October toward single family and away from condos,” said SAR President Roger Piro in a news release. “That might be a function of the price escalation, which was far more pronounced in the condo category. Also in October, there were fewer properties on the market priced under $200,000 than last year and more priced above $200,000. So bargain hunters have had to adjust their sights upward, where there are more deals to be found.”

+ Premier Sotheby’s attends Contemporary Art Sales
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty representatives, including Judy Green, president and CEO, and Lena White, vice president of marketing, attended the Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Sales held from Nov. 9 through Nov. 13, in New York City.

The sale total was more than $380 million, with the top lot of the evening sales “Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster)” by Andy Warhol, which sold for $105,445,000. It was a new world auction record for the artist and the second-highest price ever paid at auction for contemporary art. 

“Premier Sotheby’s International Realty’s unique association with the storied Sotheby’s Auction House provides us with access to extraordinary opportunities, including this event, to showcase our listings among an exclusive audience of qualified buyers,” Green said in a prepared statement. “Such opportunities are part of the many benefits to our clients of our strong national and international reach.” 

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected]