Destin Real Estate Company is proud to announce that it has been chosen by Sotheby's International Realty® as the newest member of its luxury real estate network. The local company will now operate as
Scenic Sotheby's International Realty.
Along with the new identity, broker/owners Blake Morar and Chris Abbott welcome the opportunity to be associated with such a prestigious network of professionals that bring widely respected industry expertise, significant infrastructure and a strong international clientele to the table. With the addition of Scenic Sotheby's International Realty, Sotheby's International Realty network now has 37 offices throughout Florida. Each office is independently owned and operated.
According to Morar, the decision was not a light one. "We have worked hard for many years to build a solid foundation and create a rich culture at Destin Real Estate Company that is open, thoughtful and allows us to work in the very best interests of our clients," he said. "We have carefully considered this decision and know that joining the Sotheby's International Realty family allows us to position our company so that it is aligned with goals, trends and the current environment of real estate. We're thinking not only of who we are today, but also who we want to be tomorrow."
"Santa Rosa Beach offers a coveted high-end beach lifestyle," said Philip White, president and chief executive officer, Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC. "We proudly welcome Scenic Sotheby's International Realty to our network and the fine properties they represent."
Destin Real Estate Company has been known for providing a complete array of custom services and the highest levels of professionalism. "We are a company of action," said Morar. "We have put great effort into setting our own standards of service and building successful marketing platforms from the ground up, including our award-winning publication Niche. Coupling that reputation in Northwest Florida with the international stage that comes with Sotheby's International Realty gives us a reach that is second to none. We are committed to the never-ending pursuit of knowledge and improvement for the benefit of our clients."
According to Abbott, now is the ideal time in the ever-changing market for the company to make a name for itself outside the local area. "Current real estate market conditions make this the perfect scenario, not only for our clients to be in a better position with more offerings, but for our agents to be stationed for growth and success. The Sotheby's International Realty name and network gives us a tremendously valuable endorsement, particularly in our top-tier feeder markets. We're offering something no other company in Northwest Florida can."
The company's initial connection to the Sotheby's International Realty brand was, in fact, through a contact in Atlanta. "I worked with Jenny Pruitt of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty when the time came to sell her Gulf front home on 30A in 2008," says Morar. "She took note of our local expertise and we stayed in touch. Later, when the possibility of being chosen as a Sotheby's International Realty affiliate arose, we made sure the decision-making process was very hands-on. Chris and I not only made a trip to the headquarters to discuss and see first-hand what this change might mean, but were invited to join hundreds of Sotheby's International Realty brand broker/owners at an annual leadership conference in Chicago September of 2012. Destin Real Estate Company also had to meet strict criteria and qualifications. In the end, we knew this was the right decision."
"Homebuyers in Destin will benefit from Scenic Sotheby's International Realty's deep commitment to providing an extraordinary customer service experience, which is complemented by their affiliation with Sotheby's International Realty," says Jenny Pruitt, CEO and Founder of
Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty. "The expertise of Scenic Sotheby's International Realty agents combined with the support of the world's premier luxury real estate brand ensures that home buyers and sellers have access to cutting-edge marketing resources and innovative technological solutions. We are thrilled to welcome the newest Sotheby's International Realty affiliate to our extraordinary brand."
Since its launch in 1998, Destin Real Estate Company has grown into a successful real estate firm reporting more than $1.5 billion in sales with over 2,300 closings, and an average home sale price of $934,000+,maintaining top sales volume production among all offices along the Emerald Coast for the past five years. As Scenic Sotheby's International Realty, the company will continue to be independently owned and operated.
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. Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services. In February 2004, Realogy 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. 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.
