Sotheby’s International Realty Grew Worldwide Network in 2012

 By Morissa Wagner Szmyt

Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC announced that it grew the office count within its global network by more than 9 percent in 2012, ending the year with approximately 660 Sotheby’s International Realty offices and 12,800 sales associates located in 47 countries and territories worldwide. The Sotheby’s International Realty® network also reported a 30 percent year-over-year increase in U.S. transaction sides closed by its affiliated brokers and agents in 2012.

The Sotheby’s International Realty brand also expanded its management team in Asia in 2012 as part of a comprehensive global servicing initiative to further develop the company’s network of real estate affiliates in the region. The brand won Franchise Business Review’s Best in Category for Real Estate Franchisee Satisfaction award for the fifth year in a row and came in second overall among the Top 50 Large Franchise Systems, which is a ranking of all franchise systems with more than 200 units across all categories.

“Last year was significant for the Sotheby’s International Realty brand as we saw 15 new companies join our luxury network from all over the world,” said Philip White, who was named the brand’s president and chief executive officer in 2012. “We also saw impressive organic growth among our existing affiliates. Overall, we expanded our market presence in key locations from Princeton, N.J., to Aspen, Colo., London and Australia. Our network has what we believe is one of the highest average sales prices of any national real estate system in the United States.”

The Sotheby’s International Realty brand added five new residential real estate brokerage firms to its network across the United States in the following markets: Fort Worth, Texas; Tarrytown, N.Y.; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Leesburg, Va.; and Wellington, Fla. Outside of the United States the brand expanded its network to provide its real estate services in: Milan, Italy; Taipei, Taiwan; Barcelona, Spain; San Miguel, Mexico; Tel Aviv, Israel; Ibiza, Spain; Sydney, Australia; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Vilnius, Lithuania; and Da Nang, Vietnam.

From a marketing perspective, 2012 saw the launch of the Sotheby’s International Realty iPad® application. Available for download from Apple’s App Store, the app’s features include 40 points of interest based on the property location, one-click-contact to a Sotheby’s International Realty broker or agent, the ability for consumers to save home search information for future use, a dynamic map feature displaying all available homes for sale or rent based on a user’s location or interested city/neighborhood and high-quality photography.

The Sotheby’s International Realty brand also launched a series of branded websites for specialty markets in 2012, beginning with Farm & Ranch, Waterfront and Ski, with additional websites planned for 2013, and of course, this blog you are currently reading, designed to provide insights into a range of real estate and lifestyle topics.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, an associate from Sun Valley Sotheby's International Realty can help. Please call our office at 208.726.5300 to schedule a complimentary consultation, or to contact your current SVSIR agent.
 

Property Spotlight: Ridge Condominium 2678

Located in the Elkhorn Valley, this wonderful Ridge Condominium has been extensively upgraded with a remodeled kitchen, new pella windows, an expanded deck along with many other interior features. The fabulous location overlooking the 8th green of the Sun Valley-Elkhorn golf course provides stunning mountain views. It is also located with close proximity to all the Sun Valley and Elkhorn amenities.

According to listing agent, Julie Hurst, "The current owners purchased the unit in 1992, and like the previous owners have never rented it. The features that were most appealing to them were the private location and the beautiful golf course views."

For more information on this property, please visit our website.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, an associate from Sun Valley Sotheby's International Realty can help. Please call our office 208.726.5300 to schedule a complimentary consultation, or to contact your current SVSIR agent.

Stage to Sell: Clean & Simple

Written by Guest Blogger: Monica Macha

A Clean & Simple interior offers an opportunity for the strength of architectural elements to take center stage.  As shown in the entry image above, the modern glass surround door is juxtaposed with raw timber on the ceiling, and flagstone wall.  Neutral interior furnishings with limited pattern offer the perfect backdrop to see the architecture of the home.  To arrive at a similar feeling with existing furnishings requires an editing process.  Editing out clutter is removing unnecessary objects and furnishings.  Photo frames, accessories, baskets & containers are all examples of "clutter" that distracts from experiencing the comfort and function of the space.  The process of eliminating what is not needed offers an opportunity to find the focal point of each room and emphasize it's best feature!  Keep it simple, stylish, and on trend with neutral backgrounds punctuated with rich color.  Less is more.  Monica Macha

To contact Monica and view more of her work, please visit her website: http://www.monicamachastage.com/

Tour Six Warm Springs Base Condos and Townhomes, February 23

Ski Lover's Unite! Tired of taking the long route to the slopes? Look no further as we have six different and equally unique Warm Springs condos/townhomes on tour today.

Saturday, February 23, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, we will have an array of Warm Springs condos and townhomes open for a quick and easy way to see many homes in one afternoon. Hopefully to find a place to call your new "Ski Home".

Pick up a tour list at Sun Valley Sotheby's International Realty, located on 291 North Main Street and join us for the tour. For more information on the properties on tour, visit our website.  

 

Foodie Friday: Citrus Smoothie

Although there are many restaurants I could have featured this week, I am choosing to highlight a green smoothie.

Ah yes, I know this gets a knee-jerk reaction from many of you, and the thought of "choking down" another health food green smoothie is never going to happen, and so be it, but it may be worth a try.

I am currently doing a 30-day green smoothie challenge via "Young and Raw", I am not a raw eater, but I do think I need more raw vegetables in my life, so this was an easy way to begin.

This smoothie was from Day 5, and the citrus tang was delightful to my taste buds, and hopefully will be to yours as well.

Lemon-Lime Smoothie

1 Frozen Banana (Peel and freeze whole bananas in a sealed container)

1 Lime, peeled <--- I only used the juice and a bit of pulp.

½ Lemon, juice only

2  Oranges, juiced (if you put the whole orange in your smoothie will be bitter)

2 handfuls of Spinach

Put all ingredients in your blender or vitamix and blend.

Happy Friday Everyone!