Month: February 2017

Here’s Why You Should Work With Sotheby’s International Realty in 2017

Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty, a luxury real estate firm based in Holland, Michigan, today announced that the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand reported that in 2016 its affiliated brokers and sales professionals achieved approximately $95 billion in global sales volume, the highest annual sales volume performance in the history of the brand, driven largely by a brand record of over 127,000 transactions.

Global Growth

The Sotheby’s International Realty® brand also reported growth across its global network, which now encompasses nearly 70 countries and territories worldwide. At year-end, the network totaled 880 offices and more than 20,000 sales associates.

“2016 proved to be yet another record year for the Sotheby’s International Realty brand,” said Philip White, president and chief executive officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. “In just 12 years, we have grown from $4.2 billion to $95 billion in sales volume. Our brand has achieved exponential growth, and I am immensely proud of the hard work and dedication from our affiliate member companies, their independent sales associates and our dedicated worldwide staff. This is a true testament to the strength and international footprint of this extraordinary brand.”

Outside the United States, the Sotheby’s International Realty brand achieved $10 billion in sales volume in 2016 and continued to expand into key markets. The brand saw continued growth in Europe, entering the countries of Austria, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Montenegro. The brand also expanded in the Asia-Pacific region through affiliations in Fiji and Shanghai and continued to grow in Hong Kong and greater Thailand. Finally, the brand expanded its presence in the Caribbean with the addition of affiliates in Roatan and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

Innovative Technology

The Sotheby’s International Realty brand was at the forefront of interactive technology in 2016 with the introduction of 3D Tours with Virtual Reality capability on sothebysrealty.com. Additionally, the site saw the most traffic in its history with nearly 22 million visits, a 54% increase year-over-year.

The brand also launched the first luxury real estate app for Apple TV, featuring professionally curated high-resolution photography and high-definition video giving consumers the opportunity to explore homes on a screen larger than ever before. An alliance with Juwai.com was launched in 2016 that gives the Sotheby’s International Realty network an edge to generate Chinese homebuyer interest on one of the world’s most prominent real estate websites with over two million monthly visitors. As a truly international brand, Sotheby’s International Realty has the most global representation on Juwai.com, displaying luxury listings from 66 countries and territories.

Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty offers exclusive Sotheby’s International Realty marketing, advertising and referral services designed to attract well-qualified buyers to the firm’s property listings. In addition, the firm and its clients benefit from an association with the Sotheby’s auction house, which promotes real estate referral opportunities with auction house clientele.  Property listings from Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty also are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website, as well as on the firm’s local website, beaconsir.com/eng.

We’re Welcoming New Real Estate Professionals!

Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty, Lake Michigan’s premier luxury real estate brokerage, recently welcomed six new real estate professionals to their downtown Holland office. Among them include several of West Michigan’s top-producing agents and 2017 Realtor of the Year Beth Foley. 

Beth Foley has worked in the industry since 1986, specializing in relocation, waterfront, and new construction properties. Among her many awards, accomplishments, and achievements in the industry, Beth has held top tier positions within the National Association of Realtors, Michigan Association of Realtors, and West Michigan Lakeshore Association of Realtors.

Wendy Ryder brings superior client servicing through representation of properties spanning the Lake Michigan shoreline. With a refined skill set, sophisticated service, and efficient work ethic, Wendy is one of the industries leading top producers.

Kersh Ruhl, Mary Zeppenfeld, and Lauri Sisson join Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty with relationship-based philosophies and a proven sales history. Representing incomparable listings as a team, Kersh, Mary, and Lauri are committed to their clientele, providing unparalleled service and routinely building trust and assurance throughout all of their transactions.

Josh Breuker has had exposure to the real estate industry all his life, having the benefit of hands on experience during familial home building. Whether in acquisition or disposition of real estate assets, Josh’s extensive knowledge of West Michigan real estate proves to be an incomparable asset. 

Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty is now represented by these qualified real estate professionals. They continue to artfully market scores of extraordinary properties and assist many discerning buyers.

“We pride ourselves on nurturing our client relationships and operating with open communication, transparency, honesty and integrity,” said Chad Van Horn, brokerage owner. “The affiliation with the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand brings an incomparable value proposition to our clients and our marketplace.  The brand heritage, unique marketing approach and the people in the network drew us to the brand and we are thrilled to now offer increased global exposure, a vast referral network, and sophisticated marketing programs to our clients.”

Sotheby’s International Realty Brand Expands Presence in Michigan

Sotheby’s International Realty® announced that the Real Estate Firm – Van Horn Team in Holland, Michigan, is the newest member of its network and will now operate as Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty.

Founded in 2005, the boutique firm is owned and operated by Chad Van Horn.  In addition to Holland, Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty will provide luxury residential real estate services to communities along the Lake Michigan shoreline including Grand Haven, Saugatuck/Douglas, and South Haven.

“The Lake Michigan shoreline is an enticing second home location, with Holland as an anchor for the luxury real estate market, offering the best of the waterfront lifestyle,” said Philip White, president and chief executive officer of Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC.  “We are proud to welcome Chad and his team at Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty to our network.”

“We pride ourselves on nurturing our client relationships and operating with open communication, transparency, honesty and integrity,” said Van Horn.  “The affiliation with the Sotheby’s International Realty brand brings an incomparable value proposition to our clients and our marketplace.  The brand heritage, unique marketing approach, and the people in the network drew us to the brand and we are thrilled to now offer increased global exposure, a vast referral network, and sophisticated marketing programs to our clients.”

Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty is located in historic downtown Holland.  The firm is one of four independently owned and operated Sotheby’s International Realty affiliate companies in Michigan; also operating in the state are Harbor Sotheby’s International Realty, Shore Sotheby’s International Realty, and Signature Sotheby’s International Realty.

The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has more than 20,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in approximately 850 offices in 65 countries and territories worldwide.  Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty listings will be marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website.  In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, the firm’s brokers and clients will benefit from an association with the Sotheby’s auction house and worldwide Sotheby’s International Realty marketing programs. Each office is independently owned and operated.