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Damianos Sotheby's International Realty, Elle Decor, Sotheby's International Realty

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty Media Partner, Elle Décor, Features Gumelemi Bluff Harbour Estate as Prime Example of Sophisticated Beach Living

Island Chic. Gumelemi Bluff Harbour Estate, a 3,106-sq.-ft. home on Harbour Island exclusively listed with Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty, is the featured property for Elle Décor’s “5 Ways to Transform Any Beach House into a Serene Tropical Oasis.”

(HARBOUR ISLAND, THE BAHAMAS) Dec. 5, 2019  – On an island known for its chic shops, historic homes, renowned residents and sophisticated seafront dining, Gumelemi Bluff Harbour Estate is distinguished by its expansive tropical grounds and its storied location situated 25 feet above sea level overlooking the harbour in The Narrows, the most exclusive address on ­­Harbour Island.

Attributes that didn’t escape the attention of the editors at Elle Décor magazine when they were in search of a residence to represent the essence of stylish island living for a feature called “5 Ways to Transform Any Beach House into a Serene Tropical Oasis” (Nov. 27, 2019).

“Gumelemi Bluff Harbour Estate epitomizes the Harbour Island lifestyle,” said Vanessa Ansell the Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty estate agent who, together with husband Christopher Ansell, is exclusively listing the home for sale. “This home personifies island living, from the panoramic views of the harbour that can be enjoyed from every angle and every room, to the cleverly configured single-storey layout—complete with a separate guest suite—to the more than 2500-sq. ft. of outdoor, poolside living space.”

With thoughtful accents such as outdoor showers, perfectly paired with indoor tubs, Gumelemi Bluff is the embodiment of chic tropical living. The home’s neutral tone interiors and abundance of sliding glass doors encourage a natural flow of light, while not competing with the bright hues of colour bouncing off the harbour.  Of particular interest to the editors of Elle Décor is the home’s perfect balance of modern-day pampering and traditional Bahamian hospitality.

“As can be said of Harbour Island itself, Gumelimi Bluff Harbour Estate encourages al fresco dining and entertaining – think outdoor pool table, bocce-ball court, and a freshwater pool,” Ansell said. “While offering contemporary conveniences such as wifi internet and a surround sound system, the residence is set on one of The Bahamas’ most historically preserved islands and is an ideal vacation retreat for hosting guests.”

“It was such a pleasure to work with the Elle Décor team and to share with them this unique blend of worlds that I’ve grown up cherishing,” she continued.  “Additionally, this experience brought into sharp focus the first-class exposure opportunities available to Sotheby’s agents, and how these media partnerships uniquely position and lend to our competitive advantage.

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About Sotheby’s International Realty

The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has approximately 22,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in over 1,000 offices in 72 countries and territories worldwide.  Each office is independently owned and operated.

 

About Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty

 Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty has 10 offices located throughout the islands of the Bahamas, providing unsurpassed market knowledge of Abaco, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Exuma, Nassau, Paradise Island, Ocean Club Estates, Lyford Cay, Old Fort Bay, Albany and Private Islands. Head office 75 Shirley Street, Nassau. For additional information, please contact 242-322-2305 or info @SIRbahamas.com.

December 5, 2019 by
Damianos Sotheby's International Realty, Sotheby's International Realty

SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY GLOBAL CAMPAIGN ON EMIRATES AIRLINE CONTINUES

This year, Sotheby’s International Realty brand videos have played across more than 3 million screens on Emirates Airlines around the globe. Being viewed over 16 million times by affluent passengers, many of whom are market leaders, industry influencers, and luxury consumers looking to buy real estate in markets represented by Sotheby’s International Realty. This October, we will take flight with Emirates Airlines again, showcasing Sotheby’s International Realty homes featured in two video instants. Emirates has been a valuable partner that has allowed us to advertise our brand in a new way, further increasing our global reach and delivering our brand footprint on a new medium.

Emirates is the world’s largest international airline, currently flying to more than 155 destinations in more than 80 countries. Its major hub is Dubai, which in 2014 surpassed London Heathrow as the world’s busiest airport, a global gateway to East-West travel. Their passengers and their more than 20 Million Skywards loyalty members influence real estate on a global scale and impact many markets represented by the Sotheby’s International Realty network. We are excited to continue our campaign, promoting the brand during all inflight videos, on all flight routes, starting in October.

 

Our brand video on Emirates showcases exceptional homes presented by Sotheby’s International Realty. Discover your forever home, from Los Angeles and Dubai, to Andorra. Reaching a captive affluent international audience, videos will run before 30% of all movies and 20% of short featured content – TV series, documentaries, and sports programming. This means that a passenger will see our video, on average, 1-2 times per flight. Emirates currently carries 5 million passengers per month, generating an average of 1.7 million views, which will give the Sotheby’s International Realty brand’s videos 8.5 million views per month.

September 30, 2019 by
Damianos Sotheby's International Realty, Sotheby's International Realty

UPDATE: Hurricane Dorian Disaster Relief

Nassau, The Bahamas (Sept. 6, 2019)

Dear family, friends and clients,

We are pleased to inform you that all our team members are accounted for/ have been in contact. While some have chosen to stay; others are here in Nassau and Florida. Our 6 offices in New Providence and Eleuthera are fully operational. In addition to our operational offices acting as drop-off points for supplies and donations, Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty is accepting donations via PayPal and GoFundMe.

As of today, The Winslow Family and The Sands Family Foundation with the support of Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty and ONE Sotheby’s International Realty (Miami, FL), have raised $401,083 from 1,700 donors through a GoFundMe campaign (Tax ID:16-1347201), all of which will go directly toward disaster relief for Hurricane Dorian.

The Winslow-Sands Family Foundation GoFundMe Donations can be made here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/hurricane-relief-for-elbow-cay-amp-marsh-harbour.

PayPal Donations c/o Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty:
https://www.paypal.com/myaccount/transfer/homepage/pay.

Name: Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty

Email: Info@SIRbahamas.com

Phone: +1 242 362 4211


The HeadKnowles Foundation, a very strong and reputable relief organization in The Bahamas is accepting donations via RBC account and GoFundMe. The quickest way to get funds to The Headknowles Foundation is by donating directly to their RBC account listed below.

Donations can me be made to HeadKnowles RBC Account:
https://caribbean.rbcroyalbank.com/#/login
Branch: 05745
Account Number: 2883452

HeadKnowles GoFundMe Donations can be made here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/headknowles-emergency-funds

 

We are truly grateful for your concern and support.

Sincerely,

The Team at Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty

September 6, 2019 by
Sotheby's International Realty

Sotheby’s International Realty Announces New Campaign In Times Square

 

New York City is a global commerce hub and as such has been the #1 referral market in the Sotheby’s International Realty® network for many years. In the past five years alone, more than US $630 Million in referrals were placed from New York City – to markets as diverse as New Zealand, Italy, and Japan, and across the US from Seattle to Miami. Today, Sotheby’s International Realty is excited to announce an entirely new activation for the global New York City audience. In partnership with the Sotheby’s International Realty Manhattan Brokerages, the Sotheby’s International Realty brand will be launching a new campaign in Times Square, showcasing properties from New York City and from around the world.

A series of Video Instants, made popular by the brand campaign on the Wall Street Journal and our affiliate and agent social media channels, will play on two large screens on the northeast corner of 42nd street and 7th avenue. The screens total 1,914 sq. ft. of viewing area, measuring 53’ H x 20’ W (vertical screen) and 22’ H x 34’ W (horizontal screen). The ads will play twice per hour, 21 hours per day, in an area where an estimated 1.5 Million people pass by every day. The campaign will run between August 1 and September 30, 2019.

 

 

This important piece of the Only Sotheby’s International Realty campaign will not only offer exposure on a global stage, but will also allow us the opportunity to closely test and evaluate a new media platform for our brand level campaigns.  The Only Sotheby’s International Realty campaign is performing far beyond our expectations and delivering record audiences to sothebysrealty.com.

August 5, 2019 by
Damianos Sotheby's International Realty, Sotheby's International Realty

Sotheby’s Announces Definitive Agreement to be Acquired by Patrick Drahi

 

Sotheby’s (NYSE: BID) yesterday announced that it has signed a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by BidFair USA, an entity wholly owned by media and telecom entrepreneur as well as art collector, Patrick Drahi. Under the terms of the agreement, which was approved by Sotheby’s Board of Directors, shareholders, including employee shareholders, will receive $57.00 in cash per share of Sotheby’s common stock in a transaction with an enterprise value of $3.7 billion. The offer price represents a premium of 61% to Sotheby’s closing price on June 14, 2019, and a 56.3% premium to the company’s 30 trading-day volume weighted average share price. The transaction would result in Sotheby’s returning to private ownership after 31 years as a public company traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

As Sotheby’s and Sotheby’s International Realty are under separate ownership, Sotheby’s International Realty is not impacted by this transaction. Sotheby’s Holdings, the owner of the auction house, sold its real estate brokerage firm and the brand’s licensing rights to what is now Realogy in 2004. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC remains a wholly owned subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp.

Sotheby’s International Realty enjoys an extraordinary partnership with the auction house – including client referrals, worldwide event sponsorships, a realty desk in Sotheby’s global headquarters and advertising opportunities in Sotheby’s print and electronic communications. There are no expected changes to these programs, and Sotheby’s International Realty looks forward to collaborating with Sotheby’s management moving forward under their new ownership.

Tad Smith, Sotheby’s CEO, said, “Patrick Drahi is one of the most well-regarded entrepreneurs in the world, and on behalf of everyone at Sotheby’s, I want to welcome him to the family. Known for his commitment to innovation and ingenuity, Patrick founded and leads some of the most successful telecommunications, media and digital companies in the world. He has a long-term view and shares our brand vision for great client service and employing innovation to enhance the value of the company for clients and employees. This acquisition will provide Sotheby’s with the opportunity to accelerate the successful program of growth initiatives of the past several years in a more flexible private environment. It positions us very well for our future and I strongly believe that the company will be in excellent hands for decades to come with Patrick as our owner.”

Domenico De Sole, Chairman of Sotheby’s Board of Directors, said, “Following a comprehensive review, the Board enthusiastically supports Mr. Drahi’s offer, which delivers a significant premium to market for our shareholders. After more than 30 years as a public company, the time is right for Sotheby’s to return to private ownership to continue on a path of growth and success.” 2 “I am honored that the Board of Sotheby’s has decided to recommend my offer,” commented Patrick Drahi. “Sotheby’s is one of the most elegant and aspirational brands in the world. As a longtime client and lifetime admirer of the company, I am acquiring Sotheby’s together with my family. We thank Domenico and the rest of the Sotheby’s Board for its support and look forward to getting started with Tad and the wonderful members of his team to define our future.”

The closing of the deal is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory clearance and shareholder approvals, but is not subject to the availability of financing. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019 following shareholder approval.

LionTree Advisors is serving as financial advisor to Sotheby’s in connection with the transaction, and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is serving as the company’s legal counsel. BNP Paribas and Morgan Stanley are acting as financial advisors to BidFair, BNP Paribas acted as sole financing provider, and Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP and Ropes & Gray International LLP are serving as its legal advisors.

For further information regarding all terms and conditions contained in the definitive merger agreement, please see the Company’s Form 8-K, which was filed today in connection with this transaction.

Download Press Release from the Office of Patrick Drahi

 

About Patrick Drahi

Patrick Drahi, 55 years old, is a global entrepreneur with telecommunications, media and digital properties across the globe.

Mr. Drahi founded Altice in 2001 in Europe, and over the course of nearly 20 years, he has built and acquired telecommunications systems across the world, turning Altice into a multinational broadband, telecommunications, media, digital and advertising company.

Today, Altice Europe is listed on Euronext Amsterdam (ATC & ATCB) and comprises operations notably in France, Portugal, Israel and the Caribbean, serving 30 million customers. Altice USA, which is listed on the NYSE (ATUS) is one of the largest broadband and video services providers in the U.S., serving approximately 5 million customers across 21 states, including New York, New Jersey and Texas.

Mr. Drahi began his professional career with the Philips Group in 1988 where he was in charge of international marketing in the cable and satellite division. Then in 1991, he joined the US/Scandinavian group Kinnevik-Millisat, where he was in charge of the development of private cable networks in Spain and France, and was involved in the launch of commercial TV stations in Eastern Europe.

In 1993, Mr. Drahi founded CMA, a consulting firm specialized in telecommunications and media, which was awarded a mandate from BCTV for the implementation of Beijing’s full service cable network. Not long after, he founded two cable companies in France, Sud Câble Services (1994) and Médiaréseaux (1995). When Médiaréseaux was taken over by UPC (which then became Liberty Global) at the end of 1999, Mr. Drahi led its activities for southern Europe before deciding to create Altice in 2001.

Mr. Drahi is a philanthropist in the fields of education, sciences, culture and the arts.

Mr. Drahi is a graduate of France’s Ecole Polytechnique, and of Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Télécommunications, where he earned a post-graduate degree in optics and electronics.

 

About Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty

 Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty has 10 offices located throughout the islands of the Bahamas, providing unsurpassed market knowledge of Abaco, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Exuma, Nassau, Paradise Island, Ocean Club Estates, Lyford Cay, Old Fort Bay, Albany and Private Islands. Head office 75 Shirley Street, Nassau. For additional information, please contact 242-322-2305 or info @SIRbahamas.com. 

 

About Sotheby’s International Realty

The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has approximately 22,500 affiliated independent sales associates located in over 990 offices in 72 countries and territories worldwide.  Each office is independently owned and operated.

June 18, 2019 by
Damianos Sotheby's International Realty, Sotheby's International Realty

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty Join Other Affiliates in Vancouver to Network, Learn and Explore Next Level Real Estate Technology

Networking on a Global Scale. Eighteen members of the Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty team gathered in Vancouver, Canada, for the 2019 Global Networking Event. The three-day conference, which took place May 13-15, welcomed nearly 2,000 Sotheby’s International Realty affiliates from 35 countries.

 

 

(NASSAU, BAHAMAS) June 4, 2019 – Eighteen members of the Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty team flew nearly 3,000 miles to participate in the Sotheby’s International Realty® 2019 Global Networking Event in Vancouver, Canada, May 13-15.

“Every year we encourage as many of our team members as possible to attend this one-of-a-kind event,” said Lana Rademaker, Chief Brokerage Officer for Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty. “Not only is it an opportunity to learn about Sotheby’s International Realty®’s newest technological advances and ever-expanding real estate platform, but it offers the chance to meet thousands of Sotheby’s International Realty® agents from all over the world who offer input and ideas from their individual markets—information and insight you wouldn’t typically have access to.”

“It’s not often that you get the chance to meet with so many peers and colleagues in one place,” said George Damianos, Chief Executive Officer of Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty. “Regardless of the geographical location of your market, as estate agents we’re often experiencing similar situations. It’s extremely valuable to have the opportunity to exchange information and share stories face-to-face—it’s one of the best ways to gain the kind of knowledge that sets your business apart.”

In addition to networking, the three-day conference offered a wealth of presentations focusing on topics ranging from all-new corporate branding strategies and guidelines to upcoming technological innovations. Academy Award-winning actress and CEO and Founder of Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow, also shared her thoughts on the importance of connecting with today’s consumer as the conference’s keynote speaker.

“Ms. Paltrow’s message on the importance of authenticity in your daily business really resonated with our team,” Rademaker said. “As a client-centric company, every one of our agents is acutely focused on creating a positive experience for our clients. Our clients are at the center of our philosophy, our operations, our ideas and our strategies.”

 

About Sotheby’s International Realty

The Sotheby’s International Realty® network currently has approximately 22,500 affiliated independent sales associates located in over 990 offices in 72 countries and territories worldwide.  Each office is independently owned and operated.

 

About Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty has 10 offices located throughout the islands of the Bahamas, providing unsurpassed market knowledge of Abaco, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Exuma, Nassau, Paradise Island, Ocean Club Estates, Lyford Cay, Old Fort Bay, Albany and Private Islands. Head office 75 Shirley Street, Nassau. For additional information, please contact 242-322-2305 or info @SIRbahamas.com.

 

June 4, 2019 by
Damianos Sotheby's International Realty, Sotheby's International Realty

Nearly Seven Decades After Its Birth, Paradise Island Continues to Bring Peace and Tranquility to the World’s Wealthiest Investors

Storied History, Priceless Amenities. Villa Tarka, a 20,000-sq. ft. beachfront estate exclusively listed by George Damianos, Chief Executive Officer of Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty, is the ultimate example of the glamour and sophistication for which Paradise Island first became famous in the 1960s.

(PARADISE ISLAND, NASSAU) – The year was 1962. With the introduction of commercial passenger jets into the skies in the previous decade, air travel was becoming an increasingly popular pastime among the international elite. From wealthy businessmen to celebrated stars, the world’s richest and most famous built a lifestyle around it, flying from one glamorous destination to the next. And, Paradise Island was high on that list of destinations, thanks, in part, to a financier, an appliance manufacturer and an international playboy.

However, the real story of Paradise Island (originally named Hog Island) began a quarter of a century earlier when Edmund Lynch, co-founder of the Merrill Lynch & Co brokerage firm, sold his Hog Island estate to Dr. Axel Wenner-Gren, owner of the Swedish manufacturing company Electrolux. Even though it was 1939 and the world was on the brink of war, Wenner-Gen set about building an extravagant tropical oasis which he dubbed “Shangri-La.” The lavish estate was so expansive that it included a 75-foot-wide terraced garden modeled after the Versailles Palace gardens in France overlooking the Nassau Harbour that stretched a quarter of a mile from the grounds of Shangri-La to the southern edge of Hog Island.

Just a few months before his death, Wenner-Gren sold the entire estate to his neighbor, Huntington Hartford II, grandson of the founder of the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P). Known as a playboy and patron of the arts, Hartford was launching his career as a hotelier and had plans to convert Shangri-La into a luxury resort. Recognizing that Hog Island didn’t exactly conjure up the images of luxury and sophistication he hoped would attract the rich and famous, Hartford successfully petitioned the Bahamian government to change the name of Hog Island to Paradise Island. As for his resort, he named it The Ocean Club.

“He hired the Palm Beach architect John Volk and built The Ocean Club, Cafe Martinique, Hurricane Hole and the golf course, among other island landmarks,” said George Damianos, Chief Executive Officer of Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty, whose family has been selling real estate on Paradise Island since 1945.  “He also acquired and installed the Cloisters, a 14th-century French Augustinian monastery. The entire opening of Paradise Island was covered in Newsweek and Time magazines.”

And, just as Hartford had envisioned, the celebrities weren’t far behind. World leaders like Jackie Onassis and Sir Winston Churchill, famed artist Salvador Dali, actors Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando and, yes, even The Beatles flew from every corner of the world to see for themselves what Hartford had created.

“This was the true birth of Paradise Island and The Ocean Club as we know them today,” said Damianos, adding that while much has changed since 1962, Paradise Island and The Ocean Club continue to be beacons that draw in  the world’s most elite high-net-worth individuals.

“Paradise Island has a long history of enticing jetsetters and celebrities, and it’s because of the resort-style lifestyle that Hartford manifested nearly a half-century ago,” Damianos said. “A custom-designed golf course, private beaches, tennis clubs and marinas … all of this continues to be extremely attractive to the ultra-wealthy, not only when it comes to vacationing but also when purchasing homes.”

To this day, Paradise Island is consistently voted one of the top destinations in the Caribbean by distinguished travel publications like Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler. And because it’s only a 40-minute flight from Miami, travel to the island is virtually hassle-free.

“High-net-worth individuals are attracted to the fact that Paradise Island is easy to get to on a moment’s notice,” Damianos said. “When it comes to purchasing second and third homes, they want something that’s not going to be too burdensome to own; something that’s easy to take care of, easy to maintain and offers ease of access to their favourite pastimes such as golfing, diving and boating.”

But, according to Damianos, it’s the island’s stunning waterfront properties that really set it apart from other luxury communities. Homes on the island range from elegant one-of-a-kind estates and gorgeous beachfront sanctuaries to exclusive high-rise condos and world-renowned hotel brands. Ocean Club Estates—one of the most exclusive oceanfront and golf-course communities in The Bahamas—is one of the more unique enclaves on the island due to its partnership with The Ocean Club Bahamas (now a Four Seasons Resort) which grants Ocean Club Estates homeowner full access to all of the resort’s five-star amenities.

“This exclusive access adds incredible value when purchasing homes like Villa Tarka,” Damianos said, referring to the one-of-a-kind 20,000-sq. ft. beachfront estate exclusively listed by Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty. “There are very few homes currently on the market in The Bahamas that offer this combination of unparalleled elegance and wealth of amenities.”

And then there’s the golf course. The Ocean Club golf course is an 18-hole, 72-par championship course that features breathtaking signature holes and seaside greens and tees stretching over 7,100 yards of beautiful coastline.

“Not only are investors getting the ultimate turnkey experience when they purchase a home in communities like Ocean Club Estates, but they have access to the ultimate high-end lifestyle that defines Paradise Island,” Damianos said. “There aren’t many islands that offer this level of convenience and luxury.”

For more information about Villa Tarka, please visit SIRbahamas.com or call George Damianos at (242) 424.9699. George can also be reached via email at george.damianos@SIRbahamas.com

 

About Sotheby’s International Realty

The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has approximately 22,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in over 970 offices in 72 countries and territories worldwide.  Each office is independently owned and operated.

 

About Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty

 Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty has 10 offices located throughout the islands of the Bahamas, providing unsurpassed market knowledge of Abaco, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Exuma, Nassau, Paradise Island, Ocean Club Estates, Lyford Cay, Old Fort Bay, Albany and Private Islands. Head office 75 Shirley Street, Nassau. For additional information, please contact 242-322-2305 or info @SIRbahamas.com.

April 18, 2019 by
Damianos Sotheby's International Realty, Sotheby's International Realty

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty Estate Agents Angelika Bacchus and Joan Braithwaite form Eleuthera’s First Real Estate Team

          Teams work.  Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty estate agents Angelika Bacchus, left, and Joan Braithwaite, right, are                    working together as Team Bacchus-Braithwaite to cover more ground on mainland Eleuthera.

 

ELEUTHERA, The Bahamas (April 17, 2019) — Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty Estate Agents Angelika Bacchus and Joan Braithwaite will now do business as Team Bacchus-Braithwaite bringing a combined 16 years of real estate knowledge and service to their clients and the mainland Eleuthera market.

“We will continue to work with and maintain the relationships we’ve established with our individual clients,” Bacchus said. “Our goal is to grow our business and focus on new clients as a team, but our individual clients will continue to receive our personal attention, just as they always have.”

Since the agents began working as a team in January, they’ve already seen a considerable uptick in their listing portfolio.

“This winter season has been one of the busiest in recent memory on mainland Eleuthera,” Bacchus said. “Between the two of us, Joan and I are able to increase the amount of time we spend consulting with clients in person; we’re able to work together more seamlessly to ensure that we’re as responsive and efficient as our clients need us to be.”

“Servicing clients is our top priority, and the main reason we decided to join forces,” Braithwaite added. “Working together means that one, if not both, of us is physically present for our clients at all times so we can continue to provide the personalized service we’ve each built our professional reputations on.”

Bacchus joined Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty in 2005, while Braithwaite became an estate agent with the firm in 2015.

“As a company built on teamwork, we encourage our agents to work together as much as possible,” said Lana Rademaker, Chief Brokerage Officer for Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty. “Each agent brings something valuable to the table, so working together simply increases the amount of value and resources we are providing to our clients.”

Rademaker added that the number of tourists arriving in Eleuthera is increasing each year, many of whom return as potential home buyers hoping to make the island a permanent part of their lives.

“More and more people from all over the world are discovering the unique beauty and authenticity of mainland Eleuthera every year,” she said. “People come here to vacation, and fall in love with the fact that they can walk down a beach and never bump into another soul unless they choose to. It’s the ultimate island for going off the grid and truly escaping the noise of the outside world.”

 

About Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty has 10 offices located throughout the islands of the Bahamas, providing unsurpassed market knowledge of Abaco, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Exuma, Nassau, Paradise Island, Ocean Club Estates, Lyford Cay, Old Fort Bay, Albany and Private Islands. Head office 75 Shirley Street, Nassau. For additional information, please contact 242-322-2305 or info @SIRbahamas.com.

 

About Sotheby’s International Realty 

The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has approximately 22,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in over 970 offices in 72 countries and territories worldwide.  Each office is independently owned and operated.

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April 17, 2019 by
Sotheby's International Realty

Sotheby’s International Realty Exceeds Record $112 Billion in Global Sales Volume for 2018

 

MADISON, N.J. (Feb. 27, 2019) – Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC today reported that in 2018 its affiliated brokers and sales professionals achieved more than $112 billion USD in global sales volume, the highest annual sales volume performance in the history of the brand. Additionally, 27 affiliated companies surpassed $1 billion USD in sales volume in 2018.

“Experts predicted that 2018 would be a slow year for the global real estate market,” said Philip White, president and chief executive officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. “Despite the forecast, our talented affiliated companies and their sales associates continued to perform at the top of their game to drive a year-over-year sales volume increase that is truly remarkable. We are going to keep the momentum going in 2019 and we will continue to empower the Sotheby’s International Realty network by offering innovative products, tools, and research to provide best in class service.”

Global Growth

The Sotheby’s International Realty brand also reported growth across its global network. At year-end, the network totaled more than 990 offices in 72 countries and territories and more than 22,500 affiliated sales associates worldwide.

In the United States, the Sotheby’s International Realty brand achieved more than $100 billion USD in sales volume in 2018. This year witnessed continued significant growth by the brand’s existing affiliate companies through talent attraction as well as mergers and acquisitions. Most notably, the brand increased its market presence in Essex and the Acton-Boxborough area of Massachusetts; Greater Portland, Oregon; and Nashville, Tennessee. The brand also entered several key new markets last year, namely, Bandon, Oregon; Huntsville, Alabama; the Sandhills Region of North Carolina; Mendocino, Fort Bragg, and Ventura, California.

Outside the United States, the Sotheby’s International Realty brand achieved more than $12 billion USD in sales volume in 2018 while continuing to expand into key markets. In Europe, the brand grew its presence in Menorca and Madrid, Spain; Sylt and Bern, Germany; Kitzbühel, Austria; Zurich, Switzerland; and Slovakia. The brand also sold the rights to the island country of Cyprus. In Asia, new offices were opened in Colombo, Sri Lanka; and Bangkok, Thailand, and agreements were signed to expand into Jakarta and Bali in Indonesia, and Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam and the Maldives. The brand also saw growth in Mexico City, Mexico; the Metropolitan area of Puebla; Valle de Bravo and Malinalco in Estado de Mexico; and Cuernavaca and Tepoztlán in Morelos.

Marketing Innovation

2018 was an impactful year for the brand with the roll-out of new tools and offerings. Sotheby’s International Realty became the first real estate brand to launch and implement a virtual staging augmented reality app, transforming the homebuying and selling experience for sales associates and consumers with the launch of Curate by Sotheby’s International Realty℠. Design Vault, a cloud-based adbuilder tool was also unveiled, allowing companies and agents to create advertising, marketing and social assets with ease. The brand entered a custom-publishing relationship with The Wall Street Journal / Barron’s Group to present RESIDE®, a bespoke luxury lifestyle magazine providing affiliate companies around the world a turnkey solution to creating a customized branded magazine. The publication’s inception also birthed the brand’s new podcast series. In partnership with Inman, an exclusive channel called Leading in Luxury was launched, featuring experts from the Sotheby’s International Realty brand discussing trends, best practices and innovations in luxury real estate.

“As much as it was revolutionary, 2018 was also an affirmative year for the brand,” said Kevin Thompson, chief marketing officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. “The Sotheby’s International Realty brand has always stood at the forefront of innovation in the industry, but we recognize that in order to maintain this standard, we need to continue to press forward. With the launch of new technology and tools, we continued that tradition, always aiming to provide industry-leading levels of service that sales associates affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty around the world are known for.”

The Sotheby’s International Realty brand website, sothebysrealty.com, saw another record year with more than 30 million visits, a 13 percent increase year-over-year, with 13 percent of traffic generated from new users. Top searches on sothebysrealty.com in the United States included New York, New York; Malibu, California; and Los Angeles, California. Outside of the United States, the top locations searched were, London, United Kingdom; Paris, France; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Lake Como, Italy; and Sydney, Australia.

Additional Achievements

The Sotheby’s International Realty brand’s affiliated companies and sales associates raised nearly $1 million USD to date for New Story, the brand’s charitable partner and a certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The funds raised have gone directly to the construction of new homes in Morelos, Mexico for families who lost their homes in the 2017 earthquakes.

“It was awe-inspiring to visit the families in Mexico whose lives will be forever changed by the generosity of our network,” said White following a recent trip to visit two recently constructed communities in Mexico. “Partnering with New Story as a charitable partner allowed us to extend the services we provide daily: to help people discover homes that allow them to live their best life.”

The Sotheby’s International Realty® brand claimed 40 of the top 250 sales associates in the Individual Sales Volume category of the 2018 REAL Trends/The Wall Street Journal “The Thousand.” In addition, 12 teams affiliated with the Sotheby’s International Realty brand were recognized as being among the top 250 teams in the nation by sales volume. The annual report ranks America’s top 1,000 residential real estate agents and teams based on 2017 annual sales volume and transaction sides.

 

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. © 2019 Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty Logo are service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC and used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated.

February 27, 2019 by
Damianos Sotheby's International Realty, Sotheby's International Realty

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty Reports Robust 2018 Residential Real Estate Market

Resort-Style Living. According to Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty, the demand for luxury resort-style properties such as those found on Kamalame Cay (above) saw a significant surge in 2018.

 

Nassau, The Bahamas (Jan. 21, 2019) — According to Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty, 2018 was another healthy year for luxury residential real estate sales with the company’s list price averaging $1.55 million and sales prices averaging $1.4 million.

“Overall, 2018 was a strong year for sales with a slight increase over the 2017 performance,” said Lana Rademaker, Chief Brokerage Officer for the company, noting that there has been a significant increase in demand for homes in the Family Islands. “Markets like Hope Town, Harbour Island, Kamalame Cay, Treasure Cay and Spanish Wells are ideal entry markets into The Bahamas. People come down for holidays and end up returning as buyers.”

Rademaker added that the uptick in visitors and buyers in both Nassau and the Family Island markets can be partially credited to the increased number of direct flights into these markets from the U.S. and Canada. Major carriers such as American Airlines, Air Canada, JetBlue and Delta offer daily flights to The Bahamas and recently announced direct flights from Chicago and Houston to Nassau will offer even more opportunities for easy access to The Bahamas.

“The enviable lifestyle of The Bahamas has always been a major attractor to buyers in addition to the fact that we’re an English-speaking country with a stable economy,” Rademaker said. “And now with even more direct flights to our islands, people are able to get here more conveniently and frequently, making our country a strong choice for those who want to own a vacation home just one flight away.”

Another factor is the growing demand for unique resort-style residential properties such as those found on Kamalame Cay, which is about a 20-minute flight from Nassau.

“We are constantly striving to stay ahead of market trends and seek out distinctive opportunities for our clients,” Rademaker said. “I am proud to announce that one of our top agents, Vanessa Ansell, participated in seven transactions on Kamalame Cay this past year, making it one of the most active periods in the history of the luxury resort. Through her strategic marketing and carefully cultivated relationships, Vanessa has positioned herself as the go-to real estate advisor for Kamalame Cay.”

To further accommodate and more fully service this ever-increasing market activity, Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty expanded their sales team with the addition of two new agents in 2018. In December, the company also opened a new office location on Harbour Island next to the popular Piggly Wiggly food store on King Street, the island’s main thoroughfare.

“Nurturing ongoing client relationships is our number one priority as a company,” Rademaker said. “The more visible we are in the markets we serve, and the more knowledgeable our agents are, the more value we can provide to people whether they are current, past or future clients.”

The company’s ongoing mission to continually seek out ways to better serve their clients was further augmented when the firm hosted a four-day NINJA Selling Conference for their entire company at the Grand Hyatt Convention Center at the Baha Mar Resort in October 2018.

“The conference was an incredible experience,” Rademaker said. “Our entire company gathered together for four days to focus on expanding our knowledge and skills as real estate professionals. Designed to help agents capitalize on their strengths, conquer their goals and transform their business, the content of the NINJA Selling Conference aligned perfectly with our company’s culture.”

New developments like BahaMar, GoldWynn, the Pointe and the soon-to-be redeveloped Hurricane Hole on Paradise Island are also providing exciting new opportunities for buyers in the country’s capital.

“The great thing about The Bahamas is that we’re constantly growing and progressing as a country,” Rademaker said. “There is always new and fresh inventory to explore, which makes it a very exciting market to live in, work in and invest in.”

About Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty has 10 offices located throughout the islands of the Bahamas, providing unsurpassed market knowledge of Abaco, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Exuma, Nassau, Paradise Island, Ocean Club Estates, Lyford Cay, Old Fort Bay, Albany and Private Islands. Head office 75 Shirley Street, Nassau. For additional information, please contact 242-322-2305 or info @SIRbahamas.com.

 

About Sotheby’s International Realty

 The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has approximately 22,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in over 970 offices in 72 countries and territories worldwide.  Each office is independently owned and operated.

January 17, 2019 by