REAL Exclusive Magazine

Abbey Realty Transfers 45 Properties To Michael Saunders & Company.

The exclusive leasing responsibilities for the Kauffman Family’s 45 commercial properties previously listed with Abbey Realty have been transferred to Michael Saunders & Company’s Commercial Division. 

“After analyzing our current capacity to achieve solid leasing results for our clients, I decided it was in their best interests for us to outsource this critical service to one of the most outstanding firms in the region,” said David Matthes, the majority owner at Abbey Realty.  “After interviewing several of the exceptional leasing firms in the area, I selected the professionals at Michael Saunders & Company to represent our interests.  We have every confidence they will hit the ground running and get our buildings back to their historic 95%+ occupancy rate.”

“We are very proud to have been selected to assume the leasing responsibility for the Mark Kauffman Family of properties,” said Michael Saunders, founder and CEO of Michael Saunders & Company, from her office in downtown Sarasota.  “In this most challenging of years for commercial real estate our 20 full-time commercial specialists have nevertheless closed over 110 commercial leases which have generated more than $20 million in rental income for our clients.  We look forward to adding these prestigious commercial properties to our existing portfolio of commercial listings throughout Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties.”

In a related move, Linda Emery, formerly with Abbey Realty, has joined Michael Saunders & Company Commercial Division where she will team with Eric Massey, the firm’s Director of Business Development, in handling the leasing responsibilities for these prime retail and office properties located in Sarasota, St. Armands Circle and Siesta Key.

“I’m very excited to be the newest member of the Commercial Division of Michael Saunders and company,” Emery said. “The resources, reputation and knowledge base provided by the company and its commercial team provide a tremendous advantage for my clients.”

Emery, a licensed real estate broker, has been treasurer of the Commercial Investment Division of the Sarasota Association of Realtors and a member of the real estate oversight committee for the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County.

“The depth of our commercial expertise, the size of our team and its reputation for superior service were the key factors in helping to secure this large and prestigious portfolio of properties for Michael Saunders & Company,” said Dennis Dahm, director of the firm’s commercial real estate division.

Photo: Michael Saunders