Presenting

W elcome to the autumn edition of SaundersBEST Magazine, our newest sampling of some of Southwest Florida's most exceptional properties. Returning readers will notice a major change in the look and feel of the magazine. We have re-designed it to closely parallel the new look of our web site, michaelsaunders.com, which debuted in August. We've learned through conversations with many recent home buyers that people are often drawn to our region to indulge a specific lifestyle goal. Some come to live on the beach or near the water, others to indulge their passion for golf, tennis and boating; still others to enjoy the stimulation of a walkable, urban lifestyle underscored by numerous cultural amenities. Therefore, in these pages — as well as on the new web site — we have grouped all of our market's available properties by lifestyle for easy searching. Each grouping includes photos that capture the essence of the lifestyle. To keep these photo galleries fresh and evolving, we invite each of you to share personal snapshots that capture how you live in Southwest Florida; and we will feature the best of them on the new web site. It's easy to do. Simply snap a lifestyle picture with your smart phone or digital camera. Then upload it to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #SaundersSights. Your lifestyle photo could appear on the new michaelsaunders.com. SaundersBEST is intended to help buyers stay abreast of our market even as they catch a glimpse of some of the area's most desirable homes, condominiums and lifestyles. For sellers, it is another way for your agent to strategically showcase your property to high- net worth individuals along the Gulf Coast, in our key northern feeder markets; and in our 24 branch offices. We thank you for your interest in SaundersBEST and hope it helps solidify your knowledge and appreciation of our fabulous Gulf Coast paradise. Cordially, Michael Saunders Drayton Saunders WELCOME michaelsaunders.com #SaundersSights #SaundersSights #SaundersSights #SaundersSights #SaundersSights W elcome to the autumn edition of SaundersBEST Magazine, our newest sampling of some of Southwest Florida's most exceptional properties. Returning readers will notice a major change in the look and feel of the magazine. We have re-designed it to closely parallel the new look of our web site, michaelsaunders.com, which debuted in August. We've learned through conversations with many recent home buyers that people are often drawn to our region to indulge a specific lifestyle goal. Some come to live on the beach or near the water, others to indulge their passion for golf, tennis and boating; still others to enjoy the stimulation of a walkable, urban lifestyle underscored by numerous cultural amenities. Therefore, in these pages — as well as on the new web site — we have grouped all of our market's available properties by lifestyle for easy searching. Each grouping includes photos that capture the essence of the lifestyle. To keep these photo galleries fresh and evolving, we invite each of you to share personal snapshots that capture how you live in Southwest Florida; and we will feature the best of them on the new web site. It's easy to do. Simply snap a lifestyle picture with your smart phone or digital camera. Then upload it to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #SaundersSights. Your lifestyle photo could appear on the new michaelsaunders.com. SaundersBEST is intended to help buyers stay abreast of our market even as they catch a glimpse of some of the area's most desirable homes, condominiums and lifestyles. For sellers, it is another way for your agent to strategically showcase your property to high- net worth individuals along the Gulf Coast, in our key northern feeder markets; and in our 24 branch offices. We thank you for your interest in SaundersBEST and hope it helps solidify your knowledge and appreciation of our fabulous Gulf Coast paradise. Cordially, Michael Saunders Drayton Saunders WELCOME michaelsaunders.com 888.552.5228 #SaundersSights #SaundersSights #SaundersSights #SaundersSights #SaundersSights #SaundersSights #SaundersSights W elcome to the autumn edition of SaundersBEST Magazine, our newest sampling of some of Southwest Florida's most exceptional properties. Returning readers will notice a major change in the look and feel of the magazine. We have re-designed it to closely parallel the new look of our web site, michaelsaunders.com, which debuted in August. We've learned through conversations with many recent home buyers that people are often drawn to our region to indulge a specific lifestyle goal. Some come to live on the beach or near the water, others to indulge their passion for golf, tennis and boating; still others to enjoy the stimulation of a walkable, urban lifestyle underscored by numerous cultural amenities. Therefore, in these pages — as well as on the new web site — we have grouped all of our market's available properties by lifestyle for easy searching. Each grouping includes photos that capture the essence of the lifestyle. To keep these photo galleries fresh and evolving, we invite each of you to share personal snapshots that capture how you live in Southwest Florida; and we will feature the best of them on the new web site. It's easy to do. Simply snap a lifestyle picture with your smart phone or digital camera. Then upload it to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #SaundersSights. Your lifestyle photo could appear on the new michaelsaunders.com. SaundersBEST is intended to help buyers stay abreast of our market even as they catch a glimpse of some of the area's most desirable homes, condominiums and lifestyles. For sellers, it is another way for your agent to strategically showcase your property to high- net worth individuals along the Gulf Coast, in our key northern feeder markets; and in our 24 branch offices. We thank you for your interest in SaundersBEST and hope it helps solidify your knowledge and appreciation of our fabulous Gulf Coast paradise. Cordially, Michael Saunders Drayton Saunders WELCOME michaelsaunders.com 888.552.5228 #SaundersSights #SaundersSights #SaundersSights #SaundersSights #SaundersSights #SaundersSights #SaundersSights newest sampling magazine. We michaelsaunders.com, people are live on the boating; still numerous — we have searching. keep these snapshots best of them digital camera. #SaundersSights. they catch lifestyles. For property to high- markets; and knowledge 888.552.5228 #SaundersSights #SaundersSights #SaundersSights 888.552.5228 michaelsaunders.com WELCOME W hat do a magical Gulf Coast island, a Tuscan-inspired Bayfront villa just steps from downtown Sarasota; and a magnificent waterfront mansion in the coveted Harbor Acres neighborhood all have in common? Besides being among Southwest Florida's most luxurious and coveted properties, all three were listed and sold by agents of Michael Saunders & Company; and all three sold for $5 million or more—with the island fetching nearly $15 million. Lastly, all three have sold just since July in what has become one of the most active markets for luxury properties since 2008. Of course, luxury is in the eye of the beholder. Ask ten people to define it and you are likely to hear ten different answers. But in real estate, luxury is often categorized by price in order to uniformly track local trends in high-value home sales. In towns and cities where property prices across the board are generally lower, a luxury home may cost less than $1 million. But in most major metropolitan areas, ours included, the starting point for luxury is at least $1 million. Year-to-date (through August), 421 properties above $1 million have sold throughout Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties. (Source: Mid-Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service). This is 15% higher than year-to-date 2014, 20% higher than in the same period of 2013; and 62% higher than in 2012. Luxury rarely exists in a vacuum. Where there's one luxury home there are bound to be others. Plus, you will usually find a broad range of amenities that go hand-in-glove with the luxury lifestyle. These include proximity to high-end shopping and dining, easy access to the arts and culture; and a full range of year-round recreational and fitness activities. That said, is there any wonder why the market for luxury properties is thriving throughout Southwest Florida? Once upon a time, our gorgeous weather, pristine shorelines and magnificent environment were enough to attract high-end buyers. Now, in addition to these natural wonders, buyers are being lured to our region for its ever-broadening range of cultural, recreational and retail amenities. In other words, the luxury lifestyle in Southwest Florida truly runs the gamut. For a sampling of some of the region's finest luxury and lifestyle properties, we are proud to present the newest edition of SaundersBEST. If you like what you see, be sure to visit MichaelSaunders.com for a complete look at all the properties currently listed for sale throughout Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties. The site also provides a photographic glimpse into the region's many different lifestyle possibilities, each of which simply needs you to complete the picture. Cordially, Michael Saunders Drayton Saunders

• Cover