Business Details
50 Years
experience
Trusted Real Estate Experts in Sarasota, FL
For nearly 50 years, Michael Saunders has been a trusted leader in Southwest Florida's real estate market. Founded in 1976 by Michael Saunders, our company combines deep local expertise with global marketing reach to deliver exceptional service to home buyers and sellers. Our collaborative team of over 600 agents operates across 24 offices, offering comprehensive real estate solutions including residential and commercial sales, rentals, mortgage, title, insurance, relocation, and new home services. We prioritize integrity, excellence, and client-focused communication, reflecting the values established by our founder.Backed by a 47-year history of innovation and community commitment, we provide strategic market insights and personalized support throughout every real estate transaction. Our affiliated businesses, including MSC Mortgage and MSC Title, ensure seamless service integration while maintaining strict compliance with industry standards. Recognized as the number one real estate broker in the region, we continue to set benchmarks for professionalism and customer satisfaction.
Services
Residential Sales
Commercial Real Estate
Property Rentals
Mortgage Services
Title Insurance
Relocation Assistance
New Home Sales
Luxury Properties
Land Transactions
Timeshare Sales
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- 45+ years of Southwest Florida real estate expertise
- 24 offices and 600+ professional agents across the region
- Full-service offerings including mortgage, title, and insurance
- Proven track record with $11 million in first-year sales to multi-billion-dollar business
- Community-focused approach with MSC Foundation initiatives
What people say
Exceptional customer service
Seamless transaction process
Virtual assistance excellence
Local market expertise
Professional and patient agents
Services
Residential Sales
Our residential sales specialists provide comprehensive guidance through every stage of buying or selling a home. With deep local market knowledge and advanced marketing strategies, we help clients achieve optimal transaction outcomes. Our agents offer personalized property tours, accurate pricing analysis, and expert negotiation to ensure client satisfaction.
Commercial Real Estate
We offer specialized commercial real estate services for office spaces, retail locations, and industrial properties. Our experienced brokers provide market analysis, lease negotiation, and investment advisory services tailored to business owners' unique needs while maintaining strict compliance with commercial transaction standards.
Property Rentals
Our rental division manages both short-term vacation properties and long-term residential leases. We provide property marketing, tenant screening, lease administration, and maintenance coordination services, ensuring smooth rental experiences for property owners and tenants across Southwest Florida's diverse communities.
Luxury Properties
The luxury portfolio division specializes in exclusive properties valued above $1 million. Our certified luxury agents employ sophisticated marketing techniques and maintain connections with international buyers to successfully represent premium waterfront estates, custom-built homes, and prestigious golf course properties throughout the region.
Relocation Assistance
We simplify relocation processes with comprehensive support for incoming and outgoing residents. Our relocation specialists coordinate home sales, property searches, and transition logistics while providing detailed community information to help clients make informed decisions about their Southwest Florida moves.
People
Michael Saunders
Founder & CEO
Established the company in 1976 after careers in education and social work. Transformed a small Sarasota office into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise with 24 offices and 600+ agents while maintaining core values of integrity and client service.
Drayton Saunders
President
Joined the company in 2003 and expanded operations to include in-house mortgage, title, and insurance divisions. Maintains focus on technological innovation and service excellence while upholding the company's founding principles of customer care and community involvement.
Charles Murphy
Executive Vice President
Leads strategic initiatives with 25+ years of commercial real estate experience. Oversees major business development efforts and maintains key industry relationships that strengthen the company's market leadership position in Southwest Florida.
Laura Bowers
Director, MSCTitle
Manages the company's title insurance division with expertise in real estate law and transaction compliance. Ensures smooth closing processes for thousands of annual transactions while maintaining strict adherence to state and federal regulations.
SJ Yun
Chief Marketing Officer
Develops innovative marketing strategies that combine traditional methods with digital innovation. Leads branding initiatives that reinforce the company's position as Southwest Florida's most recognized real estate authority through targeted campaigns and community engagement programs.
Questions
What areas does Michael Saunders & Company serve?
We serve Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, Lee, and surrounding counties along Florida's Gulf Coast, with 24 office locations and agents specializing in local markets from Longboat Key to Punta Gorda.
What real estate services do you offer?
We provide residential and commercial sales, rentals, mortgage services, title insurance, relocation assistance, new home sales, luxury property representation, and property management solutions.
How long has your company been in business?
Since 1976, we've served Southwest Florida with continuous family leadership, growing from a single Sarasota office to the region's largest independent real estate brokerage with over 600 agents.
What makes your agents different?
Our agents combine local expertise with global marketing reach, using advanced technology while maintaining personalized service. Many hold specialized certifications in luxury homes, commercial properties, and relocation services.
Do you offer virtual real estate services?
Yes, we pioneered virtual tours and remote transactions, providing comprehensive digital solutions for property showings, document signing, and client communication to accommodate long-distance buyers and sellers.
How does your company support the community?
Through the MSC Foundation, we fund organizations providing housing, education, and self-sufficiency programs. Our agents volunteer extensively and the company sponsors local arts, environmental, and youth initiatives.
Reviews (4)
Astorg Assistant
Feb 02, 2020
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THIS COMPANY AND THEIR PROPERY MANAGER RYAN CECIL ARE FINANCIAL SCAMMERS! We`ve rented a house for 4 months, property manager Ryan checked the house while we were leaving. He told he will charge 150USD from the security deposit to clean the driweway and the makeup chair. We accepted that. After we left - he wrote us that he WILL NOT RETURN THE SECURITY DEPOSIT. He is trying to renovate this old house, which was buit 20 years ago by using our deposit!!! We will hire lawyer and report to police! STAY AWAY FROM THIS SCAMMERS!
Justine Beckett
Sep 24, 2019
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Daria Spina has been the most amazing realtor I have ever dealt with. Prompt, knowledgeable, efficient, and so very patient. She assisted us every step of the way and nothing was too much bother for her. Without her wonderful honest approach, I don't think we would have secured our dream home. Many THANKS to Daria :-)
Donna Olson
Jan 08, 2019
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We were in Sarasota to see areas we would like to move to. We found a house that we had seen online and called Jennifer to see the house the next day. Her partner Christine met us the next day, she was prompt.and pleasant .She was not well informed of the neighborhood. I had many questions about certain aspects of the house that she did not know and never did she say she would find out for me. I had been preapproved for a mortgage and had a check in hand, never was asked if I would like to make an offer .She knew we were in the market for a house and didn't offer to help us find one nor did she
Cindy Sammis
Oct 02, 2018
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My name is Cindy G. Sammis and I have had the good fortune to be taken under the wing of Ms.Denise Barbato who has been the most patient realtor I have ever met. Always ready took look at something new.Always on time. Always serious
about a clients needs. I have not encountered this level of care with any realtor and trust that the
Michael Saunders Real Estate Company appreciates her exceptional efforts.
about a clients needs. I have not encountered this level of care with any realtor and trust that the
Michael Saunders Real Estate Company appreciates her exceptional efforts.
