The Leading Global Luxury Brand
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Established in 1976, Sotheby’s International Realty has become the world’s premier luxury residential real estate brokerage. Through our vast global footprint, local expertise, and unequalled referral network, we ensure that the properties we represent receive the far-reaching and unparalleled exposure they deserve.

Learn more about our unique capabilities and approach in this short video:

Deep Local Knowledge

As a long time resident of Middleburg and Loudoun County, my knowledge of and love for this area perfectly compliment the global capabilities of Sotheby's International Realty. My hard earned experience as a Realtor helps me serve you better. My broad network of personal and professional connections keeps me well informed and helps me make small miracles happen on behalf of my clients. Local knowledge and global reach are a truly unbeatable combination.

​Founded on the same commitment to exceptional service that characterized the Sotheby’s Auction House, the Sotheby’s International Realty brand is created and becomes known around the world for the distinctive properties it represents.

​The Sotheby’s International Realty brand is recognized globally. Our service is tailored through technology, making us the modern go-to for real estate professionals and clients who expect the very best from the very best.

As your local Sotheby's Realtor at Hunt Country Sotheby’s International Realty, I pledge to ensure that our office will honor the tradition and standards of our venerated brand. We verbalize this as a promise to deliver a luxury experience to every client, every time.
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A Brief History of Sotheby's International Realty

Sotheby’s International Realty is a luxury real estate brand that was founded in 1976 as a subsidiary of the renowned art auction house Sotheby’s. The idea behind the creation of Sotheby’s International Realty was to capitalize on the reputation and global network of Sotheby’s art auction house to create a prestigious real estate brand that would appeal to high-net-worth individuals and provide them with a high-end real estate buying and selling experience.

Sotheby’s International Realty began with just a few offices in the United States but quickly expanded its reach and established itself as a leader in luxury real estate. In 2004, Realogy Corporation acquired the brand and has since helped to further grow and expand the company’s global footprint.
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Today, Sotheby’s International Realty has more than 23,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in over 1,000 offices in 72 countries and territories worldwide. The company specializes in luxury residential real estate, offering a range of services, including property marketing, property management, relocation services, and real estate consulting.
Sotheby’s International Realty has a reputation for representing some of the most extraordinary properties in the world, including stunning estates, private islands, historic castles, and prestigious penthouses. The brand has also become synonymous with luxury lifestyle, hosting exclusive events and sponsoring cultural initiatives around the world.

​One of the hottest trends in luxury real estate is selling your home at auction. Once considered "the sale of last resort", going to auction has for some now become the preferred mode  of selling high end real estate.

What's Driving This Trend?
There are a number of different factors coming together to drive this shift in the marketplace.

Limited Liquidity

• In the luxury space, the pool of potential buyers can be very limited in a specific geography. There just aren't enough qualified buyers to set a fair market price.
• Properties in this category are often difficult to value. It's hard to put a price tag on "historical significance" (e.g. George Washington slept here) or architectural uniqueness. Likewise, when it comes to a truly unique location where property rarely becomes available, it's extremely difficult to quantify "priceless".
• Price has little impact on demand and competing buyers don't often appear at the same time.
• Price reductions do nothing but undermine the value of the property and cause potential buyers to sit back and wait.
  
  

Days On Market are Costly
Obviously the carrying costs of a luxury home can be extremely expensive. Landscaping, pool maintenance, snow removal, home maintenance, etc. adds up month after month. But even worse, every day that passes without a sale tends to lower the ultimate sales price.

The Transparency of the Internet
In the old days, if a home didn't sell after a few months, the agent might take the property off the market for some period of time and then reintroduce the property as "Just Listed!". With sites like Zillow and others, all of this activity is visible to buyers and simply adds to a perception of desperation.

Advantages of the Auction Process
The auction process directly addresses the problems described above and offers many advantages compared to the traditional real estate transaction model, including:

​Speed
The Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions process is designed to expedite the sales process. Properties typically sell within a fixed timeframe, usually around 30 days, which allows sellers to achieve a quick sale and avoid the delays associated with traditional listings.

Transparency
Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions provide a transparent and competitive bidding platform. All interested buyers participate in a live auction, ensuring a fair and open process. Sellers can see real-time bidding activity and final sale prices, which enhances transparency and trust.

Global Reach
Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions has a vast network of high-net-worth buyers and agents worldwide. This global reach allows sellers to access a larger pool of potential buyers, increasing the chances of achieving a higher sale price for their property.

Customized Marketing
Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions creates tailored marketing campaigns for each property, leveraging their expertise in luxury real estate marketing. These campaigns utilize various channels, such as digital advertising, social media, and direct outreach, to generate maximum exposure and attract qualified buyers.

Targeted Auction Date
Sellers have the flexibility to choose the auction date that best aligns with their timeline and goals. This targeted approach helps create a sense of urgency among buyers, increasing the likelihood of competitive bidding and a successful sale.

Non-Contingent Sales
Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions typically operate on a non-contingent basis, meaning buyers are responsible for conducting their due diligence before the auction. This reduces the risk of deals falling through due to financing or inspection contingencies.

Market Validation
The auction process provides market validation for a property’s value. By attracting multiple bidders, the auction reveals the true market demand and allows the property to sell at its highest achievable price.

Sotheby's Concierge Auctions
Of course, if you're familiar with the history of the Sotheby's brand, you know that Sotheby's began as an auction house in London in 1744 and for more than two centuries has been regarded as "the ultimate arbiter of value" when it comes to fine art, jewelry, cars, yachts, wine and more.

In 1976, Sotheby's International Realty was founded as an extension of the Sotheby's brand. However it wasn't until November of 2021 when Sotheby's International Realty acquired Concierge Auctions that Sotheby's became the global leader in luxury real estate auction sales. Sotheby's International Realty has now fully integrated the capabilities of Concierge Auctions and can offer this type of transaction in parallel with the traditional real estate sales process.

Designed As a Luxury Experience
From beginning to end, the Sotheby's Concierge Auction experience has been engineered as a luxury experience. You set the timeline for selling your property. You set a reserve price, the minimum amount that a seller will accept as the winning bid. After that, the Sotheby's Concierge Auctions team goes to work to market your property to their global network of buyers. As the seller, you are informed and consulted at every step of the process. And, you still have me as your local Realtor® to help manage the process and coordinate any details.

Listen to a few client testimonials in the following video and I think you'll quickly understand how comprehensive and satisfying the level of service will be.​

Is Sotheby's Concierge Auctions Right for You?
The auction process is a fantastic option for some sellers. Depending on your property and your situation, it may be the absolute best choice. As a Sotheby's Concierge Auctions Diamond Agent, I am uniquely qualified to answer your questions and help  you choose between an auction and a traditional sale. If you would like to discuss the possibilities, please contact me for a free and confidential consultation.