We are pleased to announce that Warren Lewis Realty, LLC in Brooklyn, N.Y., is the newest member of our network and now will operate as Warren Lewis Sotheby’s International Realty.

The firm is independently owned by Aroza Sanjana and Jose F. Nunez and serves the Brooklyn, N.Y. market from two locations.  This marks our brand’s first Brooklyn locations.  Under separate ownership, Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. has two offices in Manhattan.

Please see the press release for more information and join us in welcoming Warren Lewis Sotheby’s International Realty to our network!

Welcome to the first edition of Perspectives, a quarterly newsletter on the global luxury real estate industry straight from the source: Sotheby’s International Realty® professionals from more than 600 offices located in 45 countries and territories worldwide.

This issue takes you around the globe, with key insights on markets from the United States’ east and west coasts to France and the United Kingdom. Also showcased is our network’s recent significant sales and extraordinary listings from Rome and Canada to Hawaii. For those on the sidelines, now is the time to consider investing in the future. There is perhaps no better time than the present to search for your ideal first, second or third home. The reason? In many real estate markets around the world, a palpable optimism is returning. The combination of attractive pricing and a strengthening economy have laid the foundation for making valuable investments. As you will see in this issue of Perspectives, many of our firms are proudly marketing homes that are unique and significant in their respective markets. And we are observing that to be the case in many areas across the globe.

Download the Premier Edition

You may recall our report Edvard Munch’s The Scream Set for Auction back in February. We’re proud to report last week marked a record sale for the Sotheby’s Auction House: Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” shattered the auction record for any work of art when it sold on May 2 for nearly $120 million.

This achievement demonstrates why we’re part of the Sotheby’s Real Estate Network — we’re associated with a brand dedicated to successfully marketing some of the world’s most significant and treasured possessions.

Watch the specially produced Auction House Video.

We have gotten off to a strong start, with many parts of the globe reporting strong sales. The most notable sale was Villa Tritone in Sorrento, which sold for more than $45 million. We congratulate Rome Sotheby’s International Realty for such an impressive accomplishment. The New York market also is very strong in the city, along the north shore of Long Island and the Hamptons. We also are pleased that the Caribbean is doing well with Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty leading the way. In addition, we welcomed Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty to our network early last year and we are pleased to acknowledge their lakefront sale in the Chicago area.

Download the latest issue of Significant Sales, showcasing the more recent top 30 sales in the Sotheby’s International Realty® Network.

Noteworthy sales for the month include a stunning mansion in San Francisco, a spectacular property in Aspen as well as Blue Heron Farm on Martha’s Vineyard. In addition, top sales were recorded in Bermuda, Naples, Westchester County, the Hamptons, England and Quebec. We congratulate both the sales associate and affiliates for their success.

Congratulations to all the extraordinary firms represented in the January issue!

Significant Sales Past Issues Archive

We are pleased to announce the opening of Israel Sotheby’s International Realty. The firm’s owners, Tomer and Isidora Fridman and Orna Gotslak, will first serve the Tel Aviv market from their existing office in Givatayim.  They plan to open a second location in Tel Aviv later this year that will serve as their main office.  The team has an exclusive 25-year master franchise agreement with our brand for Israel and plans to also open additional offices in key markets across the country over the next several years!

Please see the attached press release for more information, and join us in welcoming Israel Sotheby’s International Realty to our network.

We are pleased to announce Williams Trew, a leading residential real estate firm in Fort Worth, Texas, has officially opened and is now doing business as Williams Trew Sotheby’s International Realty.

The firm is owned by Martha Williams, Joan Trew and Marshall Boyd, and serves the greater Fort Worth market and surrounding areas.

Please join us in welcoming Williams Trew Sotheby’s International Realty to our network!

Download the latest issue of Significant Sales, showcasing the top 30 sales in the Sotheby’s International Realty® Network for the month, as well as The Most Exceptional Sales of 2011, which highlights our network’s top 30 sales for the year.

The December issue features the record sale of the spectacular St. Regis penthouse in San Francisco, as well as a stunning penthouse in Miami.  The Most Exceptional Sales of 2011 highlights Point of View in Greenwich, Conn., as well as extraordinary properties in London, San Francisco, Palm Beach, Hawaii, Aspen, Martha’s Vineyard, Bermuda, New York and the Bahamas.  These top sales underscore the vitality of the luxury real estate market on a global basis and are a tribute to the quality of the fine companies that represented them.  It also is important to note that there were many high-priced, significant sales last year that due to confidentiality agreements could not be included.

Congratulations to all the extraordinary firms represented in the December and 2011 issues!

Significant Sales Past Issues Archive

We are pleased to report that in 2011 we grew the office count within our global network by more than 7 percent, and reported a 24 percent year-over-year increase in U.S. transaction sides closed by our affiliated brokers and agents!

We ended 2011 with more than 600 offices and nearly 12,000 sales associates located in 45 countries and territories worldwide, and added eight new residential real estate brokerage firms to our network across the United States in the following markets: Palm Springs, Calif.; Chicago; Basking Ridge, N.J.; Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y.; Cannon Beach, Ore.; Raleigh, N.C.; Newport Beach, Calif.; and the United States Virgin Islands.  Outside of the United States we expanded our network to provide real estate services in: Costa Brava and Costa Blanca, Spain; Estonia; and Aruba.

One of our goals for last year was to continue to expand our network in key luxury markets worldwide, and we have done that successfully.  As you know, this year our focus is to further develop our global footprint, with growth in Asia our first priority.  We will continue to keep you apprised as we make progress in accelerating our development throughout Asia.

Please see the press release for additional information on all our 2011 achievements including those on the marketing front.

Today’s event held at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue Washington included our own Randi Brazen and others such as Mark von der Burg of Coldwell Banker Bain, Tere Foster of Windermere Real Estate/East and Vija Williams of Luxury Homes by Keller Williams-Kirkland.

Randi Brazen and Tere Foster guest speakers at Northwest Luxe Event

Randi with Josh Altman from BRAVO TVs hit show Million Dollar Listing (LA) at the Luxe Event

Download the latest issue of Significant Sales, showcasing the more recent top 30 sales in the Sotheby’s International Realty® Network.

Noteworthy sales for the month include a stunning mansion in San Francisco, a spectacular property in Aspen as well as Blue Heron Farm on Martha’s Vineyard.  In addition, top sales were recorded in Bermuda, Naples, Westchester County, the Hamptons, England and Quebec.  We congratulate both the sales associate and affiliates for their success.

Congratulations to all the extraordinary firms represented in the latest issue!

Significant Sales Past Issues Archive

We are proud to announce that our brand has won Franchise Business Review’s Best in Category for Real Estate Franchisee Satisfaction award for the fifth year in a row!

The Best in Category award measures franchisee satisfaction with their franchisors and is part of the 7th annual Franchisee Satisfaction Awards presented by Franchise Business Review. In addition to our real estate ranking, we also came in second overall among the Top 50 Large Franchise Systems, which is a ranking of all franchise systems with more than 200 units across all categories. This is quite an accomplishment!

“We are very proud to earn this honor for the fifth year in a row,” said Michael R. Good, chief executive officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. “We are dedicated to providing the best service we can to our valued network members, whom we hand select to affiliate with our brand. This recognition is a testament to the value we provide them in making their businesses more prosperous and successful.” Click here to listen to an interview by Franchise Business Review with Sotheby’s Real Estate CEO and President Mike Good.

Download the Press Release

We are pleased to announce that Hudson Homes LLC in Tarrytown, N.Y., is the newest member of our network and now will operate as Hudson Homes Sotheby’s International Realty.

The firm is owned by Patricia Neuwirth and serves New York’s Hudson Valley including the Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, Ossining, Briarcliff Manor and Pleasantville markets.  It joins our already robust presence in Westchester county: Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty, Renwick Sotheby’s International Realty, North Country Sotheby’s International Realty and McClellan Sotheby’s International Realty.

Please see the attached press release for more information and join us in welcoming Hudson Homes Sotheby’s International Realty to our network!

Looking forward, Realogy and the Sotheby’s International Realty brand continue to see signs of a stabilizing housing market:

• On February 21, Fannie Mae stated that in 2012 the housing market will make a positive contribution to GDP growth for the first time in seven years.
• For full-year 2012, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is forecasting 4.55 million unit sales, which would amount to a 7% year-over-year increase. Similarly, the Fannie Mae forecast calls for a 6% increase to 4.5 million units in 2012.
• Looking at median sales price, NAR’s current estimate calls for a 1% increase in 2012 while Fannie is more conservative, showing a price decline of 3% for 2012.
• Combined with lower inventory levels in many markets, very attractive pricing, historically low mortgage rates and high affordability levels, we have reason to be optimistic.

We are pleased to announce that Williams Trew, a leading residential real estate firm in Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded the Sotheby’s International Realty affiliation for Fort Worth. Beginning on or about May 1, 2012, the firm will begin doing business as Williams Trew Sotheby’s International Realty.

The firm is owned by Martha Williams, Joan Trew and Marshall Boyd, and serves the greater Fort Worth market and surrounding areas.  It joins Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty in Dallas, Arlington and Southlake, Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty in San Antonio and Capital City Sotheby’s International Realty in Austin to enhance our presence in Texas.

See the press release for more information and join us in welcoming Williams Trew Sotheby’s International Realty to our network.

We are pleased to announce that Morris & Fyrwald Sotheby’s International Realty in Aspen and Carbondale, Colo., has combined with Chaffin Light Real Estate in Aspen, Snowmass Village and Basalt, and now will operate as Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty.

Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty will serve the entire Roaring Fork Valley from Aspen/Snowmass to Glenwood Springs.  Mark Overstreet serves as president of the new company and will report to a management board of Ernie Fyrwald, Andrew Light, Craig Morris and Garrett Reuss.

See the press release for more information and join us in welcoming Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty to our network!

One of four versions of The Scream by Norwegian painter Edvard Munch, which dates from 1895, will lead Sotheby's Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sale in New York on May 2. (Sotheby's/Associated Press)

Last version of iconic painting in private hands to be sold in New York

The Scream, Edvard Munch masterpiece, will be sold at a New York City art auction this spring.

Sotheby’s announced Tuesday that the work will lead its Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale on May 2.

The work, which dates from 1895, is one of four versions of the composition. The auctioneer says it’s the only version still in private hands.

The head of Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern Art department in New York, Simon Shaw, says the price could exceed $80 million US.

The drawing of a man holding his head and screaming under a streaked, blood-red sky is being sold by Norwegian businessman Petter Olsen, whose father was a friend and patron of Munch’s.

“I have lived with this work all my life, and its power and energy have only increased with time,” Olsen said.

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Truly special properties are different at every level, and require real estate services that are as well.

The Sotheby’s International Realty® brand takes great pride in presenting to the world unique places and their stories, and in using our innovative marketing tools, global network and relationships with discerning buyers to perfectly match time-honored properties with those who will appreciate them and give them new life.

As agents, we have access to some of the most qualified buyers in the world. For example take a look at this exquisite St. Barthelemy Villa represented by St. Barth Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, $6,000,000.

This newly refurbished, three-bedroom, three-bath, hillside villa is set in the heights of Pt. Milou with sensational views that deliver the beauty of an early morning sunrise to the awe-inspiring sunset. With both indoor and outdoor living areas, the villa offers incredible views from all locations.

Allow us to show you some of the special properties agents of the Sotheby’s International Realty Network have most recently successfully represented in the last issue of Significant Sales magazine.

Mike Good, chief executive officer at Sotheby’s International Realty®, is scheduled to speak on April 2 at the upcoming 2012 AREAA Global Real Estate Summit in New York at the Waldorf Astoria.

AREAA, the Asian Real Estate Association of America, is a nonprofit professional trade organization dedicated to promoting sustainable homeownership opportunities in Asian American communities by creating a powerful national voice for housing and real estate professionals that serve this dynamic market.  AREAA is the only trade association dedicated to representing the interests of the Asian real estate market nationwide.  The organization is expanding globally, with trade missions to China, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam.  They are looking to build bridges across Asian countries, and have recently launched their first international chapter in Canada, given the significant increase in their Asian population.

Mike will represent our brand among this important group of real estate, mortgage and housing-related professionals from all over the world, speaking to them on today’s global housing opportunities.  He joins several other leading industry professionals speaking at this event, which offers attendees networking opportunities and the ability to showcase and view active projects.

For more information on AREAA and the 2012 AREAA Global Real Estate Summit in at the Waldorf Astoria, go to http://areaa.org/index.php. There are many local chapters of the AREAA in various markets across the Americas.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Theo Vassiliou as vice president, international development for the Sotheby’s International Realty brand, reporting to Alvaro Cardenas, who has been named managing vice president of international development.

Theo will be responsible for growing our brand in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and will be part of our growing EMEA support team as we continue our focus on quality international growth.

Theo previously served as general manager of Terra Sotheby’s International Realty in Cyprus from 2008 to 2009.  He also was managing director of M & T Mama’s Kettle Ltd., the owner of Mama’s chips, from 2004 until he sold the company last year.  He earned his bachelor of science degree in international business from Montclair State University in Upper Montclair, N.J., and his master’s degree from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, in The Netherlands.

Alvaro has served our brand for the last six years as a consultant, responsible for the international development of the brand worldwide.  As part of his new role, he also will oversee a vice president of international development for Asia.  We are still seeking candidates for this new, open position.

Please join us in welcoming Theo to our team and congratulating Alvaro on his expanded responsibilities!

We are pleased to announce the opening of San Miguel Sotheby’s International Realty, the newest member of our network.

Adrian Toscano and Larry Stebbins serve as co-founders of the firm, which expands our current presence in Guadalajara, Los Cabos and the Riviera Maya.  Our operations in Mexico have been under the capable direction of Carlos Gonzales since 2005.  In an ongoing attempt to continue to expand our brand presence in San Miguel, Carlos has sold Adrian and Larry the rights to San Miguel while he continues to operate the Guadalajara, Los Cabos and Riviera Maya offices.

Please see the attached press release for more information on this exciting development in the growth of our brand and join us in welcoming San Miguel Sotheby’s International Realty to our network.

We are pleased to announce our luxury real estate services now are available in Barcelona, Spain, with the opening of Barcelona Sotheby’s International Realty.

The office is jointly owned by Markus Thoene and Christoph Toelle, who also operate Costa Brava Sotheby’s International Realty, which serves the high-end real estate market in the coastal region of Girona.

Download the press release for more information and join us in welcoming Barcelona Sotheby’s International Realty to our network.

We are pleased to announce we have expanded our network in Italy with the addition of Milan Sotheby’s International Realty.

The firm, owned by the Pignatti Morano family and managed by Lorenzo Mercolini, joins our existing firms in Venice and Rome, Venice Sotheby’s International Realty and Rome Sotheby’s International Realty.

Please see the attached press release for more information, join us in welcoming Milan Sotheby’s International Realty to our network!

BELLEVUE, WA (January 10, 2012)— Brazen Sotheby’s International Realty, the area’s luxury real estate firm, today announced the launch of the brand’s official YouTube channel, which was designed to provide consumers an inside look into the exceptional homes represented by the firm locally and by the nearly 600 Sotheby’s International Realty^® offices around the world.

The channel features three categories of video: the Spotlight section provides candid views into some of the Sotheby’s International Realty^® network’s most exceptional properties and their lifestyles; the Property section contains videos on the many homes represented by the network; and the Destination section spotlights the many luxury markets served by the network around the world.

The YouTube channel also showcases the latest news from the brand’s Facebook and Twitter pages, offers direct links to the Sotheby’s Auction House’s videos and the Sotheby’s International Realty brand’s official website, and provides a lifestyle and amenities video search.

“Video is not a unique medium in real estate marketing but we are leveraging it in an innovative way,” said Wendy Purvey, chief marketing officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC.  “Our YouTube channel was designed to provide consumers with an inside view of some of the world’s most extraordinary properties by focusing on the distinctive lifestyle and amenities they offer at any price point.  Consumers are looking to video now more than ever before as a research tool in the home-buying process, and YouTube, the No. 1 online video website, is where they are searching for video, with 60 percent of video streams happening there.”

The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has more than 11,900 sales associates located in approximately 590 offices in 44 countries and territories worldwide.

“Now consumers in the Bellevue and Seattle market can get an inside glimpse of the exciting lifestyle and amenities found in some of the world’s most exquisite homes,” said Joseph Brazen.  “The Sotheby’s International Realty YouTube channel enables us to offer our clients another powerful tool to market their homes.  According to YouTube, 48 hours of video is uploaded there every minute.  When you consider that, this new channel substantiates the consumer demand for video.  As well, those looking to learn more about the Bellevue and Seattle market and what we have to offer can experience it firsthand here.”

Dear Sotheby’s International Realty® Brokers,

We are pleased to announce that Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty in Princeton, N.J., has merged with N.T. Callaway Real Estate, LLC to create Callaway Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty with its headquarters in Princeton.

N.T. Callaway Real Estate, LLC was one of the brand’s first affiliates in 1976, and we are proud to welcome them back.  The newly combined firm will operate five offices located in Princeton, Pennington, Cranbury, Montgomery and Lambertville.  Pete Callaway, Norman Callaway, Karen Callaway Urisko, Jud Henderson, Matt Henderson and Jane Henderson Kenyon all will maintain leadership roles.

Please see the Press Release for more information and join us in welcoming Callaway Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty to our network.

Networking is what it’s all about, and evidence that the Brazens take it seriously was clear when the current issue of Collections included not one, but two pages that include mentions and photos.

On page 5 is a photo of the Global Networking Event that includes Randi and Joseph Brazen along with Cindy Paur of Brazen Sotheby’s International Realty, all of them listed in the photo tagline.

In the “Seen & Heard Around the Network” section on page 9 you’ll see Joseph’s participation on the Leadership panel at the annual StarPower Conference in San Diego highlighted.

Joseph and Randi’s participation, networking and commitment to their specialty and brand gets results!

Download the latest issue of Collections Magazine

Brazen Sotheby’s Bellevue Daily is a conglomeration of the hottest issues, locally and globally. Follow us on Twitter for access to this fantastic Brazen business, lifestyle and news piece.

Take a look at the latest issue of Significant Sales, showcasing the top 25 sales in the Sotheby’s International Realty® Network for the month.

As you will see we recorded notable sales in Hawaii, both in Maui and Kailua Beach; London; New York; Long Island, N.Y.; Colorado; Boston, Massachusetts; and Montreal. This cross section of sales showcases the strength and breadth of the Sotheby’s brand leadership in the sale of luxury properties worldwide.

Congratulations to all the extraordinary firms represented in the latest issue!

July 2011 Issue | April 2011 Issue | Significant Sales Past Issues Archive

We’re pleased to see one of our properties is featured on the home page of “The Business of Extraordinary Living” microsite at the Wall Street Journal online as a property in the rotating eGallery on the bottom left. This showcased on September 23rd and will run until November 4th. Please take a moment to check it out at The Business of Extraordinary Living.

About the Showcased Columbia Valley Wine Country Estate

Perfectly nestled on 90 acres in the heart of Washington’s Wine Country, the very finest living awaits. Over 15,000 square feet of first class amenities and craftsmanship create beauty and function to be admired. Ideal for family living and grand entertaining! The state of the art residence features three guest suites, a magnificent private master suite, incredible chef’s gourmet kitchen, two offices, media room, gym, craft studio, 1000 bottle wine cellar and two separate guest/staff suites. Go to the Property Tour for more info and photos.

We are pleased to announce our affiliations are expanding as HÔM Real Estate Group in Newport Beach, CA and United States Virgin Islands Sotheby’s International Realty are the newest members of our network.

The Newport Beach firm now will operate its three offices in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Balboa Island as HÔM Sotheby’s International Realty with Mike Shapiro as chairman and Bob Bonanno as president.  Also, the offices formerly operated by Coast Sotheby’s International Realty in Rancho Santa Fe and Laguna Beach will be operated by HÔM Sotheby’s International Realty in the near future. Download the Newport Beach press release for more information.

United States Virgin Islands Sotheby’s International Realty has also joined our network…Lee Steiner, who has been a top producer in the market, serves as president. Download the Virgin Islands press release for more information.

Join us in welcoming HÔM Real Estate Group and United States Virgin Islands Sotheby’s International Realty!

Bellevue, Washington

Royce Pinkwater, Sotheby’s Realty Vice President from New York, hosted the leading Sotheby’s Brokers from 25 locations around the world this past weekend for 3 days of meetings, exploring and discussing how to best represent the high net worth Sotheby’s International client.

We had the “best in class” said Pinkwater, “and we are excited having Joseph Brazen represent us in the greater Seattle area. There is so much international momentum throughout the Puget Sound and it was important to get Brazen Sotheby’s on board early as one of our founding members because Joseph brings so much to the table with his experience in the luxury market.”

There were brokers from Rome, Paris, Sao Paulo, Miami, Beverly Hills, San Francisco, Sweden, Aspen, Switzerland, Santa Barbara, Dallas etc. “It was a who’s who of the luxury leadership worldwide”, said Brazen.

Shelly Tretter, Greenwich CT; Chris Feurer, Chicago IL; Penny MacIntyre, Bermuda; Joseph Brazen, Seattle WA; Eric Roche, South America

Many of our clients now own several properties around the world and with this global partnership we will be able to serve them better internationally.

Pinkwater aptly sums up the purpose and effect of this new partnership by saying:

“Our global partnership is of the finest real estate professionals in the world, associated with the finest worldwide brand.  Collectively, we have our fingers on the pulse of the global real estate market. This means that, for example, when my partner Robbie Briggs (owner of the Dallas Sotheby’s offices), goes to Hong Kong for the Sotheby’s auctions in the first week of October, he will have a PDF of your property to show to prospective buyers.  This represents a whole new level of real estate transactions, and we are the first to do it.”

The 25 will meet again next month in Miami at the One SIR international headquarters to continue their strategic plan.