SKY Sotheby’s International Realty, the Sarasota-based luxury real estate brokerage firm, today announced that Mark Hughes and Amy Young have joined the firm. Combined, Hughes and Young bring 19 years of real estate expertise to SKY Sotheby’s International Realty and specialize in properties located in Lakewood Ranch, as well as east Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Young will work with Hughes as a buyer and listing agent.
"Mark is an outstanding agent known for his strong marketing skills and expertise," says Chad Roffers, President, SKY Sotheby’s International Realty. "We are thrilled to have an agent of Mark’s caliber, along with Amy, join our team as we begin to expand our presence in these popular east county communities."
Prior to joining SKY Sotheby’s International Realty, Hughes and Young worked together at RE/MAX Properties. There Hughes achieved accolades such as being inducted into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame and was the sales volume award winner in 2003 and 2004 for new homes in Lakewood Ranch. Hughes, whose sales volume put him in the top 1% of agents worldwide, was awarded Sarasota Magazine’s Five-Star Award in local customer satisfaction in 2005. In addition to his real estate expertise, Hughes brings a strong financial background to the firm with his experience working as a loan officer and mortgage account manager for companies such as J.P. Morgan, Rockland Mortgage and Gilpin Mortgage.
"My clients expect me to take the next logical step when it comes to marketing their remarkable luxury homes, and for me that meant joining SKY Sotheby’s International Realty," explains Hughes. "No other real estate company has the proven marketing process and tools that the Sotheby’s International Realty® global network provides."
Hughes successful marketing approach was highlighted last year on RSN Satellite TV with a one-hour special taped in front of thousands of agents in Orlando and titled, "Platinum and Beyond, Breaking Through Your Income Ceiling." Last month, he auditioned for the HGTV hit show "National Open House," and was chosen to host a four-episode series about real estate on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The first episode of the series will begin production in October.
Aside from luxury residential sales, Hughes also represents local builder W.G. Mills, and is currently selling the Lake Vista Residences near Lakewood Ranch’s new Main Street. He remains the first and only independent agent to represent a builder in Lakewood Ranch.
Young has been working with Hughes for almost two years and offers exceptional customer service, keen negotiating skills and superior industry knowledge. Previously she worked for companies such as Pepsi and L’Oreal USA is business development.
"By partnering with SKY Sotheby’s International Realty we have the opportunity to offer the very best service and marketing capabilities to our clients," says Young. "Lakewood Ranch is a unique community in itself and the high-end properties here deserve to be marketed in a way that differentiates them from the rest. SKY Sotheby’s International Realty provides us with the complete marketing package on an international level to help get our properties in front of the right buyers."