![Stacy Haas, who holds the record for the two most-expensive homes sold in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., recently joined Michael Saunders & Company.](http://lre-pr.s3.amazonaws.com/People/Michael_Saunders_and_Company-stacy_haas.jpg)
SARASOTA, Fla. – (Aug. 7, 2008) – Stacy Haas—who owns the distinction of transacting the two largest volume residential re-sales in the history of Lakewood Ranch—has joined Michael Saunders & Company, it was announced today.
Haas, who as recently as 2007 transitioned from a successful career in interior design to an equally thriving career in real estate, will conduct business from the company’s Lakewood Ranch office, located at 8325 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. She was previously an associate with Sky Sotheby’s International Realty and presently ranks among the top 25 agents in the Sarasota MLS.She will partner with Marc Rasmussen and Shayla Twit, who are also making the move from Sky Sotheby’s to Michael Saunders & Company.“We are delighted that Stacy, has made the business decision to bring her relatively young and very impressive real estate career to Michael Saunders & Company,” said company founder Michael Saunders from her headquarters in downtown Sarasota. “Clearly she is an innovator and a major new talent in our marketplace and will no doubt rise to even loftier heights with the affiliated services, international affiliations and marketing support she will now have to draw from on behalf of her clients.”A native of Cleveland, Ohio and a resident of Sarasota since 1997, Haas transacted $12 million in 2007—her rookie year in the business—and appears well on her way toward besting that in 2008, with $10 million in volume already recorded through July. Her $6.9 million sale in the Polo Club and a $3.3 million sale in The Lake Club rank as the two top residential re-sales of all time in Lakewood Ranch; and are all the more noteworthy for taking place amid the challenges of a market correction.“My interest in selling real estate grew as a direct result of the relationships I built with my interior design clients, especially my international clients. They would often seek my advice on purchasing their next home, second home or homes for their friends. After years of assisting them with these decisions, it just seemed like a natural fit to crossover into real estate,” said Haas in explaining one of the reasons behind her rapid success. “Just as I did when I was designing, I immerse myself totally in a client’s lifestyle in order to match them up with the most compatible properties.”A graduate of Ohio University, Haas was awarded a bachelor’s degree in journalism/advertising, after which she embarked on a 14-year international design career, consulting with clients across the country and in Europe. Her expertise as a designer has been frequently tapped by such major home accessory companies as Ballard Designs and The Home Shopping Network (HSN).Stacy Haas can be reached by calling (941) 587-4359; or by email at StacyHaas (at) michaelsaunders.com.About Michael Saunders & CompanyNow in its fourth decade of service to Southwest Florida, Michael Saunders & Company has grown from a single small office into a network of 16 full-service offices—with more than 500 professionally trained associates and 200 staff members. Powerful world-wide affiliations—including Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, Luxury Portfolio, Christie’s Great Estates, the European Real Estate Network (EREN) and Mayfair International Realty extend the company’s message to qualified buyers globally, ensuring the broadest possible exposure for our properties.Michael Saunders & Company is ranked as the 75th largest brokerage in the nation in the 2008 Power Broker Report compiled by RIS Media; and is included among the 35 most influential Realtors in luxury real estate.Customers of Michael Saunders & Company are assured of a comprehensive array of real estate services that will address every need and exceed all expectations. These services include commercial sales and leasing through the company’s Commercial Division, along with mortgage loan origination and full title and closing services. MSC Mortgage provides a full array of mortgage products through its partner, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage; while the expert team at MSC Title includes title examiners, processors, and closers dedicated to building on the reputation of Michael Saunders & Company for unequalled service and solutions. Backed by the underwriting strength of First American Title and Chicago title, MSC Title provides peace of mind by assuring that a buyer’s new property is free of liens and title defects. The award-winning MSC Relocation Division provides corporations with a wide range of relocation services to smooth the transition and assure immediate employee productivity in the new environment. MSC International offers buyers from around the globe the tools and instructive resources they need to make informed decisions and successful cross-border transactions.At Michael Saunders & Company, ours is a company-wide commitment to enrich the lives and culture of the communities we serve. Each year, the company makes significant contributions to more than 75 charitable, educational and cultural institutions throughout the region. These include Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota, Junior Achievement, Child Protection Center, The Dyslexia Foundation, Florida Studio Theater, Mote Marine Laboratory, Westcoast Black Theater Troupe, Manatee County Schools Foundation, Manatee Community College, University of South Florida Foundation, Education Foundation of Sarasota County, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and the Community Foundation of Sarasota.For more information about Michael Saunders & Company, please call 1-888-552-5228 or visit us on the Web at www.MichaelSaunders.com.
![Stacy Haas, who holds the record for the two most-expensive homes sold in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., recently joined Michael Saunders & Company.](http://lre-pr.s3.amazonaws.com/People/Michael_Saunders_and_Company-stacy_haas.jpg)