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Architecture, Art, Augmented Reality, Business, Community, COVID-19, Education, Real Estate

Sotheby’s International Realty Sees 32% Sales Growth and Achieves Record $150 Billion in Global Sales Volume as 2020 Changes Definition of Home Luxury Real Estate Brand’s

Sotheby’s International Realty is pleased to announce that its affiliated brokers and independent sales professionals achieved a record US$150 billion in 2020 global sales volume, a nearly 32% increase in sales growth year over year, as the definition of home changed for consumers around the world. Due to a longstanding commitment to innovation, Sotheby’s International Realty® agents were able to seamlessly help clients navigate the changing market dynamics brought on by the global pandemic with existing technology offerings which propelled business momentum. 

“Agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty quickly pivoted to address the impact of the global pandemic,” said Philip White, president and CEO of Sotheby’s International Realty. “Thanks to innovations we pioneered nearly a decade ago, our affiliated companies and agents made the impossible possible. Their adaptability to serve clients safely further extended our position as a leader in luxury real estate.” 

Long-Standing Commitment to Virtual Technology Paved Way for Success 

Sotheby’s International Realty continued to lead the industry and was well-positioned to meet the needs of consumers as the buying and selling process became increasingly virtual. Sotheby’s International Realty agents accelerated the use of the brand’s existing video, virtual reality, and live-streaming technology to produce new forms of content that engaged buyers and set a new standard for marketing luxury properties. Currently, buyers can safely tour more than 6,000 properties via virtual reality or video on sothebysrealty.com. Property videos also proved engaging on social media where the brand’s YouTube channel delivered 43 million views, or the equivalent of more than one million hours watched. 

“As a leader in the luxury real estate industry, Sotheby’s International Realty is able to anticipate trends,” said Chief Marketing Officer, Bradley Nelson. “Our priority remains to present listings in the best possible manner and to provide a superb end-user experience however buyers prefer to search for their new home. Virtual technology has been at the forefront of our marketing strategy for several years and comes as naturally to us as our commitment to high quality service.” 

The brand also unveiled a new website, sothebysrealty.com, available in 14 languages and nearly 60 currency conversions, to continue serving its growing international clientele and fuel referrals worldwide. The website achieved a notable amount of traffic for the brand with 37 million visits in 2020. Property videos on the site produced by Sotheby’s International Realty agents were especially popular and played nearly 13 million times in 2020, totaling more than 90,000 hours watched. 

A Year of Strategic Growth and Record Achievements 

Despite travel restrictions, Sotheby’s International Realty remained committed to expanding its global footprint and achieving strategic growth. In 2020, the brand opened more than 50 new offices across the world, bringing the brand’s total presence to nearly 1,000 offices in 75 countries and territories with approximately 24,000 independent sales associates worldwide. 

The brand’s existing affiliated companies around the world continued to grow in 2020. Sotheby’s International Realty increased its total domestic presence to 45 states around the country. Sotheby’s International Realty facilitated affiliate expansions through 12 domestic M&A transactions, including California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, and Washington. 

The brand also continued to expand internationally in key markets and opened offices in seven new territories. In Europe, the brand expanded to Ukraine, Romania, Montenegro, and in Germany. In the Asia-Pacific region, the brand opened its first office in South Korea and expanded in the Caribbean and Latin American region with two new offices in Paraguay and Antigua & Barbuda. 

“Our international footprint is one of our greatest competitive advantages,” said Tammy Fahmi, vice president, global operations and international servicing. “Our brand’s locations are in the most desirable places around the globe, so our clients know they can rely on our local market expertise wherever they are looking to buy or sell.” 

As affluent individuals looked to acquire secondary homes in markets around the world, Sotheby’s International Realty agents acted as true global real estate advisors and referral volume surged by 42% to US$2.9 billion in closed sales volume. 

“Our 2020 results prove what is possible when you focus on quality above all else. We remain proud to be the real estate brand of choice for so many luxury real estate experts and affluent clients. We will continue to work tirelessly to prove their trust has been well placed,” concluded White.

February 25, 2021 by
Architecture, Art, Augmented Reality, Business, Community, COVID-19, Education, Entertainment, Life, Multi Purpose, Real Estate

February Newsletter

The Sotheby’s International Realty® 2021 Luxury Outlook is a deep-dive into high-end residential markets across the globe, reflecting on an unprecedented year for real estate and global wealth. The report looks at what’s in store for some of the world’s primary and secondary markets as well as the wealth trends that will drive discretionary investment in the coming months. Read more
Sotheby’s Masters Week Auctions in New York achieved $95.4 million across an exciting week of four live auctions and a successful online auction. Nearly half of all sold lots exceeded their high estimates and 15 lots exceeded $1 million. The Master Paintings Evening Sale realized $61.1 million making it the highest total for a Master Paintings Sale at Sotheby’s New York since 2012 and setting 7 new auction records.  Read more
It’s been a long year, so we have good reason to rejoice when thinking of the interior design trends coming up in 2021. From the growing importance of sustainable materials to elegant elements and a celebration of individuality and uniqueness, our 2021 trend edit will provide you with a curated look that will bring your home into the New Year with sensational style. Read more
Amazon dropped big announcements this week. In the span of 24 hours, its CEO, Jeff Bezos, revealed he’ll be stepping down from his role later this year. Then the corporate giant unveiled its plan for its second headquarters to be built in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. The 2.8 million-square-foot HQ2, PenPlace, will transform Arlington’s skyline. Designed by global architecture firm NBBJ, who led the design of Amazon’s Seattle headquarters, PenPlace is the next step of Amazon’s expansion. Read more
Although some countries have reopened their borders, many travellers are still unable to venture out during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. This has forced tourism industries to rethink how they can promote tourist attractions online. One way of getting tourists to travel abroad from the comfort of their own homes is through virtual reality (VR) technology and 360-degree videography. We round up the best virtual travel tours and online travel experiences that can be enjoyed online right now. Read more
It’s been a long time since most of us have used our dining rooms for one of their intended purposes—hosting a good old-fashioned dinner party. At some point later this year, we hope, gatherings like this will be possible, but until they are, we know that you could use a little inspiration in the meantime. (And you can always “host” your own intimate gathering without inviting guests, right?) Here, we’ve gathered 15 of our absolute favorite dining rooms from the pages of ELLE Decor over the past year—each and every one is memorable in its own way and will leave you wanting more. So grab your best china and silver and get ready to set the table—we hope these 15 stunning displays of style and flair will help bring you some cheer until we’re all back together in the dining room. Read more
We often create these “grazing boards” for family dinners, but of course, they’re absolutely perfect for parties and occasions. Even my daughter helps add her favorite foods to the boards for snacks. 
Speaking of occasions, Courtney Whitmore of PIZZAZZERIE created a Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board to share! I’m absolutely tickled pink with how it turned out, and I’ve decided it will be a Valentine’s Day tradition. Read more
February 7, 2021 by
Architecture, Art, Augmented Reality, Business, COVID-19, Education, Entertainment, Inspiration, Life, Technology

5 Incredible Places You Can Visit Virtual Right Now

with Sotheby’s International Realty

It’s summertime and you may have had travel plans that got canceled or postponed. Staying home doesn’t mean that you can’t still be well traveled; from UNESCO World Heritage sites like Machu Picchu to world-class zoos and aquariums, here are five incredible places you can visit right now from the comfort of your own home.

Machu Picchu

The first stop on our virtual vacation is the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu in southern Peru. Built in the 15th century, you can tour the citadel ruins and restorations with guided audio to give you important details along the way.

The Georgia Aquarium

Did you know that some studies show that visiting an aquarium can relieve stress? Featured on Animal Planet’s hit show “The Aquarium,” bring the Georgia Aquarium into your living room with one of its many live tank cams and relax as you watch colorful fish, otters, reptiles, and more.

Arches National Park

The United States is home to many wonderous national parks – more than 400 in total. With the help of Google Earth, travel the deserts of Utah and see Arches National Park where you can virtually walk through some of the more than 2,000 sandstone arches that are the area’s namesake.

The San Diego Zoo

Looking for some one-on-one time with your favorite exotic animal? The San Diego Zoo in California has you covered. With 11 live camera feeds you can spend hours with pandas, tigers, giraffes, penguins and more.

The Great Pyramid and Great Sphinx of Giza

One is the only true remaining ancient wonder of the world and the other is an iconic ancient Egyptian structure. We of course, are talking about the Great Pyramid and Great Sphinx of Giza. Through Google Earth’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites project, these are just two of the 30 significant places you can visit.

July 12, 2020 by
Architecture, Augmented Reality, Real Estate, Technology

Sotheby’s International Realty Launches Virtual Staging Augmented Reality App: One of the First Experiences Built with Google’s ARCore

Curate by Sotheby’s International Realty, powered by roOomy, Revolutionizes the Homebuying and Selling Experience for Sales Associates and Consumers

MADISON, N.J.  – Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC today announced the launch of Curate by Sotheby’s International Realty(sm), a mobile augmented reality (AR) app that will bring a home’s virtual staging images from 2-D perception into augmented reality; the app was built with ARCore, Google’s AR Software platform, and is powered by roOomy, the leading virtual staging technology platform specializing in 3D/AR/VR content creation and application development. Curate by Sotheby’s International Realty allows consumers to visualize a house as their own before purchase, thereby curating the homebuying experience. Working closely with Google in the run up to ARCore’s release, the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand is the first real estate brand to launch and implement a virtual staging AR app, transforming the homebuying and selling experience for sales associates and consumers.

Curate by Sotheby’s International Realty is taking virtually staged images from a flat, 2-D screen into the house itself through the power of AR. The app also features a curated selection of AR interior designs, ranging from modern living rooms to traditional dining rooms that provides the consumer with the opportunity to immediately swap among these styles, something physical staging could never accomplish.

For video and images of the app in use, as well as quotes, click here. If you have one of Google’s ARCoreenabled mobile devices, download the app here.

Curate by Sotheby’s International Realty app features:

  • Visualization – Any property can be transformed through a curated selection of AR furnishings and décor sets. Listing-specific staging options will be available in the near future.
  • Recollection – The app has screenshot capabilities, allowing viewers to capture and store the images of AR furniture sets placed within the visit.
  • Shop – Virtual home furnishings can be clicked for more information about the product, including a link to exit the app and be directed to a retailer’s website. All furniture is shown to-scale and provides accurate room dimensions; ensuring furniture viewed in the app will be a fit, making purchasing and moving into a new home easier on new home buyers.

Curate by Sotheby’s International Realty app benefits: Research has shown that an AR experience allows consumers to form more accurate expectations, therefore increasing confidence in purchasing decisions and shortening the sales cycle.1

  • For prospective homebuyers – Viewing a potential house in AR breaks down visualization barriers that often accompany the homebuying process, allowing prospective homebuyers the unique ability to envision the house in their personal taste and style. Curate by Sotheby’s International Realty offers 1 Harvard Business Review, A Manager’s Guide to Augmented Reality, November-December 2017 issue the opportunity for buyers to ultimately see a house as their own home, increasing confidence in any purchasing decisions.
  • For home sellers / Sotheby’s International Realty clients – Selling a home with a Sotheby’s International Realty sales associate means tapping into the power of AR to sell the home by helping prospective buyers overcome the visualization barriers of touring an empty home or one decorated in style that differs from their taste.
  • For the Sotheby’s International Realty sales associate – The benefits for the sales associate are similar to those of the homebuyer and seller; Curate by Sotheby’s International Realty empowers the sales associate to present a home in an objective and neutral manner. The app also alleviates the need for sales associates to physically stage homes, allowing them to save money on the costs of either renting or buying and storing furniture.

Curate by Sotheby’s International Realty is available now for download in the Google Play Store. The app was built with Google’s ARCore, which can run on 100 million Android devices worldwide. The Sotheby’s International Realty brand will launch Curate by Sotheby’s International Realty for iOS this spring through a continued partnership with roOomy.

1 Harvard Business Review, A Manager’s Guide to Augmented Reality, November-December 2017 issue

March 20, 2018 by