LAKELAND, FL, January 29, 2025 - For nearly 30 years, Saunders Real Estate has served as a trusted partner in land and commercial real estate across the Southeast. Over the past year, this legacy provided great success to its clients and business partners, branching into new markets and achieving record numbers for the company.
“Our approach to real estate centers on creating value for our clients through meaningful relationships, expert market knowledge, and strategic growth,” said Dean Saunders, ALC, CCIM, Founder and Managing Director of Saunders Real Estate. “Our success over the past year–from expansion into new markets to record-setting transactions–is proof that this approach works, and we’re only just getting started.”
Saunders Real Estate brokered over $818,815,000 in real estate transactions in 2024. These transactions encompass 75,404 acres of land and 608,857 square feet of commercial space. Over the past ten years, Saunders Real Estate has transacted over $4,400,000,000 in real estate and over 984,000 acres of land.
The top ten deals of 2024 are listed below in order of sale price:
Top 10 Sales from 2024
- South Lake Toho Development Tract ($110,000,000) 3,229 acres of commercial development land in Osceola County, Florida, was brokered by Dean Saunders and Dusty Calderon.
- Martin County Farm ($65,651,500) 3,750 acres of farmland in Martin County, Florida, was brokered by Trent Saunders.
- South Florida Farmland ($40,000,000) 1,929.5 acres of farmland in Martin County, Florida, was brokered by Trent Saunders and Keat Waldron.
- Creek Ranch Conservation Easement ($36,108,050) This 1,343-acre conservation easement in Polk County, Florida, was brokered by Dean Saunders and Jeremiah Thompson.
- Sod Farm Hall St ($35,000,000) 3,448 acres of farmland in Osceola County, Florida, was brokered by Trent Saunders and Dusty Calderon.
- Gopher Ridge ($33,500,000) 5,509 acres of citrus groves in Collier County, Florida, was brokered by Trent Saunders, Dean Saunders, and Paul Meador.
- Holopaw Grove ($32,250,000) 2,200 acres of farmland in Osceola County, Florida, was brokered by Jeff Cusson.
- Cypress Gardens Conservation Easement ($20,040,000) This 1,276-acre conservation easement in Polk County, Florida, was brokered by Dean Saunders, Eric Ammon, and Craig Morby.
- Phillips Forest ($16,143,248) 3,668.92 acres of timberland in Columbia County, Florida, was brokered by Tony Wallace and Dean Saunders.
- Diamond Z Ranch ($15,069,068) 1,422 acres of ranchland in Manatee County, Florida, was brokered by Benjamin Gibson, Trent Saunders, and Jeff Cusson.
Since the beginning, Saunders Real Estate has built its foundation on preserving the natural and agricultural resources that define the state. By offering conservation easement services, the company supports landowners to protect their properties while maintaining ownership and enjoying tax benefits. While combining deep expertise in land transactions with a passion for environmental stewardship, land advisors at Saunders Real Estate supported the conservation of over 10,224 acres of Florida land in 2024 alone.
Georgia operations gained great momentum, with its land advisors selling over 5,000 acres in 2024, a testament to the firm’s growing presence in the region. Building on this success, Saunders Real Estate also launched its first-ever Lay of the Land Georgia Market Report which was revealed at the inaugural Lay of the Land Georgia Conference earlier last year. These market reports are unique resources that empower landowners to make informed decisions, offering verified sales data and a reliable overview and real estate analysis of the land market.
In 2024, Saunders Real Estate expanded its land brokerage operations into Arkansas with the opening of a new office in Fayetteville. This move marked a significant milestone as our company continues to extend its footprint across the Southeast. Plans to release a Lay of the Land Arkansas Market Report are also in the works, reflecting a commitment to serving landowners and investors in some of the region’s most dynamic and profitable markets.
On the commercial real estate front, the firm's property management division achieved a 53% year-over-year revenue growth with its commercial property managers now overseeing 2,300,000 square feet of space across Central Florida. Saunders Real Estate achieved a 39% increase in commercial leasing activity in 2024 - a strong indicator of the firm’s growth and expansion in Orlando and Tampa.
“The commercial real estate sector is evolving rapidly, and we’ve positioned ourselves at the forefront by delivering exceptional service and results for our clients,” said Lauren Ralston Smith, CCIM, CPM, Property Management Director of Saunders Real Estate. “Our expansion into new markets and growth along the I-4 corridor have been key drivers of success in 2024, and will continue into the years to come.”
“Every property we transact represents a partnership with the owner, and our growth this year shows the value of those relationships,” said Tyler Davis, ALC, President of Saunders Real Estate. “As we expand into new markets, we remain focused on delivering exceptional service and results for every client we serve.”
Now, with over 125 expert land and commercial real estate advisors across the Southeast, Saunders Real Estate has great plans to continue its strategic growth into 2025 and beyond. From opening an office in Tampa to growing its land brokerage in markets like Alabama and North Carolina, the firm remains committed to providing exceptional results for each client while maintaining its values of trust, expertise, and legacy stewardship.
About Saunders Real Estate
Saunders Real Estate is a leading land and commercial real estate brokerage serving buyers,
sellers, investors, and landowners across the Southeastern United States for nearly 30 years. With over 125 advisors and offices in major U.S. markets, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia, the firm specializes in large-acreage land transactions, commercial property sales and leasing, and property management.
To reflect its legacy and continued growth, Saunders Real Estate operates through two divisions—Saunders Land and Saunders Commercial. The firm's expertise spans agriculture, conservation, recreation, residential development, and commercial real estate, supported by specialized services such as forestry, land management, and investment acquisitions.
Today, Saunders Real Estate is recognized as a trusted authority in the region, delivering
exceptional results through experienced leadership, innovative strategies, and a client-focused
approach.