Realtor groups close deal on merger

Realtors in Sarasota and Manatee counties have made it official: The Sarasota Association of Realtors and the Manatee Association of Realtors will merge into one organization.

The merger, according to a release, will take effect Jan. 1, 2015. The new group will be called the Suncoast Realtor Association, pending the approval of the National Association of Realtors. The organization will combine the membership of both associations, which is currently around 5,250 Realtors and nearly 500 business partners. The boards of directors of both associations will serve out their terms through Dec. 31.

“The overwhelming approval for the merger indicates that this is a move whose time has come,” SAR President Peter Crowley says in the statement. “Members understand that Sarasota and Manatee counties operate as one market and that it makes sense to pool our resources.”

Officials in both associations previously said they believed a merger would give area Realtors more clout in the region and state. Both groups will retain their respective facilities after the merger, but there will be several new elements including a new budget, logo and website. The combined group will also have new volunteer committees and a new slate of officers and directors.

Stafford Starcher with RE/MAX Alliance Group was named president of the new organization. Other officers include: Linda Formella with Keller Williams Realty Manatee; Xena Vallone of Xena Vallone Realty; and Greg Owens with Keller Williams on the Water.