My wife and I made a decision to sell our home in RiverStrand back in March of this year, and after doing some research on NextDoor we quickly realized Michael Saunders & Company in Lakewood Ranch was the best option. I called the LWR office and Ray Rausa answered my call. He was very positive and confident during our brief conversation; which led me to setup a meeting ASAP with him to come to our home and discuss our options for selling. Ray arrived on-time and was professionally dressed and provided us with lots of information regarding recent sales in our area; which allowed us to confidently arrive at a fair listing price. We knew then we had chosen the right company and person for the task of helping us sell our home. A few open houses and a couple dozen showings later we received an agreeable offer to sell our home. We were very pleased with how smoothly the process went and without surprise Ray kept us informed the entire time either by a phone call or text message. Also, whenever we had questions Ray was very easy to reach and he was able to provide us with the appropriate answers. Overall we want you to know what a great asset Ray Rausa is to your team of realtors and we would highly recommend him to friends and family looking to sell their home.
Dear Ray, We received your announcement today! We are so happy for you and wish you much success in your new endeavor! If we travel to Florida we will be sure let you and Connie (Eve) know. In the meantime, stay healthy and keep in touch! Love Annette and Andy Merlo
Very very helpful, fun to work with and answers all your questions honestly. Highly recommend Ray!
Amazing realtor! Utmost professionalism and helped me every step of the way. Thank you Ray! I will be referring you to others. Thank you, Bernice Kovalchik
"Ray has gone above and beyond with our home buying process. Since we were in Florida for only one day, he managed to show us all the homes we had picked out. Ray helped us through the whole process and best of all, he helped negiotate a great price. He is a great guy and we are very happy we worked with him."
Choosing Ray to represent us in selling our home turned out to be a GREAT choice? As most of you know, buying or selling a home is not without a certain degree of stress. From day one to the day we closed, Ray was responsive, patient, communicative, friendly and highly professional! Never did a text, voicemail or question go unanswered. A few times when stress levels peaked a bit, Ray was there as the voice of reason. His advise was spot on! We felt like we not only had a top level real estate professional working for us, but also a friend. To anyone thinking of buying or selling their home, I cannot recommend Ray enough! I promise you will not be disappointed. Thank you Ray!!!
I was lucky to have Ray Rausa as that scout and guide. Ray was the consummate professional. He knew the market; he knew the housing stock; he knew the details of title searches and inspection services. Above all, he listened carefully to my likes and dislikes. He tailored the searches to meet my needs and my hopes for the perfect home, not just a quick sale. We looked at several areas for homes that would be possible new addresses for me. At all times, Ray was supportive and helpful. And above all patient. He offered suggestions and advise. He pointed out the strengths and weaknesses of various properties. He was a real partner in the process and always was vigilant in representing my interests and welfare. Moving to a new city is fraught with unknown issues and anxieties. Ray made that process more of an adventure, not something to fear. I would recommend Ray to you without reservation. And I encourage you to seek him out!
Ray is the best realtor we have ever dealt with. He is meticulous in his attention to detail and follows the deal along from beginning to end. Ray is extremely personable and knowledgeable about the area and the market. He shares his experience readily and recommends sources for all a homeowner’s needs. We feel fortunate that Ray was recommended to us by another happy client of his and we enthusiastically recommend Ray to others.
8735 Midnight Pass Rd #106B Turtle Bay. Ray jumpstarted a stalled listing of our Siesta Key condo and drove it to success within a matter of weeks. He understood our special needs and priorities and helped us find the perfect home in Lakewood Ranch within our tight ideal timelines. We sold our condo and bought our new home on the same day. These successes are remarkable under any circumstances, yet Ray accomplished these even as the world was changing from COVID- 19. Unfailingly responsive, he gave us great personal attention. We are grateful for his help and highly recommend his services.
I just want you to know that your company’s service and attention to detail on our transaction was impeccable. That’s all thanks to Ray Rausa. He was always there when we needed him and was extremely proactive on our behalf. He is a credit to your organization.
Ray helped every inch of the way. From thoroughly showing us properties, explaining the amenities, helping with the purchase and closing process. Even sent us pictures of the house while being built. We couldn't have asked for a better broker.
Since the beginning of the process, Ray's advice, guidance, and assistance were absolutely invaluable. Early on, we were not quite ready to put our house on the market. Ray kept in touch periodically, even volunteering to help with critical shopping during the pandemic. When we made the decision "to go", Ray was immediately on the "spot". Without him, we would have found everything overwhelming. Ray kept us "sane" and on track. He arranged a high number of showings, his advice always well-grounded. He was a "joy" to work with. If we are ever in the market to buy/sell a house or recommend an agent, Ray would, by far, be our first choice.
Our experience with Ray has been more than exceptional and Ray has made our experience very satisfying. I have moved several times over the years and Ray is hands down the best realtor I have dealt with. About 5 years ago we started planning to move to Florida to enjoy all the benefits Florida has to offer. We started to self-explore Florida and focused in on central Florida. About 3 years ago we went to an open house in Lakewood Ranch, Ray was the host. We took a liking to Ray right from the beginning. Ray was friendly, open and honest and it was clear his interest was in customer service and satisfaction. Over that 3-year period, we periodically traveled to Anna Maria Island and while we were there we would meet with Ray and go over the real estate market and look at homes for sale. Ray is very knowledgeable about the area and educated us about living in the Lakewood Ranch Area and focused our interests into the goal of moving to Florida. This was a long-term process for us and Ray was very patient with our time frame. We would stay in contact periodically and Ray would send us listings to review so we could narrow our search. Last fall we made the decision to contract for a home in Lakewood Ranch. Again, Ray was exceptional in locating the right house, dealing with the builder, and get us to a closing. Once we contracted on a home Ray never stopped being part of the process. Ray spent a large amount of time on all the details including keeping us updated on the construction process with pictures and videos. It was “what ever we needed” Ray was there for us from signing to closing, whether in person, phone, text or email. Ray is the best!!!
Working with Ray to find a Florida property in the Greater Sarasota area was a phenomenal experience. He was extremely knowledgeable about the myriad areas and patiently educated me about the nuances and features of each. He patiently listened to the details of my requirements and helped me tour numerous properties. I never felt pressured or rushed and felt confident with Ray guiding me.. I eventually bought in the Lakewood Ranch area and cannot thank Ray enough for the guidance and exposure he gave me to the area. Ray is the best of the best in his business and i wholeheartedly recommend him for all your real estate needs. Thank you Ray. John and Cristina Ciatto
We had a wonderful experience with Ray! He & Noelle listened to what, we were looking for, kept our budget in mind and found us a beautiful new home.We are coming from New Jersey and what could have been a very difficult experience for us, was made much more enjoyable by Ray’s efforts to keep us updated with texts and videos.From the moment we met, we felt so comfortable that we were in the very best hands to make our dreams of a Florida home into a reality.We had such a wonderful experience with Ray that we actually had our sister and brother-in-law use him to find their new home, which he did in record time!We have bought & sold quite a few pieces of property and honestly have never had a better realtor than Ray.All the best,Daria & Chris Olson
We have worked with many Realtors in the past, but Ray went above and beyond to help us find the right home for us. We were coming from out of town and Ray worked so hard to accommodate us on our trips here....even helping with our “face-time” tour. He is the BEST and we really appreciate him! THANKS! Ron and Dayle
I wanted to write and let you know that Ray Rausa absolutely went above and beyond to help me find and purchase my Florida home. Since I have owned homes in NJ and MA in the past I was familiar with the procedures but this was the first time I was buying a house from out of state and Ray made it seem effortless. We closed on the house at the end of May, moved into it a few weeks later, and absolutely love it. With Ray's guidance and help we found the best house for our needs and had no worries along the way. Furthermore, I will absolutely recommend Ray and the Michael Saunders office to any friends and/or family that decide to move to this area in the future. Thank you Ray, for the great service and professionalism!
From the time I contacted Ray until my closing, which was pretty quick these days, he was all in and there to guide me. He always had a welcoming smile and great attitude. I felt like he had my back. Thanks Ray!!!
Ray was amazing to work with! No matter what we asked of him the answer was always “sure”! He went above and beyond to get our deal done quickly and easily. If you are looking for a realtor in Lakewood Ranch area do not hesitate to contact Ray; you will not be disappointed!!
After a positive experience working with Ray Rausa to sell our home in RiverStrand, we decided he was the right person to help us find the perfect condo/townhome for our needs. Once we provided Ray with some of our needs and wants for our next home, he quickly worked on finding us homes within our budget and location and setup showings that met our timeframe. We looked at several different neighborhoods during our search, and Ray provided lots of guidance and expertise along the way without hesitation. We ultimately decided to stay in the RiverStrand community and purchase a 4th floor condo with amazing views of the golf course and Manatee River! Ray was very helpful during the negotiation process; which helped get us an amazing deal on what could very easily be our forever home. Both my wife and I are so happy to have met Ray and feel very pleased with the outcomes from using him to help sell our prior home and purchase our current home. Ray truly is a great realtor and we wish him continued success at Michael Saunders & Company.
Ray was a consummate professional, very knowledgeable of the overall market as well as the Sarasota area. We found the house of our dreams! It was a quick and efficient transaction, which he managed very well.
Ray Rausa is the best real estate agent we have ever worked with! He is extremely personable. He gives you his full attention when you are with him. Ray is very knowledgeable about Lakewood Ranch and its environs. We spent a few years deciding where in the Sarasota area we were going to settle. Ray never lost his enthusiasm while he expertly guided us through several different areas. We ultimately decided on a new build in Lakewood Ranch. Not only did Ray help us pick out our lot and guide us through the contract but he also accompanied us through the design phase of our project. We felt so much better having Ray by our side as we navigated all the details. Mitch and I can attest to Ray Rausa’s commitment to his clients. So much so, that I would also like to call him my friend. Sincerely, Joanne and Mitch Greene
I have purchased several homes in my lifetime, but I’ve never had an incredible experience as Ray and his team provided for us throughout the entire process.
Ray is extremely smart, personable and detail oriented, all qualities that make him rise above most others in the business. He leaves no stone unturned, ensures that you understand all documents and is with you EVERY step of the buying and selling process to have your best interest at heart. We would recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell property. Those we have already recommended him to have been highly impressed with his skills and integrity. Ray is the consummate professional!
My wife and I made a decision to sell our home in RiverStrand back in March of this year, and after doing some research on NextDoor we quickly realized Michael Saunders & Company in Lakewood Ranch was the best option. I called the LWR office and Ray Rausa answered my call. He was very positive and confident during our brief conversation; which led me to set up a meeting ASAP with him to come to our home and discuss our options for selling. Ray arrived on-time and was professionally dressed and provided us with lots of information regarding recent sales in our area; which allowed us to confidently arrive at a fair listing price. We knew then we had chosen the right company and person for the task of helping us sell our home. A few open houses and a couple of dozen showings later we received an agreeable offer to sell our home. We were very pleased with how smoothly the process went and without surprise Ray kept us informed the entire time either by a phone call or text message. Also, whenever we had questions Ray was very easy to reach and he was able to provide us with the appropriate answers. Overall we want you to know what a great asset Ray Rausa is to your team of realtors and we would highly recommend him to friends and family looking to sell their home.
Need an excellent Real Estate Broker them this is your guy, hard working and was always available.
Ray made our out of state buying experience very easy and memorable! He is organized, on top of every detail and communicates effectively. Ray went above and beyond our expectations by examining each house as if a family member was making the purchase!
We have moved many times all over Florida and also in other states. We have never worked with an agent as professional, knowledgeable, and personable as Ray.He is smart and was very conscious of protecting our investment. We ended up buying a unit that we had never seen in person. Ray had taken us on a total FaceTime tour, pointing out everything from the overall plan to the dates on the inspections of the water heater and air conditioner! What a guy!
Ray is the best... nothing else to say!!
Excellent experience with Ray Rausa during the entire home buying process! 5 star rating and we would give 100 star rating if possible. Ray is so professional, helpful, informative, kind, and truly goes above and beyond and provides superior service and support. Ray made a sometimes stressful and difficult situation in a most supportive manner, it was tremendously helpful and appreciated. Ray will return your calls and answer your questions immediately!!!!! Simply the best!!
We had the absolute pleasure of working with Ray Rausa for the purchase of our home in Sarasota, Florida! The entire process, from our first meeting to the final transaction, was extradinarily smooth and delightfully personable. We could reach Ray at anytime and he kept us informed on every critical detail in a prompt and courteous manner. Beyond that, Ray was simply outstanding in the negotiation process and got us exactly what we were looking for, for exactly what we wanted to pay. He was able to accomplish all of this despite a volitile and competitive marketplace. Since our purchase, my wife and I have kept a diligent watch on prices and market conditions and can confidently say that we are 100% satisfied with our purchase. Ray and his superior network of specialists dealt with all of the related home buying processes, from inspections and loan approval to moving services and home improvement. Ray is a hands-on, highly motivated professional and to say that we would use him again is a promise!
After a positive experience working with Ray Rausa to sell our home in RiverStrand, we decided he was the right person to help us find the perfect condo/townhome for our needs. Once we provided Ray with some of our needs and wants for our next home, he quickly worked on finding us homes within our budget and location and setup showings that met our timeframe. We looked at several different neighborhoods during our search, and Ray provided lots of guidance and expertise along the way without hesitation. We ultimately decided to stay in the RiverStrand community and purchase a 4th-floor condo with amazing views of the golf course and Manatee River! Ray was very helpful during the negotiation process; which helped get us an amazing deal on what could very easily be our forever home. Both my wife and I are so happy to have met Ray and feel very pleased with the outcomes from using him to help sell our prior home and purchase our current home. Ray truly is a great realtor and we wish him continued success at Michael Saunders & Company.
I do not normally take the time to write reviews or provide feedback, however our experience with Ray so far exceeded our expectations that I feel I must let you know. We began looking for a home in late-April and were very casually looking and trying to get a sense of what was available, what we could afford, and which neighborhoods we were interested in. From the beginning, Ray was incredibly patient, kind, knowledgeable, and accommodating. As first time home buyers, it took us some time to figure out what we wanted and needed and we feel very fortunate to have had Ray helping us along the way. Despite the chaos of the housing market during the pandemic, Ray made our home buying process simple, seamless, and straightforward. During the negotiating process, Ray provided guidance and professional advice, but never pushed us or coaxed us into proceeding as he recommended. When our timeline for our purchase shifted, Ray was available whenever we needed him and gave us what felt like his undivided attention. We were successfully able to offer, negotiate, and close on our home in less than 30 days. Even after closing, when we had questions regarding our home warranty and items accidentally taken from the home by the sellers, Ray was available and willing to assist. You have a true gem in Ray.Everyone we interacted with at Michael Saunders Co. was friendly, welcoming, and committed to providing a high-quality client experience. We will not hesitate to recommend Ray Rausa and Michael Saunders Co. to our friends and family looking to purchase or sell a home in the Sarasota/Bradenton area.Olivia and Cameron
Ray Rausa is phenomenal! At my age (73), I have worked with many realtors and Ray stands above the rest! Ray made the sale of my home a pleasurable experience. He went above and beyond the call of duty always with a smile and sense of humor. The best part of working with Ray is he knows the Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota/Bradenton real estate markets. He also knows his numbers and is realistic about current market conditions. He is honest and forthright. He made my selling experience seamless and actually enjoyable! Thank you, Ray! Thank you Michael Saunders for having Ray as part of your team!
Ray is hardworking, experienced, knowledgable, responsive, and very thorough! What more could you want from a realtor? Good work Ray!
Just wanted to drop you a quick note letting you know how pleased I was with Ray Rausa, my agent, in handling the sale of my parent's home. Right from the get-go, Ray hit the road running. He had some great selling suggestions, kept me very well informed of all activity and great assistance with applicable paperwork as well as renos/repairs we had done to the house. This all led to a quick sale at a fair price. Living in SC during the entire process, it was a tremendous comfort knowing Ray was working hard and constantly looking out for our family's best interests.
Realtor Ray Rausa is true professional! He is smart and extremely responsive. I appreciated how he followed my home purchase process every step of the way — from showing to closing — to ensure nothing was missed. I’ve engaged him to sell my former home, too, and look forward to his excellent service for the sale.
Ray is an excellent agent who Incorporates his financial expertise with his strong knowledge of the local real estate market and his enthusiasm for serving his customers. We enjoyed working with him as he really goes above and beyond. A true gem in the industry!
Buying a new house or selling an old one can be a trying and anxious time. There are many challenges, considerations and choices to be made. There are financial arrangements, details of utility service, inspections, and histories. Does the roof leak? Does the water service function properly? Is there gas or propane service? All the sense of security and comfort in one’s home is suddenly challenged in many directions simultaneously. One needs a guide, a scout if you will, to help you through this process with assurance and skill. I was lucky to have Ray Rausa as that scout and guide. Ray was the consummate professional. He knew the market; he knew the housing stock; he knew the details of title searches and inspection services. Above all, he listened carefully to my likes and dislikes. He tailored the searches to meet my needs and my hopes for the perfect home, not just a quick sale. We looked at several areas for homes that would be possible new addresses for me. At all times, Ray was supportive and helpful. And above all patient. He offered suggestions and advise. He pointed out the strengths and weaknesses of various properties. He was a real partner in the process and always was vigilant in representing my interests and welfare. Moving to a new city is fraught with unknown issues and anxieties. Ray made that process more of an adventure, not something to fear. I would recommend Ray to you without reservation. And I encourage you to seek him out!
Ray was very informative and patient with me as a first time home buyer. He spent time educating me on the various types of mortgages, resale/new construction options, closing costs, and ongoing taxes / fees. On several occasions Ray advocated on my behalf for to make sure I was treated fairly by the seller. Ray took the time to understand my lifestyle and preferences to find my family the perfect home!
Ray is the ultimate professional. He pays attention to every detail in his approach to the client and listens intently to the clients wishes and concerns. Ray also takes the time to monitor every stage of the sale, including checking that all is going well after closing. His personality is positive and approachable. Highly recommend Ray Rausa, will definitely use again as my agent.
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