Introducing the All New MichaelSaunders.com

The new MichaelSaunders.com has officially debuted.  More than a year in the making, the launch marks no less than the sixth time since 2000 that the site has been completely redone to keep it engaging and relevant; and to provide a richer digital experience that functions as well on a smart phone or tablet as it does on a laptop. More Than a Makeover More than simply a makeover, the new site is the end product of a comprehensive overhaul—from the back-end technology to the front-end user experience—fueled by an updated strategy that injects a whole new dimension into local property searches.   In consultation with 1000 Watt Consulting—the country’s leading Internet strategists for the real estate industry—consumers were asked what information they most wanted from a real estate web site; then were followed-up with to determine how well the new site delivers it. Find More Than a Home

In this latest version of MichaelSaunders.com, buyers are empowered to search for properties that not only meet traditional search parameters—including square footage, price, bedroom count, etc.—but also enables them to explore housing options that best match the lifestyle aspiration that likely brought them here in the first place.  Every search, no matter what specific parameters you enter, will yield a gallery of available properties that allows you to more easily compare one to another. Unlike markets with fewer options, Southwest Florida offers a smorgasbord of living styles geared to the region’s outstanding climate, its Gulf Coast location; and amazing plethora of recreational and cultural pastimes.  Every property on the market fits into at least one of the lifestyle categories identified on the new site, which are then brought to life using high-resolution photography to depict how real people live, work and play in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties. Draw Your Dream Area The new web site also enables buyers to specify the exact boundaries of an area they would like to search using the new “click-on” pencil tool.  With the tool, you simply circle a geographic area of interest, and a gallery of all available properties in that area will conveniently pop-up. #SaundersSights Depicting how real people live, work or play in Southwest Florida is also the concept behind the new Saunders Sights campaign.  With so many lifestyle choices available to anyone contemplating a move here, the campaign invites those who have already made that decision to share their most memorable images of living along the Gulf Coast.   In other words, show us life through YOUR lens. It’s easy to do—even for new or infrequent users of social media—and you don’t have to be a professional photographer to see your lifestyle photos showcased on the new michaelsaunders.com.   Do you have a preferred spot to enjoy a sunset over the Gulf?   Or a favorite place to fish, bike, golf, dine out or enjoy a day at the beach?   Show us the photos that capture the essence of how you really live. Simply snap a picture with your smart phone, tablet or digital camera.   Then upload it to your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter account; and in the comments area, type  #SaundersSights.    Those photos judged best will be featured on the site and there is no limit to how many you can send. Visit theSaundersBlog.com/SaundersSights for more information.  Ease of Use Whether on a smart phone, tablet or laptop, to easily gather hyper-local information about Southwest Florida, its various lifestyle possibilities and a searchable collection of ALL the properties currently listed on the region’s MLS is the whole point behind the new michaelsaunders.com. Using the new site, buyers can also connect with the market’s leading local property experts to help them grasp the nuances of our market, recommend and show specific neighborhoods and properties; and ultimately assist them in achieving their purchasing goals.  If you are considering selling, you can link-up with a specialist for your neighborhood and be counseled on how to price, prepare and otherwise successfully bring your home to market. Have you been on the new website? Let us know what you think in the comments below!