The Keyes Company Expands Southwest Florida Presence into Bradenton and Sarasota

Florida’s largest independent real estate firm welcomes Florida SunCoast Real Estate Bradenton and Signature Premier Properties Sarasota

Bradenton, Fla. | Dec. 10th, 2024 – The Keyes Company, Florida’s largest independent real estate firm, established a significant presence in the Sarasota and Bradenton market with the arrival of Florida SunCoast Real Estate Bradenton and Signature Premier Properties Sarasota. Following these additions, Keyes will operate its first Bradenton office at 417 Main Street Bradenton and Sarasota office at 1433 Main St. – a prime location within these cities.

“We are thrilled to welcome these two best-in-class real estate firms to the Keyes family,” Keyes President Christina Pappas said. “Florida SunCoast Real Estate Bradenton & Signature Premier Properties Sarasota enable us to make an impactful debut in a pivotal market that continues to experience incredible growth and demand. Both firms share our commitment to personal, hands-on service and the belief that connection and community is at the heart of real estate.”

(L-R) Christina Pappas, Barry Grooms (co-owner of Florida SunCoast), Sherry Grooms (co-owner of Florida SunCoast), Shannon Cooley, Steve Reibel, Mike Pappas

Founded in 2016 in Bradenton, Florida SunCoast Real Estate prides itself on professionalism, flexibility and providing a holistic customer experience for customers across Manatee and Sarasota County. It is co-owned by Barry and Sherry Grooms, who have a combined 50 years of industry experience.

Barry Grooms is a past President of Florida Realtors the state’s largest trade organization, Sherry Grooms has held numerous industry leadership positions, including as President of the Manatee Association of Realtors and Network President of the Women’s Council of Realtors Manatee. The couple is also deeply involved in community and civic organizations.

In conjunction with Florida SunCoast’s arrival, Barry Grooms will become the Southwest Florida Regional Manager of Keyes. He will help Keyes leadership identify additional firm merger opportunities and recruit top associates in the region.

“Like Keyes, we are a family-owned brokerage that puts people first,” Grooms said. “We were attracted to Keyes due to its unmatched reputation earned over nearly a century of service, market-leading technology and support for agents, and community impact.”

(L-R) Mike Pappas, Kathy Curd, Wendi Iglesias, Jackie Viard, Caitlyn Morris, Peter Morris (co-owner of Signature), Deidre Severine, Christina Pappas, Steve Reibel

Signature Premier Properties Sarasota is an affiliate of New York-based Signature Premier Properties, a Long Island market leader co-owned by Peter Morris and Kathleen Viard. The Sarasota firm has 60 agents, including a strong contingent of New York transplants who leverage their relationships in both markets for the benefit of their buyers and sellers. Signature’s Kathy Curd will serve as Sales Manager of the new Keyes Sarasota office.

“Keyes is the perfect partner to allow us to build upon our momentum since launching the Sarasota brokerage a few years ago,” Viard said. “The Sarasota market continues to see the New York relocation activity that started during the pandemic. Our New York roots and relationships help our agents produce optimal results for their clients.” help our agents produce optimal results for their clients.” 

“Our track record of successful partnerships is creating exciting new opportunities across Florida,” Keyes Senior Vice President Steven Reibel said. “We are actively engaging with broker/owners who recognize the advantages of collaboration, as the evolving industry landscape creates new opportunities for boutique brokerages to thrive by joining forces.”

About The Keyes Company: Independently-owned and operated since 1926, The Keyes Company is a leader in the real estate industry. The Keyes Family of Companies, along with its network of partner brokerages comprises 58 offices, more than 3,600 Associates and closed over $10 billion in annual real estate sales and services in 2022. Keyes’ offices are distributed throughout seven counties – Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Volusia, and Lee. Keyes expands our Associates’ reach globally as a Founding Member and Shareholder of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, the world’s largest network of independent brokerages, and Member of the exclusive Forbes Global Properties network. The Keyes Company offers a suite of resources to cover whatever needs arise while buying or selling a home. Mortgage, title, insurance and property management needs are all be managed in-house, allowing Keyes Realtors® to close deals with speed and efficiency while giving clients valuable access to the professionals responsible for the specific service lines.

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