SVN Saunders Ralston Dantzler

Dean Saunders

Founder, Managing Director & Senior Advisor

863.774.3522 dean@svn.com

Dean Saunders, ALC, CCIM is Founder, Managing Director and Senior Advisor at SVN | Saunders Ralston Dantzler Real Estate in Lakeland, Florida.

Since 1985, Dean has specialized in Florida land and conservation easements. He served in the US Senate as Agricultural Liaison, Special Assistant, and Director of External Affairs to US Senator Lawton Chiles, then Governor Chiles (D-FL).

From 1992 to 1996 he served in the Florida House of Representatives, where his strong passion for supporting landowner property rights and conserving the integrity of a property’s natural resources culminated in his authorship of groundbreaking conservation legislation.

He comes from an eighth-generation Florida agricultural family, earned a BSA from the University of Florida in Fruit Crops, Food and Resource Economics, and is a recognized Florida land and conservation easement authority.

In 1996, Dean formed the real estate brokerage firm as Saunders Real Estate, LLC and affiliated with the Coldwell Banker Commercial brand in early 2006. This affiliation brought a national and global presence to the firm.

In 2019, Saunders Real Estate affiliated with the SVN Shared Value Network®, a globally recognized commercial real estate brand united by a shared vision of creating value with clients, colleagues and communities. The brokerage also more fully integrated with its sister company, Saunders Ralston Dantzler Realty, a comprehensive commercial real estate brokerage, to become SVN | Saunders Ralston Dantzler Real Estate.

Dean receives significant recognition for exemplary sales performance and industry leadership.

• In 2019, he was elected to serve as the REALTORS® Land Institute (RLI) 2020 National Vice President and will become the organization's President in 2022.
• In 2019, he was named one of Florida Trend’s Florida 500 for his work in the real estate industry based on extensive contacts in regional business circles, hundreds of interviews, and months of research, and are considered Florida’s most distinguished industry leaders.
• In 2018, he was awarded the APEX Top National Producer Award, being recognized as the highest-producing agent in the country for land sales based on qualifying production volume.
• He has earned the #1 Sales Professional annual recognition in the Coldwell Banker Commercial affiliate network five times, most recently in 2018.
• He led the company to Coldwell Banker Commercial’s highest honor, the Commercial Elite annual award for outstanding company sales performance and customer service 14 times.
• He was recognized as the Florida Realtor® of the Year by the Realtors® Land Institute (RLI).
• In 2003, Saunders was selected by the National Association of Realtor®, along with Alan Greenspan, then four-term chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, as one of the exclusive nine “Notables.” As a Notable, Dean was considered by his peers to be among the influential in real estate nationally.
• He worked on one of the largest land transactions in Florida’s history brokering 80,000 acres in the Florida Panhandle for $565,000,000

Dean serves on the advisory board of the Bergstrom Real Estate School at the University of Florida, where he contributes to the professionalism and education in the real estate industry. Dean is a member Realtor® of the Lakeland Association of Realtors®, among others, including the Central Florida Commercial Association of Realtors® and the Florida Gulf Coast Commercial Association of Realtors®.

He is the former chair of the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), which oversaw nearly 200,000 real estate licensees in 2001 and is past president of the Florida Chapter of Realtors® Land Institute (RLI). Dean served as Chairman of the Legislative Committee for RLI and on the Board of Directors of RLI. He also served on the Board of Directors for Alico, Inc.

As an industry authority, Dean is published and quoted in a variety of respected journals, such as The Land Report, Florida Investor, Florida Trend, and Florida Forests. He authored the benchmark, award-winning consumer publication, “We Create Solutions: A Primer on Conservation Easements” and produces a real estate Florida land conference based upon his innovative work through the Lay of the Land Market Report. The report is the only source for verified Florida land sales and values for specific land property types.

Dean resides in Lakeland, FL with wife, Gina, and their four children and is an avid hunter with numerous trophy mounts. Each year, the Saunders family commissions an original painting to add to The Saunders Collection: Natural Lands of Florida and Agricultural Heritage from well-known Florida wildlife artists.

DISCIPLINES

Agricultural Land
Legacy Ranches, Large Acreage Land
Ranchland, Recreational Land, Pastureland
Citrus Groves
Timberland
Conservation Easements
Florida Land Values & Verified Sales Analysis
Creator and Publisher of the Lay of the Land Market Report of verified Florida land values
Producer of the Lay of the Land Florida Land Conference
Author of “We Create Solutions: A Primer on Conservation Easements”

CREDENTIALS

Accredited Land Consultant with Realtors Land Institute (ALC), Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM)

AWARDS

2019 Florida Trend “Florida 500” Honoree
APEX 2018 Top National Producer Award
2018 APEX Broker of The Year in the Ag Land Sales – Ranches
APEX 2018 Largest ALC-to-ALC Transaction Award
APEX 2018 Top 20 Producer by the Realtors® Land Institute
Coldwell Banker Commercial - Commercial Elite Office – Top 15 Global: 2018-2010; 2008- 2006
#3 in the Top 5 Sales Professionals – among 3,000 Commercial Banker Commercial professionals
Coldwell Banker Commercial - #1 office Florida – 2018-2011, 2008-2006
The Land Report's America’s Best Brokerages – Best Land Brokers Nationwide – 2018-2010
Realtors® Land Institute (RLI) APEX Top Twenty Producer Award – 2018, 2017
The Land Report's Timberland Deal of the Year – 2014
MerComm, Inc. Marketing Awards – Galaxy Award for 21-page pamphlet “We Create Solutions for Landowners” Conservation Easement, authored by Dean Saunders - 2002
MerComm, Inc. Marketing Awards – Mercury Award for 21-page pamphlet “We Create Solutions for Landowners” Conservation Easement, authored by Dean Saunders
Commercial Banker Commercial - #1 Sales Professional North America – 2018, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2006
Commercial Banker Commercial - Top 2% – 2016-2006
Commercial Banker Commercial - Circle of Distinction Platinum – 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006
Commercial Banker Commercial - Circle of Distinction Gold – 2013
Commercial Banker Commercial - Circle of Distinction Bronze – 2009
Commercial Banker Commercial - #1 Sales Professional in the State of Florida – 2016-2015, 2011, 2010, 2008
Commercial Banker Commercial - #1 Sales Professional by Specialty – Land – 2016, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008
Commercial Banker Commercial - #1 Sales Professional by Specialty – Sales – 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008
Commercial Banker Commercial - Top 5 Producers Regionally-South Region – 2007
FGCAR - Pinnacle Award – #1 Top Producer – National – Land – 2016, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2012, 2007, 2006
FGCAR - Pinnacle Award – Overall Top Producer – 2014
CFCAR - Hallmark Award – #1 Overall Top Producer -Land – 2016, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006
CFCAR - Hallmark Award – #1 Overall Top Producer – Polk County – 2016, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008
CFCAR - Hallmark Award – #1 Overall Top Producer by Volume – 2016, 2011
CFCAR - Hallmark Award – Top 10 Producer Overall – Polk County – 2010
CFCAR - Hallmark Award – Top 10 Producers – Land – 2008
CFCAR - Hallmark Award – Top 10 Producer Overall – 2008
CFCAR - Hallmark Award – Most Deals – Polk County – 2006
CFCAR - Hallmark Award – Top 10 Overall in Sales – 2006
Realtors® Land Institute - Florida Land Realtor® of the Year – 2013

Dean'S LISTINGS

For Sale

Sunbreak Farms

Fort Pierce, Florida

10,330.96 Acres

$79,500,000

For Sale

Florida Agricultural Portfolio

Multiple Florida Cities, Florida

11,100 Acres

$72,383,275

For Sale

Bluffs of St Teresa

St. Teresa, Florida

17,080 Acres

$50,000,000

For Sale

Half Circle L Ranch

Immokalee, Florida

9,819.01 Acres

$35,000,000

For Sale

Woods of Ormond Beach

Ormond Beach, Florida

7,086 Acres

$28,308,570

For Sale

Triple Diamond Ranch

Okeechobee, Florida

3,983 Acres

$15,000,000

For Sale

Skyway Resort Development

Terra Ceia, Florida

991.25 Acres

$14,700,000

For Sale

Abington Ranch

Okeechobee, Florida

3,656 Acres

$12,777,720

For Sale

Sun Pure Grove - Florida Agricultural Portfolio

Arcadia, Florida

1,921 Acres

$12,500,000

For Sale

McGee Branch Timberlands

Bronson, Florida

9,796 Acres

$11,750,000

For Sale

Otter Creek Timberlands

Otter Creek, Florida

8,160 Acres

$9,800,000

For Sale

River Gem Grove - Florida Agricultural Portfolio

Fort Pierce, Florida

1,038 Acres

$8,100,000

For Sale

Brick Road Mitigation Bank

Bunnell, Florida

2,945 Acres

$7,000,000

For Sale

Argentina Mountain Estate

Manso Valley, Rio Negro

635 Acres

$6,000,000

For Sale

Lafayette Dairy

Mayo, Florida

1,160 Acres

$5,900,000

For Sale

Argentina Luxury Estancia

Gualeguaychú, Entre Ríos

2,220 Acres

$5,400,000

For Sale

Sears Grove

LaBelle, Florida

761 Acres

$5,327,000

For Sale

Indian River West-North

Vero Beach, Florida

912.70 Acres

$5,320,000

For Sale

Seibels & Southern Comfort Grove - Florida Agricultural Portfolio

Fort Pierce, Florida

731.60 Acres

$4,860,000

For Sale

Section 21 - Florida Agriculture Portfolio

Vero Beach, Florida

614.44 Acres

$4,110,000

For Sale

Argentina Colonial Estate

Ongamira, Córdoba

5,560 Acres

$3,900,000

For Sale

Chassahowitzka Springs Riverfront Home

Homosassa, Florida

27.59 Acres

$3,900,000

For Sale

Bariloche Development Land

San Carlos, Bariloche

60.50 Acres

$3,500,000

For Sale

Anapa Groves

Vero Beach, Florida

330 Acres

$3,348,000

For Sale

Ocklawaha River Preserve

Fort McCoy, Florida

1,016 Acres

$3,215,536

For Sale

Courthouse Professional Office Complex

Bartow, Florida

18,160 Sq Ft

$3,100,000

For Sale

Buenos Aires Country Estate

Las Heras, Buenos Aires

790 Acres

$2,700,000

For Sale

Bay Grove - Florida Agricultural Portfolio

Arcadia, Florida

316 Acres

$2,150,000

For Sale

Bluegrass FLS Hammond - Florida Agricultural Portfolio

Fort Pierce, Florida

353.90 Acres

$2,080,000

For Sale

Argentina Mountain Lodge

Los Altos de Chapelco, Neuquén

182.80 Acres

$2,000,000

For Sale

St. Johns River Front

Satsuma, Florida

1,209.80 Acres

$1,943,100

For Sale

Chambers Island

Yankeetown, Florida

117.80 Acres

$1,350,000

For Sale

Dunn's Creek Hunting Land

Satsuma, Florida

373.60 Acres

$1,116,000

For Sale

Ocklawaha River Preserve - Parcel 12

Fort McCoy, Florida

440.10 Acres

$1,100,250

For Sale

Southwest Florida Water Management District Surplus Properties: Sumter County Ag & Commercial

Lake Panasoffkee, Florida

67.64 Acres

$899,999

For Sale

Ocklawaha River Preserve - Parcel 13

Fort McCoy, Florida

119.30 Acres

$453,340

For Sale

Ocklawaha River Preserve - Parcel 3

Fort McCoy, Florida

102 Acres

$357,000

For Sale

Ocklawaha River Preserve - Parcel 6

Fort McCoy, Florida

83.80 Acres

$276,540

For Sale

Volusia Hunting Property

Osteen , Florida

112.55 Acres

$179,000

For Sale

Ocklawaha River Preserve - Parcel 6-A

Fort McCoy, Florida

41.72 Acres

$137,676

For Sale

Ocklawaha River Preserve - Parcel 1

Fort McCoy, Florida

31.10 Acres

$111,960

For Sale

Ocklawaha River Preserve - Parcel 11

Fort McCoy, Florida

20.10 Acres

$79,395

For Sale

The Estates at Pleasant Hill

Morriston, Florida

0 Acres

$70,000

For Sale

Ocklawaha River Preserve - Parcel 5

Fort McCoy, Florida

10.40 Acres

$41,080

For Sale

Ocklawaha River Preserve - Parcel 7

Fort McCoy, Florida

6.80 Acres

$23,800

For Sale

Hunting and Wildlife Viewing in South Africa

Northern Cape Province, South Africa
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0 Acres

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Sold

SOLD: Smith Ranch

Okeechobee, Florida

8,768 Acres

$32,000,000

Sold

SOLD: Smith Ranch South

Okeechobee, Florida

6,984 Acres

$25,142,400

Sold

SOLD: DeSoto County Ranch and Farm

Arcadia, Florida

11,200 Acres

$21,916,080

Sold

SOLD: 4H Ranch Lake Marian

Kenansville, Florida

7,050 Acres

$18,500,000

Sold

SOLD: Westby Ranch

Lake Placid, Florida

11,256 Acres

$17,878,209

Sold

SOLD: Sunrock Grove

Labelle, Florida

1,675 Acres

$16,750,000

Sold

SOLD: Pacific Company Farmland

Myakka City, Florida

3,211.50 Acres

$16,100,000

Sold

SOLD: Ginn Ranch

Port Saint Lucie, Florida

3,756 Acres

$14,900,000

Sold

SOLD: Lake Wimico Recreation and Conservation

Wewahitchka , Florida

20,146 Acres

$10,625,000

Sold

SOLD: Charlie Creek Ranch 4,148 +/- Acres

Zolfo Springs, Florida

4,148 Acres

$9,161,842

Sold

SOLD: Fox Branch Ranch

Lakeland, Florida

2,876 Acres

$8,929,426

Sold

SOLD: Smith Ranch North Red Stag

Okeechobee, Florida

1,784 Acres

$8,652,400

Sold

SOLD: Alico Island Pond Grove

Okeechobee, Florida

1,364 Acres

$7,400,000

Sold

SOLD: Grigsby Groves

Lake Placid, Florida

413 Acres

$6,500,000

Sold

SOLD: Ranch at Lake Livingston

Frostproof, Florida

2,922 Acres

$5,622,811

Sold

SOLD: LaBeuna Farms

Palatka, Florida

4,568 Acres

$5,350,000

Sold

SOLD: Blue Springs Park

High Springs, Florida

401.60 Acres

$5,204,328

Sold

SOLD: Demeter Grove

Clewiston, Florida

660 Acres

$5,027,200

Sold

SOLD: Saray Lodge and Ranch

Myakka City, Florida

1,458.60 Acres

$5,000,000

Sold

SOLD: Lake Butler Groves- 853 Acres

LaBelle, Florida

853 Acres

$3,750,000

Sold

SOLD: Jumpie Run Plantation

Monticello, Florida

1,031 Acres

$3,500,000

Sold

SOLD: 3 Creeks Crossing

Green Cove Springs, Florida

2,608 Acres

$3,495,000

Sold

SOLD: Tree-O Grove 600 Acres

Vero Beach, Florida

598.14 Acres

$3,290,000

Sold

SOLD: Horizon Development

Fort Pierce, Florida

560.39 Acres

$2,900,000

Sold

SOLD: Winter Haven Mixed Use Development

Winter Haven, Florida

468.10 Acres

$2,750,000

Sold

SOLD: Glades County Ranch and Recreation

Okeechobee, Florida

625.12 Acres

$2,469,224

Sold

SOLD: Immokalee Grove and Farm

Immokalee, Florida

522.89 Acres

$2,300,000

Sold

SOLD: Bartram Farms

Elkton, Florida

571 Acres

$2,240,400

Sold

SOLD: Fort Denaud Ranch and Development

LaBelle, Florida

294 Acres

$2,058,000

Sold

SOLD: Lee Grove

Estero, Florida

373.40 Acres

$2,000,000

Sold

SOLD: Desoto Grove

Arcadia, Florida

240 Acres

$1,800,000

Sold

SOLD: Cody Church East Recreational and Investment Tract

Tallahassee, Florida

720.90 Acres

$1,513,890

Sold

SOLD: Southwest Florida Water Management District Surplus Properties: GSW 4 Ranch

Kathleen, Florida

383.71 Acres

$1,247,057

Sold

SOLD: Carlton Lake Grove

Wimauma, Florida

189.89 Acres

$1,150,000

Sold

SOLD: Kenansville Ranch

Kenansville, Florida

330.52 Acres

$1,075,125

Sold

SOLD: Cody Church North Recreational and Investment Tract

Tallahassee, Florida

484.60 Acres

$1,017,660

Sold

SOLD: Forest Glen 533 +/- Acres

Myakka City, Florida

533.03 Acres

$900,000

Sold

SOLD: Southwest Florida Water Management District Surplus Properties: GSW 3 Ranch

Kathleen, Florida

326.34 Acres

$876,000

Sold

SOLD: Cody Church Recreational West and Investment Tract

Tallahassee, Florida

406 Acres

$869,190

Sold

SOLD: Apalachee Recreational and Investment Tract

Tallahassee, Florida

368 Acres

$830,000

Sold

SOLD: Lake Wales Grove & Homesites

Lake Wales, Florida

83.14 Acres

$830,000

Sold

SOLD: Santa Fe River Forest

Fort White, Florida

178 Acres

$800,000

Sold

SOLD: Frostproof Acres LLC Ranch and Recreational Property with Access to US 27

Frostproof, Florida

297.62 Acres

$742,500

Sold

SOLD: Babson Park Lake Moody Grove 70

Babson Park, Florida

69.80 Acres

$600,000

Sold

SOLD: Lucky L Ranch 127.7 +/- acres

Kenansville , Florida

127.70 Acres

$550,000

Sold

SOLD: Old Windsor Plantation

Citra, Florida

219.10 Acres

$460,000

Sold

SOLD: DeSoto County US 17

Arcadia, Florida

135 Acres

$408,510

Sold

SOLD: Twin Creeks Retreat

Green Cove Springs, Florida

177 Acres

$400,000

Sold

Big Lake Gum Homesites

Lake Wales, Florida

14.36 Acres

$330,000

Sold

SOLD: Babson Park Scenic Highway Grove

Frostproof, Florida

35 Acres

$300,000

Sold

SOLD: Wilson's Grove

Bartow, Florida

50 Acres

$300,000

Sold

SOLD: Southwest Florida Water Management District Surplus Properties: Upper Hillsborough Reserve

Zephyrhills, Florida

112.23 Acres

$300,000

Sold

SOLD: Okeechobee County Acreage

Okeechobee, Florida

48 Acres

$288,000

Sold

SOLD: Ranchero Lane Strawberry Farm

Plant City, Florida

9.73 Acres

$225,000

Sold

SOLD-Ft. Union West of North Florida Tracts

Live Oak, Florida

77 Acres

$210,000

Sold

SOLD: Church Road Timber Tract

Brooksville, Florida

31.70 Acres

$166,000

Sold

SOLD: Southwest Florida Water Management District Surplus Properties: Shoal Line Blvd. Homesite

Hernando Beach, Florida

1.97 Acres

$115,000

Sold

SOLD: Mammoth Grove

Lake Wales, Florida

5.02 Acres

$43,000

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