LAKELAND, FL, October 27, 2026 – From agricultural land and working forests to development sites and commercial properties, Saunders Real Estate has spent three decades helping clients recognize the potential of real estate and make informed decisions about buying, selling, investing in and preserving land.
This October the firm celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking its growth from a Florida-based land brokerage founded by Dean Saunders in 1996 into a land and commercial real estate firm serving landowners, investors, developers, family offices and institutions across the Southeast and Midwest.
Saunders Real Estate has built its reputation on specialized property expertise, market knowledge and strong industry relationships. Its services include land and commercial real estate brokerage, auctions, land management, valuations, market research and conservation easements. In 2025, the firm recorded its most active year in company history, closing more than $1.07 billion across 438 transactions involving more than 158,000 acres in the Southeast.
“When I started this company 30 years ago, I never imagined how much it would grow, but I knew the kind of business I wanted to build,” said Dean Saunders, Founder of Saunders Real Estate. “Land is personal to people. For some families, it's been passed down for generations. For others, it's an investment in their future. I've always believed our job is to listen, understand what matters to the landowner and help them make the best decision for their property. Whether that means selling, developing or conserving land, that's what we've worked to do for 30 years. I'm proud of what we've built and, more importantly, of the trust people have placed in us along the way.”
As investors and families consider real estate as part of their long-term financial strategies, Saunders offers insight into the opportunities and complexities of owning farmland, timberland, development properties and commercial assets.
“The next chapter for Saunders is about building on 30 years of experience while continuing to evolve with our clients,” said Tyler Davis, President of Saunders Real Estate. “We’re seeing land take up a larger share of investors’ overall portfolios, and landowning families and operators looking to diversify into commercial real estate. Those conversations are increasingly sophisticated, and they’re rooted in long-term thinking about legacy, conservation and growth. Whether we’re working with a family office evaluating land acquisitions, a landowner exploring commercial real estate, a developer entering a new market or a family weighing conservation options and the future of its land, our role is to provide the expertise and insight that help them make confident decisions.”
A Legacy Built on Land and Conservation
An eighth-generation Floridian with roots in agriculture, Saunders recognized early in his career that conservation and private property rights did not have to be competing priorities.
As a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1992 to 1996, he helped establish the Green Swamp Land Authority, an early Florida initiative that allowed landowners to voluntarily sell development rights while maintaining private ownership of their property.
The approach still offers an alternative to outright government acquisition and helped advance conservation easements as a way to protect agricultural and environmentally significant land.
In 2025, the firm preserved 63,551 acres through conservation transactions valued at approximately $221.5 million, helping landowners protect working landscapes and natural resources while addressing their financial goals.
Helping Investors and Landowners Navigate the Next 30 Years
For family offices and high-net-worth investors, farmland, timberland and other land assets may be part of broader portfolio diversification strategies. Each property type brings distinct considerations, including income potential, liquidity, operating requirements and market conditions.
The firm also helps younger generations assess the value of inherited land and explore options for its future use or sale. For those looking to transition out of land ownership, Saunders can help evaluate strategies such as 1031 exchanges, which may allow eligible owners to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting in income-producing commercial real estate. These options can help families align their real estate holdings with changing financial goals.
To support these decisions, Saunders provides specialized brokerage services and market intelligence through resources such as its Lay of the Land® Market Reports and Atlas by Saunders Real Estate property research and mapping platform.
The firm also shares its expertise through the growing Lay of the Land® Conference series. Expanded beyond Florida into Georgia and Arkansas, the conferences bring together landowners, investors, developers, policymakers and industry professionals to discuss regional markets and emerging opportunities. Saunders Real Estate is preparing to host its inaugural national Lay of the Land® Conference in April 2027.
Entering its fourth decade, Saunders Real Estate remains focused on helping clients understand the value of land and make decisions that support their goals for the future.
About Saunders Real Estate
Saunders Real Estate is a leading land and commercial real estate brokerage serving buyers, sellers, investors, and landowners across the Southeastern United States for 30 years. With over 100 advisors and offices in major U.S. markets including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, we specialize in large-acreage land transactions, commercial property sales and leasing, and property management.
To reflect our legacy and continued growth, Saunders Real Estate operates through two divisions – Saunders Land and Saunders Commercial. Our expertise spans agriculture, conservation, recreation, residential development, and commercial real estate, supported by specialized services such as forestry, land management, and investment acquisitions.
Today, Saunders Real Estate is recognized as a trusted authority in the region, delivering exceptional results through experienced leadership, innovative strategies, and a client-focused approach.