LAKELAND, FL, February 9, 2026 – Landowners and investors are increasingly looking for faster, more efficient ways to sell large-acreage properties. Saunders Real Estate, a trusted land and commercial brokerage with decades of experience across the Southeast, is growing its land auction division under new leadership. Spencer Smith, AFM, ALC, has been appointed as Managing Director of Land and Auctions. He brings nearly a decade of experience in farm management, farmland valuation, and auctions across the Midwest and nationwide. This expanded focus allows Saunders Real Estate to strengthen its existing in-house platform and extend its reach to new markets.
Spencer Smith, AFM, ALC, Managing Director of Land and Auctions at Saunders Real Estate
This appointment underscores the division’s growth and the increasing demand for alternatives to traditional land sales. It is particularly valuable for complex properties where transparency, speed, and broad market exposure are essential.
“Landowners are looking for smarter, more efficient ways to sell,” said Tyler Davis, President of Saunders Real Estate. “As our platform continues to grow, adding Spencer strengthens our land brokerage as a whole.With experience in both auctions and traditional land transactions, Spencer adds real depth to our land platform, and we’re excited to add him to our team and continue expanding into new markets with him.”
Smith brings extensive experience in professional farm management and land real estate, working with institutional clients, investors, and farmers across the Midwest and nationwide. He has bought, sold, managed, and auctioned land and rural properties throughout Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. His background in investment modeling, market analytics, and strategic land positioning strengthens Saunders Real Estate’s ability to navigate complex land transactions across diverse markets.
“This service allows us to better meet landowners where the market is today,” Smith said. “Whether the goal is portfolio repositioning, estate planning, or selling farmland efficiently, auctions provide a proven way to reach qualified buyers. They also give sellers transparency, control, and confidence throughout the process.”
Smith is a graduate of Illinois State University. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business with an emphasis in Farm Management. He has received multiple industry awards. These include the 2023 Land Broker of the Year from the Illinois Chapter of the REALTORS® Land Institute. In 2024, he was also named a national RLI Land Rising Star, an honor recognizing emerging leaders making meaningful contributions to the land profession. He is also a multiple-year member of the RLI APEX Producers Club (2020–2025) and was named the 2024 Illinois State Auctioneer Champion.
Raised near Bloomington, Illinois, in the heart of Central Illinois agriculture, Smith brings firsthand farm experience to his work. He is active in numerous professional organizations, serves on multiple boards and committees at both the state and national levels.
Saunders Real Estate’s land auction services provide a powerful, efficient, and transparent way to connect sellers with qualified buyers. Rooted in a long-standing tradition of integrity and a genuine passion for the land, Saunders combines proven expertise with a personalized approach. This ensures a seamless auction experience. Unlike traditional sales, where buyers negotiate pricing over time, auctions create a structured environment. They encourage competition, urgency, and transparency, often helping sellers maximize the final value of their properties.
The addition of Spencer Smith strengthens Saunders Real Estate’s land auction division and reinforces the firm’s commitment to expanding its land, advisory, and strategic services nationwide. This enhanced focus provides innovative solutions for landowners, investors, and developers seeking transparency, efficiency, and strong results.
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.