Company History

Since the founding of the Sotheby's auction house in 1744, the Sotheby's name has earned renown as a marketer of the world's most valuable and prestigious possessions. This reputation is built as much upon exceptional service to clients as on the notable art, antiques, jewellery and other holdings that pass through Sotheby's offices around the world. The Sotheby's International Realty® organisation began in 1976, in part to serve clients desiring a complete package of estate disposition services, and soon became known for representing extraordinary estates throughout the world.

Although our affiliation Sotheby's International Realty® network began in July 2003, Lew and Sandy Geffen created the base of real estate excellence when they opened their flagship office, Lew Geffen Estates, in 1982 in Johannesburg. Assisted by their son Barak (Executive Director and Co- Owner) the third generation of Geffen's in real estate, and Brent Townes (CEO and Co-Owner) the Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty brand has developed a truly international real estate disposition service infusing local knowledge, know-how and credibility - the perfect partnership for today's sophisticated property market.

What listing with Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty means to you?

Founded in 1976 as a real estate service for clients of Sotheby's auction house, Sotheby's International Realty® has sold some of the world's most extraordinary properties. The tools and techniques we have developed to successfully sell grand estates are equally effective for selling fine properties in all price ranges. We post many top sales records around the world each year, yet over half of the listings we sell are priced under $1 million.

We are experts in marketing and selling quality. We understand that the key to achieving the highest possible price for our listings, regardless of market conditions, is to accurately and appropriately present them to the broadest qualified audience possible. No other real estate company is positioned to offer the resources we employ in this effort:

A global network accessing a far-reaching qualified client base Unsurpassed appraisal, sales and marketing expertise An international sales force of respected and successful property consultantsThe finest proprietary print marketing programs A compelling Web site driven by a powerful off-line brand Strong connections with the clients of Sotheby's auction house

How We Work

Through our proprietary marketing channels, we have the resources and expertise to place your property in front of the most qualified buyers. When you list your home with us, it is presented to prospective purchasers from all over the world in addition to those in your neighborhood. Our Network of more than 175 affiliates and 24 offices is staffed with sales representatives who are experts in their local markets and able to identify appropriate prospects both within and beyond their areas.

Our Marketing Programs reach current and past clients of Sotheby's auction and real estate divisions as well as top qualified prospects from outside our network.

Our Marketing Programs

Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty offers a comprehensive set of tools designed to provide the best presentation and broadest exposure for your property. We apply our local market knowledge and global experience to create effective marketing strategies, which will include some or all of the following options:

• Display on sothebysrealty.com, which is accessible from the home page of the Sotheby's fine art auction site as well as leading search engines and real estate sites
  
• Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty branded advertising in newspapers and magazines, from broad-based vehicles like The Wall Street Journal and Architectural Digest, to geographically targeted publications such as Quest and Country Life
  
• Production of a high-quality color property brochure, distributed to our brokerage, regional and affiliate offices for display and presentation to clients
  
• Advertising in regionally targeted proprietary property catalogs
  
• Advertising or editorial coverage in Sotheby's Preview, a fine art and luxury real estate magazine produced and distributed jointly with Sotheby's auction house
  
• Display at our client service desk in Sotheby's New York auction headquarters
  
• Electronic kiosk display in key auction and real estate locations around the world