Jim & Donna Soda and Ian & Julie Cutmore Joins Forces Under The Soda Group

Online, January 25, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Keller Williams Realty has announced that two top Realtor teams - Jim and Donna Soda and Ian and Julie Cutmore -- have joined forces under The Soda Group umbrella.

"We are proud to announce that we have recently entered into business with The Soda Group to develop our luxury home division within Keller Williams and to expand their reach," said Brandon Kekich, Team Leader/CEO of Keller Williams Realty-Sarasota Lakewood Ranch. "We know that this relationship will be a win for us, a win for them and a win for their clients. Couple their skills and abilities with the Keller Williams systems and models to better assist buyers and sellers in today's market, and The Soda Group will continue to expand their business through 2011 and beyond. This combination makes them simply unstoppable."

The Sodas and the Cutmores are the Number 1 and Number 2 teams respectively in Lakewood Ranch, according to Trendgraphix reports (34202 zip code). They have been responsible for more than $250 million in combined real estate transactions over the past eight years.

"Together we will be able to form our own business entity, grow our team, and augment our resources, knowledge and more than 30 years of combined experience to better serve our clients," said team leader Jim Soda.

"Over the years we have worked together on opposite sides of the table -- the seller side and the buyer side -- and have found that we share the same commitment to customer service and professional standards," said Ian Cutmore.

Plans include adding team members from Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key, Anna Maria and Bradenton, as well as other geographical areas, and forming a luxury department and international department. The Cutmores, who are originally from England, have helped numerous international clients to relocate to the Sarasota area.

Together, the Sodas and the Cutmores are the Number 1 real estate sales team in Manatee County in volume, and the Number 1 team in Lakewood Ranch in both volume and homes sold. In 2010, they averaged a home sold every four days. A dedicated team of professionals committed to providing the best possible real estate experience for their customers, both teams have been consistently voted by their customers and peers to receive the Five Star Real Estate Agent Award for overall customer satisfaction.

The team is experienced in working with short sales, foreclosures and first-time home buyers, as well as new construction, waterfront condos and golf course development, serving the greater Sarasota, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch areas.

The Soda Group can be reached at the Keller Williams Lakewood Ranch office, 6710 Professional Parkway, Suite 301, Sarasota, Florida 34240. Telephone: (941) 840-1168 or (941) 961-5857. Website: www.JimSoda.com.

JIM & DONNA SODA

Originally from Ohio, the Sodas moved to Lakewood Ranch in 2001. Shortly upon arrival, Jim entered the real estate field on Longboat Key and in downtown Sarasota, selling multi-million-dollar properties, then moved to Lakewood Ranch in 2002.

Jim Soda is a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network, an Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Certified New Home Sales Professional (CSP) and Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), and is completing requirements for the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation. For five years in a row, his clients and peers have selected him to receive the Five Star Real Estate Agent Award for overall customer satisfaction.

Jim has a business background and holds a B.S. in Marketing and Business Management from the University of Dayton. After working for his father's construction company for many years, he purchased a small trucking company, which he grew over the next 22 years. He expanded the company into the fields of hazardous waste, residual waste, bulk commodities, iron and steel, and partnered in oil and gas exploration. His diverse background enables him to handle the complexities of the real estate market.
Donna Soda has a passion for the stock market, which she follows closely, and has successfully managed her own stock portfolio since 1992. The stock market and real estate market have a strong correlation, Donna believes: "It all boils down to supply and demand."

Donna joined her husband in the real estate field in 2004, and is the glue that keeps the well-oiled machine running. She is responsible for The Jim Soda Group's online marketing, blogging and social media. You can find them on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Buzz, Google Buzz, Real Buzz, You Tube, Zillow.com, Trulia.com, Realtor.com and Home.com. Donna says she enjoys working with both sellers and buyers and finding solutions to today's real estate challenges.

Together, Jim and Donna have grown their business into one of the most successful and well-respected real estate groups in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

IAN & JULIE CUTMORE

Originally from County Durham in northeast England, the Cutmores moved to the Florida in 2001 with their two young daughters. After falling in love with the Florida Gulf Coast beaches, they built a home in Lakewood Ranch and quickly become involved in real estate. They have been selected by their customers and peers to receive the Five Star Best in Customer Satisfaction Award every year since 2006.

Ian Cutmore is a Broker-Associate, Graduate of the Realtor Institute (GRI ), Certified New Homes Specialist (CSP) and Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR). He has helped hundreds of families, both international and U.S. residents, to relocate to the Sarasota/Bradenton area.

Julie Cutmore is also a Broker-Associate and Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) and has earned the Transnational Referral Certified (TRC) designation. She says she enjoys providing a comprehensive quality service to both buyers and sellers in the Lakewood Ranch, Manatee and Sarasota areas. She has helped many buyers through the building process with her thorough knowledge of the local builders and their new home products and floorplans.
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For more information about The Soda Group, or to schedule an interview with the team members, please contact Sheila Longo at (941) 355-3006 or Sheila@thomasbrannan.com