Sotheby's International Realty Brand Wins 'Best in Category' for Eighth Consecutive Year

YORK, Maine (Feb. 3, 2015) Anne Erwin Sotheby's International Realty, a luxury real estate firm based in York, Maine today announced the Sotheby's International Realty® brand won Franchise Business Review's Best in Category for Real Estate Franchisee Satisfaction award for the eighth year in a row.

The Best in Category award measures franchisee satisfaction with their franchisors and is part of the 10th annual Franchisee Satisfaction Awards presented by Franchise Business Review. In addition to its real estate ranking, the Sotheby's International Realty brand also came in first in the overall top 50 and first among the Top 50 "Systems with 250 or more units," which is a ranking of all franchise systems across all categories with more than 250 locations.

"We are so proud to not only receive this distinction for the eighth year in a row but to also move from third to first in the systems with 250 or more units ranking, and from fourth to first in the overall top 50 ranking," said Philip White, president and chief executive officer, Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC. "This award essentially is our report card from our network, and we are so pleased that they hold us in such high regard within the ranking system. We continually strive to improve our service to our franchisees and we are grateful for this honor."

Franchise Business Review surveyed more than 28,000 franchisees from more than 350 leading systems for the annual Franchisee Satisfaction Awards. Franchises were evaluated in five areas: training and support, franchise system, franchisor/franchisee relations, financial opportunity and overall satisfaction. Additionally, demographic and lifestyle questions gave a 360-degree view of the franchise ownership experience. Franchise Business Review is a national franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and franchise buyer experiences. For a complete list of this year's award winners, go to www.FBR50.com.

"The Sotheby's International Realty brand has been ranked number one in Real Estate for eight years running," said Franchise Business Review president Michelle Rowan. "The brand's continuous efforts to find ways to strengthen the brand and relationship with its franchise partners won it the honor of being ranked number one overall on our list of 200 brands with the strongest validation from their franchisees this year."

"This brand offers our firm the tools, resources and support we need to reach a global audience of consumers and provide our clients with the best possible service," said Linda Briggs broker/owner. "We are proud to be part of this network of extraordinary professionals, and to represent this fine brand in the Southern Maine and Seacoast New Hampshire markets."

Anne Erwin Sotheby's International Realty, which has an office in York, ME, offers exclusive Sotheby's International Realty marketing, advertising and referral services designed to attract well-qualified buyers to the firm's property listings. In addition, the firm and its clients benefit from an association with the Sotheby's auction house, which promotes real estate referral opportunities with auction house clientele.

As a Sotheby's International Realty affiliate, the firm also has the unique ability to refer its real estate clientele to the auction house for jewelry, art, unique furniture and collectible appraisal services. Property listings from Anne Erwin Sotheby's International Realty also are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website, as well as on the firm's local website, anneerwin.com.

Anne Erwin Sotheby's International Realty is located at 31 Long Sands Road, York, Maine. For additional information, please contact 207.363.6640.

The Sotheby's International Realty network currently has over 16,400 sales associates located in approximately 730 offices in 56 countries and territories worldwide. Sotheby's International Realty listings are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website. In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, the firm's brokers and their clients will benefit from an association with the Sotheby's auction house and worldwide Sotheby's International Realty marketing programs. Each office is independently owned and operated.