Watch their conversation below.

The topics included Schemmel’s illustrious career at Schemmel Group, his growth of knowledge and expertise in the Sarasota, Florida area, and his ascendancy in the real estate market.

Comprehensive knowledge of the Sarasota area real estate market, strong business skills, and an affinity for luxury properties have established Joel among the top 1% of Realtors® in the Sarasota area. Joel and his team at the Schemmel Group have set several sales records in addition to being the top producing team within the Sotheby’s affiliate in Sarasota every year since 2008.

Here are some of the questions and answers from the exclusive interview with Schemmel.

Seth Semilof: Going back to that first year, what made you successful? What made you stay in the business and not quit?

Joel Schemmel: I had to make the leap of faith into the business. many people coming into the real estate world it is cushy job and easy to break through and be successful, but it was harder than any of my other careers before. We had no connections to anybody here in Sarasota, so it was certainly a reality check for us to how to grow  the business. I thought with my background as an attorney and accountant people would be flocking. You really have to start from zero and build up your business. I made good relationships with a couple experienced agents and they let me take their listings, have open houses at those listings, even advertising a little bit from my perspective, so that is really how I started.

SS: A broker brought up how they built their business by basically going to all the open houses. Is that how you started your business?

JS: The reality is, of course, when you did an open house, you would think you would pick up a buyer, but my additional strategy was to meet all the neighbors and really establish myself as a as a source of information in that neighborhood; somebody you go to. It was definitely a twofold strategy.

SS: How did you get your first sale and how long did it take?

JS: The biggest challenge right is you start your initiatives and unless you stick with them for a good amount of time, I mean doing direct mail, which we did a lot of back then, you do it for three months, it was a waste of money, you have to do it for a year to produce your property, your first tangible transaction out of it. It is going into this business with your eyes open, that it is a year or two of investment, from my perspective, to get things rolling. It can be very lucrative, but it is a humble beginning.

SS: How did you evolve your business to where it is right now? How long did it take you to get that first trophy property?

JS: The way I approached it was to really focus on my neighborhood, to build a track record, so I became the expert in the neighborhood where I lived and built from there. You are building that base and that is the beauty of it. Once you get it going, it builds on itself to a certain extent, but I did not get into the million plus properties right away. It took a couple years.

SS: What advice do you have if someone's watching this that in a career they're not happy and they want to get into real estate? What advice would you give them?

JS: You have to approach it like a business, so it is not going to be instantly gratifying like it may be perceived from the outside. It does take some time to build up, so be ready to invest money, if you can, but your time. You have to be self motivated. Anybody can be successful in this business, but you do have to dig in and be very persistent. We have always taken the approach that we add value to our clients. Determine your strategy or your niche to add value because that will be what people gravitate towards.

For more information, please contact Joel Schemmel at 941-587-4894 or joel.schemmel@premiersir.com

Joel Schemmel is the exclusive agent the Sarasota, Florida estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.

The post Chat with Haute Residence Leaders, Episode 6: Joel Schemmel appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Joel Schemmel presents

Address: 3536 Bayou Louise, Siesta Key, Sarasota, FL 34242

Price: $6,975,000

Photo credit:Hover Bureau

For more information please contact Joel Schemmel at 941.587.4894 or joel.schemmel@premiersir.com

Joel Schemmel is the exclusive agent representing the Sarasota, FL real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.

The post Joel Schemmel Presents A Gulf-Front Estate On Siesta Key appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Joel Schemmel presents

Majestically poised along the shimmering waters of the Intracoastal Waterway sits this masterfully redesigned and meticulously renovated residence. This grand yet cozy estate is impressive from the moment one enters the private gates and is welcomed by the long paver circular drive, giant oak trees, lush landscape, sparkling fountain, and the grand entry. The lush gardens and tropical landscaping are one-of-a-kind and provide a backdrop for the infinity-edge pool and heated spa with a lower-level lounging pool. The multi-leveled spacious terraces spanning the back of the home include a generously sized loggia and create extra living space to enjoy that perfect morning cup of coffee or just relax and take in the sounds of the gentle bay waters.

Address: 8423 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, Sarasota, FL 34242

Price: $7,995,000

Photo credit: Coastal Home Photography

For more information please contact Joel Schemmel at 941.587.4894 or joel.schemmel@premiersir.com

Joel Schemmel is the exclusive agent representing the Sarasota, FL real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.

The post Joel Schemmel Presents A European Inspired Island Paradise In Sarasota’s Siesta Key appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

They were hosted by Haute Living's Erik Haase. Watch the full webinar below.

Highlight quotes from the webinar:

Heidi Bintz: "Tourists have been coming in all winter, and it's been getting busier. Because of Spring Break and Spring skiing, we're anticipating a busy March. Our restaurants do have limited indoor dining, but that has been slowly increasing. Bars and restaurants have put tables outside and further space, and you can now drink or roam Vail Village and Beaver Creek... The market is tight. Some properties are going under contract instantly. However, inventory does depend on varying locations and price points, and I anticipate it to continue this way. We are limited in where we can build because we're surrounded by a national forest... We get a lot of what we call the Front Range, which is Denver, north and south, and it's about a two-hour drive, give or take, for those people. So I've seen more people wanting to either relocate or spend more time up here. We have a big market from Texas, and from southern Florida. There's Chicago, New York, Europe, and south of the border; we have a pretty large Mexico City clientele. They're here now, and they and they love Vail and the mountains."

Darin Marques: "The biggest thing I probably help my clients with is especially land purchases. They're buying a new development and looking to buy land to build. Most of them don't understand the process of what it takes to go through hiring the architect and general contractor and going through the permitting process and design review. With my relationships and background that I have in new construction, I've been able to help a lot of the clients navigate through that much quicker. It also helps me understanding luxury properties better. You can go with a basic window package and a home that could be $50,000, or a really high-end custom window package and a house that can be $300,000. As an agent representing luxury properties, having that understanding is really important. I just sold a property that was for the highest in the community in Southern Highlands at $725 per square foot. And we were about $200 a square foot higher than the next property. I was able to convey to the client, because they asked, why [the price was] so much higher. When I broke down the cost of land, permitting architectural engineering, and then the cost of construction, he was fine with it. He understood, he just wanted to see the details.

Mark Salmon: "Covid certainly has driven the market. Obviously, everybody's heard about how strict California has been with regard to Covid and travel. People are vacating the city, especially in the tech industry where they're able to work from home, and we're so close to all that in Silicon Valley and San Francisco. There's obviously a lot of money that comes with that as well, so for those guys, it's really been a second home destination for years and years, but now it's more primaries that I'm seeing. Young techies escaping the city, escaping Covid and all these restrictions to come to Tahoe. They have Bay area wages and pretty inexpensive real estate compared to what they're used to [there]. It's the same problem is I'm hearing in Florida, just that lack of inventory. It's almost scary frankly to a list of property right now because you know what your next three days are going to look like. It's 50 showings and 20 plus offers, and it's very time-consuming at that point... Buying in Tahoe is something you can have for generations and I think will never lose really long-term values. "

Joel Schemmel: "Our market has been kind of insane. Inventory is the biggest challenge because we have such huge buyer demand and very limited inventory. I think we've gone through a cycle that used to be some price points. Now it's pretty much across the board, as far as inventory shortages. I get five calls a day from realtors looking for anything that might be coming up in the near future. Anything under a million dollars, if it lasts more than 48 hours in the MLS, then there's something wrong with it. We've been very fortunate. Last year, we had a record year with over 100 hundred million that we closed, and we are already $51 million for this year... We have the fundamental population growth. We had the traditional Midwest, buyer pool, and that is now significantly expanded to the Northeast, and California is our new kind of crazy source of buyers. And even Texas, it's been interesting. We've never had Texas or California. They both appeared in the last year as heavy-duty buyers. Covid has really just kind of fueled the market to a certain extent...  We will definitely break some records, this year, as far as price points

To watch more real estate webinars curated by Haute Residence, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

Top: Heidi Bintz, Darin Marques. Bottom: Mark Salmon, Joel Schemmel

The post Watch: “Coast To Coast” Real Estate Webinar #10 By Haute Residence appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Joel Schemmel presents

Encompassing nearly 3.5 acres between the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay, with 120 feet of direct Gulf beach frontage and well over 1,000 feet of Bay frontage, this Casey Key resort-like compound is the perfect island getaway. The impressive estate, completed in 2018, was brilliantly developed to deliver an absolute balance between architecture and design while taking advantage of the impressive setting to create a complete island oasis including a main house, guest house, Olympic sized swimming pool, spa, boat dock, enormous back yard and a private canopied nature preserve leading to two private beaches on the Bay.

Address: 1900 Casey Key Road, Casey Key, Nokomis, FL 34275

Price: $19,900,000

Photo credit: Coastal Home Photography

For more information please contact Joel Schemmel at 941.587.4894 or joel.schemmel@premiersir.com

Joel Schemmel is the exclusive agent representing the Sarasota, FL real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.

The post Joel Schemmel Presents A Gulf-To-Bay Compound On Casey Key appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Joel Schemmel presents

Escape to your very own private paradise set within the gated community of The Oaks. This stunning residence blends classic architectural elements, a sense of openness, comfort, and function to provide a near-perfect setting for a vacation retreat or a year-round home. Exquisitely finished, this home is truly one-of-a-kind and a must-see. Vaulted silver leaf ceilings, travertine marble floors, walls of glass and pocketing sliding doors to the lanai and pool area come together to create a seamless flow inside and out that allows for the perfect Florida lifestyle. The main kitchen, open to the adjacent family room, boasts custom rich wood cabinetry, granite countertops, top-of-the-line appliances and a large breakfast area, forming one large casual entertaining space. The master suite is an oasis and the separate guest/children’s wing is ideal for visiting guests or family and features three bedrooms, a separate family room and a second kitchen. The home theater, an exercise room, an office, two laundry rooms, a dog spa with a dedicated dog run, a hobby/craft room, an outdoor kitchen, a stunning saltwater pool and spa and an air-conditioned three-car garage complete this incredible home. The Oaks Club, one of the area's most exclusive private country club communities, is located minutes from nationally acclaimed Pine View School, the Legacy Bike Trail, Siesta Key beaches and all that living in the Sarasota area has to offer.

Address: 470 E Macewen Dr, Osprey, FL 34229

Price:$1,870,000

For more information please contact Joel Schemmel at 941.587.4894 or joel.schemmel@premiersir.com

Joel Schemmel is the exclusive agent representing the Sarasota, FL real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.

Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography

The post Joel Schemmel Presents A Stunning Home In Osprey appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Joel Schemmel presents

Pre-Construction. To be built. Take advantage of this ready-to-build opportunity in a boutique gated waterfront community on world-famous Siesta Key. Spice Bay, home to only 14 homesites, most of which have been completed and are occupied, is one of Siesta Key’s newest waterfront communities and captures the true essence of Florida living. The inspired Dutch West Indies style of the Shearwater model was created both for entertaining and to embrace the relaxed island lifestyle. Abundant natural light, large banks of windows and doors, and a seamless flow create the perfect balance between indoor and outdoor living space that is so sought-after today. With two master suites and two en-suite guest bedrooms, there is plenty of room for family or guests to have their privacy. The exterior space features a stunning pool and spa area, multiple seating areas, and an outdoor kitchen. This home will be brought to life by award-winning Perrone Construction, making it the ultimate trifecta of quality construction, design, and location. The property comes with a deeded boat slip directly on the bay as well as the use of the community kayak launch and fishing pier. All of this located near the south bridge to the mainland providing easy access on and off the island together with quick access to shopping, dining, and all the cultural amenities that Sarasota has to offer.

Address: 1214 Sharswood Ln, Sarasota, FL 34242

Price: $3,450,000

For more information please contact Joel Schemmel at 941.587.4894 or joel.schemmel@premiersir.com

Joel Schemmel is the exclusive agent representing the Sarasota, FL real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.

Photo Credit: CMS photo

Photo Credit: CMS photo

Photo Credit: CMS photo

Photo Credit: CMS photo

Photo Credit: CMS photo

Photo Credit: CMS photo

Photo Credit: CMS photo

Photo Credit: CMS photo

Photo Credit: CMS photo

The post A Siesta Key Pre-Construction Home In Sarasota By Joel Schemmel appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

How did the real estate market look at the beginning of 2020?

Certainly, the 2020 real estate market in the Sarasota area has been a roller coaster ride!  A good end to 2019 continued into 2020. The first-quarter unit sales for both single-family homes and condos in almost every price point were up compared to the same period in 2019.  Of course, the end of March was the beginning of the COVID-19 shutdown.  Real estate sales basically stopped for a good part of the second quarter

Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography

What, if any, changes did the pandemic have on prices?  On inventory?

As we entered the second quarter of 2020, we had no idea what impact the pandemic would have on the real estate market. Sales stopped for most of March and April. What we ultimately realized is that the pandemic combined with an already existing incentive to move from high tax states was a catalyst for the quick rebound of the real estate market.  No income tax, great weather, the ability to work from home, lifestyle choices, etc. all led to more sales in the late second and third quarters than we expected pre-pandemic. Ultimately this has resulted in significant decreases in listing inventory – particularly for single-family homes.  Because of low inventory levels and continuing demand, we are seeing prices increase and a change to a predominantly Seller’s market.

Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography

Professionally, what have you learned in 2020 about yourself?

It has certainly been a nerve-racking year.  During the shutdown, we were worried about the economy and the market.  All three of our children came home from college and all their courses were online – one graduating virtually.  We took this downtime, like so many others, to reflect on our business and priorities. We stayed focused and worked on our infrastructure and the future. Improvements in communication with existing and future clients was one of our priorities. We learned that there is always progress to be made in our business and personal lives regardless of market factors. We must continue to stay positive and look for the opportunities and the silver lining!

Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography

Click "Learn More" above to contact Joel Schemmel.

The post Joel Schemmel On Sarasota Real Estate Performance In 2020 appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The panelists were hosted by Haute Living's Erik Haase for the dialogue. They were:

Alvaro Nuñez Alfaro, Cofounder of Super Luxury Group, a leader in Miami and surrounding areas as well as globally with high net worth clientele

Joel Schemmel, Founder of the Schemmel Group, a top producing team with Sotheby's in Sarasota, top 1% overall in Sarasota

Connie Huergo, a top agent at Coldwell Banker in Delray Beach and Boca Raton, over 20 years of experience in South Florida luxury real estate

Pierre-Marc Bellion, Ocean Sotheby's International Realty, a leading agent in Key Largo and Islamorada areas of the Florida Keys

Highlight quotes from today's webinar:

Alvaro Nuñez Alfaro: "Everybody has been working very hard through this year to put all the tools in place to continue working in this business... People feel the trust and confidence of working with experts... Right now, everyone is finding a bigger purpose. Real estate is about enhancing people's lives... When it comes to what platforms we use, right now is the time to try out anything related to digital... Put your face out there. Beautiful videos [of properties] are nice, but people will relate to you. Build your personal brand.

Joel Schemmel: "We are seeing even more demand. Inventory challenges are going to slow us down to a certain extent... In Sarasota, we are comparatively undervalued to other markets in Florida. People are discovering that. They are coming from New York, California, Naples, and other Florida places... During the third quarter of this year, the pending sales compared to the same period last year were up 400% in the $2-4 million range... The market is very engaged. Things move quickly. Focus and understand the market, the value your buyers and sellers are trying to achieve...

Connie Huergo: "Interest rates are extremely low. That has really made an incentive for people that were on the fence. They have decided to make an early retirement. Our city of Delray is full of restaurants, beaches, and a lot of places to go...  We have had to be very creative and I love that, getting out of the traditional and do FaceTime presentations, 3-D... Delray Beach attracts the northeastern [audience]. When they see the prices here, it's an easy decision to make... We have to make sure to work with the right tools and surround ourselves with the proper people that can help us close in time."

Pierre-Marc Bellion: "People are moving out of the city. It's not just about getting out of the urban cities; it's about getting a new perspective... A year ago, a Zoom meeting was an exotic thing. It took us five weeks to get used to it and now it's how we do business... We sell the lifestyle, but you do better when you can share with people and they can tell that you are connected to your environment... On the personal and business level, with the pandemic, it's good to regroup and dig your roots deeper into the community. Go back to talking to people around you to get new listings."

To watch previous webinars by Haute Residence featuring top real estate agents, developers, brokers, and interior designers, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

Alvaro Nuñez Alfaro, Joel Schemmel, Connie Huergo, Pierre-Marc Bellion

The post Watch: “Top Agents Of Florida Real Estate” On Latest In The Sunshine State Luxury Market appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Joel Schemmel presents

Sealed Bid Event going on now. All offers due by 5:00 pm on 9/23/20. Act now to own this extraordinary waterfront residence on world-famous Siesta Key. Conveniently located on the North end of the Key on a quiet tree-lined street, this home is a delight and designed for what buyers are looking for today. The large open rooms, towering windows, glass cylindrical elevator, and volume walls and ceilings creating an art lovers’ dream. The stunning use of materials including polished marble, exotic granite, zebrawood, and stainless-steel results in the perfect balance between art and design. The kitchen, a focal point, is as beautiful as it is functional and features custom wood, stainless steel and frosted glass cabinetry, imported glass tile backsplash, a large center island, and professional-grade appliances including a full-size Sub-Zero wine refrigerator and built-in Miele coffee system. Designed with multiple entertaining spaces in mind, there is something for everyone including a luxurious private home theater conveniently located on the main floor just off the family room. The master suite is an oasis and boasts a private balcony, large custom organized walk-in closets, a sitting area, a fireplace, and a morning bar. There are 5 additional bedrooms, and 4.5 bathrooms providing plenty of room for family and guests to escape to their own private space. Beautiful landscaping creates a backyard retreat with multiple terracing outdoor spaces, a stunning outdoor kitchen, an infinity-edge pool, and a private dock with boating access to the Intracoastal Waterway. The lower level features a 10 plus car motor salon to satisfy the most avid car enthusiast. Act now to own your very own piece of paradise.

Address: 4136 Roberts Point Circle, Sarasota, FL 34242

Price: $4,200,000

For more information please contact Joel Schemmel at 941.587.4894 or joel.schemmel@premiersir.com

Joel Schemmel is the exclusive agent representing the Sarasota, FL real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.

Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography

Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography

Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography

Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography

Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography

Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography

Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography

The post A Stunning Waterfront Residence In Sarasota By Joel Schemmel appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography

What do visitors to (your market) do during Memorial Day weekend? Will it be the same for this year?

Memorial Day Weekend in Sarasota was a little different this year. While the holiday is usually one for big gatherings, celebrations, and welcoming of the summer months this year was a little more somber. People still memorialized but in a more private way. The Sarasota beaches have always been favorites for the weekend as was the case this year but in a much more socially distant way. People did take advantage of the water and beautiful Florida weather but just in a quieter more reflective manner.

Photo Credit: Coastal Home Photography

When selling a property, do you prefer it to be staged or empty? Why?

When selling a property, we generally always involve a stager. It can take the form of anything from simply rearranging and tweaking furniture and décor to fully staging a vacant home or condo. We know the benefit of this process and how it positively affects value and time on the market.   More recently because of logistical challenges due to COVID 19 we have been doing more virtual staging.

Photo Credit: SRQ360

Tell us about your best sale of 2020 so far.

Certainly, one of our best sales this year was a beachfront compound that we closed for $10,500,000. The property, referred to as AQUADISIA, consists of over three acres on the Gulf of Mexico including both the main home and guest home and more than 500 feet of beach frontage. The buyer first visited the property in late May amid the COVID-19 environment and we closed the first week of June. The sale was the highest price in 2020 for Sarasota County and tied last year’s high sale.

Photo Credit: SRQ360

What do you offer that no other agent can in (your market)?

Schemmel Group has had great success over the last several years. Much of that success is due to the combination of traditional marketing, innovative online and social media campaigns, and PR for our properties. In the last year or so our properties have been featured in Dwell, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Elle Décor. We know one sale came directly from the Dwell article. It is this extra push that is delivering value to our clients.

Photo Credit: SRQ360

How are prices doing today compared to three months ago in Sarasota, before the lockdown took place?

It has been very interesting to look at how pricing has evolved from before COVID-19 to now. We are fortunate that our market has been quick to reengage as things have opened. We may even be dealing with a scenario where demand is outweighing supply. Prices do not seem to have been impacted. Although we had over 45 days more or less of no sales, we have jumped back and may even be surging ahead. Therefore, I only see upward pressure on prices.

To contact Joel Schemmel, click on "Learn More" above.

The post Latest On Sarasota Real Estate, With Joel Schemmel appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.