FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Christopher Lynch, President
Legacy Properties / Sotheby's International Realty
Two City Center, Portland, ME 04101
www.legacySIR.com
1-207-780-8900
clynch@legacySIR.com

Pictured left to right, Christopher Lynch, President of Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty and Michael R. Good, CEO of Sotheby's International Realty

PORTLAND, Maine (Dec. 8, 2008) - The Real Estate industry needs to be prepared to help clients take advantage of opportunities emerging in a weakened economy. That message resonated at the 4th Annual Sotheby's International Realty® Leadership Forum, attended by real estate professionals from Portland-based Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty, Maine's leader in luxury properties.

Christopher Lynch, President of Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty explained, "It is important during these times to take a hard look at how real estate is sold. The sales cycle of the past is gone, and only those agencies that are working smarter with trusted, experienced brokers will continue to thrive. Investing in online marketing, more aggressively pursuing referrals and increasing our personal contact with clients are all part of our ongoing strategy. Agencies that adopt these and other strategies are going to be rewarded for redoubling their efforts to meet the needs of buyers and sellers."

This dynamic, two-day event was held last month in the New York City area and attracts luxury real estate professionals from around the globe, providing a unique opportunity for Sotheby's International Realty owners and managers to share best practices, network and learn new ideas for growing their businesses.

"The annual Leadership Forum provides an enormous value to our firm," continued Lynch. "This year's discussions were eye-opening, though not surprising. Having formed the business with Bob Stevens, Designated Broker, less than 3-years ago, we have positioned ourselves as an innovator, which has led to terrific results. I left the conference with the confidence that we're on the right track and that our business model is well positioned for all market environments."

"For Sotheby's International Realty affiliates, the Leadership Forum represents a unique opportunity to gather and share their collective insights and experiences," said Michael R. Good, president and chief executive officer, Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC. "As many countries around the world continue to face tough economic challenges, our focus during this year's conference centered on financial planning, with expert speakers in economics, real estate operations and financial analysis."

Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty, which has offices in Kennebunk, Portland, Brunswick and Camden, 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 Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty also are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global Web site, as well as on the firm's local Web site, legacysir.com.

Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty is located at Two City Center, Portland; 141 Maine Street, Brunswick; 150 Port Road, Kennebunk and 44 Bayview Street, Camden. For additional information, please call 207-780-8900 or visit www.legacysir.com locally or www.sothebysrealty.com nationally.