Sarasota Luxury Real Estate, Led by the Owners

Beyond Realty is an owner-operated boutique luxury real estate brokerage headquartered at 2170 Main Street in downtown Sarasota, Florida. Founded by Darren and Wendy Dowling, the firm represents luxury buyers and sellers from $500,000 to more than $6 million across Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Bradenton, and Florida's Gulf Coast, with 35+ five-star client reviews and a RealTrends "America's Best" ranking.

Unlike high-volume franchise brokerages, every Beyond Realty transaction is guided directly by an owner or broker, combining data-driven pricing, PR-backed listing marketing, and white-glove service from the first strategy session to closing.

Every sale below was closed by Darren Dowling and The Dowling Group at Beyond Realty. Source: Stellar MLS.

• The Founders Club, Sarasota: $5,400,000. Listing side. A 2022 custom modern estate with 7,149 sq. ft. on a lake and preserve homesite. Sold cash in May 2026.
• Lighthouse Point, Longboat Key: $5,200,000. Buyer side. A 2003 Mediterranean home with 6,025 sq. ft. on 0.39 acres in the gated enclave behind the Longboat Key Club gates. Closed March 2022.
• Siesta Beach Villas Penthouse, Siesta Key: $2,730,000. Listing side. A penthouse villa in a boutique four-unit building, with a private rooftop terrace and a short walk to Siesta Village. Closed March 2024.
• Bahia Vista Street, West of Trail: $2,701,111. Two transactions on one home. Represented the buyers in their $2,425,000 purchase in May 2021, then listed and sold it for them in May 2022.
• Buttonwood Harbour, Longboat Key: $1,750,000. Buyer side. A three-bedroom, three-bath waterfront home with 2,405 sq. ft. Closed June 2023.
• West of Trail, Sarasota: $1,700,000. Buyer side. Represented a cash buyer relocating from Buffalo, New York, to a pool home near Southside Village. Closed October 2026.
• Indian Beach, Sarasota: $1,420,000. Listing side. Ralph Twitchell's 1941 Lu Andrews House #2, a Sarasota School of Architecture home steps from Sarasota Bay. Sold cash in January 2026.
• Lakewood Ranch Country Club: $1,225,000. Buyer side. Represented a cash buyer relocating from the North Carolina mountains to be closer to family in Sarasota. Closed January 2026.
• Gran Paradiso, Wellen Park: $1,120,000. Listing side. Under contract in 7 days at 97% of list price. Closed April 2025.
• Somerset Cove, Siesta Key: $1,100,000. Listing side. A three-bedroom, 3.5-bath home in a gated enclave of eleven residences on the north end of Siesta Key, with a deeded 35-foot boat dock. Closed April 2021.

Many of our luxury buyers relocate from high-tax Northern states, and most start planning months before their first visit. Darren Dowling hosts the Moving to Sarasota & Lakewood Ranch YouTube channel, with more than 400 videos on neighborhoods, new construction and the real cost of living here.

Free planning tools before you visit:

• Florida Tax Advantage Savings Calculator: compare what you pay now with Florida's tax picture.
• Moving to Sarasota, Florida in 2026: The Complete Relocation Guide
• Cost of Ownership Guides: The Founders Club, The Lake Club, The Concession, Lakewood Ranch Country Club, Country Club East and Wild Blue at Waterside
• Lakewood Ranch Neighborhood Guide

Recent relocation clients include a cash buyer from Buffalo, New York, who purchased West of Trail, and a buyer from the North Carolina mountains who moved to Lakewood Ranch Country Club to be closer to family in Sarasota.

Book a Strategy Session to map out neighborhoods, taxes and club costs before you fly down.

A pricing strategy you can see. Before your home goes on the market, you receive a branded Listing Launch and Pricing Strategy report. It includes comparable sales with a line-by-line adjustment grid, clear pricing options, and a launch plan with a timeline.

A press launch for every listing. Every Beyond Realty listing launches with a press release to local media, and unique luxury properties are regularly picked up. Our $5.4 million Founders Club listing was featured in Luxury Home Magazine with a double-page spread, then again with a single-page feature in the following edition.

Video and photography that sell. Our media team produces the video and photography for each listing, built to reach buyers locally and out of state.

Led by an owner from start to finish. Darren or a broker guides every step, from the first Strategy Session to closing. In Gran Paradiso at Wellen Park, our listing was under contract in 7 days at 97% of list price.

Read the 2026 Home Seller's Guide