As an experienced Broker-Associate with Signature Sotheby's International Realty, Barbara Mei focuses on the luxury condominium market in Sarasota, Florida. She moved to Sarasota in 2005 to enjoy the cultural richness, award-winning beaches and enviable lifestyle on the Florida Gulf Coast. 

Born in Italy and raised in New York, she has represented some of New York City’s most prestigious homes and estates for more than 20 years, including managing the Corcoran Group’s Townhouse Division. She also independently managed more than 100,000 square feet of commercial and residential space. 
 

Her passion for the real estate world began at an early age. At just 12 years old, she was helping out with paperwork for her family’s rentals. As she grew older, she succeeded in just about every facet of the real estate field, from residential and commercial property management, to construction management for new, renovation and restoration projects. A true innovator, Barbara was building “green” before there was a word to describe it. To top it off, Barbara even served briefly as a mortgage broker, learning the ins and outs of real estate finance.

Given all this, you might not expect that Barbara also has a background in science. More specifically, she worked as a research technician at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, New York Hospital/Cornell University and Rockefeller University. While at Rockefeller, she co-authored a research study in the Journal of Experimental Medicine in 1977. Barbara graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biology from Boston College and a master’s degree in nutrition from Columbia University.

In 1995, Barbara assumed the role of proprietor of her family’s Italian restaurant, Fontana di Trevi in New York City, which singer-songwriter Billy Joel immortalized in his hit song, “Bottle of Red, Bottle of White.” The restaurant, which was located across the street from Carnegie Hall, was sold in 2006 after 50 years of business.  

It’s clear that Barbara approaches every endeavor with commitment and relentless determination. In other words, she caters to her clients with personalized attention and strategizes on their behalf. She speaks several languages, including Spanish and Italian. She serves on the Sarasota board of the American Cancer Society and donates 10 percent of her commissions to R.O.C.K. (Reaching Out to Cancer Kids). She is a member at-large of the Women Presidents’ Association and holds her Florida and New York broker’s licenses. She enjoys frequenting the cultural ventures in Sarasota.

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"Barbara was the 'go to' broker when it was time to list a unit in Beau Ciel, Sarasota.  By living in the building, she has the inside scoop.  She tenaciously marketed the property and obtained an offer at nearly full price within two weeks of listing the residence.  Barbara was always available, followed-up with potential buyers and conscientiously monitored the entire contract process."