About Me

Full Agent Bio
Private education was in demand and available in Sarasota. This privilege influenced Terri's academic success as she went from Saint Martha's Parochial School, Cardinal Mooney High School, and then graduated from the University of South Florida with honors in Finance and Economics after a detour through more cultural pursuits in the study of art history, languages and the classics.
A summer job in a Wall Street brokerage firm planted a seed that has led to a love of all things financial. At the minimum age of twenty-one, she sat for the tests required for license as a securities broker. After ten years in the securities industry, Terri's interest inevitably turned to the practice of Real Estate as a career which combines finance, architecture, interiors and marketing. It was a natural and has been a consuming passion for thirty years. Earning the designation as a "Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist" which relies on knowledge as well as production performance in addition to the Trans National Referral, Short Sale/ Foreclosure designations and Broker's License, Terri is prepared to advise clients on the many varieties of Real Estate transactions.
Combining the energy and focus of a marathon runner, a love of the arts, a deep commitment to community, and a gift for matching people with their dreams, Terri Derr loves what she does and it is reflected in the respect and admiration of her clients.
Awarded a lifetime membership by Mote Marine Laboratory for efforts on its behalf, Terri also enjoys participation as a board member of La Musica International Chamber Music Festival. Both are involvements she shares with her equally dedicated husband, Frederick Derr, who has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Mote Marine Laboratory for nearly 30 years and is among the founding directors of Sarasota Military Academy. As a member of the board of the Michael Saunders & Company Foundation, Terri is involved in coordinating this new philanthropic endeavor with agents in the Longboat Key offices for the benefit of the most worthy causes in the community.
Leisure pursuits enjoyed with her husband, Fred, include travel, hiking, collecting art and fine wines, entertaining at home and the company of their snow white Standard Poodle, Gatsby.
Awards
- 2014 Master's Award Recipient
- 2017 Masters Award Recipient
- 2020 Masters Award Recipient
- 2021 Masters Award Recipient
- 2022 Circle of Excellence Award Recipient
Success!
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Testimonials
Terri and Rita both went the extra mile to prepare and maintain our condo for its sale. They worked with a difficult association board with great skill and diplomacy and were always there if we needed anything.In addition, they worked with some very difficult buyers who did their best to upset us all. They came through with flying colors.Michael Saunders is very fortunate to have such hard-working and talented people working with them!
We greatly appreciated the professionalism and outstanding client service from Terri Derr. Terri always made time for us and was tireless in going to check out listings in person that we could only see over the internet from 1,200 miles away, even over the holidays. I was impressed with Terri's attention to detail and can-do attitude and before long we found ahead of our first stay in our new home in March. Terri truly went above and beyond the call of duty every step of the way and we haven't been able to thank her enough. My wife and I are beyond thrilled that we turned an idea and a dream we had into reality and that Terri and your company made that all possible.
We had the great pleasure of retaining the dynamic duo of Terri Derr and Rita Holbrook for the sale of our home at Sutton Place. It was the easiest house sale we have had. Terri was immediately responsive with my many questions. Rita handled the paperwork efficiently and most of all kept our review to a minimum. Even when things were touchy on the appraisal, Terri handled things calmly and professionally. Thanks to them, we got full asking price. We would certainly use them again although we hope to never sell or buy another house.
I am the Trustee for a close relative who passed away last November. As Trustee of the estate my greatest concern and responsibility of the Trust has been the disposal of two properties. I was fortunate in that I was given the name of a local Realtor/Agent close to the properties in Florida, Ms. Terri Derr. I contacted Ms. Terri Derr and asked for a sample contract to review. We had multiple conversations over the meanings and interpretations of the contract, and Terri was exceptionally helpful and forthcoming. I was fortunate to have signed a contract with Terri for the sale of the properties. The most important property of the two immediately received what I call a "low ball" offer from a local Husband/Wife Attorney team. The offer was given with the suggestion that there was a problem with the property survey along the shoreline, which Terri decided to investigate.Terri's knowledge of the area combined with her investigative resources, connecting with the new surveyor, and reviewing a much older survey of the property cleared any issues. A second offer quickly followed from another buyer which we accepted. Terri's hard work, diligence, and professionalism got the job done. You cannot imagine the number of phone calls, emails, texts and exchange of documents that Terri and I shared. Patience with me and all of the nuances of managing the sale of both properties was truly exceptional. I have no doubt that Terri is one of your outstanding Agents and will continue to be a success. I am thankful for her services, and to have had the opportunity to work with Terri.
We were first exposed to Michael Saunders & Company on the sale of our property on N. Manasota Key. We found Terri very professional and PATIENT with a difficult buyer. We ended up #18 on your list of sold properties for 2018. We appreciated Terri's help in making it happen. We bought the lot in The Oaks on November 16, 2018. Unfortunately, we found The Oaks building process to be overly complex and not time-driven. We made the decision to put the lot back on the market and seek other housing. We immediately turned to Nora Johnson and her partner Klaus Lang given they had sold the property, had the lot next to it listed and sold the lot next to that lot. They were very familiar with the property. They represented me flawlessly and I was impressed with Klaus Lang's help seeking out new properties for us to consider. He was a tireless worker. Janet Carter, as the assistant to their team, was fantastic. Too often an unsung, underappreciated job, which becomes the glue that holds it all together. We now are having a home built by Taylor Morrison, in their new development, Legacy Estates, in Palmer Ranch off Honoree. We hope to be in on or before June of 2020.

