Hendrik Bisanz, founder and CEO of Seasalt Properties, has announced plans to expand his successful real estate company from St. Pete Beach to the City of Tampa. A native of Germany, and now a Treasure Island resident, Hendrik founded Seasalt more than three years ago.
The local company, with a global reach, has experienced success with proven sales results selling waterfront properties to an international clientele from their headquarters at 449 Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach. The luxury real estate firm has specialized in buying, selling and managing residential properties on Florida’s west coast, starting out with five agents. He says that all of the Seasalt agents share a common denominator: appreciating the fact they can live, work and play under the sun every day.
With the expansion to Tampa, Bisanz will be leading 22 agents in Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties, and adding four more Seasalt agents in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Fasten your seat belts Tampa Bay, this ambitious real estate entrepreneur is a man on the move. Even in the middle of hurricane season and a global pandemic he hasn’t shown any sign of slowing down. Personally, or professionally. “I love the Florida lifestyle and the interest in our west coast area is only increasing; or should I say – shattering all records.”
How are you expanding during a global pandemic when other companies are folding?
Tampa Bay, as a region, is exploding with growth prompting Seasalt to announce the expansion. We are adding experienced associates who will operate out of a new office located in the waterfront destination of Armature Works in Tampa. We are excited to announce our firm has added some of the most dedicated, and successful, luxury real estate agents in the area. They understand our international luxury brand and share our passion for the Tampa Bay, Florida lifestyle.
You have been representing the beaches successfully to your international customers for years, why head to Tampa now?
Expanding to Tampa, from the beaches of Pinellas County, was a natural move for the company. The continued transformation of our Tampa Bay community, for the last decade, has been incredible. We have seen Tampa’s new Waterfront Park, Tampa Riverwalk and the re-designed Sparkman Wharf come to life. By the time the Super Bowl kicks off, on February 7, 2021, a construction boom will have delivered more than $2 billion worth of new hotels, airport renovations, destination parks and food halls to the Bay Area. We can now offer our customers the addition of an insider’s knowledge of Tampa’s cultural amenities from the theater to art museums and gourmet restaurants.
What makes Seasalt different from other agencies?
The experienced team understands the community and embraces the fact that the Seasalt culture revolves around giving back. Our firm has made a corporate, year-round commitment to helping our neighbors enjoy the Florida lifestyle. Throughout the year, we will announce a series of events that will be open to the public as a community service to help keep our environment safe via a Local Beach Clean Up campaign.
Where you are from, and what is the story behind landing on the beach?
I grew up near Hamburg, Germany and came to America in 2007 – after receiving a job offer in Tampa Bay. Marriage to my wife Bridget came about in 2010. After that, Florida was home and now includes two children: Johanna (9) and Annalise (7). The entire family shares a passion for the water, sun and total Florida lifestyle. In fact, my wife dreams of life on the water, aboard our catamaran. Her dad was a Navy Captain so she was born in Monterey, California but lived all over. As a child, she lived in Sardinia, and Australia for two years each. We call our boat Seasalt of course! The boat is kept between Blind Pass and St. Pete Beach.
How did you adjust to the Florida lifestyle after growing up in Europe?
I’ve always been drawn to the water. I’m a native German who left his home country to work and study in New York, Mexico City, Spain and The Netherlands. I speak three languages, and am told I possess a sympathetic mix of traits: German “discipline and punctuality,” New Yorker “coolness” and a Latin “easy-going attitude.” My career, in real estate, began with the Tampa-based Engel & Volkers. The German company is known as a leader in ultra-luxury real estate and lifestyle. In my first year, I became a top producer for the company, listing and selling million-dollar homes in Tampa Bay right from the get-go. Maybe because I’m an International Business Management graduate, from the Netherlands, that customers claim I quickly convey trust on a professional and personal level.
How did you initially land your first sale in Florida?
By talking to my neighbors and connecting. My first listing was a share of a $3 million home, on the beach, in Treasure Island. A great example of what I believe in so strongly. GET OUT THERE, and connect, and have a good conversation. Currently, we have a variety of diverse listings: from a 6,000 square foot home, in Ellenton, going for $1,399,000; to a waterfront home, available in July, for $2 million.
Where are your clients from?
Literally, from everywhere in the world. Our brand is magnetic and attracts good people to our team. My most loyal customers are from India. I have represented clients from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, India, Finland, Holland, Austria and the United Kingdom.
Seasalt’s new office is located at Bay 3, 1905 N Market Street, Tampa. The phone number is 813.258.9000.
