HOME : About Us

About Southeast International

A short history…

Southeast International Hotel Brokers was first incorporated in 1962 as Southeast Investment Company by Frank Smith. Mr. Smith saw that the average broker, though a well-versed professional in the residential and commercial field, had no idea of the complex problems specific to the lodging industry. He realized there was a need for a broker who understood the special demands and problems of the hotel operator. A successful hotel broker must make accommodations for a large amount of related factors concerning employee confidentiality, various franchise requirements, tax laws, financing, liquor license transfers, and the peculiarities of many state and local laws. In today’s global market, even immigration and foreign investment laws may stand in the way of desired goals. Only a background and experience with these specific problems can ensure the smoothest transfer of ownership. Obviously, a working knowledge and experience in these areas helps solve or even avoid these problems altogether. This led to the establishment of Southeast International Hotel Brokers, a group of brokers who had the background to enhance Southeast International as a whole. One member of our firm operated a four-star resort for ten years, encompassing golf courses, marinas, and a staff of hundreds. Another was President of a large banking group in the midwest. Still, many of our other brokers are 10 year and up veterans of this field. All have the background and have obtained the training to offer a very specialized service to a very specific industry.

Southeast International is:

• Aware of trends and market conditions on a national level;
• Advertising extensively in a confidential manner in all national trade publications related to the lodging industry;
• Maintaining an accumulated and updated database over the past 37 years of prospective buyers and their needs, which allows the presentation of properties to a few targeted buyers most likely to perform. Many people have asked how a company can handle their property efficiently from such a distance. No matter where a company is based, it is going to be a distance from someone.

Therefore, being centrally located in the country actually helps. If a buyer limits himself to a local broker with his limited prospective buyers, he has lost the advantage of a company operating on a national level. Many buyers interested in a particular state may come from areas thousands of miles away. Many large companies owning several properties will buy in any area of the country if the property fits its needs. A company specializing in this field must be prepared to deal effectively with the great distances between buyers and sellers that often exists. In summary, Southeast International Hotel Brokers has the knowledge, experience and facilities to offer the most efficient way to obtain the goals for the buyer or seller of any size lodging property.