A new benchmark has been set on Siesta Key.
The $26 million sale of 3990 Higel Avenue represents a record-setting transaction for the barrier island and another defining moment for Sarasota’s rapidly evolving luxury market.
For listing agent Adnan Dedic of Compass, the relationship began years earlier when he represented the same seller on another Siesta Key residence, generating multiple offers and selling the approximately $5 million property in just two days.
This time, the assignment carried significantly higher stakes.
Set on approximately one acre of direct Gulf frontage, the roughly 13,000-square-foot new-construction estate combines sweeping water views with something exceedingly rare: deeded boating access and a private 20,000-pound boat lift.
“At this level, you’re not simply selling bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage,” Dedic says. “You’re selling something that may not be replicated again. My responsibility is to understand what makes that property irreplaceable and make sure the right buyers understand it too.”
When Dedic began representing the property, it was still under construction, requiring buyers to envision a lifestyle that did not yet fully exist. He focused on positioning its architecture, Gulf frontage, scale and boating access while marketing the vision of the finished estate.
Despite the magnitude of the transaction, Dedic says his approach remained unchanged.
“Whether it’s a $1 million property or a $30 million property, the level of care doesn’t change,” he says. “When someone trusts me with one of their largest assets, I take that responsibility personally.”
For Dedic, the transaction also illustrates an important lesson for luxury homeowners.
“Luxury homes don’t sell because they’re listed. They sell because they’re marketed,” he said. “At this level, you need the right positioning, exposure, relationships and strategy.”
Dedic believes the sale reflects something larger happening throughout Sarasota. Buyers from New York, Chicago, California and other major markets increasingly view the area alongside established Florida luxury destinations.
“Sarasota is no longer Florida’s best-kept secret,” Dedic says. “It is becoming recognized as a global luxury destination, and I believe we’re only beginning to see what this market is capable of.”
For Dedic, the $26 million closing is a milestone—but not a finish line.
"I work 24/7, always thinking about the next move," Dedic says. "When I'm entrusted with a property, my responsibility is to create the strategy, position it correctly, and do whatever it takes to deliver the result for my client."
“Whether someone owns an extraordinary property and is considering selling, or they’re looking for something that may never publicly come to market, those conversations often start long before there’s ever a sign in the yard.”
