Major brokerage transfers ownership of rental division

SARASOTA — Gulf Coast Property Management, a Lakewood Ranch based firm with some 1,000 rental properties in its portfolio, has assumed ownership of the rental leasing and management division of Michael Saunders & Co.

One of the largest brokerages on the west coast of Florida, Michael Saunders & Co. has 360 rental properties and responds to nearly 5,000 calls every month from current and prospective customers, according to a statement. Gulf Coast Property Management will take over all those accounts.