Saunders Real Estate Expands Land Brokerage Services into Alabama with New Office in Montgomery and Regional Managing Director Appointment

July 16, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL – Saunders Real Estate, a top land and commercial real estate brokerage firm with more than 30 years of experience across the Southeastern United States, is deepening its presence in Alabama with the opening of a new Montgomery office, led by new Managing Director Hoke Smith. The firm has held its Alabama brokerage license since 2022 and is expanding its on-the-ground operations to better serve buyers and sellers of agricultural land, timberland, recreational land, development land, and conservation properties across the state.

"Our expansion into Alabama reflects our long-term commitment to serving landowners and investors across the Southeast," said Tyler Davis, ALC, President of Saunders Real Estate. "Alabama's land market is strong, diverse, and full of opportunity, and we're bringing the same level of expertise and strategic guidance that has defined our work for over three decades. We're proud to be adding respected and experienced advisors to our team, including the current President and Vice President of the Alabama RLI Chapter, who bring a strong understanding of this market and deep roots in the local land community."

Hoke Smith IV, a seasoned Alabama land broker and lifelong outdoorsman, will lead the Alabama office as Regional Managing Director and Senior Land Advisor. Smith is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Wildlife Management & Ecology. Since 2016, he has built a reputation for excellence in buying and selling recreational properties, timberland, and rural real estate in Alabama.

Smith serves as the President of the Alabama Chapter of the REALTORS® Land Institute, a respected leadership position that is determined by a vote of his peers across the land brokerage industry. The role is a testament to the trust and respect he has earned among fellow land professionals in the state. He is also actively involved with the Alabama Wildlife Federation and Alabama Forestry Association, emphasizing his commitment to land conservation and responsible land stewardship.

"There's real momentum building across Alabama's land market, from productive farms to scenic recreational tracts," said Smith. "I'm proud to be part of a team that understands this region and is deeply invested in helping landowners create long-term value through smart land investments."

He will be joined by Neil Colbert, ALC, a respected land sales expert based in Fort Payne and the current RLI Alabama Chapter Vice President, who brings valuable experience representing buyers and sellers in North Alabama. Known for his strong local knowledge, Colbert has developed trusted relationships throughout the region's rural land market. Also joining the team is Jay Gilmer, an Associate Advisor based in Selma. A third-generation landowner and forester, Gilmer has played an active role in his family's timber and land management business, with a focus on forest management planning and timber marketing. He also brings a corporate background from IBM and Kyndryl, where he led complex negotiations and managed high-value client relationships. Gilmer holds an MBA from the University of Alabama, complimenting his deep knowledge of the market.

The Montgomery land real estate office will officially open on July 25, 2025. Its central location makes it an ideal base to serve Alabama landowners with interests in farmland sales, timber tract acquisitions, hunting property investments, and other rural land transactions.

This expansion allows Saunders Land to further its mission of delivering full-service land brokerage in the Southeast, backed by proprietary market data, multi-generational expertise, and strong relationships with landowners, investors, and conservation-minded stakeholders.

About Saunders Real Estate

Saunders Real Estate is a leading land and commercial real estate brokerage serving buyers, sellers, investors, and landowners across the Southeastern United States for nearly 30 years. With over 100 advisors and offices in major U.S. markets including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, we specialize in large-acreage land transactions, commercial property sales and leasing, and property management.

To reflect our legacy and continued growth, Saunders Real Estate operates through two divisions – Saunders Land and Saunders Commercial. Our expertise spans agriculture, conservation, recreation, residential development, and commercial real estate, supported by specialized services such as forestry, land management, and investment acquisitions.

Today, Saunders Real Estate is recognized as a trusted authority in the region, delivering exceptional results through experienced leadership, innovative strategies, and a client-focused approach.