It's no surprise Dan Lawrence ended up living in Sarasota. This is the perfect place for the avid boater , swimmer and fisherman. "Sarasota is a special place", Dan states.
"Having visited many places in the world, and even owning property in the Caribbean, I can say Sarasota offers a phenomenal lifestyle! It offers year-round activities, world class art, amazing fishing, and fine dining - and to all the snowboarders I say - try wake boarding!"

Successful Businessman

Dan was born is Birmingham, Michigan, but moved to Sarasota in 1974. His official capacity in Sarasota is as founder of Lawrence Residential Funding, one of Sarasota's top lenders. The company opened on Longboat Key in 1995, specializing in conventional luxury home lending. Soon after opening, the company expanded to St. Armands where it operated for 10 years. In 2002 the company was chosen to participate in a pilot program which provided LRFC delegated underwriting and closing capabilities. This allows the company to close loans in 1-3 business days, an obvious advantage over most lenders.

Champion Offshore Powerboat Racer

But Dan's love is offshore powerboat racing. Most of us in Sarasota have witnessed the "Loan Shark", Dan's powerboat, as he cruises past Siesta Key on a sunny afternoon. But far from just a recreational boater, Dan's team has won their class in the Sarasota Offshore Grand Prix each of the three years they entered the race. In 2001 and 2002, Loan Shark Racing took the P-2 Class Amateur title; and in 2005, the Pro-Stock Class, Professional Level. The team has mounted an incredible 7 checkered flags and 11 podium finishes in 2 seasons.

Dan's favorite places in Sarasota include Siesta Key Beach, St. Armand's Circle and downtown; but he admits his favorite place to be is out on the water, in one of his boats. As a successful business owner, a champion Grand Prix competitor, and a man who enjoys everything this special town has to offer, Dan loves his job helping others to make this lifestyle a possibilty for them as well.