MEET THE O’HARAS
LISA O’HARA
With more than 14 years of real estate experience, she brings extensive Sarasota market knowledge and a deeply personal approach to every client she represents. After relocating to Florida in 2009 and becoming licensed in 2012, she has watched Sarasota evolve from a quiet coastal town into the vibrant destination it is today.
Throughout her career, she has represented buyers, sellers, relocating families, second-home purchasers, and luxury clients across the Sarasota area. Her approach begins with understanding each client personally. Their priorities, lifestyle, and long-term goals to provide guidance tailored specifically to them. Many of these relationships continue well beyond closing, resulting in longtime clients, friendships, and referrals.
As part of The O’Hara Group, she pairs more than a decade of Sarasota experience, relationships, and local connections with Ava’s contemporary approach to marketing and property exposure. Every client works directly with both agents, providing two dedicated professionals working collaboratively toward the same goal.
Outside of real estate, she enjoys gardening, fitness, nature, and golfing in the women’s league at the Longboat Key Club.
AVA O’HARA
Sarasota has been home to Ava O’Hara since she was three years old, when her family relocated from Massachusetts after her father became Director of Golf and Head Professional at the Longboat Key Club. Growing up, real estate was a constant part of family life. From the north end of Longboat Key to Sarasota’s Granada neighborhood and beyond, moving between homes and discovering new areas gave Ava an early understanding of how deeply a neighborhood, property, and lifestyle are connected.
Ava now brings that perspective to The O’Hara Group, working alongside her mother, a Sarasota real estate professional with more than a decade of experience. Their partnership brings together longstanding market knowledge and relationships with a contemporary, highly individualized approach to buying and selling real estate.
Ava’s approach to selling is rooted in the belief that every property deserves its own strategy. Pricing, positioning, professional photography and videography, social and digital exposure, print marketing, and negotiation are considered as part of one cohesive plan, with the goal of placing each home in front of the right audience and securing the strongest possible outcome.
When representing buyers, especially those relocating to Sarasota, Ava begins by understanding the lifestyle they envision. Whether that leads to Longboat Key, West of Trail, Downtown Sarasota, Bird Key, St. Armands, or elsewhere, she helps clients identify both the neighborhood and property that best align with their priorities. When the ideal home is not actively listed, The O’Hara Group can also pursue off-market opportunities on a client’s behalf.
Ten years as a nationally competitive ballroom dancer shaped Ava’s discipline, preparation, and competitive nature, qualities she now carries into her real estate career. Clients can expect hands-on representation, direct and responsive communication, and an advocate who remains closely involved from the first conversation through closing.
Away from real estate, Ava enjoys golfing at the Longboat Key Club, Pilates downtown, traveling, and spending time throughout Sarasota’s restaurants and waterfront community.