What more to look for in selecting an agent to exclusively list and market your property? A seller is also going to be signing up with a specific brokerage firm. So another thing that I recommend Miami Beach sellers look for – the overall strength and international marketing reach of the brokerage firm that the individual real estate agent is affiliated with.
One of the reasons that my team and I work with Fortune International Realty is that this is a financially strong company that has represented well over 50 large-scale national and international developers, with over 1,000 individual agents, with international marketing resources in Europe and most especially in South America. Fortune International Realty is also a locally based company (with Argentine family origins), that has the resources and management expertise that understands unique local market needs and challenges. So in interviewing prospective listing agents, my recommendation is to also inquire about the Brokerage firm- ask your agent why they work with their specific brokerage firm. Keep in mind that you will be hiring the company that he is affiliated with, along with the agent.
Having worked in real estate for over 15 years successfully marketing and selling properties in the Miami area, and most especially in Miami Beach, it’s critical to be up to date on the latest marketing trends. One of the key attributes that I recommend sellers look for in a potential listing agent is the ability and experience to work with both old (a.k.a. traditional sales methods and tools) and “new” technologies.
Examples of traditional real estate sales / marketing:
Calling prospective buyers and cooperating brokers
Networking / talking up your listed properties
Qualifying buyers
Attention to details (such as home square footage, contract specifics, professional photos, etc.)
Returning phone calls on a timley basis
Conducting yourself professionally (and training your team to operate at the same level)
Pricing the property right and providing market feedback to sellers (CMA analysis)
Traditional press releases for high profile sellers
Examples of “New” marketing techniques / skills:
Listing sindication (across many web databases and real estate portals around the world).
Website Optimization (having an SEO professional market your properties)
Having multiple websites specialized in different single family neighborhoods and specific condominium buildings
Overall traffic / rankings of the listing agent / broker on Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc
Use of video and appropriate sindication to Google Video, Yahoo, Bing Video, YouTube, etc.
The use of blogging and different SEO techniques to promote a specific property and drive traffic
Mass email databases and copy-writing that is optimized to draw interest / traffic / attention to a specific property
Choosing a Miami Beach listing Agent is very important for seller of any properties in Miami Beach. Having worked & sold luxury waterfront homes and condominiums for over 12 years in Miami Beach, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce our viewers and readers to our new video series dedicated to SELLERS. What are some of the traits and skills to look for in a real estate agent who will be marketing your property?
The first trait or quality that I recommend- attention to details: the listing agent should be very knowledgeable about the home, building, or specific condominium that they are exclusively marketing. This means knowing from memory (or have the information readily available) such as lot size, key features of the property, number of homes in a community, homeowner association dues, zoning and legal restrictions (if any). Being meticulous with pictures, written text, and brochures- all of online and print media should present the condo or home in the BEST possible way. This is most important today- given that in overall Miami and Miami Beach we are working in a BUYERS market.
Despite the latest troubling economic headlines coming out of Europe and U.S. overall economic indicators, premier waterfront properties continue an upward sales trend. The latest example of this is a sale that just took place in Bay Point in Miami. I’m going to deviate from my usual pattern of only focusing on Miami Beach sales here, since this latest sale is indicative of the overall trend with premier waterfront properties located either in waterfront or island communities in Greater Miami.
This trophy home on Bay Point is located on a double sized lot! This eight bedroom American traditional estate has 175 feet of deep water frontage. Boat lift, protected harbour with no bridges to the Bay, this home was meticulously renovated and features wood burning fireplaces, an oversized pool and hot tubs. Exercise Room, two car garage, courtyard entryway for multiple parking and walking gardens throughout the property. This home had not been on the market in 23 years and is one-of-a-kind!
Sold Price:$6,770,000 Original “For Sale” Price :$8,990,000 (2/2010) Previous “Sold” Price (1/1998) :$1,600,000 (1988) Bedrooms: 8 Bathrooms: 10 House S.F.: 10,841 ($624/SF) Land S.F.: 30,823 ($219/SF) Sold Date: June 28, 2010 Total Time on Active Market: 304 Days
I’d like to continue highlighting evidence of the resurgence in sales activity for price reduced waterfront single family homes in the Miami Beach real estate market- specifically for North Bay Road waterfront home sales. The sales story of these two waterfront homes is a great example of what’s happening in today’s Miami Beach real estate market- one sold quickly close to the asking price, and the other was reduced by over 50% over a four year time span:
North Bay Road Waterfront Home (6100 North Bay RD, Miami Beach, FL)
Spectacular wide bay views and the most gorgeous sunsets make this boater’s paradise a great opportunity to own on prestigious North Bay Road.Situated on a 20,000 SF lot, this home + guest house is 5,000 SF,with 3 Bedroom/3 Bath.It has been masterfully updated with wonderful entertaining spaces that features a chef’s kitchen,marble floors,marble bathrooms,generator,+gated security. Florida living at its best!
Sold Price: $3,350,000 Original “For Sale” Price : $3,100,000 (2/2010)
Previous “Sold” Price (1/1998) : $500,000
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3
House S.F.: 4,889 ($702/SF)
Land S.F.: 19,452 ($176/SF)
Sold Date: March 19, 2010
Total Time on Active Market: 59 Days Discount from Original Asking Price: 8%
Luxury Home (5718 North Bay Road, Miami Beach, FL 33141)
Exterior modern design with luxurious interiors in Med motifs, marble fireplaces, coffered ceilings, elaborate moldings, marble floors, ornate stonework and mahogany millwork. Spacious wet bar/piano room, adjacent media rm. opens onto interior courtyard, pool and huge dock for large vessel. Spacious circular drive with gates, electric shutters, elevator, office, guest & staff bedrooms with adjacent sun room.
Sold Price: $3,350,000 Original “For Sale” Price : $6,750,000 (3/2006)
Previous “Sold” Price (6/1980) : $390,000
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 7
House S.F.: 6,545 ($511/SF)
Land S.F.: 15,536 ($216/SF)
Sold Date: March 18, 2010
Total Time on Active Market: 40+ Months! Discount from Original Asking Price: 50% +
My advice from these two examples for sellers: Price your home RIGHT from the beginning and you will get MUCH more buyer activity (perhaps even a bidding war). Overpriced homes sit on the market a LONG time, with a downward price spiral trying to chase the market & generate interest with better priced competing waterfront single family homes.
