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.

Old Spanish Village – Spectacular New Coral Gables Residential/Office Development

As a member of Miami’s elite Real Estate Professional’s Association- The Master Broker’s Forum, I had the privilege of attending a dinner on the future site of Old Spanish Village in Coral Gables.

After assembling approximately 20 parcels of residential and commercial office buildings, visionary builder Ralph Sanchez is rolling out this mixed use project in the heart of Coral Gables. Featuring new 400 upscale condos and townhouse, which will be completed in the second half of 2009.  Old Spanish Village will comprise a seven acre complex of homes, offices and shops in the Ponce Circle area. The 42 three story townhomes will come with elevators, roof top terraces and two car garages. All residential units will be between 3,500 – 4,500 sqft., with exclusive Founders prices starting at just over $1 million ($370/S.F.).

When completed, Old Spanish Village will comprise an office tower, mid-rise condominiums, and town-home villas.  All designed to evoke a classic Spanish architectural style.  This mixed use project was inspired by the vision of Coral Gables founder George Merrick and is the modern realization of one of several themed enclaves in the city, such as the French, Chinese and Dutch villages that Mr. Merrick conceived and created in the 1920′s.

Residential Towers:
One Ponce Circle will be a 16-story mixed use building with 59 condos ranging from 2,500 – 8,5000 sq.ft., with private elevators that open directly into apartments.

Casa Palermo is a separate six story residential tower with 96 residences ranging from 800-1,500sqft., and comprising 1 & 2 bedroom units.

3001 Ponce De Leon Blvd – 9 stories of 172 (1,2 and 3 bedroom) condominiums.

This very unique and highly desirable project will resemble a Spanish inspired architectural village concept.  The developers had in mind a Spanish Town and a Spanish Bazaar Village concept.

The Developer has hired Miami historian Arva Parks and plans were devised for Old Spanish Village in the spirit of Merrick’s Spanish-themed villages (planned many years ago but never realized).