Haute Residence continued its "Chat with Haute Residence Leaders" series with a conversation featuring Robert Greenwood of Regency-Christie's International Real Estate. Greenwood is the exclusive agent representing the Turks & Caicos Islands real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network.
Robert Greenwood was hosted by Haute Media Group Cofounder Seth Semilof. Watch their conversation below.
The topics included Greenwood’s illustrious career with credible experience abroad building an understanding of his clientele, joining the highly esteemed Christie's International team, and his eventual ascendancy in the Turks & Caicos Islands luxury real estate market.
Robert Greenwood is on a Directors and Partner of Regency-Christie's International Real Estate, operating as one of the firm's Senior Brokers and Real Estate Advisors and a member of the Christie's Masters Circle. With veteran knowledge and proficiencies in high-value sales, resort management, development, and offshore investment, he has more than 35 years of personal work experience within the Turks and Caicos Islands. His extensive portfolio includes golf courses, condominiums, colleges, and hotel resort projects. Being affiliated with Christie's International Real Estate for almost a decade now, Greenwood has gained invaluable experience in the luxury real estate market guiding buyers with experience, professionalism, and trust.
Here are some of the questions and answers from the exclusive interview with Greenwood.
Seth Semilof: What exactly is a partner of the Regency Christie's International Real Estate and member of the Christie's Masters Circle?
Robert Greenwood: Christie's International Real Estate is one of the top luxury real estate brands in the world. We have been affiliated with Christie's for almost two decades now. With an investment angle, that has really helped us with our global exposure and the trust of the brand name. We have a fantastic team here at Christie's in the Turks and Caicos Islands with a breadth of knowledge. It is a great collaboration with Christie's and our team of 10 agents works very efficiently in the high-net-worth, high-value world of real estate.
SS: What made you want to get into real estate on the buy and sell side?
RG: It happened organically. At one point, I did the triad where I had a management company, a construction company, and a real estate company where one would feed the other. I did that for a long time, but I always gravitated towards real estate. I love the different styles of architecture. I really enjoy interacting with the people that we meet here. We get such a wide demographic of buyers from across the world, and you never know who you are actually dealing with everything from A-listers to captains of industry. The Turks is not just reserved for mega villas in the $20 million range. We are very price affordable in certain areas and certain condos, so I get to meet some incredible people.
SS: How was the island when you first launched the brokerage firm? What was your strategy?
RG: It was certainly very different than it is today. We did not have the technology that we have today. We did not have the inventory that we had today, but we also did not have the amount of brokerages. There are 16 brokerages within the Turks, but back then, it was three or four. It has always been very word of mouth in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It was slow-moving. Operating a real estate company was not aggressive at all and did not need to be. I do say quite often I have never really sold any real estate. The island already does that for me. My job is to simply guide you through the process.
SS: Tell us about who your mentor was or who helped mold you into where you are at today.
RG: I cannot mention his name, but he has an extensive background in commercial real estate in Canada. He was actually one of my first sales. The majority of my clients become my friends. You have to have the passion and the love of what you do. I love living in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I love what I do and love the people I meet. People see that and they recognize it is authentic. That is what makes the difference. You can read all the books you would like. You can have all the mentors you like. You can learn all the psychology of sales, but it really comes down to true authenticity. Make sure buyers get what they want. They will tell you everything you need to know.
SS: Who are the buyers? Where are they coming from?
RG: A lot of buyers are from the United States. It is a big demographic for us, and we are so easy to get to. It is a hop, skip, and a jump three and a half hours from New York. 90 minutes from Miami. We have direct flights from Charlotte, from Atlanta, and from Houston. Now, we are getting interest from new demographics in California and Vegas. Predominantly, U.S. buyers, but Europe is another big one and South America. The grand prize here is going to be exceptional, not just for real estate, but for tourism. They go parallel when you come down here. You fall in love on vacation, and we can offer you a condo from $290,000 to $68 million or $86 million. It has the full range.
For more information, please contact Robert Greenwood at (649) 432-7653 or robert@tcibrokers.com
To watch more real estate webinars curated by Haute Residence, visit http://dev.hauteresidence.com.
