I'm the founder of the nationally recognized real estate brand known as Miamism.  We are a team of real estate agents working with Majestic Properties with offices in Miami's Design District and South Beach.  I am one of the first real estate bloggers and have taken technology to the next level and can be found on every social media platform - all to benefit our clients and the way we market and sell properties.  With a degree in architecture, creativity is always at the top of everything I do and my desk has the tools I need to achieve just that.

I have all of the obligatory Apple products:  27" iMac, ipad, time capsule, magic trackpad and iphone - Apple products are not just pretty, they simply help maximize my production in every way imaginable.  My iPhone is surgically attached to my hand, hence doesn't appear in the picture.

A Wood desktop is a must have for me - natural wood surface keeps me centered.  I cannot work on glass or stone surface tops.  No matter what kind of technology surrounds me, wood brings it all together to harmonize my work space.

Architecture and art books - inspiration is key, books of my favorite architects and artists are always close by and my collection is constantly growing. From Tadao Ando to Richard Neutra and from Diego Rivera to Edward Hopper...they are all constant reminders

Round pencil and sketch pad - always handy to take notes, doodle and help solidify my ideas.  Also keep Sharpies and Prismacolors nearby, just because I can't live without them.

Aeron Chair - not only is it a permanent fixture in the Museum of Modern Arts, but it's a must for me because it's beautiful and so comfortable!

Fresh flowers/plants - color is an important part of my life and seeing the beauty of a single flower and its simplicity reminds me to stay humble.

To Learn More: Visit Ines Hegedus-Garcias HLRN Member Profile

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When clients come to you with an idea of what they want, how do you help them refine their criteria prior to finding a match?

Defining criteria is different with every client. I wish there was a magic formula, but first consultations are always about understanding what is more important in a client's lifestyle. The educated consumer is our best client, one that has already immersed himself/herself into the home purchase process and has a lot of questions to ask and a lot of information to offer. The more we know about our clients, the better we can serve them. We help our clients define needs and wants in order to prioritize between location, design features, and lifestyle changes for their new home or vacation getaway. Refining search criteria is all about understanding the way they like to live and what they are not willing to sacrifice when making a purchase.

What is the most important thing you look for when purchasing a home for yourself?

Because of my architecture background, design and construction quality are the most important things I look for when purchasing a home for myself. Of course there are many factors like location, size and features of the home. But because we know that we will remodel no matter what, a home with good bones is much more important than one that is ready to move-in.

If you had to choose one piece of advice for first-time home buyers, what would it be?

Be very in tune with your instincts. As much as many real estate agents tell you that buying and selling properties should not be emotional, those emotions will dictate what the right home is for them. With the help of the right professional, those emotions can lead to buying their dream home.

If you were not selling real estate, where would you be today?

I am an architect by profession and got into real estate for schedule flexibility and knowing my background would come in handy for our clients. If I was not in real estate sales, I would be doing architectural consulting for developers and the real estate industry.

What would you say is your most proud accomplishment as a real estate agent so far?

Being able to market our clients' properties in a unique way, totally different than the industry's norms is by far my most proud accomplishment. The fact that I get asked to speak around the country to share my "out of the box" thinking, is proof that people are watching and our clients hire us because we do provide a different type of service.

To learn more about Ines Hegedus-Garcia and properties available on Brickell and Fisher Island, visit her HLRN Profile:

http://dev.hauteresidence.com/member/ines-hegedus-garcia/

  Ines Hegedus-Garcia Garcia real estate brickell Fisher Island miami florida

The post The Structure Of Things: Realtor Ines Hegedus-Garcia Makes Sense of Brickell and Fisher Island Real Estate appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

What local amenities does this area have to offer (parks, community center, recreation programs)?

The Brickell Area of Miami is better known as Miami's Financial District and is located just south of Downtown Miami, separated by the Miami River.  Brickell is comprised of mostly high-rise buildings and is known as a walkable community supplemented by the amazing metro-mover as public transportation.  Brickell has it all, shopping and restaurants at Mary Brickell Village, parks like Simpson Park Hammock, Brickell Park, and the historic Miami Circle - Archeological site built by The Tequesta Indians.  There is also Brickell Key which is a community of its own with parks, shopping, and condos.  There are currently some great projects being built in the area of Brickell which will make this an even better community.

Fisher Island is a private island only accessible by private ferry and helicopter.  It's a luxurious residential community with its own hotel and resort, golf-course, tennis center, spa and fitness center, 2 world-class marinas, restaurants, commercial center with market and shopping, a polo field, private beaches, playground, post office, on-island fire and emergency station and seaplane, car-ferry and helicopter access 24-hours a day.

Can you describe the local school system, and what type of education children get here (private, public, charter - focus on sports, the arts, etc.)? 

The Brickell area has an array of different schools for both primary and secondary education.  Schools include:  Southside Elementary which is a magnet school, Ada Merritt Elementary School, Riverside Elementary School,  La Prima Casa Montessori, Champs Pre-school, International Christian School (k-8th grade), and Mater Brickell Prep Academy among others.  Like the rest of Miami, there are many public, magnet, charter and private schools to choose from.  For information on public schools, please visit http://www.dadeschools.net/

Fisher Island has The Fisher Island Day School that serves Pre-K to 5th grade.  Residents leave the island for private, magnet and charter schools around Miami or attend Miami Beach High School.  For information on public schools, please visit http://www.dadeschools.net/

What is the community culture like (i.e. private, gated, urban, diverse, etc)

Brickell is Urban life at its best.  It defines Miami with its diverse culture and residents are loyal to the area and support local business.  But remember that it is vertical living with some lower density buildings, but most will be high-rise condos.  It has evolved from the 1980's and popular with South Americans and young professionals.  Now people come to live, work and shop without having to leave downtown Miami.

Fisher Island is exclusive and private.  There are no roads connecting the mainland or Miami Beach to the island, so Ferry is the most common method of access.  Once inside the island, residents commute with golf-carts and have all the privacy and security they desire.

What is transportation like to the area's major surrounding cities, or within the city?

If you live in Brickell, you really do not need a car, but because Miami is a Metropolitan hub, most people will have one.  Public transportation includes the metro-mover which is an elevated mono-rail system.  Since it is the city's financial district, expect rush hour traffic in the main arteries of The Brickell area.  Locals get used to the Brickell Draw Bridge that connects downtown and Brickell that can hold them up for 15-20 minutes at any given time during the day.

Fisher Island's access, as we explained before, is via boat ferry.  You can expect access to the island to take between 30-40 minutes depending on the time of day.  Once out of the island, McCarthur Causeway will take you to Miami Beach if you head east or Miami if you head west.

Is there a strong political presence or community leader involvement in this area?

We chose not to discuss politics or religion in Miamism - our clients are diverse and we rather not limit or make statements that can be misconstrued as offensive.

Are there any local traditions that bring the community together? (sports events, charity events, sales, holiday celebrations)?

There are smaller local events like The Taste of Brickell which is a day of fun, music and great local food sponsored by restaurants and  private businesses.  There's a Sunday market at Mary Brickell Village featuring handmade crafts, art jewelry plus a farmer's market.  There's the Brickell Art walk on the last Tuesday of each month.  The Miami Critical Mass event the last Friday of the month starting at Government Center.  The beauty of Brickell is that it is close to so many other places and can enjoy events held all over Miami.

Fisher island offers social activities for its residents planned throughout the year.  Events include sports tournaments, cultural events, theme parties and other social functions.

What is the job market like or major industries that are at the core of this area?

Brickell is known as Miami's financial district, and referred by many as "the Manhattan of The South".  It is known for the amount of international banks, major law firms and hotel chains amongst other things.

Fisher Island is not known for any major industry.  Because of its privacy, residents that live there year-round will commute outside of the island.  But a lot of Fisher Island owners will be second home and vacation owners.

What are some thriving small local businesses that make an impact in the community?

Mary Brickell Village has brought life back to the Brickell Area in the past few years.  With restaurants and small shops, and ease of transportation, it defines the center of the area for both day and evening activities.

 Local businesses include restaurants, commercial center with a market and hotel/resort which is popular internationally.

What are the local property taxes like and what other financial responsibilities should a property owner in this area be prepared for?

Miami residents can expect to pay an average of 2.2% in property taxes per year.  As a primary resident you will have the option of "homesteading" your property which will protect you from taxes being increased at a maximum of 3% per year.  Second home owners will not have that privilege.  We always recommend that you visit miamidade.gov and input a property address within Miami-Dade County to find out exactly what the property taxes are.

 In addition to the property taxes, Fisher Island will have a Fisher Island Club Membership open to non-property owners as well.  The costs are a one time initiation fee of $25,000 and annual dues of $19,300, per family.  This will give access and privileges to the Beach Club, use of The Links Golf Club, the tennis center, spa, restaurants, marinas and member events.  There is also an optional annual golf membership for an additional feel.  An Equity membership is available to Fisher Island property owners and limited number of non-property owners and represents an equity ownership in the club.  The cost is an equity contribution of $250,000 with annual dues of $18,300.  This equity membership will give privileges of the club membership above plus an equity ownership, discounts on resort accommodations, preferred golf fees and marina rates as well as other benefits.

The post Where The City Meets to Shore: Realtor Ines Hegedus-Garcia on Brickell and Fisher Island Real Estate appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.