Carlo Habet was hosted by Haute Media Group Cofounder Seth Semilof. Watch their conversation below.

The topics included Habet’s illustrious career with credible experience stemming from his business background, his leadership across various boards, and his eventual ascendancy in the Belize real estate market.

Carlo Habet is a third-generation entrepreneur whose family has had a rich history in Belize’s development. Seeing the opportunity for synergy with Brothers Habet’s own real estate developments, he decided to further his real estate education at Champions School of Real Estate in Plano, Texas. He then founded 4Realty in 2009 and has been able to develop a niche market selling commercial and luxury investments with a full-service company that provides boutique quality care to its clients. Currently the President of the Belize National Association of Real Estate, he has been lobbying diligently for the establishment of regulatory legislation in the Belizean real estate industry. Habet is the consummate businessman broker with an unparalleled network, unmatched communication, negotiation acumen, deep national knowledge across sectors, and a long and respected reputation for getting things done.

Here are some of the questions and answers from the exclusive interview with Habet.

Seth Semilof: Tell us a little about you growing up in Belize with the family business.

Carlo Habet: I honestly got into real estate sort of rowing the boat. It was not what I had really envisioned. I do not seem like the agent type. I am not like typical agents probably because of my background in more marketing, IP, and typical business processes. I know people in real estate tend to be seen kind of like salesmen. I went into it looking at it as a want to cultivate long-term relationships. Something that I have found a lot of success in has been referrals from happy customers, so a large sum of my business is actually referral-based.

SS: Tell us how you were able to survive tough times because that, to me, is what really makes a champion top agent. Anyone can be successful in the good times, but it is the bad times too.

CH: How I survived, I think, was specifically because I played my niche. I was lucky because I have two things going at the same time, which was a steady trickle of smaller residential lots and development companies. That kept me going, but as well, allowed me to spend a lot more time on bigger deals. I have been trying to convince people that there are some deals that you are chasing behind and following up for sometimes a year, but in the end, it is worth it because it closes. I was in a position with my network that I had a couple of these deals for a year. With proper financial planning, I was able to make that happen and with time, it only grew. Every year, I was doing better and better. At a certain point, I realized I have momentum that I do not think is going to go anywhere. I got over my fear of bringing in too many agents and losing focus.

SS: Tell us a little about your company 4realty. How many agents? Do you have offices? Tell us about your empire you built in Belize.

CH: It is not necessarily an empire, but I think we have got a lot done with a pretty tight team. We have currently five agents and the office is for members, mainly administration, and one marketing focal point. From there, what has been very key has been the network that I started with. Choosing the right agent has helped me to expand the network in meaningful ways to places that I did not touch before. We are seeing other agents in other parts of the country also step up, but it is a federal market and such a strong market. There are so many people from the U.S. and from Canada. The demand greatly outstrips supply, so the prices are very strong and very stable.

SS: Where do you see your business in the next five years?

CH: Because we recently expanded again, I think we want to make sure we get the most out of this new set of agents. What we are going to look at next within the next six to 12 months is strengthening our administrative staff. Organizationally, we can improve. You have to have relationships, but what I find the most interesting about real estate is it is really like every other business in that you have a back end and you have people that are also working really hard doing things that no one really knows about. Those things are as key to the success of the company as anything else, so what we are looking at right now is to consolidate our admin, marketing, and specifically to expand marketing a little bit.

SS: If you had to give some advice to someone [getting into real estate], what advice would you give?

CH: The landscape has changed a bit, so there are more established brokerages. There is this environment where if someone wants to be an agent, they can actually try to get a job with an agency first and then learn. I would recommend that. Basically, I would advise that people get the experience under people who know. Go to a brokerage and try and get a job, first and foremost.

For more information, please contact Carlo Habet at (501) 610-4186 or carlo@4realty.bz

To watch more real estate webinars curated by Haute Residence, visit http://dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Chat With Haute Residence Leaders, Episode 16: Carlo Habet appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Anna Sherrill was hosted by Haute Media Group Cofounder Seth Semilof. Watch their conversation below.

The topics included Sherrill’s illustrious career joining the highly esteemed ONE Sotheby's International Realty team, her remarkable accolades as a multi-million-dollar producer, and her ascendancy in the South of Fifth luxury real estate market.

Since receiving her real estate license in 2000 and joining ONE Sotheby's International Realty in 2010, Anna Sherrill has made a name for herself, ranking both locally and internationally across boards in the Miami real estate industry. She negotiated record-breaking deals as the sales director for several luxury Miami condo developments and contributed wholeheartedly to Sotheby’s International Realty’s unprecedented growth in Florida. Anna ranked #4 amongst all individual agents in Miami on REAL Trends for 2019 sales volume, and #15 amongst Sotheby's International Realty agents nationwide. Her experience and expertise were recognized as part of ONE SIR’s Top Producing circle for 3 consecutive years from 2017, 2018, and 2019. Being a multi-million-dollar producer, Anna Sherrill has generated over $110 Million in real estate sales in 2019. Most recently, Anna has been recognized by the 2020 Real Trends & Wall Street Journal The Thousand Rankings as the #5 agent in Miami, and the #84 in the entire country.

Here are some of the questions and answers from the exclusive interview with Sherrill.

Seth Semilof: After school, what did you end up doing?

Anna Sherrill: I had some interesting sales jobs. I worked for a company that a friend of my mom owns which booked athletic teams in hotels all over the nation. I did that during college and a little bit after college. I also worked for a headhunting company which was really popular at that time, but as soon as I moved to Miami in 1999, I got my license in 2000 very shortly after. The company that had sold us our place, Suncoast Properties, was a little office in Brickell Key. The owner offered me a job and asked if I wanted to get into real estate. I got my license and started right away.

SS: In 2000, we were in a recession, so you got in at the worst time in the market, correct?  

AS: It was a tough time. I was recruited shortly after by a development company called ISG, International Sales Group. They did marketing and sales for a lot of developers. They still do incredibly well. I went and worked with them right away, which was great. I got into self-developments and that is a great way to start your career. We traveled all across South America and Central America. We would go with an immigration attorney as well. We would meet with different brokers in those cities. They would put people in a room, and we would be able to present our developments. It is a great way to start because you can actually get paid. You are building a business when you are first starting and it is truly your own business. Starting with a developer, they pay for marketing and a lot of the things you maybe cannot afford as a new agent. That really helped me build my business, learn the market, and meet a lot of agents.

SS: Everyone wants to do the luxury properties and you make it seem easy. Tell us some of the learning experiences that led you up to that point.

AS: It is never easy. It is a learning curve of learning to listen to people to try to be an expert in the market. Knowledge is everything in this market and in every market. It is really about educating yourself but also listening to your client and doing what they want you to do. 90% of my business is referral business; it is repeat clients, friends, family, or brokers that refer me business. I know that every client is special and there to teach me as well because a lot of these people are incredibly smart, really savvy, know the market well, know what they want, and know the business well. You can learn a lot from your clients as well.

SS: Can you tell us about being involved in One Thousand Museum and some of the success stories you have had?

AS: People want to understand why we are the most expensive. Obviously, it is the best building in my opinion. It is an iconic building and what they have done here is incredible. Especially during COVID, the price tag here is the highest price tag, not only price per foot but total price. People are not used to paying this price tag in this area, so it really is about educating the buyers, getting the right people through the door, and building that trust. In the beginning, we had a couple of months where nothing was really happening, and it was scary. We did virtual open houses and instead of ten people showing up, we had two hundred and something people watching. We got great exposure, even though at the beginning, it was a little tough. It is all about pivoting, using your resources, knowing the agents selling in your area, following up with them, and knowing your product really well.

SS: What advice would you give to somebody that is in your shoes who might have moved to Miami or L.A., a city without real relationships, which is the majority of realtors?

AS: To start out, if you can, join a team or have a mentor. It is super important because you want to learn from the best of the best. If you want to enter a market and work for people, even if you take on a rental business for a big team, you will learn from that team. I also think if you can, get into development. Even as a junior associate, you learn so much in sales. That can also be people’s career. I am blessed to be in both, but some people are just in development sales, and they do incredibly well in that. If you are inspired by that or the other, whichever one you get into is great.

For more information, please contact Anna Sherrill at (786) 853-8484 or asherrill@onesothebysrealty.com.

To watch more real estate webinars curated by Haute Residence, visit http://dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Chat With Haute Residence Leaders, Episode 15: Anna Sherrill appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Sandra Miller was hosted by Haute Media Group Cofounder Seth Semilof. Watch their conversation below.

The topics included Miller’s illustrious career with credible experience stemming from her corporate background, joining the highly esteemed Engel & Völkers team, and her eventual ascendancy in the Santa Monica real estate market.

Sandra Miller is the principal broker leading Engel & Völkers’ thriving Santa Monica shop, which was the first Engel & Völkers shop to open in California. With numerous prestigious real estate awards and accolades to her name, Miller is also notably one of only a small number of brokers to achieve a Private Office Advisor designation. She believes that real estate is, ultimately, a personal service, so her clients turn to her as a reliable reference long after their home buying or selling is complete. Miller’s personally selected team follows the same principles, working together with her to bring a level of boutique service to Santa Monica that real estate customers have never before experienced.

Here are some of the questions and answers from the exclusive interview with Miller.

Seth Semilof: What made you make the move to go into real estate?

Sandra Miller: I transitioned from an outside sales representative to inside manager, then I launched in seven different markets for them. When I left, I had 178 indirect distributors under my realm with managers and etc., so a ton of reports all commission only. I knew about five years before I left that when I left that job, I would go into real estate. It was just never a question in my mind. The reason I would go into real estate is because there is no other industry where someone who is good at sales has unlimited income potential like real estate.

SS: How was it pivoting? How was it building your business? Did it take time, or did it start immediately?

SM: It was really an interesting time. It was 2004 when I got my license. What I did was I went around and interviewed different companies, owners, and operators that were running retail storefronts in the U.S. There were not that many in 2004, but I wanted to do retail because that was my specialty. I had thousands of them underneath me in my previous life. I did not know anyone in L.A. because at that point, I was really upper management and traveling between seven different markets. It was really starting from ground zero. What I learned when I went around the country, interviewed people, and set up my business plan, is how to launch. I started marketing about six months before I ever did a deal, needed to do a deal, or wanted to do a deal. I did 20,000 mailers a month for six months before I got my first call.

SS: If you had to give advice to somebody that wants to get into real estate and is scared but has the resources to invest in themselves or to somebody who does not have the resources, what advice would you give?

SM: If they do not have the resources, I advise them to work on a team. Honestly, you need resources in order to be successful. You cannot just wing it. My expertise was launching markets for my old company, so I did the research. I knew exactly what I was getting into. I knew exactly the target market I was going after. I did the mailings, I opened my office, and I had no choice but to be successful. I am not a trust fund baby. I needed to make money. I had a very specific business plan that I executed, and it worked.

SS: How was building, setting up with Engel & Völkers, having a name, having a fancy office, and having to produce?

SM: There was no producing. Santa Monica real estate, west side real estate, really just stopped. They did not have to sell. It is all people with lots of money. There were no short sales in this market. There were no foreclosures in this market. It was just a stalled market, but I survived. I started doing a lot of leasing in those 18 months. Then, the market took off like a rocket. It was eye opening when it happened as a woman business owner that is responsible for other people's livelihoods.

SS: Where do you see your business in the next five to 10 years?

SM: I see continuing to build my team, continuing to make them successful, and doing more of the same. I want to sell until I am 100. I really enjoy the boutique. I do not want to build an empire. I did that and I do not want to do it again. I want to enjoy traveling, which I can do with the Engel & Völkers brand. I can go network with fellow agents and office owners whenever and wherever. I can really enjoy my clients and the homes that I get to sell. It has been a journey.

For more information, please contact Sandra Miller at (310) 616-6213 or sandra.miller@evrealestate.com

To watch more real estate webinars curated by Haute Residence, visit http://dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Chat With Haute Residence Leaders, Episode 14: Sandra Miller appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

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.

The post Chat With Haute Residence Leaders, Episode 13: Robert Greenwood appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Philip Weiser was hosted by Haute Media Group Cofounder Seth Semilof. Watch their conversation below.

The topics included Philip Weiser’s illustrious career from working in the hotel industry abroad, joining the highly esteemed Carlton International team, and his eventual ascendancy in French and international luxury real estate.

Philip Weiser has worked within the luxury hotel and hospitality industry for decades in London before transitioning to real estate when he and his young family settled in France. Weiser has held his French real estate license for over 40 years and assisted hundreds of buyers and sellers in the sale and acquisition of luxury homes and villas throughout the French Riviera. Launching Carlton International in 1995, the first of the Carlton International brands, Weiser and the Carlton International team collectively speak 14 languages to cater to an international clientele as a leading estate agent on the Cote d'Azur.

Here are some of the questions and answers from the exclusive interview with Weiser.

Seth Semilof: What made you think of moving to France and getting into real estate? Did you move to France first to do hotels, and then do real estate?

Philip Weiser: Not at all. My pre-Airbnb adventure was very successful. I sold the business and decided that I would move my family into a more international environment in the south of France where we have a good selection of schools with the English language. I was on a trip from Paris to Nice international airport and I sat next to a property developer who had opened the state agency in the town where I was living, and he was about to close the agency. Since I had nothing to do, I said, “I will be happy to see if I can make your agency run.” The Monday following, he forgot it, but he was as good as his word. He took me across the road, introduced me to my new boss, and suddenly I was a real estate. That was in 1982.

SS: Tell us how the business evolved from 1982. Where did you go from there?

PW: We were very successful as brokers as well buying, selling, renovating, and constructing. A lot of money was made at that time and I reinvested all the resources into other projects. The banks were throwing money at this time and in 1992, there was the first Gulf War when Iraq invaded Kuwait. Property prices around the world were heavily affected by that. In Europe, especially because we are closer to North Africa, prices dropped by 50% and interest rates were at 18.6%. I had 50% borrowings and 50% cash, but my properties all lost value of 50%, so I lost everything. It was the end of a glorious 10-year adventure.

SS: How is the real estate changed over the last 20 years? Are people building contemporary homes in the south of France?

PW: The architecture is sort of Mediterranean, with a lot of bay windows and tiled rooms like you have in California. That was the staple that together with traditional homes in the area are the two trends, but in the last five years, the word contemporary has become part of the local architecture dictionary. We never spoke of contemporary architecture. It was modern, but it was never contemporary. Now, we have some magnificent contemporary homes. It is very much the trend today. We must have, at least right now, 10 potential buyers looking for land to build a contemporary home or readymade contemporary homes designed by a local architect they can move straight into. There are very few standardized materials, so the cost of construction in spite of that it is clean, nice, and easy is that it is an expensive item here.

SS: What advice would you give to somebody getting into real estate to be successful?

PW: First is never believe anybody until you have proof of what they are saying is correct whether it is a buyer, seller, colleagues, or other brokers. The second is you need resilience because you have to have face the fact that you cannot win them all. The other self-discipline is being able to get up in the morning, go out, do the job, and stick with it. There is no day off. The last one is that when you are successful, do not spend the money. You may be successful this time. Ultimately, I tell everybody, you cannot sell a house. There are no sales in this job. It is understanding the needs of the buyer.

SS: Do you think your experience, training, and education in the hotel industry is what made you successful? Did you bring that to your real estate company?

PW: Certainly, that aspect played a very important role. A hotel is like a small town. You have lots of people of different nationalities and different characteristics. If you are managing, you have to move the people and the visitors first, not just the staff. All these people have their specific needs, their behaviors, and the way in which they react. If you go to have any peace and quiet managing, I will tell you to have to manage the staff and the guests with a lot of psychology, understanding, and great service.

For more information, please contact Philip Weiser at +33 6 14 34 13 14 or info@carlton-group.com

To watch more real estate webinars curated by Haute Residence, visit http://dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Chat With Haute Residence Leaders, Episode 12: Philip Weiser appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Hilary Farnum-Fasth was hosted by Haute Media Group Cofounder Seth Semilof. Watch their conversation below.

The topics included Hilary’s illustrious career from marketing at Regatta Bay, becoming a broker during the Great Recession, and her eventual ascendancy in luxury real estate partnering with The Corcoran Group.

Having started her real estate career within the renowned communities of Regatta Bay and WaterSound Beach, Hilary is well-versed in the art of selling luxury real estate. While the owner and of Beachy Beach 30A & Beachy Beach Destin, Hilary leads day-to-day operations, creates marketing and advertising programs, lists high-end luxury properties, and hires, trains, and manages new agents. Hilary attributes her professional success to a solid combination of tenacity and relationship building. For over 18 years, she has used her powerful negotiation skills to stay ahead of the curve in a dynamic, ever-changing industry.

Here are some of the questions and answers from the exclusive interview with Hilary.

Seth Semilof: In your bio, you went to Florida State. What did you do after school?

Hilary Farnum-Fasth: I was offered a job in Destin, Florida at Regatta Bay and that is where I got my start. I was in marketing for them and had an incredible mentor. He taught me everything to do with marketing. He always was teaching us how to sell real estate in a visionary way, but I actually did not want to sell real estate because my mom had been a real estate agent. Obviously, I was always meant to be in it and the developer saw that in me. He said, “Listen, you are sitting here on site doing the marketing, but sometimes, clients are coming in and the agents are out in the field. You are the one talking about the real estate, and I would be so much more comfortable if you had your real estate license.” I got the license and literally the day I got licensed, he said, “Oh, by the way, I need you to become an agent because we just had somebody move on.” That is how I got into real estate and, of course, it was the best thing I ever did.

SS: Tell us about how long it took you to start getting into sales. Did you have success immediately with that?

HFF: Ironically, I did have success immediately, but it was because I went all in. I actually invested in myself heavily. What I mean by that is everything was pulling way back and the first thing that people do is the thing they should not do, which is they stop paying for all the marketing. They get fear-based and fear drives them which for me, fear is not even in there at all. There was a local newspaper where if you had an ad in there, you were it. I did these full-page ads that cost a fortune. I went all in, so it allowed me to build very quickly and stand out very quickly.

SS: How did you come up with the entrepreneurial idea to bring Corcoran to your area?

HFF: They actually chose me as fate would have it. They had decided Corcoran was going to start having affiliates and they were looking for key brokers. They wanted a partnership with specific brokers, and they had identified me. As a broker, I had never ever had any interest or desire to be under a national brand. I had actually always been an independent broker, but Corcoran was that one brand that I always modeled after. I thought they had figured it all out and I love their messaging.

SS: What is some advice that you could give to a new agent or anyone that is getting into the business today?

HFF: This did not happen overnight because it is 20 plus years of loyalty. I did my job in cultivating those relationships and they now want to refer everybody to me. It should take a little time to cultivate that loyalty and those referrals. The goal is to make it a long-lasting career instead of this immediate overnight, make a lot of money type thing. I am growing something that is going to sustain for years and years, 10 years from now, 20 years from now. It is actually one of the coolest careers in that way.

SS: Where do you see yourself and your business in the next three to five years?

HFF: I definitely plan to open more Corcoran Reveries all throughout the southeast. I cannot wait to bring this brand to all the areas it is a perfect fit for. We are going to continue to grow and provide insanely high-level training at a luxury premium for agents because that is something missing in the market. Someone gave me that privilege when I started, and I want to give that now to all the agents that come and decide to be with us.

For more information, please contact Hilary Farnum-Fasth at (850) 231-5030 or hilary.ff@corcorangroup.com.

To watch more real estate webinars curated by Haute Residence, visit http://dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Chat With Haute Residence Leaders, Episode 9: Hilary Farnum-Fasth appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Leslie Modell was hosted by Haute Media Group Cofounder Seth Semilof. Watch their conversation below.

The topics included Modell’s illustrious career from a native New Yorker beginning with hands-on experience as a real estate rookie to her ascendancy in luxury real estate partnering with Sotheby’s International Realty.

Modell has developed lasting relationships with many of New York’s elite and is an expert in dealing with the world’s most sophisticated high-end clientele. She recently launched the Global Luxury Property Network Group with other top-producing Sotheby’s International Realty brokers, a networking group connecting industry leaders and innovators worldwide. Modell, Senior Global Real Estate Advisor, Associate Broker, and founder of The Leslie S. Modell Team, is a top producing broker in Manhattan who was ranked among the top 10 agents in the Sotheby’s International Realty East Side Manhattan Brokerage for 2019 and 2020 and among the top 1% in sales of Realogy Brokerage Group’s agent network from 2015 to 2018.

Here are some of the questions and answers from the exclusive interview with Modell.

Seth Semilof: After college [studying sociology and psychology], what did you do Leslie?

Leslie Modell: I pursued my music career with various different entrepreneurial businesses in between. Then, somewhere around 2004, I started to get the real estate bug. We were moving around a lot within Long Island to New York, etc., and I said, “looks like a fun job.”  I am a people person. I love to talk, and I am a good salesperson. I have always done sales my entire life, so I thought that the connection was very strong for me to branch out into real estate.

SS: When you got into the real estate business, what was your strategy coming in as a rookie?

LM: As a rookie, it is really important to get in at the base. Get your foundation set and that foundation will carry you the rest of your career. When I started, I did some hardcore walking to various buildings, introducing myself to different doormen, understanding floor plans understanding, researching different buildings, and getting educated. That is the most important takeaway of today: being an educated agent is everything. Knowing exactly the questions somebody will ask you about a specific building because typically it is the same question. If you are one step ahead of the game, you are always going to be that much more educated to someone and to give a feeling of trust and security to that seller or that buyer.

SS: You started small to get the singles and doubles and grew. Tell us how you are able to be successful in that.

LM: It is all about networking, getting your voice heard, and getting your brand out there. I actually have a social media company I work with specifically for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. You have to get the word out. You have to keep doing deal after deal after deal. Get seasoned. Get confident because the confidence plays. I was never afraid of the price point because if you can do a one bedroom, you could do a four bedroom. Once you get the confidence to build your business and build the momentum, you go to the next level. That is why I tell people in my team there is no deal too small because that studio buyer four years later, could become that three- or four-bedroom buyer.

SS: Where do you see the city [New York] right now?

LM: The city is definitely bouncing back. Those COVID discounts are in the rearview mirror. There are some discounted and there are some values still out in the fields but not like there was. I have personally been involved in multiple offer situations, so I do see a really good upward trajectory toward getting out of this cycle and moving into the next cycle. My business personally has been phenomenal. I have lots of contracts out. I have lots of my listings either closed or in contracts. We are certainly getting traction in the market.

SS: Where do you see your brand going over the next three to five years? Tell us a little about what you foresee in the future.

LM: I see myself growing constantly. I always know there is another plateau to reach, so right now, I have been building out my team. I have three people on my team and the next step would be growing that team, constantly evolving, constantly growing, and maybe getting into new development in the future. The sky is the limit for everyone in this industry and that is why I love it. Nothing is too far of a reach. You have a goal, you set your goal, and you go for it.

For more information, please contact Leslie Modell at (917) 488-5374 or leslies.modell@sothebyshomes.com.

To watch more real estate webinars curated by Haute Residence, visit http://dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Chat With Haute Residence Leaders, Episode 8: Leslie Modell appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

They were hosted by Haute Living and Haute Residence director Erik Haase. Watch the full webinar below.

Highlight quotes:

Carlo Habet: “We have a lot of people that come in to us based on our professionalism, one, but secondly, our response. We are trying to learn our client, understand what they really want, and then present the options that we really believe in. We also work very well with other agents. We have good relationships throughout the country. That is a big plus because essentially, it gives us access to everything in the country. If someone likes dealing with us, we can broker anything for them.”

Elisa Linton: “I am having fun learning and growing my business. Into 2021, we are still rocking and rolling, so the Houston market is still hot. It is still an active seller's market. Homes on the market are still low, inventory is still now, and, of course, interest rates, a big part, are still low. Both buyers and sellers are able to take advantage of this market and come out on top. My goal is to be there to assist with each transaction.”

Steve Nassar: “We have the Portland Real Estate Podcast. Our listener base is mostly professionals, other realtors, industry insiders. It is a tremendous credibility that I am the expert that other experts go to. I have a podcast listened to by other agents for the inside information on what is happening, what is working, and what is going on in real estate. Where it has been helpful for me with business is I am also a broker owner. I am one of the partners at Premiere Property Group. We are the biggest brokerage in Oregon, so it helps with recruiting as well.”

Vanessa Neumann-Andrews: “The number are phenomenal, and they are climbing as far as the agents, the offices, and the sales have been off the charts. They spend a good couple million dollars on digital marketing and print. With the ties to their auction house and their very elite clientele, we can market to them as well. It has been quite phenomenal: the tools, the instructors, the guidance, the leads, and the quality. They call it a white glove service that we have been known for and it is what people expect.”

Nancy Tallman: “It is a lower cost of living here. We do not have homeless people. We do not have crime. We do not have any of the negatives of big city life, but we have culture, arts, great food, all the positives, so it is attracting a lot of people. Our golf course communities had the highest increase of sales in our entire market. People move there full time. They move their families there. They are interested in getting away from the stress of city life.”

To watch more real estate webinars curated by Haute Residence, visit hauteresidence.com.

The post Haute Residence Goes Coast to Coast With “Game Changers” appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The panelists were hosted by Haute Living's Erik Haase for the dialogue. They panelists were:

• Randi Ball, Award-Winning Agent, Corcoran, East Hampton, NY
• Anna Sherrill, Regional Director of Sales, ONE Sotheby's International Realty, Miami, FL
• Jonathan Spears, Founder, Spears Group with Scenic Sotheby's International Realty, Destin, FL

Watch the webinar below.

Highlight quotes:

Randi Ball: "There is no crystal ball. Don't be overly greedy. Price your house where it should be priced. Buyers are coming in and are happy to pay full price if [a home] is priced well. There's not a lot of game playing. So if you're going to sell your house, sell now. It's a great time to sell... For purchasers, houses are going fast, they are going at full price, and there are bidding wars. If you see what you like, you need to move really fast. People are staying here for longer periods of time and they are more looking for the right spot for their family than worried about, the extra half hour, 45-minute commute back to the city."

Anna Sherrill: "Rentals here, especially single-family homes, went really quickly. Low-density buildings with larger units went [as] well... We are still doing deals and things are happening. We have people from California and New York. Before, it was for taxes. Now they're staying here and just comfortable with what we have lifestyle-wise in Miami... Interest rates are at an all-time low. Everybody that can is taking advantage of it. Not everybody uses it right away when they're making an offer because they want their offer to be stronger, but money is very inexpensive so a lot of people get a cash offer and get financing... There are opportunities out there for everybody."

Jonathan Spears: "Folks have started to rethink their lifestyles. And so, when you're working remotely throughout the pandemic, and [they] realize this actually works, people decide to work remotely in Florida. This has been an area that, as folks have looked at case counts and determined what's the safest spot to go, they've come here... Primarily, we're second homes, but with that lifestyle change, we're starting to see more and more primary residences, serving the luxury end of the market... Being that stable, reliable source of information for your customers, and understanding your market and the value that you bring. This is what has allowed us to navigate a high volume of transactions in a very short amount of time.

To watch more webinars by Haute Residence, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

Randi Ball, Anna Sherrill, Jonathan Spears

The post Real Estate Webinar: The Latest On Atlantic Coast Markets appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The panelists were hosted by Haute Living's Erik Haase in the engaging dialogue. They were:

• Robert Greenwood, Partner, Regency International Estates, Turks and Caicos
• John Christie, Partner, HG Christie, Bahamas
• Justin White, Director of Sales, Anchor Antigua Realty, Antigua
• Craig Ryan, Principal, Anchor Antigua Realty, Antigua

Watch the webinar below.

Highlight quotes:

Robert Greenwood: "In Turks and Caicos, we just had a look at the second quarter numbers and we've held well over the preceding couple of years. In some sectors, especially our villa sector, we actually increased sales last year, so I think that's a real indicator that people are looking for COVID safe haven properties throughout the entire region... We see the growth because people are looking for a safe haven. And if you're going to quarantine, you might just as well quarantine in paradise... [Buyers] feel comfortable because they know the Christie's brand, the trust and the integrity that comes with it, and they're happy to say, 'Okay, let's do the deal.'"

John Christie: "There are different kinds of buyers and visitors in the Bahamas. If you're someone from New York and you're used to action being around, Nassau is the place for you, with large hotels, casinos, nightclubs, and all the main luxury communities. With COVID, we have seen a spike in interest in private islands, because there's no better place to have than your own private island if you want to control your destiny and a place to lock down. That's been one of our strengths. If you're a beginner buyer or someone that has a couple of extra dollars, you can get lots as low as $20,000."

Justin White: "Antigua is a unique place. We have zero capital gains tax, zero inheritance tax, and zero income tax. That's the benefit there and itself. We have opportunities in almost every single angle, especially with regards to real estate... We have boutique hotels, luxury resorts, luxury villas, and tons of empty primetime land right on the ocean with a citizenship aspect, whereby you can gain citizenship to this country if you meet certain prerequisites... Being Antiguan isn't just for Antiguans. If you're willing to come here and adopt the culture and invest with us, we are happy to put our arm around your shoulder and say you're one of us."

Craig Ryan: "We have seen a big uptick in our luxury rental market. There's nothing easier than for your family to come down and get a five-bedroom villa on the beach, and you have your week to be by yourself... We opened up our borders June 1st, and from there, we've had full planes from America because there's a huge demand. People are ready to finally get out and enjoy life... If I have a client that doesn't find a product that works in Antigua, I'm calling up John and Robert. That's the level of family we have between the affiliates where it's not a cold introduction email. We have support between the islands and the Christie's network overall."

Top: Robert Greenwood, John Christie. Bottom: Justin White, Craig Ryan

The post Christie’s International Real Estate Panel Talks Benefits Of Investing In The Caribbean Market appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Sign up for upcoming webinars and watch the previous two weeks' worth of amazing conversations below.

UPCOMING WEBINARS:

Thursday, April 23rd at 2PM EST

Dan Conn, CEO of Christie’s International Real Estate in a live conversation about the world’s top real estate markets and Christie’s leading role during quarantine times. REGISTER: https://hauteliving.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_th9DmtX6Qmq4CdIarHb8MQ

Thursday, April 23rd at 7PM EST

A "coast to coast" webinar with top brokers Brian Guiltinan (San Diego, CA), Moira E. Holley (Seattle, WA), Frank D. Isoldi (Westfield, NJ), and Devin Kay (South Florida), who will weigh in on the latest in their markets. REGISTER: https://hauteliving.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_plrhinyTQum9iON6_60mww

On Friday, April 24th at 4PM EST

Three of the top agents that cover some of the highest-regarded real estate markets in the country: Susan Breitenbach (The Hamptons), Chris Cortazzo (Malibu), and Jill Eber (South Florida). REGISTER: https://hauteliving.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nlBLUB7cSiyEqFmXmDOgnA

Below are the previous webinars. The guest panelists, all successful leaders in their markets, provided expert insights into the real estate industry in all corners of the US and beyond. 

Daniel de la Vega, President of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty is in charge of ONE Sotheby’s locations in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, Brevard, and Indian River counties in Florida, with 17 offices and over 850 associates that generate annual sales in excess of $2.5 billion. Read more here: https://dev.hauteresidence.com/webinar-one-sothebys-international-realty-daniel-de-la-vega-real-estate-in-age-covid-19/

Cheryl Casone, FOX Business Network (FBN) co-anchor of "FBN:AM", interviewed a power developer panel with: Louis Birdman, Edgardo Defortuna, Michael Stern, and Jules Trump. Read more here: https://dev.hauteresidence.com/birdman-defortuna-trump-stern-live-developer-webinar/

Brothers Oren and Tal Alexander, heads of The Alexander Team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate, have been recognized for their unprecedented sales achievements in Manhattan, the Hamptons and South Florida. Read more here: https://dev.hauteresidence.com/oren-and-tal-alexander-latest-ny-south-florida-real-estate/

Douglas Elliman Florida Brokerage CEO Jay Parker. In his role since 2013, Parker has grown Douglas Elliman's presence in markets from Miami to Jupiter, to Palm Beach and St. Petersburg. They have a total of 21 offices and more than 1,100 agents. Read more here: https://dev.hauteresidence.com/watch-webinar-douglas-elliman-florida-brokerage-jay-parker/

The #1 selling real estate broker in North America for an unprecedented eight times, Dolly Lenz, head of Dolly Lenz Real Estate, and her daughter Jenny Lenz, Managing Partner at the firm. Read more here: https://dev.hauteresidence.com/new-york-real-estate-quarantine-watch-dolly-lenz-jenny/

A “condo experts” panel of South Florida agents: Elena C. Bluntzer, Bill Hernandez, Michelle Lynn Judd, and Alex Miranda. Read more here: https://dev.hauteresidence.com/watch-condo-experts-real-estate-quarantine-webinar-haute-residence/

South Florida experts Jill Hertzberg, Jill Eber, and Judy Zeder, founders of The Jills Zeder Group, which formed in 2019 and had a record year with over $665 million in sales volume. Read more here: https://dev.hauteresidence.com/the-jills-zeder-group-south-florida-real-estate-quarantine-webinar/

David Parnes and James Harris, the power team at The Agency, and stars of “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles”, that has over $1.2 billion of value in properties in their current listing portfolio. Read more here: https://dev.hauteresidence.com/david-parnes-james-harris-webinar-la-real-estate-quarantine/

California real estate leader Aaron Kirman, who has sold over $6.5 billion in properties during his career and star of CNBC's show "Listing Impossible”. Read more here: https://dev.hauteresidence.com/aaron-kirman-california-real-estate-quarantine-webinar/

Five of the top California expert brokers, Ben Bacal, Dana Bambace, Ernie Carswell, David Gemme, and Shelton Wilder weighed in on the California real estate market. Read more here: https://dev.hauteresidence.com/california-real-estate-expert-panel-talks-about-industry-during-quarantine-in-live-webinar-by-haute-residence/

Four of the top Coldwell Banker agents worldwide participated in an international panel webinar that touched on multiple markets on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean: Laurent Demeure, Cyd Greer, Joyce Rey, and Carrie Wells. Read more here: https://dev.hauteresidence.com/international-real-estate-webinar-top-coldwell-banker-agents/

Georgia real estate expert Debra Johnston with special guest, motivational speaker and best-selling author Gary Quinn. Read more here: https://dev.hauteresidence.com/atlanta-real-estate-debra-johnston-gary-quinn/

Two of the Big Apple’s biggest names in real estate talk New York and its surrounding areas: Adam Modlin and Richard Steinberg. Read more here: https://dev.hauteresidence.com/watch-new-york-real-estate-quarantine-adam-modlin-richard-steinberg/

For more on Haute Residence, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Watch Real Estate Webinars With Expert Agents, Brokers, Developers, And More Curated By Haute Residence appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The interactive dialogue included Semilof sharing his screen to showcase some of the ultra-luxury listings from each of the panelists. They spoke about their different markets and how the real estate industry has been affected by quarantine measures in each.

Watch the recording of the webinar further below.

Top left: Cyd Greer; Top right: Carrie Wells; Bottom left: Joyce Rey; Bottom right: Laurent Demeure

Tune in on Monday, April 20th at 2PM EST, when two of New York City's biggest names in real estate, Adam Modlin and Richard Steinberg, will be together in an exclusive webinar. REGISTER HERE.

About today's panelists:

Cyd Greer is a Broker Associate at Coldwell Banker, Brokers of the Valley; the #1 Coldwell Banker affiliate agent in California 2012-2018; and, the #1 Coldwell Banker affiliate agent in the world among 42,000 agents in 2018

Joyce Rey leads the Global Luxury Division at Beverly Hills of Coldwell Banker. She has over $4.5 billion in career sales to date, and ranks consistently among the nation’s top real estate agents

Carrie Wells is a Coldwell Banker broker in Aspen, CO. In 2019, she was ranked as the #11 broker in the country for Coldwell Banker, and is the #1 Coldwell Banker broker in Colorado since 1995.

Laurent Demeure is Founder and CEO of Coldwell Banker France & Monaco since 2011. It is the #1 international Coldwell Banker office. He has done over 5,000 real estate transactions.

Highlight quotes from the webinar:

Laurent Demeure: "In real estate, we still have people interested in buying and selling... Most of our investors want to put their money in real estate... Some clients say they're going out of Paris now because they realize they can do their work from home... Most of our clients at the moment want to put their money in tangible markets."

Cyd Greer: "I sold a property last year because of Matterport (3-D technology)... We help (sellers) understand about flexibility and that we will get through it... Communicate with buyers to tell them to get ready to act. We are expecting pent-up demand after everything stabilizes. I'm already seeing it a bit.

Joyce Rey: "The luxury market is still doing well here (in Los Angeles). Beverly Hills is a magnet around the world because of the weather and the entertainment business that is ready to take off."

Carrie Wells: "We have done virtual tours since four years ago. Every one of our MLS listings has its own Matterport link... Aspen is the perfect place for people that can work remotely... There are buying opportunities right now."

Watch other Haute Residence webinars about the latest on the real estate market in national and international markets at dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Watch: International Real Estate Webinar With Top Coldwell Banker Agents By Haute Residence appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The webinar was hosted by Haute Living's Erik Haase. If you missed the live viewing or would like to see it again, watch the recording below.

Top left: Dana Bambace; Bottom left: Ernie Carswell; Middle: Shelton Wilder; Top right: David Gemme; Bottom right: Ben Bacal

Here are the upcoming Haute Residence live webinars:

Friday, April 17th at 2PM EST will feature an international panel. From Los Angeles to Aspen to Paris, Haute Residence hosts a live webinar with four of the top Coldwell Banker real estate agents worldwide: Joyce Rey, Cyd Greer, Carrie Wells, and Laurent Demeure. REGISTER HERE.

On Monday, April 20th at 2PM EST, two of New York City's biggest names in real estate, Adam Modlin and Richard Steinberg, will be together in an exclusive webinar. REGISTER HERE.

See the video of today's webinar above. About today's panelists:

Ben Bacal: Record-breaking agent in LA with over $2 billion in sales, among The Wall Street Journal’s Top 100 Agents in the US

Ernie Carswell: More than $1 billion in sales, over 2 decades among The Wall Street Journal’s Top 100 Agents in the US

Shelton Wilder: Award-winning real estate agent in Santa Monica, and recipient of the 2018 Douglas Elliman Gold Award.

Dana Bambace: Dominant leader in Carmel/Pebble Beach market, with 25 transactions in 2019.

David Gemme: Among Lake Tahoe’s top brokers, with over 22 years of experience with more than $500 million in career sales.

Highlight quotes from today's webinar:

Ben Bacal: "The homes that are reduced in price are getting offers. There's action out there. It's an opportunity for buyers to get in."

Ernie Carswell: "It's a great time to buy. It's a definite time to sell if you can." 

Shelton Wilder: "We have been telling buyers to get ready, going over all of the steps to have an offer ready to go."

Dana Bambace: "We are really stepping up to apply new techniques. For the sellers that are considering (coming into the market), we encourage them to list and get exposure before the bulk (of supply) comes on."

David Gemme: "If you provide valuable information, clients can make a conscious decision on what's right for them."

Watch other Haute Residence webinars about the latest on the real estate market in national and international markets at dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post California Real Estate Expert Panel Talks About Industry During Quarantine In Live Webinar By Haute Residence appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.