Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Gonzalez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Michelle. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As a child I can recall real estate garble exiting my 8 year old mouth asking my mom to sell her house, buy a new one or to visit open houses in the area. As a teenager I remember passing by a boarded up hotel on Ocean Drive admiring the architecture and wishing I owned that property which is now called The Tides Hotel. So, I finally obtained my real estate license to start pursuing my passion after graduating from college.
With a Bachelor’s Degree of Finance and a real estate broker’s license in hand, I then decided to open my brokerage in 2006. In hindsight, what a difficult time to open a business and much less in real estate since 2006 was the beginning of the economic debacle rippled throughout the world. Thankfully, due to my strong business ethics & service, we became an approved Fannie Mae Listing Agent and began to thrive in the downward shifting real estate world.
Once my vision clarified the REO market would soon dwindle, I began searching for other opportunities and options to expand my knowledge so I decided to go back to FIU to obtain a Master’s of Science in International Real Estate. Here I am today, with a Master’s degree and 20+ years of experience in the market. Having lived through such a fluctuating cycle in the market, I can say I survived and continue to expand my reach and thumbprint in the real estate world. I am passionate about real estate and hopefully it shows in my smile.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Opening our doors at the commencement of the economic bubble bursting was tough. Of course we didn’t know the bubble was about to burst but we definitely lived in almost a dead zone where no one was selling or buying. Short sales, a term recently coined, became the norm. Foreclosures were rampantly raging everywhere. But it wasn’t long before the savvy and experienced investors started buying up these properties and creating a new market opportunity. It was a tough market but it taught me to be a tough a negotiator and to continue to pursue my vision.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Floridian First Realty – what should we know?
We are a family based boutique real estate brokerage specializing in the clients’ needs. Our team of agents are focused on the client, offering service and ethics at all turns in the transaction within the residential and commercial sector. We are rooted deep into the Miami marketplace and I am proud to show it.
Floridian First sets itself apart by placing the clients’ needs first and foremost then tailoring the real estate process pleasantly & fluidly to closing.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I am honored to offer service and ethics as the basis of my success.
Contact Info:
- Address: 710 S. Dixie Highway, #100
Coral Gables, FL 33146 - Website: www.floridianfirstrealty.com
- Phone: 305.667.5235
- Email: MGonzalez@FLFirstRealty.com
- Instagram: @floridianfirstrealty
- Facebook: @floridianfirstrealty
- Twitter: @floridianfirst
Image Credit:
AlexMiranda22
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