Meet Andre Huyghues-Despointes of The Frenchysells Group at Compass

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andre Huyghues-Despointes.

Hi Andre, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey began when I moved to America at just five years old. For a long time, my path seemed set on law; I planned to attend law school and was working for a local firm in Fort Lauderdale, but I quickly realized that environment left me unfulfilled. That’s when a real estate startup recruited me for their inside sales team. I found my footing there, eventually climbing to the number one inside sales position in the company, which gave me the confidence to venture out on my own as an agent.

The timing, however, was unprecedented. Just 20 days after I went solo, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. I started with zero clients, the world was on hold, and it took six grueling months to close my first deal. There were moments I genuinely questioned my decision. But once the hard work started to pay off, the momentum was undeniable. In my second year, I sold 22 homes; by my third, I sold 42, and the rest was history.

Today, seven years later, I average over $35 million in annual sales and am proud to be a top-producing agent across the Tri-County area. I founded The Frenchysells Group at Compass—the largest brokerage in the country—built on the philosophy that every client deserves the same level of care, whether we are discussing a $100,000 investment or a $55 million estate.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was far from a smooth road. In fact, the timing of my launch couldn’t have been more challenging. I went out on my own just 20 days before the COVID-19 pandemic began, which meant I was trying to build a business from scratch while the world was on pause.

The most jarring adjustment, however, was the financial shift. Transitioning from the security of a nice, cushioned salary to a 100% commission-based model is a massive shock to the system. You go from knowing exactly what hits your bank account every two weeks to waking up every day knowing you only earn what you close. When it took me six months to sell my first home, that financial pressure was intense. I genuinely questioned if I had made the right decision, but looking back, surviving that pressure is exactly what built my work ethic.

As you know, we’re big fans of The Frenchysells Group at Compass. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I founded The Frenchysells Group under the banner of Compass, the largest real estate brokerage in the United States. We are a full-service real estate team specializing in residential sales across South Florida with a heavy focus on the Tri-County area—Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. I want readers to know that when you hire The Frenchysells Group, you aren’t just getting an agent; you are partnering with a team that views your financial success and comfort as our personal responsibility. We don’t just facilitate transactions; we act as true advisors. We are known for unmatched communication, honesty, and a relentless work ethic that has taken us from zero to one of the top-producing teams in the area.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
To me, risk is the price of entry for success. I have been a risk-taker from day one. The most significant personal risk I took was leaving a comfortable, salaried career to launch a commission-only business just 20 days before the pandemic shut the world down. That experience taught me that you have to be willing to bet on yourself even when the odds seem stacked against you.

Today, I apply that same philosophy to every listing I take. If I see potential in a property, I take on the financial risk immediately. I pay for everything out of pocket upfront—high-end marketing, professional photography, video production, and more. I don’t ask the client to shoulder that burden because I believe in my brand and my ability to execute.

That confidence is backed by data. I currently hold a 98% sell-to-list price ratio. I don’t say this to be arrogant, but to highlight the difference in results: the average agent in Florida sells about five homes a year, whereas I am closing over 50 properties annually. I take the risk because I know, without a doubt, that I will get the job done.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thefrenchysellsgroup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefrenchysellsgroup/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Frenchysells/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thefrenchysellsgroup
• Other: https://www.compass.com/agents/andre-huyghues-despointes/