Lisa Van Wagenen is consistently a top-producing real estate professional specializing in the Miami Beach luxury housing and condo market. Ranked in the top 1.5% of realtors in the US, the top realtor in the BHS Continuum office, and with over 20 years of experience, Lisa uses her in-depth and up-to-date market knowledge to assist her clients in making their best real estate decisions.
Starting her Miami real estate career at the Four Seasons Residences, Lisa learned the development and sales process and her negotiating skills from the ground up. Moving on to work with several other developers and top brokers Lisa honed her skills and now contributes her success to that education, discipline, and intense work ethic.
Known for her responsiveness, product knowledge, and outstanding professionalism, much of Lisa's business comes from repeat clients and referrals from a long list of extremely happy buyers and sellers. Listening to her client's needs is her top priority.
Here, she discusses with Haute Residence how her success is not always measured in dollar signs.
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I started as an assistant to Thania Vernon, the sales director at the Four Seasons Brickell. I learned a great deal from Thania and that experience. From there I went on to my own general Real Estate practice on Miami Beach. I worked nonstop and followed any lead that came my way. I did many small rentals in those beginning days! Over 15 years ago, I was fortunate enough to meet Mark Zilbert and to be asked to join his team. He taught me to become even more professional. Mark sold the company to Brown Harris Stevens. I have the best of both worlds now; I'm with BHS, a very established top luxury brokerage, and I'm still able to work with the Zilbert Network.
My highest single property deal was a $25M home. I've sold many luxury properties but this was truly an exceptional home. I found out about it a few days before it hit the market. I begged the listing agent to let me see it. It was breathtaking. I knew this would be hard if not impossible to beat. I was able to have my clients be the first to see it. It turned out to be a very smooth and lovely transaction all the way around. I was absolutely thrilled for my buyers.
Sometimes though, a big win is not the highest price. It's fighting your way to close for your client when something seemingly insurmountable arises. The variables are endless from contract to closing. Thinking outside the box, having a great support team, remaining calm and not giving up, gets you to the finish line, even when everyone else thinks it's over. That's a great success.
There are so many great niche markets in Miami Beach and I love them all for different reasons. But hands down, South of 5th is the most popular, and for good reason. This southernmost tip of Miami Beach has the beautiful waterfront South Pointe Park, some of Miami's best restaurants, a marina, and of course, the Ocean.
The views from the condos are truly stunning. Many have ocean, and bay views. You can watch the cruise ships go out and watch the sunset over the Miami skyline. It's all so beautiful, it never gets old. The lifestyle has a beachy casual-elegance feel. It is a true neighborhood and has a neighborhood association that works hard to protect and enhance the area and lifestyle.
I've had many buyers over the years decide to purchase a little further north. Then a few years later, once they have become more familiar with Miami Beach, they will come back and want to move to South of 5th.
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For more information, please contact Lisa Van Wagenen at 305-495-8417 or lisav@bhsusa.com
Lisa Van Wagenen is one of the exclusive agents representing the South of Fifth, Miami, FL real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of her listings here.
