Closing Deals with Balance & Intuition – Ignacio Villanueva
On this episode of The Closing Table, we sat down with Ignacio Villanueva!
To watch the full episode, check it out on YouTube below. In the meantime, here’s a summary of the conversation…
Here’s what you missed from Ignacio Villanueva…
The conversation began with a word association icebreaker in property, zoning, and more. Ignacio then introduces himself as someone who was born and raised in Venezuela and currently resides in Miami. He is married and a proud father of three children. In his free time, he enjoys indulging in his passion for wine, art, and exploring new restaurants. Traveling and spending quality time with his family are also important to him.
Next, Ignacio shares that focuses on serving the Miami, Florida market. He has a particular specialization in high-end properties, mainly dealing with single-family residences, but he also works with condos as well. His business is divided equally between buyers and sellers, with a 50-50 split. He believes that being a more effective realtor requires a deep understanding of the skills required for both the buying and selling sides of the transaction. Therefore, he emphasizes the importance of knowing and understanding these skills to deliver the best possible results for his clients.
With a background in both law and marketing, he brings a unique set of skills to his work as a real estate agent. He believes that his law degree from Venezuela, while it may not directly apply in the US, has taught him to approach reading and writing contracts in a more strategic way. This skill is valuable in guiding his clients and agents through the various terms of their contracts. In addition, his experience in marketing is also a significant asset in selling properties in the best way possible. He understands the importance of showcasing a property’s unique features and creating a compelling story that resonates with potential buyers.
When asked about why he feels it’s important to have a balanced approach, he explained that he believes every deal has a point where everyone can walk away feeling satisfied. He does not approach negotiations as a war but instead focuses on finding common ground that benefits all parties involved. To achieve this, he typically starts by sitting down with comparable properties and having both clients meet at a point that they would find fair in pricing the home. Ignacio emphasizes the importance of being realistic and laying out all the information with clients. By taking this approach, he can ensure that his clients have a clear understanding of the transaction and can make informed decisions. Ultimately, his goal is to create a win-win scenario for everyone involved in the transaction.
As a real estate agent specializing in high-end properties in Coastal Miami, he was asked about what sets that market apart from other areas in the city. Ignacio explained that Miami is a town that is very polarized and has been gentrified as a big metropolitan area over the past couple of years. While it has always been a big city, it has also always been a playground. When people visit coastal Miami, they can see cool restaurants, the cliche lifestyles depicted in movies, beaches, and shopping. However, certain areas drastically change when crossing a certain avenue or landmark.
Ignacio believes that the city is growing tremendously, with many people spending their vacations at resorts. Consequently, many people with large checkbooks want to have that lifestyle in their everyday lives, leading them to seek properties in Coastal Miami. Good schools, restaurants, and other amenities are what set Coastal Miami apart from the rest of the city. Additionally, having a waterfront property is a lifestyle within the city that sets it apart from the rest. However, waterfront properties are scarce, with very few properties available on the water. Ignacio also mentioned the beauty of being able to have a boat that can be taken out anytime with family and friends. Moreover, there are a limited number of single-home properties on the sand, as these lands are primarily reserved for condos.
As someone who has worked with clients from a variety of backgrounds, he was asked to share an experience where he had to navigate a unique challenge while helping someone buy or sell a property. He explained that he hasn’t encountered a language barrier since he is fluent in several languages, which has put him at an advantage. However, when it comes to cultural backgrounds, he has encountered challenges related to expectations. For example, people from different states may have very different lifestyles and expectations about the weather in Miami.
When asked about his understanding of market trends and business needs across the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean, Ignacio was asked to compare the US model to other international broker marketplaces. He explained that in Latin America, there is no exclusivity in listing properties, which means that multiple people can be selling the same property. Additionally, there is no MLS system, which makes it challenging to track inventory. Ignacio also talked about the properties in the Caribbean and the transfer taxes that buyers are required to pay. He believes that understanding the unique market trends and business needs of each region is essential to providing excellent service to clients.
The conversation wraps up with Ignacio addressing the rival between a realtor and Zillow, he shared his belief that Zillow has historically reduced the value of a realtor’s job by promoting themselves as an all-in-one solution. He explained that Zillow has tried to vertically integrate by claiming that they can do everything for the client. He believes that while Zillow may have some value as a resource, it cannot replace the expertise and personalized service provided by a realtor. He pointed out that realtors bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and negotiation skills that are crucial to a successful real estate transaction.
Check out Ignacio Villanueva:
https://www.instagram.com/browsing4housing/
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