Jessica Bazan is a seasoned real estate broker based in Miami, Florida. Her expertise in the luxury market enables her to deliver a high-touch service to clients seeking to sell or purchase properties in the area. ARTRPRNR Magazine spoke with Bazan about her experiences in the industry, the impact of technology, market trends, her approach to client relationships, and more.

What initially drew you to a career in real estate brokerage, and how did you get started in the industry?

I was the owner of The Scarlet Letter store in Miami Beach, a luxury stationery haven for the Miami elite for 2 decades. Getting my real estate license 20 years ago seemed like the most logical career move at the time since The Scarlet Letter allowed me to work and collaborate with high net-worth and high-profile individuals from Miami and around the globe.

What is your specialty as a real estate agent?

My specialty is listing homes.

What are the most significant changes you have seen in the real estate market in 2023 years?

The most significant change I’ve personally seen is the global interest in purchasing and sourcing Miami real estate. 90% of my listings are purchased by international buyers.

What are your thoughts on the impact of technology on the real estate industry?

Technology has definitely made a positive impact on real estate. It has provided me with easy-to-use tools to elevate all marketing on my listings.

What are some common challenges faced by buyers and sellers in the current market?

The most common challenge has been negotiating a reasonable post occupancy timeline for the sellers in order for them to find another home to purchase.

When will you turn down working with a client?

I will never turn down working with a client. My many years of experience have allowed me to naturally adapt to all different clientele and circumstances.

How do you think sea level rising will impact the market?

I believe that Miami will not be affected. The strong international influx of business and real estate investment has pumped a lot of money into our cities which has allowed to allocate funds to continuously come up with ways to battle this topic.

Can you share a memorable success story from your real estate career? 

My most memorable experience was during the real estate covid era where property values were through the roof. We had received 23 all cash offers and I had to stay up with the seller until 2 am sifting through offers discussing which offers would be in the best interest of my seller.

Tell us about a very stressful transaction and how you were able to handle it

I had a recent situation where the seller had recently widowed and was stuck in a reverse mortgage that did not reflect their name on the trust. The buyer had almost walked away because of how time-consuming the process was to validate the seller’s right to sell. We armed the seller with a great attorney that was able to save the deal by interjecting with the reverse mortgage company, and we were able to successfully close.

The real estate market can be highly competitive. How do you stay ahead of the curve and remain informed about market trends, pricing strategies, and emerging opportunities?

We stay ahead of the curve by door knocking and making sure our farm areas are aware of our presence and the market comparables in their neighborhood.

What does collaboration play in the real estate business?

We had a sale in Belle Meade for a $4M property that was established as a historical property making it difficult for buyers to knock down and redevelop. Both us as the listing agent and buyer’s agent made sure that we had a highly experienced zoning attorney to fight through the historical department restrictions, and we were able to remove any barriers to redevelop that led to a successful closing for both sides.

What personal values or principles influence your approach to client relationships?

Transparency, unbelievable work ethic, and thorough communication and professionalism have led to strong and long-lasting client relationships.

To conclude, if you had to describe the essence of your career as a real estate broker in one word or phrase, what would it be, and why does it resonate with you?

Excellence. Excellence would best describe my real estate career and my thought process in every single real estate transaction. I treat every listing as if it was my only one. I contribute my success to excellence in everything I do from the very moment I list to the moment I close and thereafter. Leaving a lasting impression is key to continue this amazing journey in Miami Real Estate.