Meet Cristina | Real Estate Associate/Brown Harris Stevens

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cristina and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cristina, what do you attribute your success to?
For me, the most important factor in being a real estate agent is being mindful, being client-centered and client driven. I’ve been able to conduct every transaction with the utmost integrity and professionalism, every family has a need and want and to be able to deliver your clients expectations from the beginning to the end is extremely rewarding. My “Client First” philosophy sets the performance bar to the highest level.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I started my real estate career at the young age of 19. I got married by the age of 21, and for a few years I went to Wimbish Riteway Realtors where I learned the step-by-step strategy on prospecting and customer service. Fast forward a few years at the age of 28 I was blessed in having two beautiful daughters and decided to place my real estate career on hold and focus on my family. By the age of 33 I decided it was time to go back to my roots and start from ground zero again.

At that moment in my career the real estate market had gone down and foreclosures and short sales where the new norm. I learned that real estate has its difficulties and in order to survive you had to adjust and focus on the road ahead. I started understanding the ins and outs of the Foreclosure process, foreclosure consequences to the seller, foreclosure alternatives, short sale vs foreclosure.

I began offering in person one-hour seminars to the public for free, I gathered a panel of experts including a mortgage broker, accountant, and credit repair expert. This information helped me to relate to many individuals that needed guidance and prevention strategies to save their home or find a better way to resolve their financial hardship. I was able to provide a different level of customer service.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I was born and raised in Miami as a native I would love to guide you to visit and spend time in places that would make your stay unforgettable: If you are visiting for the first time below are some of my favorite places:

Brunch: Bistro Café 1352 NW 1st Ave

Waterfront Bruch Spot: Casa Blanca on the Bay

Little Hen

Drinks and Happy Hour:

Hit these spots for a great happy hour deals and incredible ambiance:

Casa Florida 437 SW 2nd Street

Rusty Pelican

The Key Club

Strawberry Moon

Champagne Bar at Four Season at The Surf Club

Lunch and Coffee:

Bachour Miami 2020 Salzedo Street

People Watching: Greenstreet Café 3465 Main Highway

Dinner:

Cracked By Chef Adrianne 7400 SW 57th Ct

Baia stunning Sunset Vistas of Biscayne Bay and Downtown Miami

Sexy Fish Brickell Area

Dessert: Night Owl Cookies

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I have a client that has no idea how he has helped me in my career. I few years ago 2018 I reconnected with the son of a very special man named Sergio Artigues Sr. I was around 19 years of age when I applied for a weekend receptionist job in a small architect and construction firm that customized homes in Coral Gables and Miami Beach. At that moment I didn’t realize how important his dad’s role would be in selecting my career. In a short period of time I learned about drawings, design and production in real estate. That job opened my young eyes into becoming a licensed real estate agent.

Fast forward 20 years I reconnected with his son Sergio Artigues Jr. and he gave me the opportunity to represent him in the sale of his home in Coconut Grove in less than one month we were under contract and closed for a recorded sale of $3.8M also featured in New York Times as home of the week. Sergio helped me to see all the potential and opportunities that are available in the high-end market if you are determined to be client driven, conduct every transaction with the utmost integrity and professionalism. For that I am extremely thankful for both father and son in giving me the opportunity to learn and grown.

Website: www.bhsmiami.com/Cristinam

Instagram: 305realestateservice

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamirealestatepro

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CMenendezRe