Adriana Vargas Hernandez is a pre-construction sales expert with Cervera Real Estate in Miami/Coral Gables.
What was your first job in the realty industry?
The Graham Companies in Miami Lakes. I worked on pre-construction projects Gramercy Park, Lakes on the Green and Regatta Pointe 18 years ago.
Where did you grow up?
I am Puerto Rican and have been in Miami since I was 17 years old.
What is your favorite free-time activity?
In addition to selling luxury developments, I have a beautiful family (two boys) and a flower shop in downtown Miami, called The Flower Shoppe and Things. It is my passion and I go when I can to help my employees when possible. Visit our website: www.theflowershoppeandthings.com.
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed?
Go to my flower shop and do arrangements. We do beautiful things, and we have done the flowers for the Queen of Spain, prime ministers, Queen Latifah, Naomi Campbell and many more famous personalities.
Growing up, what did you want to be?
I wanted to be many things including a lawyer, but never thought of selling condos around the world.
If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be?
John Paul II or St. Marie of Calcutta due to their great hearts, commitment to others and wealth of knowledge.
Where is your favorite place to hang out?
I love all the parks in our city, and Fairchilid Tropical Garden is my favorite.
What do you love most about the industry?
After more than $1 billion in real estate sales in the industry on new pre-construction developments, I just know that “I don’t know anything,” as every day is a new beginning and the political, social and security issues around the world are driving our market. It was amazing to see. While selling BrickellHouse, the market began to turn to the positive, and it was a new beginning in the downtown/Brickell area. Now, we are seeing this in Coral Gables as we sell Merrick Manor – we’ve been selling most of it in just 60 days.
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents?
I love real estate development and my career proves it. I have been blessed to work and learn from remarkable people on the real estate development industry as the Graham Companies, as sales director for many years for Harvey Hernandez (BrickellHouse Developer), sales director for Fifty Biscayne for Related Cervera. Working closely with Alicia Cervera has been a wonderful learning experience. Every project is a begining and a new growing experience.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
Educating buyers about the new changes on the market, as many believe there are still thousands of empty units.
Where do you go to network and meet new clients?
I have traveled extensively selling pre-construction projects and enjoying a great network of friends and brokers from all over the world.
What has been your greatest accomplishment?
Very difficult question: but, having a beautiful family, working for people I admire on the real estate industry and seeing the changes on the Miami skyline as the projects I worked go vertical. That is an incredible feeling…
What was the last good movie you saw or book you read?
Argo.
What is your favorite restaurant?
Capital Grille.
What is your favorite building in Miami?
The Alhambra Tower in Coral Gables, St. Regis in Bal Harbour and the Four Seasons on Brickell.
What kind of car do you drive?
A I have driven from Maseratis to Mercedes and from VW to my great HUGE Suburban. Everything fits in it.
Smartphone, or paper?
I have a smartphone. It can find everything much faster than paper.
What is your favorite city after Miami?
Dubai for its architecture, Paris for its great food and North Carolina to spend a quiet vacation with the kids.
What is your advice for someone new to the industry?
Become a real estate agent thinking that you are here to help someone find their future home and not to make big money. Most Realtors forget that we are here to service our clients and focus on their commission without thinking of the clients needs. After that, then learn all you can about the industry, developers, pricing, history behind every tower, every developer and every site.
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