Harriet Rockow is an associate broker with Rickenback Realty working in Aventura. 

What was your first job in the realty industry? I was with Royal Lepage Real Estate Inc. in Montreal, Quebec in 1972.

In 1978, I was invited to join the investment division and partnered with Claude Fredj who was the manager of the department at the time.

I then opened Harriet Bordoff Realty Inc. as a commercial broker in 1984 and worked there until I was hired as a leasing manager for the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta.

In 1994, I got my real estate license in Miami and gained special permission from Tallahassee and to come to Florida on a free visa, working as a consultant to a realty agency to introduce Canadian investors. I am still doing this and have added some specialties, such as the sale of triple net properties, 1031 exchanges and acting as an advisor to developers seeking Canadian investors along the Atlantic coastline of South Florida.

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Everything possible. I read a lot, am a movie buff, love opera, ballet, concerts, play bridge and follow the stock and real estate markets, of course. I enjoy time with my many friends, relatives and my sons. The best way for me to relax is to travel. I have been to many countries and enjoyed every minute.

Where did you grow up? I was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Attended public school, high school, MacDonald Teacher’s College and then McGill University and Sir George Williams University(now Concordia University). I graduated as a teacher, then got my B.A. in economics and political science. Taught for five years in public school, specializing in early education, and then taught two years at McGill. Later I was awarded a fellowship at the real estate institute at McGill and my international broker’s license.

I moved to Florida in 1994 and have lived in paradise ever since.

Growing up, what did you want to be? My main desire was to be a doctor, as was my grandmother and uncle on my mother’s side. My father was only satisfied if I got 100 percent, so my goals were always verh high.

When I was accepted to McGill University, I was positive my dream would come true, but my father refused to pay for my long years in medicine saying that I would get married and start afamily before I completed my studies. Unfortunately, I gave in and studied teaching instead.

If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? Naturally, I would love to have lunch with my late grandmother, who was an advetureous and intelligent woman long before women were accepted as professionals in any field. She died during child birth delivering my mother at the Mt. Sinai hospital in New York City. She was quite a woman!

My sister wrote a book about her. She and I were always fascinated by her and her courage.

Where is your favorite place to hang out? My favorite place to hang out is the theater. I love the Adrienne Arsht Center, museums and theatres, especially in Manhattan.

Airplanes, yachts, ships to foreign lands and adventures to anywhere exciting.

I love the jazz festival in Montreal every summer.

What do you love most about the industry? I love the excitement when the deal is closed and I see both a happy buyer and a satisfied seller. That does something special for me. I am proud to be a Realtor and love my chosen professoin. My son has now joined me and is starting to feel the pride of success and accomplishment after struggling through the roughest years of the recession, which is hopefully behind us.

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? I am a true professional – ethical and honorable. I tell it like it is and make my success from referrals from both my Canada and Miami clients.

My experience shows and my broker comes to me for guidance most often..

What is the most difficult aspect of your job? I am a very poor loser and when one of my offers is not accepted, I take it to heart.

Where do you go to network and meet new clients? Everywhere I go and wherever I am. I carry my cards with me all the time and when I close a sale I request that the seller or buyer or both send me referrals. It happens more often than not.

I have several websites and use social media now. My son is a computer programmer and he sets up my websites and social media profiles.

What has been your greatest accomplishment? My triple net sales and the investors that keep coming back to buy more properties.

I have a lot of investors in my contacts now and that’s a huge accomplishment for me and my team.

What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? I wattended the premier of Fury with a wonderful cast and loved the production, the directing and the acting especially of Brad Pitt and Logan Lerman.

I read “What If” recently and am beginning “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr, which is the newest book to be reviewed by my book club.

What is your favorite restaurant? That is a tough question as I have one in every city. In Montreal, there are so many, but in Miami I love several, as well. Joe’s Stone Crabs is probably my favorite. The Four Seasons in Manhattan is another.

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Miami?  Now that is the toughest question. I do love One Bal Harbour. it sits on the ocean with water on all sides and views to die for, as well as fabulous amenities like a spa and club, an in-house five star restaurant and a staff ready to please each and every guest. The design of the property is exquisite, architecturally perfect.

What kind of car do you drive? A Hyandai Sonata Limited.

Smartphone or paper? iPhone 5S.

What is your favorite city after Miami? Manhattan, but not to live in, just to visit.

In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Get a mentor, visit tons of listings and take lots of notes.

What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? I have many but I especially love Google and realtor.com.

Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? Too many to name, but I admire The Jills.

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