Patricia Klock Parker is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential in Miami.

Every week, we ask a Miami real estate professional for their thoughts on the top three stories from the week before. This week, we spoke with Patricia Klock Parker, a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Residential.

Miami Agent (MA): This most recent May saw Miami home prices rise yet again, placing the city in the upper echelon of the nation’s large metropolitan areas. Have you noticed this rise in asking prices and, if so, do you think, considering Miami’s unique market, they’re sustainable?

Patricia Klock Parker (PKP): Miami is a unique market for local, national and international buyers. I am cautiously optimistic that prices will remain stable with sustainable increases. Each area of Miami has its own values and increases. We are fortunate to have a good mix of waterfront, acreage with dynamic cities like Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, South Miami, Pinecrest and, of course, Key Biscayne and Miami Beach, which are most desirable due to their location, unique homes, proximity to daytime and night life – known worldwide as a great vacation destination. Brickell has emerged as a significant financial sector attracting money from the Americas, Europe, Brazil and Russia. While there is much to be said about pricing in Miami, for all that we offer, we are still underpriced – according to the consumers – compared to California, New York, Europe, Russia and Brazil.

MA: A new report found that widespread negative equity still strongly persists in Florida. Are there any areas in Miami where negative equity is still a problem and how has it effected your business

PKP: Negative equity is still in the shadows in many areas, but our appreciation in prices has helped to reduce the negative equity in many properties. We still need the banks to be more forward in helping the consumer either refinance or structure a short sale that honors current market conditions in the area of their property. There were a significant number of short sales in the very south of the market, which is being positively impacted by the resurgence of the Homestead area due to investments by big retailers, strip shopping centers and the attraction of the area due to its proximity for unique “Disney-like” attractions that bridge the metropolitan area of Miami with the Florida Keys.

MA: One of our recent features discussed the different techniques Realtors can use to generate leads. What methods have you found to be most effective, and which have you found to be most ineffective?

PKP: We have been in business for 37+ years and have always treated our customers with great respect, honesty and have continually incorporated the latest marketing techniques, including internet marketing, social media and various other technologies. Coldwell Banker supports our efforts by seeing that our properties are marketed on 725 plus websites internationally, through our extensive proprietary database and bolstered by our exclusive relationships with the best Agents throughout Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County as a member of The Master Brokers Forum. It still is (as our father, Joe Klock, always taught us) a people business. Communicating with people in person, phone as well as through mail, email and social media. Being there for your customer from 1st contact, through the negotiation of the contract, closing and continued support and service after the closing. Our customers feel free to call us for all of their Real Estate questions and needs. We feel so privileged to be a part of their lives and continue to enjoy new relationships by being of part of their children’s lives. Referrals from satisfied customers and clients is the basis of our successful business.