As appeared in 95 East Magazine, Fall 2004:

Portal Epstein Investments, headed by Real Estate Broker Miri Portal Epstein, has carved out an unusual niche in the world of luxury residential real estate. Throughout Epstein’s 15 year condo experience, she has become an expert in condo conversions and advises developers around the country on what makes the most sense when purchasing such a property. Whether it is a hotel or a neglected high rise building, Epstein knows how to make it into a successful project. A perfect example is Island Pointe in Bay Harbor Islands, one of the most recent projects Epstein handled.

Working with developer Elliott Sharaby from day one on Island Pointe, Epstein was part of every decision made about this property, including whether to invest in it in the first place. Once that decision was made, Epstein took part in every decision from floor plans, style of model units, price structure, amenities to special features and finishes offered. In addition she was responsible for putting together the sales team and developing marketing strategies. In other words, her A to Z guidance was used for even the smallest detail. Her business acumen paid off at Island Pointe; after only 9 months the building nearly sold. Another Epstein success story. (Through her career Epstein has been involved with more than $250 million in condo conversions).

“I knew Island Pointe was a winner the minute I saw it,” she says. “In my opinion, every waterfront property sells well and this building was smack on the water and offered spectacular views. Of course, in a condo conversion you inherit certain features that you must live with. Sometimes it’s the challenge of turning lemons into lemonade.”

Prior to joining Island Pointe, Epstein was at the Roney Palace Oceanfront Condominium, another successful conversion located in South Beach. Under her direction Roney Plaza, formerly a huge apartment complex completely turned around. “It takes a vision, an ability to actually see the finished product, and a winning business plan for all the pieces of the puzzle to fall in place,” says Epstein.

Epstein knows her advise is precious to developers, and how much they rely on it when making such great investments; “It’s one chance per developer per conversion”, she says. Before her decisions are made, she does a lot of research to determine the local market, reviews current real estate trends and conditions and how they would affect the subject proposed condo conversion, recommends a budget, and decides on what kind of product to create and then how to make it most appealing to the right target market. Her consulting services include a lot of hand-holding with developers to calm them down while she guides them through every step of the process. (Yes, developers are a nervous lot when investing millions of dollars.)

Epstein will not take on a project unless she believes in it passionately. This enthusiasm is passed on to the whole condo team, from sales staff to receptionist, and the staff is always complimented on their professionalism and fervor when dealing with buyers and realtors. She does intense planning with the condo team that often includes techniques such as role playing and motivational seminars.

Epstein knows that her consulting service is invaluable to developers. “After all,” she quips, “if it was so easy, I wouldn’t be hired.”

Our Services include:  Condo Conversion Cosultants - guidance that starts even before you buy the property, Florida Broker of Record, Condominium Sales and Marketing, Broker Price Opinion, Multi Lingual Sales Agents Staffing for High Traffic Condo Sales Events (such as Grand Openings), Listing your units in the MLS and bringing the top brokers to your project to sell fast, on site and off site consulting on a regular basis even if you have a sales team in place (our experience, troubleshooting and creative marketing  ideas come handy) as well as  Motivational Speaking Sessions, coaching and training for your sales team.  Contact us if you want to sell fast.  
If you are looking for a Florida Real Estate Broker, with Condo Sales and Marketing Exprience, drive and motivation, creativity to turn lemons into lemonade and sell "in spite of",  at a much lower cost, please contact us.  Our specialty is to remarket distressed condo projects, turn the reputaiton around and win back the trust of the broker community, investors and banks.  We can come up with a sales staff large enough to handle a huge  grand opening or sales event with a very short notice.  We are big believers in motivation sessions and top producing training for  our sales associates.  
  

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