Sweden: Los Angeles, New York Miami, Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco

A. Fortune International Realty has offices in Argentina, where we have a team of 20 people working. In Argentina we have done a large amount of sales and I believe that we will continue to grow because we travel there very often, our name is well recognized and because we have developed strategic ways to market ourselves. Nevertheless, it will always depend on the economical situation. At the moment, it’s less affordable for the Argentineans to buy in Argentina, because the depreciation, the currency makes the properties more expensive. Argentineans already have a long track record, not only of buying in Miami but falling in love with Miami and we believe that this will continue to happen.

Q. Since founding Fortune International Realty in 1983, the company has extended to include real estate brokerage, property management, new development sales, and new developments. What’s next for FIR?

A. The key element of the company has always been to find new quality people to join us. We cover everything from simple brokerage firm, to sophisticated developments, to representing other developers; we do a lot in terms of collaborations with developments as far as servicing them as their consultants. So for us at Fortune International Realty, our goal is to find ways to attract ‘new energy’ to the company by hiring qualified people in the different areas, so we can continue to grow in a coordinated fashion.

Q. Regarding today’s Broker’s role, everyone has easy access online to all information (listings, photos, assessment values, etc.), how do you find new ways to add value in a role that is dramatically different from the time when Brokers controlled all the information?

A. In Fortune International Realty, we believe that this goes back to quality service. Real Estate will evolve with technology like other businesses do, but at the end of the day it is a service industry. It is based on the quality service you give to your clients and I think that as long as you have a good group of people that can give an excellent level of service to clients, you can find ways to evolve. Even though things have changed with the Internet, compared to how we did real estate 30 years ago, I believe that when the client has to make a face-to-face decision, with somebody that is advising them on how to invest their money, I think that the personal relationship will still be there in years to come and will determine how excellent servicing to your clients is and that will dictate how well the people will do in the industry.

Q. Which charities you support, and why?

A. Fortune International Realty always works with St. Jude’s Hospital. We love the way they work and we believe that they have done a tremendous job in helping kids all over the world. Miami has been the port of entry for many kids in Latin America that seek other places for alternative treatments, and St. Jude’s is one of them. Fortune International Realty is also getting very active with charity events all throughout Latin America. We also try to get involved in as many activities as possible, in every small way that we can join forces with people that are helping out in the community.

Q. What is your favorite destination for family vacation or getaway?

A. My favorite destination for family vacation is Miami. Every time someone comes to visit, they say that we are lucky to be living here, but I always say that the only problem for people living in Miami is that it is hard to find an hour a day to spend time with our families because we are always so busy working. MIami is probably one of the best places to take your vacation.