We were lucky enough to interview Carlos Bravo, founder and CEO of KARLHAUS REALTY about the Florida real estate marketplace. Carlos is an Entrepreneur and former Fortune 500 Senior Executive with a broad background in structuring complex commercial transactions. Semi-retired at the age of 39 after founding and growing several businesses in High Technology, Manufacturing and Distribution, he has kept active as a private investor and advisor of strategy, public policy and corporate governance.

1. HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO PICK A REAL ESTATE THAT HAS EXPERIENCE?

Retaining the services of a qualified agent is, undoubtedly, the most important aspect of a real estate transaction be it a purchase or a sale. A qualified agent will have not only the right experience, education and ability but also the intellectual capacity to help the customer negotiate the best deal possible and help navigate or exploit unexpected obstacles or intelligence during the transaction, be it errors in the appraisals, financing difficulties, opposing party's motivations, financial hardship, opposing party agent's financial hardship and personal motivations, etc. It is an unfortunate fact that due to the low barriers of entry, real estate and used car sales have historically attracted the lowest rungs of society. Today, many people with just a high school diploma and a real estate license go out and call themselves "Marketing Professionals". However, there is a small fraction of incredibly capable professionals in this business that naturally do the bulk of transactions. It is a lucky buyer or seller indeed the one that comes upon one of these professionals.

Being investors and developers that actually have put their own skin in many deals, We approach this quite a bit different from the rest of the agencies. Our background is in Management Consulting thus the methodology at Karlhaus is consultative with strong emphasis on knowledge and intellect. Also, as a precondition to provide services, we expect customers to commit to an exclusive basis relationship. Karlhaus is not the typical real estate agency, we are a real estate consultancy boutique that happens to sell properties as well.

We like to cite the example of "Bubba" to customers considering hiring an agent:

Say you have a weak heart that needs attention. perhaps a bad valve, etc. that needs a delicate operation. You also have a nephew, "Bubba" who is a cardiologist. Now, Bubba did get a Medical Diploma from Bernadean University in California, by mail order, and does have a few patients that regularly visit his little office. He typically works on mornings and goes fishin' in the afternoons. Bubba is a fun-loving person, extremely likeable, and you really like spending time with him, especially over a few beers or at the golf course.

The question is... will you go to Bubba about your heart problem or will you go to the Mayo Clinic?...

The answer is obvious. Then why in the world should it be any different when selecting an agent to represent you for what is often the largest and most significant investment in your life - the purchase or sale of your home?

2. WHAT TYPES OF PROPERTIES DO YOU TYPICALLY SELL AND WHAT HAVE YOU RECENTLY SOLD IN THE AREA?

We sell mostly premium homes in premium areas. Our Port Orange, FL Location is, for example, the main agency at the Spruce Creek Fly-In, the world's largest and most famous residential Airpark. We do have a REO division dedicated to the marketing of bank-owned homes, short sales, etc. targeted to investors.

3. HOW DO YOU ARRIVE AT THE SELLING PRICE FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS?

Professional Market Research, experience in the area, knowledge of the market and the ability to put a value on intangibles to get top dollar on a sale. We like to think that a property has three values: Whether we represent the Buyer, the Seller, or Both. Only in the latter will there be a fair deal.

4. HOW LONG DOES IT TYPICALLY TAKE FOR YOU TO SELL A HOME?

Under 45 days for a well priced home.

5. DO YOU OFFER YOUR CUSTOMERS OTHER SERVICES, SUCH AS; MOVING COMPANIES, MORTGAGE BROKERS, HOME INSURANCE AGENTS?

We do referrals based on recommendations from other customers

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Read More about Carlos Bravo and other local Florida experts on the Moran Insurance Blog today.