Miami Living Magazine June 2014 Interview "Condo Queen"

June 19, 2014 at 12:33pm

http://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/332051/41  Page 41-44

 

The Condo Queen Talks about Real Estate,Ambitions and More....

Interviewby Ed Tranter

 

Photographer: Eric Schwab  www.eric-schwab.com

Stylist: Lorenzo (Muhannad Tanbour),

Makeup:Jeannie Giannone

Wardrobe: La Petite Robe by Chiara Boni,

Shoes: Yves Saint Laurent

Jewelry: Provided by Lucrecia Lindemann,

Tiara:Topshop

 

Q:How do you feel about being called “The “Condo Queen”?

A: [Laughing] If thecrown fits, Ed!

 

Q: You’vehad and continue to have much success over the years selling millions andmillions of dollars in high end real estate. What do you attribute that to?

A: First off, I comefrom a very successful entrepreneurial family. My parents own a gold mininginternational import/export business, so I learned early on that hard work paysoff. My sister Maria Ackermann, who is also my business partner, works hand inhand with me 24/7. She has taken me from a local to a global market with hergenius internet marketing skills. I can only imagine that this ambition andhard work comes from my incredible hardworking successful family.

 

Q: Youmentioned working with your sister. Most people try to keep business out offamily relationships. What is the secret behind your success as a team?

A: As I mentionedbefore, I come from a family filled with successful entrepreneurs, so workingtogether is something we have done in one way or another our whole life. We are also polar opposites and we each really respect and admire how theother one works.  While I am the risk taker, all-out-socialite,fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type of gal, my sister is more of the levelheaded,organized, 100% safe type of personality.  So, it’s the perfect balancefor success and although we thrive well without each other, together we aremagic!

 

Q: You are a businesswoman, wife and mom; how do you juggle allof that?

A: I am married to a worldwide known yachtbroker, who is my partner --our businesses complement each other. We have threebeautiful daughters who remain our priority. We have learned how to balancefamily and work by prioritizing. But I must say our relentless energy andpassion for our work and family carry us through the day.

 

Q: What do you think about all the pre-construction going onnow, do you see a bubble coming again?

A:  That is a very good question, Ed andI’m glad you asked.  Back in 2000, when pre-construction was on a rise itwas seen as a trend and developers wanted to get in and out fast. The waypre-construction was selling made it very inexpensive to buy expensive. That was a big no no.  For example, someone could put $20K down fora million dollar apartment and nothing else until closing.  What happenedwas the buyer said to himself, ‘Hey, I have $60K more, let me buy 2 more’ andso on and so forth.  Here is the problem, they forgot one small detail. THEY HAD TO CLOSE.  The multiple unit buying became a frenzy.Mortgage lenders gave false promises of being able to lend as well as appraiseabove market value creating a false number and sense of reality.  Whenclosings came around, no one could close as no banks would lend.  Nowthings have changed.  Our developers are a lot more sophisticated in theway they sell and develop. When buying a unit, you will put between 30-70% downfor the lifetime of the development. This rules out speculators and creates asolid ground.  And in a blink of an eye we have a boom and it’s real. Miami has become the epicenter of the world.

 

Q: Tell me about you, what makes you so special?

A: Well first, I wouldn’t be sitting in front ofyou, right? [She smirks.] In all honesty Ed, I give my clients 24/7 whiteglove service.  It’s a global market and I understand the different needsof my Brazilian clients to the ones in NYC or LA.  Also, from investors tobuyers who are looking to move in, I know how to handle all those specificneeds. I don’t give them a song and danceor waste anyone’s time.  I know the market. I know the developers. I knowwhere the best prices are for what theyneed.

 

Q: How do you know all of the developers personally?

A: Well, I have beenthe Sales Director for large projects, including the 1060 Brickell and Infinityto name a few.  I sold in the hundreds of millions with them. Currently, Iam the Vice President of Dezer Platinum Realty, which is developing PorscheDesign Tower and other name brands to come [winks], we'll keep you posted. Also, the social aspect of this business IS THE BUSINESS.  I spend alot of time going to all the projects, learning about them and going to everyevent to meet the sales teams and developers.I do not miss a beat!

 

Q: Love the outfit --your look isn’t exactly “corporateAmerica” [laughing].

A: Ay yay yay, Ed, youknow you love my shoes [smiling]. I don’t need to look like a man to dobusiness like one. I love the sophisticated meets glamour style. THAT’S ME! Mostimportantly, confidence is my best and the only necessary accessory-- and Iwear it well.

 

(Ed Trantor) With that, Lucrecia returns to her emails andtext messages, while answering a call andis out the door. The Condo Queen has leftthe building!