I specialize in selling historic and architecturally significant homes not just because I like old homes. I have a real passion for historic architecture that I have fed and fostered over the years, including getting my architecture degree from the University of Miami and getting involved with historic preservation through my own city and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Drawing has always been a passion, but acquiring an eye for everything historic and educating myself about what I saw became a challenge. One that I continue to embrace today.
When my husband and I got our real estate licenses, we marketed ourselves as the real estate pros with architecture and accounting degrees. But it wasn’t until my first historic listing that I was able to put a finger on my niche.
How My Miami Historic Home Niche Started
It was a 1935 Mediterranean Revival home in original condition that had only one owner. It had Moroccan influence, evident in the Moroccan window on the front facade. Although the seller of the estate had inherited the property, he wanted the right buyer for the home.
Looking back at the marketing photos, we’ve come a long way. We sold that house back in 2005 and would do things so differently today, but that one house sparked something in me that I still appreciate more than 20 years later.
Old Homes Need Love Too
It wasn’t just an old home. The open-beamed ceilings, the delicate ironwork, the beautiful quarry-tile floors! I was able to find original photos of the home and would take my time giving the history of its predecessors. I learned to appreciate the soul of the home, beyond its owners and the new buyers.
More than 20 years later, I can still remember the energy of that house. The creaking of the hardwood steps, the green and black bathroom with original fixtures and the special proportions of the steel-framed casement windows.
Two Types of Buyers of Historic Homes
There were two types of buyers for that property: the one who would tear it apart, or the one who would appreciate its history and architectural features and restore and modernize it without hurting its integrity.
The buyers were absolutely perfect. They didn’t just listen to its history, they were genuinely interested.
Is it the job of a REALTOR® to care who buys a property, or is it purely to maximize the value of a home for the seller? I believe both can happen, but we obviously follow our clients’ cues. In this case, the right buyer was important, and I did everything in my power to examine each prospect and identify whether they would be good for the home.
It’s also key to know what you’re selling in order to achieve the best results for your clients. If the architectural significance and original details are part of what makes a historic property special, you need to recognize them before you can properly communicate them to a buyer.
Learn to Recognize Those Who Don’t Deserve Historic Homes
One clear example that comes to mind is a guy who saw the property and claimed it was complete crap, a total teardown and only worth land value.
I clearly remember grabbing my heart thinking, “How dare you!!”
I politely led him to the front door and told him the house was not for him.
The Right Buyer of a Historic Home
More than 20 years later, those buyers are still in the property and have continued to restore the home with respect for its history.
They bought the house from the Chew Estate and we were the listing agents. Richard Chew was a Pan Am copilot who hired an architect by the name of Nelson and did a lot of the construction himself. Richard left the house to his daughter, who then left it to her nephew, our client when we listed the property in 2004/2005.
This is an amazing example of a buyer who has taken painstaking pride in restoring his home. I’m sure Richard Chew is looking down at his house and smiling with approval.
We also found this old sales brochure, dated approximately 1957 according to the tax reference on the brochure, with an interesting description and a super interesting price.
The Miamism Take
That one house helped me identify a niche I didn’t even know I had.
My architecture background gave me an appreciation for historic buildings, but selling this house taught me how important that knowledge could be in real estate. You need to understand what you’re selling, recognize the details that make it special and know how to communicate those details to the buyers who will appreciate them.
More than 20 years later, I’m still doing exactly that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you specialize in historic homes throughout Miami?
Yes. Miamism specializes in historic and architecturally significant homes throughout Miami, with particular expertise in the neighborhoods and architectural styles where these properties are found.
Does a home have to be officially designated historic for Miamism to consider it architecturally significant?
No. Historic designation and architectural significance are not necessarily the same thing. Many Miami homes have important architectural features, materials or history without having an official historic designation.
Why does specialized marketing matter when selling a historic home?
Because buyers can’t appreciate what they don’t recognize. Understanding the architecture, original materials and history allows us to explain what makes the property different instead of marketing it like every other house.
Selling a Historic Miami Home?
Historic homes are our forte. We know the architecture, understand the details that make these homes special and know the audience interested in them.
If you’re thinking about selling your historic Miami home, call us. We’ll make sure the right buyers understand exactly what makes your home worth paying attention to.
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