The Forster Team at EWM Realty International has been selling South Florida real estate for more than 37 years. Jo-Ann Forster and Brian Forster Shapiro were ranked as the top producers in Pinecrest in 2011 and 2012 with the highest sales volume and number of sales. They are known for their knowledge of the local real estate market and for having a proven track record for getting results for their customers. They have accumulated hundreds of real estate success stories and their collection of satisfied customers continues to grow.
When representing a buyer, Forster Team members make the process of house hunting much easier and more efficient, leveraging their personal knowledge and expertise of the market and utilizing the most effective strategies. They save their buyers valuable time by finding properties that best suit their needs and budgets.
The Forster Team’s new state-of-the-art website was designed with the user in mind. It offers the latest search tools and allows visitors to browse all the listings on the market.
“Buyers love the simplicity of our website because it lets them search the way they do naturally — by area,” says Forster Shapiro.
“We are immersed in the community and that’s what makes it easier for us to sell it,” Forster said. “My kids were in the Pinecrest school system and now my grandkids are. Residents enjoy Pinecrest Gardens, sports camps and soccer leagues, and the best government and police force. We believe in the community, and our pride and enthusiasm transfer over into our work.”
“Jo-Ann and I are members of the Pinecrest Business Association and active in the schools,” said Forster Shapiro. “I have been vice president of the Pinecrest Elementary PTA for the past two years. I was also recently appointed by the Mayor to serve on the US1 Vision Committee, which was tasked with providing the Village Council with recommendations on how to help shops and restaurants on US1 better serve the community. There are so many ways to get involved in Pinecrest and we encourage our buyers to get involved.”
In recent months, the Pinecrest real estate market has seen increases in demand and home values. Forster Shapiro reports that through the month of April, there were over 50 closed sales and another 60 homes went under contract. This shows improvement over last year and indicates a growing upward trend. So far in 2013 The Forster Team has had over 37 closed and pending sales.
“The market has come back strong and is making a healthy recovery,” she said. “It’s not showing any signs of stopping. We are selling as fast as new listings are coming on the market and we have a waiting list of buyers. The Pinecrest market is hot right now for both buyers and sellers.”
She says this is a result of Pinecrest offering the perfect housing mix.
“Pinecrest has lush homes, lots of space, low property tax rates, the best schools and many homes that have been constructed in the past five to 10 years,” says Forster Shapiro. “It’s definitely where everyone would like to be right now.”
Forster’s real estate practice and production have earned her numerous awards over the years. She was presented with the Chairman’s Club Award in 2012 from EWM Realty International, the highest award for being one of the company’s top luxury market leaders. In addition, the Miami Association of Realtors, the largest Realtor association in the nation, named her the 2012 Leader of the Profession. In 2013 she was a finalist for the Miami Chamber of Commerce’s R.E.A.L. Award (Real Estate Achievers and Leaders). She is also a member of the Master Brokers Forum, an exclusive group comprised of the top 250 agents in all of South Florida. In addition, her humanitarian efforts and acts of charity have earned her significant recognition in the community.
After Brian Forster Shapiro graduated from Emory University, he returned to Miami to create one of the nation’s leading real estate marketing and technology companies. Following the sale of his company in 2004, he became president and chief technology officer of Expert Realty, a Deerfield Beach real estate, mortgage and title company. He later joined his mother on The Forster Team. Forster Shapiro is certified as a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist and a Certified Agent Investor Specialist.
For information, go to <www.UniqueHomesofMiami.com> or call 305-778-5555.
