Carl Marzola, President and CEO of Atlantic Properties International [left]and Managing Director Gabriel Munoz. [Martin Lenkowsky]
By Martin Lenkowski New Pelikan Author
Atlantic Properties International lives up to its name as an upscale real estate agency based on Fort Lauderdale’s luxurious Galt Ocean Mile.
“Sixty percent of our clients are foreign,” says President and CEO Carl Marzola, adding that most of his clients, both foreign and local, are loyal and return to him with all their real estate needs.
“Once they have had good experiences, they accompany you for life,” he says.
Marzola has been in the business for many years and speaks enthusiastically about it. “I enjoy it. It’s a passion, it’s not a job.”
Atlantic Properties International was founded in 1983 by Marzola, a native of Albany, New York. He started in the real estate business when he was only 19 years old. “I started my first business when I was 23.”
Gabriel Munoz is Broker Associate and General Manager of Atlantic Properties International. He also loves his job, saying Marzola has “mentored a lot of agents by seeing something in them.”
“I see talent and I know there’s an opportunity,” says Marzola.
Munoz was mentored by Marzola, who says he and his future general manager first met socially over drinks. Munoz had been working as a high school Spanish teacher at the time, but just from speaking to him, Marzola sensed that he had a great future in real estate. It turned out he was right. “In my very first deal, I made more money than my yearly salary as a teacher,” says Munoz.
“Gabe became our office manager, our point of contact,” says Marzola proudly.
Munoz points out how successful they are at getting repeat business from customers. “Our retention rate is fabulous,” he says. “Retention is not easy in the real estate business.”
According to Marzola, the key to success in this business is communicating with your customers. “Most of the real estate business is listening and asking, ‘What are your needs?’
In addition, educating customers also contributes to success, he says.
According to Marzola, there are many deals in the real estate industry, and he’s always looking for more, no matter how big or how small.
“No matter what the market is like, people will always need a roof over their heads,” says Munoz.
Marzola adds, “You’ll never be out of business.”
What sets Atlantic apart is integrity, says Marzola, “and reputation. I think people know about us.”
“Having worked with Carl for ages, he’s well respected in the industry,” says Munoz.
Marzola says he’s been approached about selling his agency, but he’s not interested.
Not only is Marzola looking for more business, he’s always on the lookout for new talent to join his sales team. He was on the treadmill at the gym and befriended a man, a retired hospital administrator, who was also on a treadmill. “I told him to get his real estate license,” Marzola said, “and he became a successful real estate agent. I looked after him.”
Carmina Del Dago, who was born in Colombia and has been a resident of Miami for many years, has known Marzola and his agency for many years. She says she met him in the early ’90s, “and we did a few real estate transactions with him.”
Most importantly, she says, Atlantic Properties International sold her Miami Beach home for $18.5 million. “It sold for more than a million over list price,” she said. “We had seven offers within three days.”
Marzola particularly remembers receiving those seven offers. “I was relaxing in the Keys with cocktails and my phone was ringing the whole time,” he said.
Del Dago describes Marzola as an exceptional, professional person. “He is very knowledgeable and gives great tips. He’s a straight shooter. I would highly recommend him. We love him to death.”
She also speaks highly of Munoz. “It is excellent to work with him. It has a very nice ambience.”
Atlantic Properties International is located at 3556 N. Ocean Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Visit atlanticprop.com or call 954-564-8182 for more information. Atlantic Properties International is an advertiser of New Pelican.
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