The Closing: A Positive Outlook
Whether it’s trying to cure the market or a genetic disorder, South Florida luxury real estate expert Niki Higgins is upbeat.
Niki Higgins exhibits optimism, both in her professional and personal life. So it doesn’t matter whether the topic is the future of South Florida’s luxury real estate market, or the possibility of finding a cure for a rare genetic disease, Higgins believes positive results are around the corner. There is no other way to move forward.
A former fashion model, Higgins is the broker/owner of Fort Lauderdale-based Seaside Properties Group Inc., which specializes in waterfront listings from South Beach to Palm Beach. The company was founded in 2000 after Higgins, who is a native of England, spent several years learning the profession at Douglas Elliman Real Estate in New York City and later enjoying success as part of a sales and management team for an oceanfront development in Florida.
While the South Florida region saw a slowdown in sales during the past several months, Higgins was hopeful the trend was ready to reverse itself, particularly after amid-March surge by the stockmarket, which often is a key factor in consumer confidence. In addition, the U.S. Commerce Department provided economists with hope when it reported a 22 percent increase in new construction for February.
“I feel we’ve finally hit the bottom,” says Higgins. “The more consumer confidence strengthens, the more people are going to be back in the market. For anybody that’s looking to get great deals, that window of opportunity is not going to be around for too long.
The prime properties are going to be snapped up first.”
According to the Florida Association of Realtors, the Fort Lauderdale area saw a 52 percent year-to-year jump in single-family home sales in January and a 29 percent increase in condominium sales. Miami saw similar increases, although median sale prices dropped in both locations.
“I think as the volume picks up, the prices will follow,” Higgins said. “The people who are sitting on the fence trying to time the bottom of the market better hope they don’t miss the bottom of the market. There are going to be more people competing for the prime properties. Then the market is going to firm up.”
Higgins’ work in real estate led her to a new endeavor beyond the business world. It is not uncommon forHiggins to remain friendly with her clients and when she heard about the work one gentleman was doing on behalf of people living with epidermolysis bullosa, also known as EB, she was touched and wanted to become involved. So, sometimes, a buyer can move an agent.
According to the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association, or “Debra,” EB is a genetic condition that causes the skin to break at the slightest touch, causing painful open blisters and wounds. The condition is painful, and at its worst is fatal in infancy. People with severe EB are likely to contract fatal skin cancer. Young suffers are called “butterfly children” because their skin is as fragile as a butterfly’s wings.
“We are going to set up a network of businesses to raise awareness and raise money for research and care of these children,” says Higgins. “Our main goal is to organize a global approach to finding a cure. I really like to help with a good cause, and I strongly believe if something is genetic, and the gene has been isolated, we should be able to find a cure given that science is so advanced these days.”
—Niki Higgins,
broker/owner,
Seaside Properties Group Inc.
