Who’s Who in Real Estate in South Florida
By Leslie Kraft Burke | Lifestyle Las Olas
South Florida’s top residential real estate industry professionals are leading the region into a new era of modern architecture, design and luxury. As buyers flock here from throughout the world – and locals redefine where and how they want to live – new trends are emerging that redefine how the industry meets needs.
At the top of these trends – and often ahead of them – our most successful real estate professionals are passionate about connecting buyers with what they want most in their homes and condominiums. They are tireless in their commitment to clients, locating the most unique properties that provide the ultimate quality of life in our community. Making buyers’ dreams come true – whether they’re waterfront or sophisticated urban, sprawling estates or mega-sized luxury condos – they find something for everyone. In high season you’ll find them working overtime to make this happen in one of the most competitive real estate markets in the United States. It’s a labor of love, they say, waxing poetic about the many wonderful ways to live locally and the many places to do it.
Please join us in congratulating them on their many achievements and prominence within the real estate industry.
Lisa Whitaker and Amy Ballon, of Hemisphere Sales Group, recently joined forces after working for some of the leading marketing firms and developers. South Floridians with decades of combined pre-construction development experience, they are responsible for more than $2.7 billion in sales. Whitaker and Ballon found a niche in the market by providing consulting services, from the infancy stage of a project until sales commence. Fernbrook Florida, LLLC retained Whitaker and Ballon to provide consulting for Sabbia Beach, located in Pompano, where they are now co-directors of sales.
Whitaker, formerly the CFO and owner of a Miami-based international film production company, began her real estate career in 2002, working on very notable real estate projects including Symphony, Canyon Ranch Living and W Hotel Condominiums. In 2010, she launched Douglas Elliman’s development division, and successfully repositioned both Opera Tower and Hollywood Station.
Ballon, the daughter of a developer who built the first townhomes in the state of California where she was born and raised, was destined to be in real estate. After moving from Brentwood, Calif. to South Florida in the early ’90’s, to be the regional sales trainer for Jenny Craig Weight Loss Centers, Ballon began real estate in 1996 selling Ocean One. In 2013, she accepted the role of vice president for the development division at One Sotheby’s International Realty, for Broward, where she was awarded Privage and Riva, two of the county’s newest properties.
“Independently, we succeeded across South Florida,” says Whitaker. “We saw an opportunity to consult on Sabbia Beach, realizing our boutique approach was needed and being noticed, as well as our passion for transitional areas.”
“We selected Lisa and Amy because of their passion for what they do and they have a proven track record of successfully selling oceanfront properties,” said Danny Salvatore, a principal of Fernbrook Florida, LLLC, which is developing Sabbia Beach. “We are confident they will hit a home run with our project.”
“This property is an untouched jewel,” Ballon says, “It’s sure to become an iconic building on the Atlantic Ocean.”
Awards
- Lisa-Top On-Site Producer
- Amy-Who’s Who Inclusion; 2008-2012
- Amy-Top On-Site Producer
- Amy-Orlando Business Journal-Nominated For Top Orlando Business Women
Affiliations
- Lisa-Miami Board of Realtors
- Lisa-Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce
- Amy-Former Master Broker Forum Member; 2010-2014
- Amy-Make-A-Wish Foundation
- Amy-Women in Distress Foundation
- Amy-Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce
- Amy-Kids in Distress