Broker/Agent Magazine

Denise Rubin

When Denise Rubin of Coldwell Banker was growing up, it never occurred to her that she might not be successful. “As far back as I can remember, I was driven to be successful and to be the best that I could be, no matter what I was doing,” she says. “I have always loved to learn, to work, to create, and to realize ideas. There is nothing more exciting than to risk, to show courage and to take a challenge.”

Her father was a pharmacist on Long Island, NY where Denise was born and raised. She was accustomed to watching her father work long hours, proud of his vocation and dedicated to maintaining a high level of professionalism. As owner of many pharmacies, he was especially protective of his status as a specialist, telling Denise over and over again, “We should be Apothecans, not supermarkets.” Her mother often worked alongside him and it was during Denise’s early years observing her parents server their clients, that Denise’s work ethic was formed. As an art major, Rubin made the Dean’s list and eventually went on to obtain her real estate license from the New York Univeristy for business and Real Estate. A woman of many interests, she also received a degree from NY School of Interior Design. With a passion for life and an innate sense of creativity, Rubin opened her first business when she was just 17 years old, a boutique that became wildly successful in a few short years and sold for a profit. Her business acumen led her to the real estate industry, where she became instantly successful as an onsite agent for a Manhattan building. “Right away I was producing record sales,” she remembers. “I was always willing to go the extra mile and do whatever it took to make the client happy. I developed a philosophy of business that works well for me to this day. Professionalism, knowledge, ethics and a love for business creates the long term success for my clients and for me.”

Rubin’s former husband, a Miami native, moved his family and his dental practice back to Florida, and without missing a beat, Rubin continued in the profession that has brought her great joy,” I have loved it here from the start,” she says. “The weather and the slower pace just cannot be matched anywhere else in the world. Living here means that I can enjoy the best that life has to offer, and being a REALTOR means that I can offer that lifestyle to my clients as well.

From day one, Rubin took the time to learn everything that she could about the market that she worked in and the people that she serves. “Knowledge is everything,” she stats empathically. “I know every floor plan and view of every apartment in every building and every home community from South Beach to Palm Beach.” Rubin’s manager often points to her as the perfect business model for new agents to aspire to. “It’s nice to be appreciated but the point really is that you cannot be successful in your profession if you don’t do your homework. Real estate is a demanding, constantly changing market that needs 24/7 attention.” In other words, she believes that her clients deserve nothing but the best, and that is exactly what they receive.

“My success comes from always going the extra mile with a smile – for every client. I put my clients before my private time and my personal life,” she says. “I dare to be the best in this profession and to dedicate myself to the success. When clients work with the best, they get the best results.”

That attitude has earned her the respect of her peers and the repeat business of her clients. Her zeal for knowledge means that she is not content to rest on her laurels. Rubin received “Florida’s Best REALTOR of the Year” award from the Builder’s Assocation of South Florida in 2004 & 2005 as well as “Best REALTOR website 2005.” She has been recognized many times by Coldwell Banker for her hard work and dedication. In 2003 and again in 2004, she was in the top 1% of Coldwell Banker Associates worldwide, earning the prestigious International President’s Premier REALTOR award. Not surprisingly, at the end of 2005 she will earn yet another title for her outstanding performance year after year. She will become a member of the “Coldwell Banker Legends Society,” earned by the top 0.5% of all Coldwell Banker Agents worldwide. This highly esteemed honor is reserved for only those agents who earn $1,000,000 a year in commission! Additionally she ahs consistently received the #1 top producer wards in Aventura North in 2003 and 2004 for Coldwell Banker and prior to that with Wimbish Realty.

In 2003 and 2004 Denise placed in the Top 100 Agents of Sales worldwide for Coldwell Banker, and has earned a place in the Master Broker’s Forum. She is a member of the top 500 agents worldwide as recognized by Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate and in 2004 became “Woman of the Year” for her personal accomplishments. The Sun Post named her one of the Power Women of Real Estate in 2003 & 2004 and the Best Aventura Based REALTOR 2004. Unique Homes chose her in 2005 as a member of “Elite 2005” for top real estate professionals from around the world. In addition to her real estate license her commitment to continuing education has earned her the titles of CMS, CCRS, CIS, and CRS, as well as an International Marketing Specialist. “It’s not enough to have a real estate license,” she says. “Today’s market is more volatile that ever and demands that true professionals hold multiple designations to server their clients’ best interest. I am a professional and it is of the utmost importance to me that I continue to sharpen my skills.”

Well known for her involvement in sever charities and civic organizations, Denise is grateful that she is in the financial position to give back to the community. “Real estate has opened so many doors for me that I feel a responsibility to help others in the community who might not be as fortunate,” she says. “This is more than where I work, this is my community. It’s where I live. I want to continue to be an integral part of positive change.”

She is an active participant in many civic organizations, donating of her time and resources to help others. Denise is past President of the Suburban League for the Diabetes Research Institute and a Love & Hope Ball Committee member since 1984. She was the “2000 Honoree” for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as one of Miami’s most outstanding single professionals and is again a “2004 Honoree.” As a member of the CARES Community Foundation, which works diligently to provide help and shelter to families with children, she is actively involved in the fight against homelessness. A portion of each of her transactions is donated to help this organization. As an animal lover, realizing that even those who cannot speak deserver to be defended, Denise is a dedicated member of the Humane Society and adamantly supports the declaration of animal rights.

“The major challenge that I face is in keeping up with the phenomenal growth of my business in order to continue giving the maximum service to my clients,” she says. But, she has managed to answer that challenge as well. Rubin has put together a team of exceptional people who share her vision and business philosophy. The DENISE RUBIN TEAM consists of Evangeline De Leon, a licensed REALTOR who is bilingual in both Spanish and English and Denise’s Assistant and Business Operations Manager and Office Administrator. Ryan Rubin, Denise’s 23-year-old son, has worked with the Team from the beginning. He is the Customer Solution Representative and Executive Assistant. Having grown up in the real estate industry, watching his mother build her real estate empire, Ryan has a wide range of knowledge regarding everything related to real estate and is constantly educating himself about the newest market trends and technologies. Todd, Denise’s 21-year-old son is the newest member of the team. He is the Customer Service Representative and Administrative Assistant. With his remarkable energy, innovative ideas and dedication to work he has quickly proven to be a very valuable part of the Team. “With this highly educated and motivated team. I am now able to provide my clients with the best in customer service and individual attention that real estate requires.” And she adds:” One of my greatest accomplishments as a single mom is that my two sons decided to work with me and now share my passion for real estate.”

Denise’s unique marketing strategies and her proven success have helped her to acquire a veritable “Who’s Who” List of clients. CEO’, famous artists, musicians, TV & entertainment celebrities, and sports stars such as Deion Sanders and Rony Seikaly create an enviable list of names to drop from all over the world. The majority of her business now coming from repeat and referral clients, Rubin uses a dynamic combination of high impact, traditional marketing and state-of-the-art technology that produces results. Her marketing includes professional photography, full-color brochures, videos, catered open houses, membership websites and her personal award winning website in ten different languages to achieve the desired results in the least amount of time possible. “I am the one to call for the highest prices and the most exposure for my clients’ properties. They know to call me first, and then rest easy.” Rubin realized a long time ago that exposure is everything, so she promotes her listings with exclusive marketing programs unmatched anywhere. Having nearly 25 years of experience in the real estate industry means that she is always able to find the best match for her sellers and buyers and is proud to call clients from all over the world her friends. “Whether someone is looking for luxury property or waterfront home, a vacation or a second home, whether they are retiring or relocation I am the one to call in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County. I will always find a home that matches my client’s desires no matter what place to live they seek. I also specialize in pre-construction sales and re-sales and can assist anyone in getting the most from their real estate investment dollar. Based on my business relationships, my ever vigilant ‘market watch’ and ability to perform accurate market analysis I am in the position to inform clients when new-preconstruction opportunities arise before they are made public. As a buyer, this means they will have an exclusive possibility to get in on the ground floor with pre-construction prices and I help them to sell for great profit. I am not only a Real Estate Agent: I am a Real Estate Consultant who is only interested in giving clients the right advice to make the most out of their money!”

Her personal mottos could be “work hard, play hard,” I am so busy with real estate that I never take a vacation,” she says laughing. “Besides work, I love and live a very active life and like working out every day.” But, even with so much to do and so little time Denise always finds the time to accept the fabulous invitations that are constantly thrown her way. “There is always an invitation to an opening party, charity event, committee meeting, real estate development promotional event, or real estate convention that at my level the company pays for, and those are hard to turn down. This year it’s off to Colorado for 3 days in August. Last year the top 10 Coldwell Banker agents were wined and dined in Manhattan at the Hilton, we dined at Le Cirque, saw the Broadway Show “Wicked” and all day scoured the market in Manhattan, the Time Warner Building, Central Park South and all the Corcoran and Lillian Sunshine properties newly acquired by Coldwell Banker.” For Rubin, this was the ideal getaway. “I love fine arts and fine dining; musicals, art & antique shows, theater, concerts and sporting events (You should see my personal “Hall of Fame” with original autographs from sport legends-and clients!),”she says.” But, if I really need some quite time I love to be at home with friends or family and my pets, two cats and my Teacup Yorkshire Terrier ‘Bentley’. I am so fortunate to have my parents Florence and Milt Haber nearby in Aventura. We like to relax by watching a movie or just by hanging out together.”

Rubin has made it a point to follow in the footsteps of great leaders that she admires, including Wayne Dyer, Napoleon Hill and the Dalai Lama with the foremost being Anthony Robbins. “Not only have I read every single one of his publications, and attended many of his seminars, but I even ‘walked over fire’ with him,” she shares. “It was truly an exciting and motivating experience.” Rubin believes that a quote from Anthony Robbins describes her accurately. “He says ‘There is a powerful, driving force inside of every human being that once unleashed can make any vision, dream or desire a reality.’ I don’t ever look back,” she says. “And I know one thing for certain, I have done a lot of different jobs over my lifetime, but whatever business I was in or whatever job I did, I was successful. Why? Because I never gave up until I was the best and achieve the results I wanted to achieve. This fire burns in me to this day, with every client and through every real estate transaction. And what could be more proof that I ‘Walk the Walk’ that when my mentor became one of my clients and told me that he chose me because I am the best, as Anthony Robbins chose me and became my client in 2005. From all the people he knows from all over the world he wanted to work with the best and chose me because he knew for my outstanding performance. Real estate is my passion-and having personal sales to date of 1 billion dollars is just another milestone in my career and I am ready fort much more to come!