Fluent in English, Spanish, Italian and French, Caterina Sastri, a Miami-area luxury housing expert, has negotiated hundreds of properties in the international market over the past decade — properties in the $500K to $10 million range.
Requests for this type of property, largely from her network of contacts, catapulted Sastri into the stratosphere of the South Florida luxury housing market.
Recently recruited by Compass as a luxury real estate advisor, Sastri says the South Florida market is seeing prices that rival the south of France. The area attracts buyers from all over the world, and most recently from New York, Italy, London, Dubai, South America, she says: "We have a big international investor market here.”
A love of architecture and design cultivated while spending summers in Italy, along with degrees in human relations from Concordia and management from McGill University, honed Sastri’s passion for helping clients find their dream homes.
Proud moment
"In my first year in real estate I gained recognition as the national recruiter of the year. It was affirmation that I was on the right path."
Challenges
“I had to get my real-estate license all over again when I moved to the United States 10 years ago. I had to recreate my team and all my contacts, including the closing agent, inspectors, evaluators and clients.”
At Concordia
“The university’s multicultural environment allowed me to practice the languages I speak. Part of my degree was a class on interviewing, which I loved, and it prepared me for the real world. We were surrounded by great people; professors were accessible and welcomed you with an open door.”
Job satisfaction
“I love Miami and its diversity. I’ve always enjoyed connecting with people and interviewing clients about their dream homes and investments. When I’m helping clients buy or sell their properties, I feel as if I’m helping a family solve a need.”
Paying it forward
“I’m interested and involved in children’s causes, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, and I’m a board member for the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind.”