PALM BEACH, Florida -- If Audrey Hepburn’s generation had Paris, emerging real estate agent Jacqueline Marks would like to give her own generation something a little closer to home.
“Palm Beach is always a good idea,” reads her Instagram headline, a testament to the changing face of Florida real estate and the personalities behind its transformation from Baby Boomer haven to trending destination for Millennials and Gen Z.
Marks, a Douglas Elliman agent who got her start in real estate when she found her parents’ property, later featured in Architectural Digest, at age 16, represents the growing prominence of Gen Z in an industry where experience and tradition have long dictated success. Marks and her peers are taking a different approach, driving a newfound fondness for South Florida. The recent University of Miami graduate credits her own success breaking into the industry to well-rounded interests and a relationship-driven mindset.
Well-connected and well-traveled, Marks, 25, draws on shared personal interests with her clients, from art history to skiing, to overcome perceived inexperience and to build trust. Equal parts real estate agent and lifestyle concierge, she goes beyond location advice to offer recommendations that span all areas of life, from wellness to decor.
“I really try to get to know my clients and understand what they need,” she said. “Whether it’s an interior decorator I think they’ll love, or a home manager I trust, I try to create a seamless experience that allows them to envision a lifestyle, not just a place to live.”
Relationships with decorators, designers, fitness gurus, and art galleries gives her an edge when making those personal connections for her clients.
This approach has proven successful with the new wave of residents who are changing the demographics of Palm Beach. Although still ruled by retirees – the median age remains 70, according to census data – the area has drawn young professionals, recreation enthusiasts, and even families thanks to highly ranked schools, growing career opportunities, and year-round sunshine.
“COVID has expedited changes that were already happening in Miami and Palm Beach,” Marks said. “People kind of slept on Palm Beach for a while, but they’re waking up to what a wonderful place it is to live, work, and raise a family.”
New commercial spaces, including One Flagler, a luxury office building, have accelerated the landscape change. “Hedge fund managers, tech companies and other industries that haven’t typically chosen Florida are moving in,” Marks noted.
The arts and culture scene has kept up at an equal pace. Travel + Leisure profiled Palm Beach last month as an emerging hot spot for young travelers drawn to chic hotels like The Colony and charming restaurants like Le Bilboquet. Meanwhile, New Yorkers who moved to Miami during the pandemic have stayed, drawn to its lower cost of living, beaches and diverse culture.
The activity has led to early deals for Marks, who joined Douglass Elliman in 2021 and sold $12M in her first year. She has already put as much into contract in her first quarter of 2022. “I’ve been fortunate to have been involved in many transactions, and my clients do not fit the profile of past buyers,” she said.
To reach the growing audience of young buyers interested in Palm Beach, Miami, and the area’s emerging communities, Marks is adopting the lifestyle-focused marketing approach of a generation that grew up with Instagram, creating editorially focused content that authentically showcases the South Florida lifestyle. Follow her advice, recommendations and insights through her upcoming blog, published at jmarksflorida.com.
To connect with Jacqueline Marks for insights into the Florida market or a fresh perspective on luxury real estate, reach her at [email protected].
Explore the latest offerings of homes for sale in Palm Beach through Jacqueline's expert guidance!
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About Jacqueline Marks
Jacqueline Marks brings a fresh perspective, a reputation as a consummate sales professional, and a trained eye for luxury goods to her South Florida real estate clients. Jacqueline believes that the most important aspect of any relationship is trust and, as such, works tirelessly to ensure that her clients feel that she is trustworthy and always places their needs first.
Prior to earning her real estate license, Jacqueline worked in sales for a luxury brand, Louis Vuitton, worked in Public Relations and Marketing for a local Miami agency, and spent time as a personal assistant in New York City. These experiences have given her an understanding of what skills are necessary to achieve success in the luxury market and have instilled the importance of serving her clients with discretion and confidentiality.
Jacqueline grew up in the Chicago area and has studied at the American University in Paris and at the University of Miami where she graduated with a degree in Advertising in 2019. She enjoys promoting a healthy lifestyle that includes skiing, hiking, paddle boarding, and other outdoor physical activities. An avid traveler, Jacqueline says that her extensive travel experiences help her to understand different cultures as well as her clients’ needs and desires.
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