The Keyes Company is going global.
The Miami-based brokerage and its affiliate, Illustrated Properties, are joining the luxury listings network Forbes Global Properties, according to a press release. Still in its infancy, Forbes Global Properties launched three years ago, led by the late Jeff Hyland, formerly of Hilton & Hyland, and Bonnie Stone Sellers, the former CEO of Christie’s International Real Estate. The network bills itself as an invite-only listing site for independent brokers, with a listing threshold of $1 million. It has a foothold in 24 countries and 575 offices, according to a press release.
Hyland died last year, but Stone Sellers remains co-founder and board member of Forbes Global Properties. She’s also a resident of the exclusive Bear’s Club in Jupiter, where she crossed paths with Illustrated Properties agent Vince Marotta.
“It was kind of serendipitous,” Marotta said. “She’s the one who told me she thought it’d be a good fit.”
That’s how Keyes CEO Mike Pappas got introduced to Forbes Global Properties CEO Michael Jalbert. Now, Keyes and Illustrated Properties are the exclusive representatives for Forbes Global Properties in South Florida. Pappas cited access to high net worth individuals and the Forbes media approach as the major draws to join the network.
“We felt the Forbes media content of editorial support, press and also exposure for the listings was the cherry on top of the cake,” Pappas said.
He also emphasized Forbes readership as a selling point. According to Pappas, Forbes counts a significant portion of the world’s billionaires as subscribers.
Agents hope to benefit from the collaboration, too. “This puts me in line with exactly the kind of people I’m looking for with my listings,” Marotta said.
The partnership signals the increasing importance for South Florida brokerages to build international ties, and the growing connectivity between global luxury markets.
“South Florida is really a global destination and a very important market for us,” Jalbert said.