While most people and investors still believe the real estate market is struggling following the 2009 economic downturn, The Keyes Company is indicating otherwise.
In fact, the Miami Lakes branch is expanding its office space with nearly 1,400 more square feet at two locations, 6816 and 6844 Main Street, as the company continues to grow while more sale associates who left the real estate industry are returning and seeking positions with Keyes.
The real estate company will still keep its original office space, 6850 Main Street, as the Miami Lakes Realty and Welcome Center located in the lobby of Don Shula’s Hotel.
Alex Ruiz, manager of The Keyes Company in Miami Lakes who runs the day-to-day operations, said the expansion is needed because the real estate market is growing strong again.
“We are in a good position because in part the market is stabilizing,” Ruiz said during an interview at his office. “Most people don’t know the real estate market is strong. It is growing and the market itself is growing more and more everyday because people are coming back to the real estate business.”
Ruiz, who was born in Cuba and raised in Miami, said he plans to renovate the new location to accommodate the additional sale associates he is hiring, providing more space for offices, conference rooms, and other areas for his real estate team to continue providing the best services to their clients, buyers and sellers.
Ruiz said as a company, Keyes, which has 35 offices in Florida, hired more than 1, 000 sales associates last year and he expects more growth this year, which is the reason his Miami Lakes branch is expanding.
“Real estate has been growing in the last three years and it’s very profitable,” said Ruiz. “I feel comfortable about the economy and my goal is to hire more new associates in the business. That’s why I made the decision to expand the office in Miami Lakes.”
Ruiz has been in the real estate business for 34 years.
He got the opportunity to start his own mom-and-pop business and opened his own real estate company in 1989.
"I got sales in my blood," he said.
Ruiz later sold his business to The Keyes Company, a family-owned business that was founded 80 years ago.
He started managing the Miami Lakes branch in 2002 with 12 sales associates and his staff has grown to more than 90 today.
“I run the branch like it was my own company,” Ruiz said. “We offer full service Real Estate, including insurance.”
Unlike most real estate companies, The Keyes Company is open seven days a week.
Ruiz said part of his success is the location of his branch.
Located in the lobby of Don Shula’s Hotel and in the same vicinity as other restaurants, retail shops, cafes and a bakery, many patrons, potential clients and outside visitors visit his company requesting information on real estate, property values and directions to other town businesses.
As the Welcome Center, The Keyes Company also hands out the town of Miami Lakes Dining Guide, town maps and real estate information, among other information people are seeking when visiting the town.
“I have had so much success at this location,” Ruiz said. “Among all The Keyes offices, I have the best location.”
Ruiz said it is “very” important for his branch to uphold its reputation as the best real estate company throughout the state of Florida.
“Dealing in big investments, including people selling and buying homes, we handle all transactions with honesty and integrity,” Ruiz said. “Our reputation is very important to the company.”