Equestrian Background Gives Realtor Francis Hoet An Edge
Story by Matthew Auerbach
Photo by Abner Pedraza
When two of your main interests are real estate and all things equestrian, is it any wonder that you wind up in Wellington? For Francis Hoet, a Realtor with Illustrated Properties Real Estate, the community was a natural destination, considering the life she led before arriving in South Florida.
“I have double nationality, Belgian and Venezuelan, and received my bachelor’s degree in education in Caracas, Venezuela,” Hoet recalled. “My passion for real estate stems from my family. We have a long history in the real estate business in Latin America, Europe and the U.S, both as investors and owners of real estate brokerage firms. I began riding and showing in the jumper ring in 1991 in Caracas, where I met my husband, Cesar Hirsch, who is an FEI international equestrian judge and owner of Equis Boutique. We first came to Wellington in 1999, enjoyed spending several months a year here, and finally decided to move to Wellington with our horses during the winter season in 2009.”
Hoet and her husband have four children, ages 17, 16, 11 and 6. Hoet’s fluency in English, Spanish and French enables her to connect buyers with sellers all over the world. Since many of her clients are foreign equestrians who visit Wellington year after year, she specializes in sales and rentals of equestrian properties.
“I also have local clients who want to offer their properties for sale or rent during the season, so I make sure to help them stage their properties appropriately to meet the standards of the discerning buyers or tenants,” she said.
Hoet remains an avid equestrian fan, which she said helps her in providing insight and experience when it comes to the needs of her buyers. “I travel to several horse shows in the U.S. and other countries, which allows me to market properties among the equestrian community,” she said.
Being associated with Illustrated Properties allows Hoet to serve her customers fully, whether they are buying, selling or renting.
“I believe in giving the highest level of customer service to my clients, evaluating each client’s unique needs and finding them their ideal property,” she said. “Illustrated Properties Real Estate is affiliated with Christie’s, Luxury International Portfolio and Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, a network of the world’s finest real estate firms. Working with these companies allows me to maximize the exposure of a property not only locally, but at an international level.”
Hoet sees Wellington as a destination unlike any other.
“Wellington is a very special and unique town because of its diversity,” she said. “Thousands of visitors from all over the world come to Wellington each year, which has a positive impact in our local economy. Wellington also offers an array of communities to suit every taste, such as for the equestrian enthusiast, the aviator and the golfer, among many others.”
As far as the local real estate market, Hoet is pleased with its current state and upbeat and optimistic regarding its future.
“The Wellington real estate market started strong this year,” she said. “We have more buyers looking to invest in Wellington or to relocate, attracted by this family-oriented town and by its expansive equestrian venues and facilities for polo, jumping, hunters and dressage. Buyers feel confident investing in Wellington, and it is going to be a good year for the Wellington real estate market.”
Illustrated Properties Real Estate is located at 11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 18, in Wellington. To reach Hoet, call (561) 729-8518 or visit www.wellingtonproperties.com.
