Jeff Polashuk, Regional Vice President for Florida, Compass Real Estate

In an interview with Invest:, Jeff Polashuk, regional vice president for Florida at Compass Real Estate, discussed market trends, technology-driven innovation, and the evolving demands of homebuyers. “Miami will remain a desirable destination for people to move to, live in, and enjoy for years to come.”

What were the significant milestones for Compass Real Estate in the last year?

Some of our biggest accomplishments on the residential brokerage side include outselling our closest competitor by over a billion dollars in sales volume in Miami-Dade County. We’ve also experienced significant growth, acquiring @properties and Christie’s International Real Estate. With these additions, Compass now has a global affiliate network, allowing us to help clients from South Florida find homes anywhere in the world.

Another exciting milestone is that Compass holds the No. 1 market share in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Additionally, our company will be relocating its Miami Beach headquarters to 1212 Lincoln Road at the end of the year.

Where is the residential real estate market right now, and what key trends are shaping Miami-Dade and Broward?

We’re still seeing an influx of high-net-worth buyers coming from the Northeast, California, and Chicago. From a market perspective, Miami continues to grow rapidly as more companies move to the area and new businesses launch in Miami-Dade. Given these factors, we believe Miami will remain a desirable destination for people to move to, live in, and enjoy for years to come.

How do you cater to the unique needs of international and affluent clients while balancing domestic demand?

With thousands of agents across the Southeast and nearly 40,000 nationwide, we have real estate professionals who specialize in meeting the diverse needs of buyers and sellers. Our team can assist clients across different languages and cultures, ensuring they receive personalized service tailored to their specific goals.

What are clients looking for in their homes today?

We’re seeing a strong demand for turnkey homes. Buyers want a move-in-ready property without the need for major renovations. The home office remains an important feature, especially for those relocating from other markets.

Safety and resilience are also top priorities, with buyers looking for homes that meet modern building codes, including hurricane-impact protection. One notable trend is that buyers are casting a wider net in their home searches. Pre-pandemic, someone interested in Coral Gables may have focused only on that area. Now, buyers in the $1.5 million to $3 million range are considering a broader range of locations, from Coral Gables and Miami Beach to Miami Shores, Broward, and even Boca Raton. They’re prioritizing communities that align with their lifestyle needs rather than sticking to specific neighborhoods.

How does demand for eco-efficient homes vary among buyers?

The demand for eco-efficient homes depends entirely on the buyer. While inventory has slightly increased, there still isn’t an overwhelming number of options. Most buyers prioritize location, price, and convenience first, then work backward from there to find the best fit.

How is the economic landscape impacting homebuyers and the industry?

The economic landscape is different from what we’ve seen in the past. However, high-net-worth buyers are still actively purchasing, as they remain bullish on South Florida. We’re seeing more CEOs, political figures, and other influential individuals relocating to the area, which helps sustain demand.

For buyers who are interest-rate sensitive, this has been a challenging time. Inventory remains relatively low, and prices haven’t decreased, making a 6.5% to 7% mortgage rate difficult for many. For example, if you’re buying a $2.5 million home with 20% down, your monthly payment is still around $16,000, before factoring in additional costs like landscaping or utilities. The cost of living here has risen significantly in recent years.

The silver lining is that the local economy is bringing in more high-paying jobs, which could help balance affordability for some buyers.

How is Compass leveraging technology to enhance the client experience?

We’ve invested over $1.5 billion into our platform, making it the first end-to-end system built specifically for realtors. This technology allows our agents to better serve clients throughout the entire process, from prospecting to closing.

One of our key tools is an AI-powered Likely-to-Sell recommendation system, which helps agents identify potential sellers in their network. We also offer digital advertising tools that allow targeted marketing based on zip codes, ensuring listings reach the right buyers.

Additionally, our built-in marketing center eliminates the need for outside vendors, allowing agents to create and distribute marketing materials seamlessly.

Another unique aspect is our 3-Phased Marketing Strategy approach. Homes can first be listed as a Private Exclusive, giving sellers a chance to market their property quietly within our broker community before going public. Then, it moves to Coming Soon, allowing us to gauge interest before officially listing on the MLS. This approach helps sellers test pricing and minimize days on the market, which can ultimately protect their sales price.

Many transactions happen during the Private Exclusive phase, where motivated buyers are willing to pay top dollar to secure a property before it hits the open market.

How does Compass support its agents in building strong client relationships?

While we’ve invested $1.5 billion in technology, real estate remains a face-to-face business. We encourage our agents to engage with clients in meaningful ways through networking events, client appreciation gatherings, and community sponsorships.

Our agents prioritize open houses and local events to maintain strong visibility. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of sitting down with clients on a monthly or at least quarterly basis to stay top of mind. In a competitive market like South Florida, personal connections make all the difference, and our goal is to help agents build lasting relationships while letting technology handle the backend work.

What are your team’s top priorities for the next couple of years, and what is your outlook for the residential market?

Our priority is continued growth across the Southeast. We’re actively recruiting top talent and have added many great teams over the past year. We plan to keep expanding with agents who want to be part of a dynamic company backed by cutting-edge tools, face-to-face interaction, and top-tier coaching.

As for the real estate outlook, I believe South Florida will remain a top destination for people looking to move, invest, do business, and raise families. Our goal is to continue being the go-to firm for those making Miami their home, as well as for professionals who want to join our growing Compass family.