Joanie Feinstein, Top Producer in Mexico for 5 years in a row
Chicagoen by origin, Mexican by heart, Joanie Feinstein is one of the first real estate professionals in Cabo San Lucas. She once came here for a vacation – it was at the time when San Jose del Cabo airport was a tent – she immediately fell in love in Cabo’s natural beauty and moved here 28 years ago. And her love for this small piece of Paradise on the Earth is still lighting with the same flame. Joanie is a Coldwell Banker Riveras sales associate and Pedregal de Cabo San Lucas real estate specialist from the very beginning and she loves what she does. She strives to be very best in everything she puts her hands to. And her results show that too – she has been a Top producer of Coldwell Banker in all of Mexico for already 5 years in a row and she is revealing to us some of her secrets to a success and living a dream in Baja.
What brought you to Cabo, Joanie? And more importantly, what convinced you to stay?
Traveling is one of my biggest passions. I had traveled for years to many different parts of Mexico and I liked it from the very first moment. I always wanted to live in this country, but seeing the natural beauty of Cabo San Lucas the way it was in 1981 together with the perfect weather convinced me that Cabo was the place to be.
How did you get started in the real estate business?
Well, my professional background has nothing to do with real estate. I was in nursing, working in psychiatry, medicine, then teaching and then finally worked as a Human Resource Director and Assistant Hospital Administrator. After moving to Cabo in the early 80’s I didn’t plan to become a real estate agent. I actually started with referring clients. My ex-husband, myself and the Diaz Riveras together, built the condominium complex, Andalaya, and Ed and I actually sold most of those ourselves. I began full time work with Pedregal in 1996.
What were your first experiences as a real estate agent in Cabo? Was it easy to start here?
Oh, I remember when I first began. I would drive the two top agents crazy with questions and whining that I was not selling. The first year was difficult to say the least. That year I earned only $ 2500 usd commission! And at that time working in real estate was different. We were not using computers at the beginning, so information was not readily available. We mostly used the phone to find out about properties. There were also no cell phones, so buying and selling properties was an entire whole more different process than it is now, when as you can go online and find what is offered in the entire offer in the market within a few minutes. I wish I could remember my first sale as an agent, but … it was a long time ago.
Can you share with readers of Escapes your favorite spot in Cabo?
I still think the Golondrina is one of my favorite restaurants, because along with the beautiful setting there is an extensive menu with great meals. And I really enjoy spending time in my home in Pedregal either just for quiet time overlooking the Marina and Bay, Pacific, watching the activity of the Marina during the day or in the evening the night lights. I love to hike the Pedregal mountains with the dogs and then enjoy entertaining friends in the evening.
Who or what was the biggest contributor to your success?
My mom, who taught me work ethics. Attending seminars by Brian Buffini also helped a great deal, as his emphasis is on referrals and so much of my business has been thru referrals and still is.
What does your working day look like?
I’m continuously busy with new listings, keeping up with current listings and either showing or selling property to prospective clients or following up with prospective clients on the internet.
If you had a magic wand, what (if anything) would you change about your current business?
Believe it or not a little down time. I probably should not even mention that, because if it did happen than likely I would not like it!
What is your secret to a success?
Striving to be the best at what I do, whatever it may be.
Interview with Joanie was published in Issue #1 of Escapes magazine. Some data (years) has been changed to fit the current time. You can see Joanie’s listings here (in a left column you can choose to narrow list down by agent).
Hello Joanie,
I was speaking with a mutual friend of ours he lives here at Lake Tahoe. His name is Arie he ownes Lake Tahoe Adventures. He will be at Pedregal tomorrow. How are you and how is Barb Cooper? For myself, I have been here at Lake Tahoe with all the snow.
I do plan to return to Baja next month. I have no plans for working under a firm as of yet. I very much would like to speak with you upon my return into Cabo maybe we can get together for some wine. Take Care.