Florence Shapiro, Broker Sales Executive, Prudential Americana Group

Some three-plus decades ago, Florence Shapiro set her dream to move from her hometown of the City of Lights, Paris, France, to the Big Apple of New York City. Her dream though took a slight detour to the Las Vegas desert. She ended up loving Las Vegas so much, as she got hooked on the real estate business, she never left. Now, she’s called the fastest-growing city in America home for more than 32 years.

Shapiro is the reigning queen of real estate in the Las Vegas luxury home market. Her homes can start at about $500,000 and go all the way up to $15 million. She is well-known nationally as one of the leading broker sales executives of Prudential Americana Group, REALTORS®. Shapiro, a self-proclaimed workaholic, attributes her major successes to the utilization of her team approach in selling real estate to her hugely expanding list of clients.

"I do remember my first sale in 1973," laughs Shapiro. "At the time, all of us in the office were new and untrained. A client came into the office and wanted to buy right away. The broker was gone. What do we do? The three of us wrote things up. I didn’t even know what a discount point was. In the end, all were very happy. Our client received $10,000 more than she expected for her house, and the buyer was happy with his purchase, which I think was in the $100,000 - $120,000 range.

"I remember, we used to have one piece of paper. We would put one name, the sale price, and that was it. Of course today, you could not do that. Things are so much more complicated, and there is a great deal of training involved. There is so much more disclosure today.

"In 1973, there were about 400,000 people here. There was a certain niche for the high-end homes. Nothing like today. It started with Quail Ridge, The Fountains and Spanish Trail. Suddenly we started seeing the more expensive homes. It expanded all over town because the demand was there, but early on, we did not have the homes. Today, we have the homes.

"Our business has evolved. There is much more paperwork today. I have a fabulous team, a listing coordinator, an escrow coordinator, a manager, five buyers/brokers, and I took on a great partner, Ivan Sher, because we have had so much new business to handle. Our team approach works out very well for our valued clients.

"The buyers and sellers are so much more knowledgeable on real estate now. I have grown with my clients over the years. When the deal comes together, it feels great. That is when you know you have succeeded."

Shapiro wisdom: "You need to go for it, to take action, and take some risk."

One of Shapiro’s latest estate listings: An elegant and incredible totally- furnished compound in the heart of Las Vegas. Situated on 8.47 acres of beautifully manicured grounds, an 18,800-square-foot main house, double-sided waterfall and stream, three heated and cooled gazebos, two tennis courts, meditation garden, three spas, two pools, two living rooms, two dining rooms, two kitchens, a piano lounge, library, game room, movie theater with snack bar and library of 1,400-plus films, steam room, and garage for 30 cars—$14.9 million.
So if you’ve got a cool $15 million or so on hand, feel free to contact the reigning queen of Las Vegas luxury real estate. Oh yes, better call fast, there is no telling if this property or the many others she handles are still available in the sizzling, ultra-hot Las Vegas luxury home market.

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"May all of your Las Vegas Dreams come true." - Jim Bickford