#BrilliantBusinessPeople #RemarkableRealEstate #Exclusive #Interview with #MoverandShaker #TonyMarinelli #Florida #RealEstate #PalmBeach
Originally from the Northeast, Mover and Shaker Tony Marinelli has lived
in South Florida for more than 30 years. A decade ago, he earned a spot in Whom You Know’s Movers and Shakers with his fashion expertise. Tony began his career in International Real Estate Sales and then as an investor in more than a dozen properties on the East Coast.
Tony co-founded a $300-million-dollar International Product and Marketing Company based in South Florida. Tony was born and raised in the USA but has worked and lived in Spain, Italy, Brazil and China. Some years ago, Tony started selling real estate in Marbella, Spain for an international real estate company. 250 potential buyers would fly from Dulles airport to Malaga, Spain selling homes.
From there, Tony and some friends started a shoe company called Unisa and with very little start-up money developed Unisa into a 300-million-dollar footwear business. All along the way Tony made real estate investments in New York, Long Island, Nova Scotia and South Florida. 85% of all new Palm Beach County residents come from the Northeast, and Tony chose West Palm Beach because it was “Central” to everything.
Palm Beach is twenty minutes from the Beaches, the Island of Palm Beach, Delray and Palm Beach Gardens. The Palm Beach Airport has non-stop flights to New York, Long Island, Boston and Chicago. We are excited about Tony’s career in real estate and believe he is the key to real estate success for you in the Palm Beach area.
Peachy Deegan: What do you love most about your job in real estate and why?
Tony Marinelli: I like exploring to discover unique places, neighborhoods and communities with a specific focus on a good deal, the right location and the right “fit” for my clients.
If you’re looking for real estate, look for the right community first. Once you're comfortable with that decision, look for the right home. If one is not available, be patient! The right home will eventually pop up: be ready to pounce!
What would you like Whom You Know readers to know about Real Estate in Florida?
Florida is a big wonderful state: well run, low taxes, great weather and fantastic architecture. Palm Beach has a whole lot going on without a lot of traffic!!!
Why are you different from other realtors?
I listen to my customers and pay attention to their needs. Once the client has bought or sold, I follow up and keep them informed. It's all about building a business. If my clients are happy and know they know I went above and beyond, they’ll talk about me to their friends and a virtuous cycle begins.
What should everyone know about Florida Real Estate that they might not know yet?
That Florida Real Estate Law, in many ways, favors the buyer. The buyer can get out of an accepted offer during the inspection period for any reason or no reason at all.
The annual tax on property is a bit less than 2% of the purchase price and if you file for “Homestead” before the end of the year your taxes are protected to a degree from tax increases and if it’s your primary residence your home will be protected from being seized by all creditors with the exception of your mortgage company and the US government. If you’re planning to make an offer based on financing, come prepared with a mortgage “approved” letter not mortgage “qualified.” It can make all the difference if you're competing with another buyer.
What or who has had the most influence on your pursuit of excellence?
My Mother and the Good Christian Brothers of Ireland at Cardinal Farley Military. They told me that life was about the choices you make and that with hard work, all was possible.
What are you proudest of and why?
My marriage to Cynthia and my friends and business associates. They were all well-chosen.
What would you like to do professionally that you have not yet had the opportunity to do?
Many, many things: too many to mention. I never suffer from a lack of ambition.
What honors and awards have you received in your profession?
My greatest honor has been the support of my wife and my clients.
What one word best describes you and why?
Resolute. Never give up.
What do you take your sense of identity from?
I’m sort of like Popeye: “I am what I am and that’s all that I am.”
What is your favorite place to be in Manhattan? And Florida?
Rockefeller Center on Tuba Sunday just before Christmas.
Cafe L’Europe cocktails at the bar listening to the Fabulous Pianist, Our Friend David Crohan.
What is your favorite shop in Manhattan? And Florida?
Use to be Holland and Holland but it's not there anymore; I liked the bake shop at Sant Ambroeus on Madison.
Patrick Leze French Bakery or Gentlemen’s Corner in Palm Beach.
If you could hire anybody who would it be and why?
Elon Musk thinks out of the box. Emphasis on ‘thinks!”
What is the best advice you’ve received in your career and what mentors have influenced you the most?
Persistence…. never give up. My teachers at Farley Military Academy.
What is your favorite drink?
It use to be a well-shaken bullshot but at the price of sounding obsequious …..The Peachy Deegan!
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you at a cocktail party?
Nothing funny happens to me at cocktails parties.
What is your favorite restaurant in Manhattan? And Florida?
It used to be The River Cafe or Elio’s in NYC. In Florida we’ve been going to Sapori and Cafe Fiori they both feel like you’re in Italy….authentic.
What is your favorite Manhattan book or favorite character in Manhattan literature? And Florida?
Manhattan…Peter Hammil’s “Forever” or the Alienist by Caleb Carr. Florida “Madness under the Royal Palms” and “Bubble in the Sun” by Christopher Knowlton.
I also enjoyed the Doc Ford novels by Randy Wayne Wright….those are a guy thing.
What is your favorite tv show and why?
Ken Burns Documentaries. I never understood or appreciated Jazz until I watched Ken Burns’s Documentary on the subject. His recent Documentary On Mohammed Ali was great! And there are many, many more.
What is your favorite movie and why?
“Life is Beautiful” with Roberto Benigni: every bit of it was well-done
What do you know now that you wish you knew at the beginning of your career?
Life is primarily about choices...so think before you leap.
Who would you like to be for a day and why?
That's easy. King of America: I would fire all the politicians and replace them with the first 500 people that walk into Home Depot, because there is nothing common about common sense.
What would you like to be asked in an interview that you never have been asked, and how would you answer it?
What do you like about your wife? Short answer…..Everything!
If you could have anything in Manhattan named after you what would it be and why? And Florida?
A dog park named after my wife and I in both Manhattan and Palm Beach.
What has been your best Manhattan athletic experience? And Florida?
The Ali /Frazier fight at Madison Garden 1974. The 2010 Super Bowl at the Sun Life stadium….the Saints won.
What is your favorite thing to do in Manhattan that you can do nowhere else? And Florida?
Use to be listening to Bobby Short at the Cafe Carlyle, now I guess it would be Steve Tyrell.
In Palm Beach I can be at the Kravis Center of Performing Arts, the Norton Museum of Art, Watch World Class Equestrian and Polo Events, Shop on Americas Most Beautiful Shopping Street Worth Avenue, Multiple Beaches and the PBI Airport all within 25 minutes. Where else can I do that and no traffic?
If you could have dinner with any person living or passed, who would it be and why?
George Washington “The Indispensable Man” to learn all I can about perseverance. Character is Fate.
What has been your best Manhattan art or music experience? And Florida?
The American Stories Exhibit at the Met…..All the Greats ….Homer, Hassam, Chase, Benson, Sargeant. Pavarotti at Carnegie Hall.
Palm Beach has the Flagler Museum, Norton Museum, The Society of the Four Arts (music and art) and the wonderful Japanese Gardens and Museum, Steve Ross (a regular at the Algonquin ) has on occasional great intimate cabaret act at the Kravis.
What do you personally do or what have you done to give back to the world?
Not Enough!
What do you think is most underrated and overrated in Manhattan? And Florida?
In Manhattan a Slice of Pizza and a Sabrett’s Hot Dog ….In Florida a Cuban Sandwhich…A Media Noche.
Other than Movers and Shakers of course, what is your favorite WhomYouKnow.com column and what do you like about it?
Keeping America On Top and Patriotic Peachy! Because it reminds us How Much we have to be Thankful For!
What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?
I’ve had a full complete wonderful life and I don’t mind sharing with nice people what I’ve learned.
How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?
Anthony Marinelli
William Raveis Realty
125 Worth Ave
Palm Beach
305-793-3615
amarinelli333@gmail.com
