We were lucky to catch up with Madi Gardner recently and have shared our conversation below.
Madi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?
One of the biggest trends I am seeing in purchasing Miami real estate is the desire to buy a property with the purpose of doing short term rentals. Miami is a major tourist destination, known for its beaches, vibrant nightlife, cultural diversity, and events like Art Basel and Miami Music Week. The city consistently attracts both domestic and international visitors, creating huge demand for short-term vacation rentals. As a result, investors see Airbnb as a lucrative opportunity to capitalize on the city’s booming tourism industry.
There is significant potential in purchasing properties that permit Airbnb and short-term rentals (STR), offering great opportunities for generating passive income. However, a key concern is that with many pre-construction buildings allowing short-term rentals in specific neighborhoods, the market could become oversaturated, leading to a surplus of vacant units. Another issue is the risk of tenants subleasing the properties themselves, which could pose challenges for owners unless there are clear agreements in place beforehand.
In my opinion, the trend offers great potential, especially if you invest in the right neighborhood. For instance, I’m currently selling 72 Park, a pre-construction property in Miami Beach that permits short-term rentals. Since Miami Beach is known for its restrictions on Airbnb, a building that allows it presents a rare and unique opportunity with limited competition. However, if you buy in an area where every building allows Airbnb, you might face challenges with occupancy in your unit due to increased competition.


Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and my entrepreneurial spirit, combined with my love for this city, has led me to a rewarding career in real estate. I built my brand, *Madi Moves Miami*, and carved out a niche as *The Millennial Realtor*, helping many young professionals and first-time homebuyers with their purchases and rentals.
Before transitioning into real estate, I spent over a decade as the multi-unit Senior Manager for my family’s businesses, which include *Massage Envy* locations in Brickell, South Miami, and Country Walk. My passion for real estate truly sparked during the pandemic, when so many people were moving to Miami. While working from home, I decided to launch *Madi Moves Miami*, and I haven’t looked back since.
The problems I solve for my clients range from finding the perfect home to negotiating deals and navigating contracts—sometimes I even play the role of therapist when needed! Miami has an over-saturation of realtors, with 60,000 in Miami-Dade and Broward counties alone. Many of them work part-time and focus on other things. What sets me apart is that I’m a full-time realtor, and something as simple as promptly answering calls, texts, and emails has become a huge advantage in this market. I often joke that some Miami realtors must be on salary because they never seem to pick up the phone!
In addition to general real estate, I also specialize in pre-construction projects. I’m proud to be part of the in-house sales team for *72 Park Miami Beach*, and I’m also assisting with the in-house sales for *Domus Brickell Park* and *Domus Brickell Center*. One of my proudest accomplishments is being nominated to serve on the Miami Leadership board for the *Young Professionals of Miami Realtors*.
I want my followers and potential clients to know that I serve ALL of Miami-Dade, and have realtor referrals all over the world – so if you’re not moving to Miami, I can still help you! Additionally, I don’t just work with buyers or sellers. I work with buyers, sellers, and renters alike!


Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I’ve built my reputation in the Miami real estate market largely through social media and the incredible support of my friends and family. You can’t build a name for yourself without actually delivering for your clients, and most of my friends and family have not only used me for their own real estate needs—whether buying, selling, or renting—but have also referred clients to me. Documenting every step, creating funny and relatable videos, and focusing on young professionals have made both my brand and face recognizable in my community. I’ve become known as *the* realtor for young professionals.


What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
When it comes to real estate, referrals are truly the best source of new clients. There’s no greater compliment than having someone trust you enough to recommend your services to their friends, family, or colleagues. It’s a testament to the work you’ve done and the relationships you’ve built. In this business, a personal recommendation carries far more weight than any advertisement or social media post. A referral not only means that you’ve provided excellent service, but also that you’ve left a lasting impression on your clients.
The best thank you I can receive from a satisfied client is a referral. It’s a reflection of the trust and confidence they have in me, knowing I will provide the same level of dedication and care to the people they send my way. Referrals create a ripple effect—when one client has a great experience, it leads to many more opportunities to help others. It’s why I’m so passionate about maintaining strong relationships and delivering exceptional service; it ensures that my business continues to grow organically, fueled by genuine trust and positive experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.madimovesmiami.com
- Instagram: madimovesmiami
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadiMovesMiami
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madimovesmiami/
- Other: Realtor.com – https://www.realtor.com/realestateagents/5f6118c3db881d001177b228


Image Credits
No credit needed

