How We Sold a $10M+ Fort Lauderdale Waterfront Home in 113 Days

Watch: Fort Lauderdale Waterfront Home: How It Sold in 113 Days

The $10M+ Market in Fort Lauderdale Right Now

Lourdes says the ultra-luxury market here is small and competitive. Fort Lauderdale usually sees roughly 18 to 28 sales over $10 million a year. In 2025 there were 27, and as of October 2026 there have been 16. Meanwhile, more than 70 homes are listed at $10 million and up. With that much inventory and so few buyers, a home has to stand out to sell, and a beautiful property isn't enough on its own.

Step 1: Test the Price in the Private Market

The seller wanted a higher price than the market might support, so the team started with a private exclusive. That means marketing the home to qualified buyers and agents without a full public launch. Lourdes recommends it for sellers who:

• Want less foot traffic and only serious, qualified buyers
• Want to see how the market reacts before committing to a public price
• Have a new build that isn't finished yet

Marketing started while the home was still being completed. The team built a dedicated website and landing page and hosted a preview event that drew more than 100 real estate agents.

Step 2: Let Video Do the Walking

YouTube was the standout. Over the 113 days the team made six versions of the property video, both short and long, so buyers anywhere could walk the whole home from their screen. They also ran skippable YouTube ads to reach more people.

It worked quickly. The first phone call came right after one of the videos went up, and one serious inquiry came from a French Canadian buyer in Quebec who hadn't even been looking in Fort Lauderdale.

Step 3: Track Everything, Then Adjust

The team's in-house marketing staff reviewed the results every week and decided what to do more of, what to change, and when a new video or audience was worth trying. Here's what the tracking showed over the 113 days:

• 15 showings with qualified buyers
• 47% of online viewers found the listing through the Compass website, and 53% came from other platforms
• 40% of online viewers were in South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach), and the rest came from California, Seattle, New York, the Carolinas, and elsewhere

Step 4: Use AI to Find the Right Buyers

With dockage that fits a 100-foot yacht, the team knew the likely buyer might already own a large boat. They used AI tools to build three targeted outreach lists:

• Yacht owners with vessels registered in Fort Lauderdale, who were sent personal invitations to see the home
• CEOs across the country, found through LinkedIn and invited by letter
• South Florida yacht brokers, who were invited to preview the property

The team also emailed people in its own database of more than 32,000 contacts who have a $10M+ budget. Every one of them had already connected with the team. They were also ready for the October boat show, with six days of open houses, flyers, and QR codes leading to the landing page. The home sold before the show started.

The Real Secret: Distribution

Lourdes's main point is that anyone can hire a photographer or shoot a video. Most agents fall short on distribution, meaning how many of the right people actually see the home. Buyers start their search online, so a strong online presence, targeted ads, and steady fine-tuning are what make a luxury listing move. That's especially true for homes that have already been on the market without selling.

Thinking About Selling Your Waterfront Home?

If you own a home in Las Olas Isles, Rio Vista, Victoria Park, or anywhere in Fort Lauderdale, it's worth knowing what today's market could do for you, even if you're not ready to list yet. Many sellers plan around high season, which Lourdes says starts around the first week of December, so now is a good time to talk.

Let's have a no-pressure conversation. Email info@mphfortlauderdale.com, call (954) 833-0933, or visit mphfortlauderdale.com to connect with The MPH Team.

MPH Team | Compass | 954.833.0933 | info@mphfortlauderdale.com