Embracing Life in Paradise: A Journey Through Resplendent Experiences with Amy Casal

Paradise is a mindset, not just a destination,” says Amal “Amy” Casal, a real estate agent at SERHANT., specializing in South Florida. “It’s a continual state of self-discovery, growth and gratitude.”

A prominent realtor and Palm Beach Power List award recipient, Amy is expanding her footprint in this particular patch of paradise, in Palm Beach County. She epitomizes an intimate understanding of the region’s essence and the booming Palm Beach County market. A key part of and partner for people moving here, she is helping the region emerge as a vibrant haven, captivating residents globally with its allure as a sanctuary for affluent homeowners, continually unveiling its charm to the world.

While realtors all bring some expertise, she literally brings a lifetime of knowledge and experience. A Wellington native who grew up amidst South Florida’s evolution, Amy’s roots intertwine with the region’s growth, fostering a profound connection to it. Specializing in catering to equestrian enthusiasts in Wellington, the Winter Equestrian Capital of the World, she serves as a pivotal link for newcomers from diverse corners of the globe, facilitating seamless transitions into the Palm Beach and West Palm community.

From equestrians in Wellington to new arrivals in West Palm Beach from New York, California, Massachusetts and worldwide, she has become a key part of the region’s growth. While amenities, beautiful beaches, luxury lifestyle and culture attract residents, she also offers expertise in zoning and an understanding of the market, as well as the ins and outs of managing property.

After managing an agency with about 40 agents, Amy joined Ryan SERHANT.’s team where she adds local know-how to their Palm Beach County push. Ryan appeared on the TV show, Million Dollar Listing for many years and founded “Sell it Like SERHANT.,” handling deals nationwide including the most expensive home ever sold on Palm Beach Island.

The agency expanded into Florida, with offices in Miami and Delray Beach as well as handling numerous transactions in Palm Beach County, where Amy is now a pivotal player. “He was always a major figure in the real estate space. I got the opportunity to join them,” Amy says. “They’re big on company culture. They’re innovative.”

Brokering deals for residents and developers, handling everything from new construction to venerable properties, Amy is part of a local, residential revolution with global reach. “We’re having higher numbers in terms of volume. The home prices have skyrocketed. Demand continues,” she says. “Palm Beach County has been number one for a long time with cash buyers, at 53% cash. Mortgage rates have very little effect.”

Palm Beach County isn’t only attracting residents, but investment and companies, making an agent’s expertise even more important. “We’re called Wall Street South. We have over 200 Wall Street companies relocating headquarters to Palm Beach County,” she adds. “With that will be C-level executives and their employees. That’s helping fuel this economic renaissance.”

HOME-GROWN TALENT

For those arriving, building, selling or buying in Palm Beach County, it helps to work with an agent who knows the region well. Amy grew up in Wellington near the Polo Grounds not too far from Route 441, which went from a few lanes to a major highway. “I watched them build over my lifetime,” she says. “I know the ins and outs of each neighborhood.”

After studying alternative medicine in Boca Raton, she opened a bakery with its own holistic approach, selling turmeric cookies, Hawthorne chocolates and products with herbs. Then she became a TV producer for Advancements TV with Ted Danson, which broadcasted on Fox Business and CNBC among other networks.

“I met a lot of people along the way and found out the same thing drives us all,” she adds. “To do better, be better, not just for ourselves, but our communities.”

She began managing properties, learning about real estate. “Going into the sales aspect was a natural transition,” she says. Amy rose to manage a team of 40 agents. “I did a lot of coaching and training,” she continues. “At the end of the day, this is someone’s life. A huge financial transaction, probably one of the biggest ones they’ll make in their life.”

Then she joined SERHANT., where she continues to focus on Palm Beach County with support from that agency. 

HORSE POWER

Amy, who now lives in Tequesta, closer to the water, has a particularly deep knowledge of Wellington and the equestrian world. “You have equestrian farms, and pastures, yet you’re only 15 minutes away from the county’s best mall,” she says of her hometown. “I’ve made my way to the Northern Palm Beaches. Being right by the water is a different experience, despite living in Florida my whole life.”

Throughout Palm Beach, she has helped builders, sellers and buyers find and sell properties. “All these things happen at the local level with government ordinances and zoning changes that an outsider is not keen to,” she says of growth.

Wellington, from polo to dressage, has been an equestrian hub with farms, stables, paddocks (fenced in fields for horses to graze) and arenas to practice riding; springing up to meet demand. “It’s a very niche market,” she says. “Somebody who doesn’t know the standard vocabulary when it comes to a farm will struggle appealing to the equestrian clientele. You also need to know the natural flow of caring for a horse, and the requirements for raising livestock, to analyze how well a property is laid out.”

When somebody buys a farm, they typically look for stalls for their horses, but some buy properties with far more capacity. “Because there’s such a demand during the winter riding season, they’ll rent out those horse stalls to other riders from out of state and out of country who need temporary boarding to compete in shows,” Amy adds.

Jupiter resident Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake are developing a 600-acre residential project in just one sign of the region’s expansion. “The majority of people moving into Wellington are equestrians and families. The suburbs are still growing,” she says. “There’s a new downtown coming to the area: Tuttle Royale.”

PALM BEACH, WEST PALM BEACH

Amy sees West Palm Beach as a thriving community with skyscrapers popping up amid growth in Wall Street South. “The skyline is changing. A lot of New Yorkers gravitate toward that,” she says of downtown. “They like the convenience. It reminds them of home. They don’t really need a car. Some northerners prefer walking distance.”

An expert in West Palm and Palm Beach, she has handled transactions for opulence mansions, newer single-family homes, condominiums and other residences. “West Palm Beach is becoming a mini Manhattan,” Amy says. “We’re having a huge population influx. We’re the number one housing market.”

She also became an expert in El Cid, a neighborhood which she says “blew up five to ten years ago.” She is familiar with South of downtown Palm Beach, now being called “SoSo.” “A lot of people in New York say it reminds them of SoHo,” she says of that region near U.S. 1. “It has amazing restaurants, is safe, and family friendly. Developers are trying to pick up what they can left and right.”

What’s next? Amy sees Northwood as the next hot area. “I can advise where to go to catch the next wave,” she adds. “Recent zoning changes have granted developers incentives to build and revitalize. Nora — a new arts district — and Currie Park will be a world class waterfront venue, just to name a few new projects.”

“Related Co. made their mark on the area. They just announced a new luxury condo building incorporating a beautiful synagogue on 28th St. just a few streets away from my current listing,” she says. “Private developers see this neighborhood as the ‘New El Cid.’ We have new construction homes coming to market nearby from $5 million to $7 million to $11 million.”

TECH TIME

While the human touch is key, technology also is important in showing properties, finding buyers and sellers. She uses geo fencing, or ad targeting, as well as programs to find buyers for off-market properties. “I’ll actually cross-reference with my tech systems the sellers I have with out-of-state and out-of-country buyers,” she says. “If they’re looking for something specific on the market or not, I’ll find it for them.”

She does video tours, recording videos and on FaceTime, increasingly popular in the post-Covid era. “We narrow it down to a few houses,” she says. “They’ll fly in before going to contract, and see it in person.”

Her time spent editing, doing photography and being a former TV producer helps, although she works with photographer/videographer Bryce Lovelli and Iconic Photography. “I have a team with me as well,” she says, noting Lovelli also has a drone operator’s license.

She has used social media to bring in deals for up to $16 million, including another for $3 million. While video walk-throughs can help, she says they need to be thorough. “Some agents take advantage of video, in this FaceTime norm,” she says. “They’ll skip over things that kill the deal. Your integrity is at stake. What you see in video needs to not be different from what meets the eyes in person.”

SERHANT., she says, developed a new app called S.MPLE that “will be a real estate agent’s best friend and assistant.” She says it will help handle transactions and manage clients, adding one more positive attribute to their progress on innovation.

As Palm Beach County continues to evolve as a premier destination, Amy Casal remains steadfast in her mission to cultivate paradise — fostering vibrant communities and transforming dreams into reality, one home at a time. She is not just a realtor, but a partner committed to curating unforgettable chapters in the life of her clients. As she says, “It’s a continual state of self-discovery, growth and gratitude. It is paradise.”

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