About Us

Zeynep A. Talu-Balci, MSIRE: Bridging Global Real Estate Visions

With roots extending from the historical crossroads of Istanbul to the bustling streets of London and the serene deserts of Dhahran, Zeynep A. Talu-Balci brings to the table a cosmopolitan spirit and a visionary outlook on the world of real estate.

As the pioneering force behind Makos Real Estate, she champions the fusion of dynamic South Florida real estate development with the vast potential of international markets, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Türkiye.

At the inception of Makos Real Estate, Zeynep envisioned a company that transcends traditional boundaries, strategically pinpointing high-value properties and cultivating developments that resonate with an elite, multifaceted clientele. Her philosophy extends beyond mere transactions to a holistic vision of transformational real estate practices, where enduring, value-driven partnerships flourish across continents and cultures.

Zeynep’s educational foundation in real estate—a Master of Science in International Real Estate from Florida International University, complemented by advanced studies in Real Estate Development at Nova Southeastern University—equips her with the tools to lead with innovation. Her strategic use of PropTech and a dedication to sustainable development underscore her efforts to shape environmentally mindful and technologically advanced real estate solutions.

Zeynep’s career is not just defined by her expertise in real estate but also by her enduring passion for sustainability, a thread that has woven through her professional tapestry since 1995. Long before 'sustainability' became a corporate buzzword, Zeynep was pioneering eco-conscious practices in the world, driven by a profound belief in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices and their impact on communities and the environment. Her vision extends to creating environments that seamlessly blend with their cultural and ecological contexts, anticipating the future of sustainable living and working spaces.

At the helm of Makos Real Estate, Zeynep transcends conventional industry limits, identifying high-value opportunities and fostering developments that appeal to a sophisticated, global clientele. Her approach revolutionizes real estate through transformative practices and enduring partnerships that bridge diverse cultures and geographies, reflecting a commitment to excellence and global connectivity.

Her active participation in the world's most influential real estate gatherings such as Cityscape and MIPIM is underpinned by her extensive background as a trade show planner. This blend of hands-on experience and strategic insight enables Zeynep to connect with industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers effectively, forging significant connections and staying abreast of emerging market dynamics.

As a co-founder of She.Work, Zeynep is at the forefront of promoting women's empowerment, championing a platform that elevates the success stories of women in various sectors. She.Work represents more than a digital space; it is a manifestation of Zeynep’s belief in a synergistic future where environmental sustainability and gender equality drive collective progress.

Under Zeynep's leadership, Makos RE distinguishes itself through a unique blend of technological expertise and market insight. Together with her team, she delivers unmatched development marketing and sales services, leveraging cutting-edge tech and analytics to craft strategies that not only highlight but elevate clients’ projects on both local and global stages.

Zeynep A. Talu-Balci stands as a testament to the power of visionary leadership in real estate, redefining the industry’s future with a steadfast commitment to sustainability, innovation, and empowering women, paving the way for a more inclusive and environmentally responsible world.

Our Mission and Vision

At Makos, we aspire to redefine the standards of real estate development. Our mission is to simplify the development process, providing you with expert guidance, innovative solutions, and unparalleled support at every project stage. We envision a world where real estate development is not just about building structures but creating lasting value for both communities and investors.


Our Team’s Expertise

Our team comprises seasoned professionals, each bringing decades of experience across various real estate disciplines. From savvy market analysts and creative architects to seasoned construction managers and legal experts, our diverse team ensures that every aspect of your project is handled with utmost professionalism and expertise. Collectively, we have hundreds of years of experience.


Tailored Strategies for Success: Crafting Your Pathway to Excellence

At Makos Real Estate, we understand that each project carries its own set of aspirations, challenges, and opportunities. This understanding forms the cornerstone of our philosophy: to provide bespoke strategies that are as unique as the projects themselves.

Our commitment to customization goes beyond standard practices. We engage in a deep dive into the nuances of your project, considering every angle from market dynamics to the socio-economic fabric of the target community. By aligning our strategies with your specific goals, we ensure a holistic approach that addresses all facets of development and marketing.

This tailored methodology allows us to not just aim for success but to redefine what success looks like in the real estate industry. We leverage innovative tools, data analytics, and our rich industry insight to formulate strategies that elevate your project, making it a paragon of innovation and sustainability.

We stay attuned to the pulse of the market, ready to refine our strategies to overcome new challenges and seize emerging opportunities. This agility ensures that your project remains at the industry's forefront, setting benchmarks that inspire and lead.

At Makos Real Estate, your vision is our blueprint. With our tailored strategies for success, we are not just working towards the successful completion of your project; we are crafting a legacy of excellence that sets new standards in the real estate domain.

The Genesis of Makos: From Inspiration to Innovation in Real Estate

The initial spark of inspiration for the Makos name came during an orientation at Mast Academy in Key Biscayne. The school's mascot, a Mako shark, symbolizes agility, precision, and the power to navigate the vast, often uncharted waters of the ocean. Intrigued by the symbolism, we delved deeper into the essence of the Mako, uncovering its significance in Japanese culture as a beacon of truth and integrity. This discovery resonated deeply with our core values and the foundational principles we wanted to embed in our real estate businesses.

Further inspiration was drawn from the character of Mako in the Mass Effect video game series—a figure of resilience, strategic acumen, and leadership. Like Mako, who navigates through challenges with exceptional skill and determination, we envisioned a real estate company that would lead with confidence, innovate in the face of industry challenges, and build enduring relationships based on trust and respect.

Recognizing that true strength lies in unity and collaboration, we transformed the singular 'Mako' into 'Makos,' symbolizing our commitment to fostering a collective of professionals who embody the spirit of the Mako—agile, strategic, and unwavering in their pursuit of excellence. Makos Real Estate was born from this vision, a name that we proudly trademarked, signaling our dedication to creating and navigating new horizons in the real estate market.

We envision Makos Real Estate not merely as a company but as a movement dedicated to redefining industry standards, driving innovation, and delivering services that transcend expectations.

Navigating New Horizons: The Makos Real Estate Philosophy

Before the inception of Makos Real Estate, the principles of the book “Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant” by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne illuminated our path. Indeed, to us success does not come from battling competitors in "red oceans" saturated with rivals, but rather from creating "blue oceans" of untapped new markets ripe for growth. This groundbreaking concept, advocating for the creation of new markets—blue oceans—over competing in overcrowded industries—red oceans—resonated with our vision. It is this philosophy that inspires us daily to transcend conventional boundaries and forge a unique path in the real estate industry. Inspired by the pioneering spirit of the Blue Ocean Strategy, we are committed to uncovering untapped opportunities, fostering innovation, and establishing a market space that is exclusively ours.


Long-term Partnerships:

At the heart of our philosophy lies a deep-seated belief in nurturing enduring connections. More than just completing projects, we cherish the journey of growing alongside our clients, crafting legacies that span across time. It's this dedication to your success and dreams that motivates us to transcend the ordinary, making us not just your service provider, but a steadfast companion in all your future real estate voyages.


A Welcome to New Horizons

As you join us on this journey, you are not merely navigating the current waters of real estate but embarking on a quest with us to create our very own blue ocean—a realm brimming with opportunity, growth, and success. Our pledge is to guide you through this journey, making your investment not just transactional, but transformational. Together, we're not just building properties; we're crafting a legacy of growth, opportunity, and success in the dynamic world of real estate development.

Welcome to Makos Real Estate, where the pursuit of creating blue oceans is not just our strategy—it's our passion. Join us as we chart new paths, redefine boundaries, and explore the infinite possibilities of the real estate world.

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