Technology continues to exert a dramatic impact on our economy; iPads, smart phones, Wi-Fi, virtual offices continue to change the manner in which we work. It’s now a reality that more than 30 million Americans conduct some business from their home. That ability to shift the paradigm of the typical workday, so as to not have to drive miles through traffic-choked freeways to sit at a desk, is enhanced and accommodated by having a legitimate workspace in your home.… Read more

By the time Paul Lester walked through the door to the office he shares with Aileen Comora at The Agency, he had already been to West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Malibu and Brentwood. This is all after three hours of e-mailing and orchestrating open houses with clients and—most alarmingly—before having his first cup of coffee. That’s what you … Read more

In Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, Harrison Ford’s character casually walks into his apartment and turns on all of the systems (e.g. lights, sound) by voice automation. This was imaginative and cool because it wasn’t a facet of everyday life most people considered to be possible. Today, those little nuances have become big business and are surely an integral part of life, as we know it.… Read more

Despite all the aggravation inherent in short sales, I want to share a surprising and fun by-product of the short sale process. A buyer client of ours found a short sale property on CLIFDEN Street (remember that name, it’s important in this story) in a coveted area where there are very few available homes for sale.… Read more

For an agent – or anyone – there is almost nothing more likely to guarantee your success than keeping your word. Conversely, by not keeping your promises, you ensure your own career mediocrity, or worse – people won’t trust you, will not rely on you – and your career growth will be stunted because high-level executives and clients gravitate toward those who actually get things done. … Read more

Every Tuesday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., is “caravan” in Los Angeles, during which about 500 to 600 houses open their doors for real estate agents to come preview and determine whether any would be right to show their clients. During this three-hour window, an incredible mix of estates, condos, fixers, specs, rentals, income properties and raw land — from Malibu to Santa Monica, from Brentwood to Beverly Hills, in and above the Sunset Strip, down by the Grove and over to Los Feliz and downtown LA — can be visited.… Read more

As the director of the Sports & Entertainment Division at The Agency, I have the pleasure of working with celebrities from the world of TV, film, music and professional sports. It’s an extremely rewarding yet challenging niche, as celebrities have very unique real estate needs and concerns when it comes to such things as privacy, location and amenities. While there are numerous things to know about working with the A-list set — indeed it’s an ongoing learning process that’s impossible to master overnight — here are 10 quick “best practices” to consider when working with celebrity real estate clients.… Read more

Fresh off its 24 month complete redesign and renovation, the iconic Hotel Bel-Air is back and more luxurious than ever. Guests at this modern Spanish-mission style hotel will find no shortage of luxurious rooms styled elegantly in 1930s, 40s, and 50s old Hollywood décor with a Spanish flair. Nestled in the Bel-Air Estates neighborhood of Los Angeles, this hotel offers all of the glamour, romance and prestige synonymous with the famous city in which it resides.… Read more

Another fun and exciting episode!We start off with Josh Altman meeting his new client at the McLaren dealership in Beverly Hills. Orlando Scandrick is Josh’s dream client; a young NFL player who just signed a multi-million dollar contract, although to make the dream complete for Josh, Orlando would be playing for the Patriots, not the Cowboys! … Read more