After the holiday festivities wrapped, our agents hit the ground running to serve their clients in the new year. From unveiling fantastic properties and welcoming new members to snowmobiling in the Rockies and capturing life on the pristine shores of Vancouver Island, we check in with The Agency team around the globe in our monthly agent round-up.
Park City
The mountains are calling. Forbes spoke with The Agency Park City Managing Partner Jake Doilney for a spotlight on the five mountain towns—including “outdoor heaven” Park City—seeing an influx of buyers and renters from cities across the U.S. “Many people still have high values in their portfolios and are looking to take advantage of the pricing in Park City, which is relatively low compared to their own markets in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles,” Jake told Forbes. The Agency’s annual report, The Red Paper, noted that single-family home sales rose 49% in 2020 over the year before, with buyers seeking more space, outdoor access and recreation during the pandemic.
South Florida
Mark Block and Zhanna Block recently debuted their new listing—the stunning, oceanfront Penthouse 8 at the St. Regis in Bal Harbour. Capturing sweeping ocean and coastline views, the two-bedroom plus den residence boasts three balconies, a private elevator foyer, smooth Italian marble floors, gallery walls and curated design details. Owners enjoy the St. Regis hotel amenities and services in the comfort of their home, including 24-hour concierge, butler service, onsite restaurants, in-residence dining, and outdoor pool, beach cabanas and the Remède Spa.
Turks & Caicos
The Agency Turks & Caicos Founder and Director Ian Hurdle was called upon by Forbes for his insight on the state of the luxury vacation home market. Forbes predicts that swanky vacation homes will be the hot travel trend of 2021, assuring both safety and serenity for travelers wishing to work remotely from their favorite vacation destinations. Ian told Forbes they’ve seen strong demand for long-term vacation rentals and purchases from buyers around the world, noting, “They want to come to island paradise and get away from it all.” Ian adds, “If their kids can’t attend school in person, they are moving to islands where they can stay for long periods and enroll their children in school.”
Arizona
The Agency celebrated the arrival of Wendy Walker as Managing Director of the Scottsdale office, where she has joined current leadership to support agents and build the team. Wendy is accompanied by her Wendy Walker Fine Properties team, including Nicole Hammond, Amanda Malcolm, and Kristin Oas, who together ranked as the number one team for Coldwell Banker in Arizona. The announcement came on the heels of the Scottsdale office’s record-breaking 2020, during which the team nearly doubled its sales volume year over year. Read the full story here.
Aspen
Who better to share a glimpse of the fun-filled Aspen lifestyle than The Agency team on the ground? Heather Sinclair and Chris Flynn bundled up to treat their clients to an Aspen-style winder adventure—an unforgettable day of snowmobiling, sunshine, snowfall, laughter and a visit to the most “unbelievable backcountry cabin we have ever seen.” Follow The Agency Aspen on Instagram at @TheAgencyAspen.
British Columbia
Brian Danyliw and The Agency British Columbia team perfectly captured the coveted lifestyle of Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley in the new video, “Welcome to Cowichan.” Enjoy a glimpse of the region’s stunning natural beauty, endless outdoor adventure, thriving culinary scene and laid-back lifestyle in the video below.
Jason Binab debuted his stunning new listing at 323 Windermere Place, situated in Victoria’s Fairfield neighbourhood, moments from beautiful Moss Rock Park. Built in 2011 by award-winning Abstract Developments, the four-bedroom home features expansive windows and skylights, mesmerizing city, mountain and water views, and over 3,300 square feet of living space. Features include a wine cellar, office, multiple terraces, media room with built-in bar and a home gym.
DC. Metro
Keeping the magic alive in The Agency D.C. Metro office, Managing Partner Nurit Coombe and her team hosted a complimentary, virtual evening of magic and fun on Sunday, January 24. The event featured celebrity entertainer Chris Michael, who has performed his unique mix of “beat-boxing, sleight-of-hand, mind-reading and stunts for thousands of audiences all over the world.” Guests were invited to pick up their magic kit from the office ahead of the event and join in the excitement from the comfort of their home.
Greater Los Angeles
Los Angeles Magazine released the results of this year’s Real Estate All-Stars, with 62 of our agents and four teams making the 2021 list. “With tens of thousands of real estate agents working in Los Angeles, choosing the right one can be a daunting task,” reads the Los Angeles Magazine editorial team’s introduction to the feature. “Buying a home shouldn’t be as stressful as driving a car without breaks, which is why we commissioned Professional Research Services to contact residential real estate companies—big and small—in the region and collect the names of its top-performing agents within a 12-month period.” View the list of All-Stars from The Agency here.
Orange County
The Agency Orange County is also seeing stars. Orange Coast Magazine released its own All-Stars list, featuring our own father-son duo, Michael Caruso and Phillip Caruso. According to the magazine, real estate agents who were chosen as “All-Stars” had an annual sales volume in the top 1% of all agents in the county.
Baja Sur
Dreaming of the crystal-clear blue waters that gently lap the shores of La Paz? We are too. The Agency team recently shared this gorgeous image of our La Paz office, located within the marina at Puerta Cortez. The team in La Paz represents a stunning collection of residences, condominiums and vacation rentals across the region. Follow @TheAgencyLosCabos for a glimpse of life on the Baja California Peninsula.
Alfonso Davalos and Mauricio Umanksy represent the stunning Villa Moderna, a six-bedroom, nine-bath villa blocks from the beach in scenic Bucerias. Beautifully renovated in painstaking detail, the gated villa is surrounded by lush, tropical landscaping, boasting a gorgeous pool terrace for entertaining and relaxation. The home boasts two private guest suites, fantastic views and a rooftop palapa studio. Alfonso guided viewers on a virtual tour of the property on Instagram at @theagencypdem. Watch the IGTV tour here.
Pasadena
The Agency Pasadena has a lot to celebrate with the new year well underway. During 2020, the team was involved in five of the eight transactions that closed above $5.5 million. Beloved for its classic charm and historic character, Pasadena is embracing its appeal among buyers from L.A.’s Westside. Pasadena features a mix of residential styles, from iconic architectural properties to newly reimagined, modernized estates with a subtle nod to history.
Palm Desert
If there’s one thing our Palm Springs-area agents know, it’s quality design. Nelly Beck took to her Instagram to conduct a little design-inspired poll, asking which her followers preferred between dark and light-hued kitchen cabinetry. See what they decided below and follow @nelly_beck_ for more desert-inspired design inspo.
Puerto Vallarta & Punta de Mita
Alejandro Aldrete unveiled his new listing, the extraordinary Villa 2028 located at the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. The four-bedroom villa features 6,475 square feet of interior living space with exquisite design detail, an expansive dine-in kitchen, spa-like baths and window walls framing sweeping ocean views. Interiors segue seamlessly to shaded dining and lounging terraces, a private infinity-edged pool and additional plunge pool. Owners and their guests enjoy full access to Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, including three pools, two beaches, three luxury restaurants, the Apuane spa, a kids’ club, teen center and more.
Choices, choices. Alejandro and The Agency Puerto Vallarta team had a Mexican-themed question for their Facebook followers—Tequila Blanco or Tequila Reposado? Both are adorned in The Agency red, if you’re in the neighborhood for a pre-fiesta cocktail.
NorCal
The green fairways and picturesque shores have made the Monterey Peninsula a desirable destination for jet setters and collectors seeking the finest luxury homes to add to their portfolios. In 2020, single-family home sales rose 42% with median prices rising 21% over the year before. Throughout the year, Carmel and Pebble Beach saw a shift in demand as younger buyers traded Silicon Valley life for the beauty and serenity of these quaint coastal towns. This youthful injection of energy was felt in downtown Carmel, Pebble Beach and across the real estate market. Read more about the NorCal market in The Agency’s 2020 annual report, The Red Paper.
Ontario
Paul Greenberg and Scott Parkhill of The Agency Toronto’s Parkhill Greenberg Group took viewers on an Instagram tour of their shared listing with Peter Torkan at 26 Bayberry Crescent, an extraordinary, new custom home in the heart of Bayview Village in Toronto. View their video and more @TheAgency6ix.
Adolphe Khouri and Peter Torkan debuted their new listing at 22 Montressor Drive in Toronto, a remarkable custom residence with a striking limestone and brick exterior. The 6,600-square-foot home showcases masterful craftsmanship, soaring ceilings, a two-story library, chef’s kitchen and oversized breakfast area. Interiors open to a resort-style backyard with lush greenery and ample room for a pool.
