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From the Beach to the Mountains: Catching Up with Our Agents Around the Globe

by | Jun 30, 2020

There’s nothing like a long holiday weekend to hit the reset button. Our agents across the globe have been hard at work bringing new listings to market, closing sales, connecting communities and giving back to those in need. In our monthly agent hotlist, we check in with our agents on the move from Los Angeles to South Florida, Canada to Mexico.

Arizona

Our agents in Arizona are stepping up to support their communities, partnering with nonprofits, making masks, hand sanitizers and more. Kimberly Lowe and Shannon Ellermann showed their love and support to those on the healthcare front lines, collaborating with Mara Windsor, an ER physician and her nonprofit LIFE. They donated money to have Luci’s Urban Concepts deliver breakfast to the ER staff at a local Phoenix Emergency Department to thank them for their support and hard work. Follow their efforts on Instagram at @TheKimberlyLoweGroup.

Aspen

Fox Business recently shined the spotlight on our Aspen team with the article, Luxury real estate demand surges in Aspen, Park City, interviewing The Agency Founder and CEO Mauricio Umansky about how many are skipping international travel this summer, heading to the mountains of Colorado and Utah instead. Mauricio notes how prices on luxury properties in ski towns are on the way up as demand surges and supply remains low. Read more here.

British Columbia

The Agency Victoria’s Jason Binab, Sarah Binab and Robin Wilson brought 1571 Clive Drive, a stunning, rare midcentury modern Oak Bay bungalow to the market. The two-bedroom, three-bath home has been carefully transformed, perched privately on a small rocky knoll amidst grand old Garry Oak trees. The sunny retreat features light-filled interiors, curated finishes and a separate garden studio with a full bath.

SoCal

Chris Hicks holds two very hot summer-time commodities in his portfolio—high-end leases on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. The newly listed 515 Ocean Avenue penthouse at Park Plaza captures stunning ocean and mountain views, offering a wraparound balcony and amenities that include 24-hour concierge, pool, spa, fitness facility and more, steps from the sand and surf. The second, 535 Ocean Avenue 11B also captures sweeping ocean to mountain views, with an expansive balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows and amenities, including a fitness studio and Zen garden moments from the beach, Third Street Promenade and Montana Avenue.

Agent and supporter of the arts, Daniel Stevenson is a member of the board of the Hammer Museum (Hammer Collective), which is focused on providing resources and support to minority artists and the L.A. arts community. He also devotes his time to a group called No Labels, a political action group that created the Problem Solvers Coalition in the House and Senate with bipartisan membership. They make daily calls with thought leaders, economists, sociologists and scientists to discuss both the Black Lives Matter movement and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Paul Lester, Aileen Comora and Eric Haskell represent the historic, 1,440-acre Rancho Dos Vistas Preserve, an extraordinarily rare offering on California’s undeveloped, exclusive Gaviota Coast. Rancho Dos Vistas is named for its views of both the Gaviota Coast and the Santa Ynez Valley and shares an easement with the late President Reagan’s beloved Rancho Del Cielo, known as the Western White House. The ranch is governed by a conservation easement that allows only three homesites and sets aside 90% of the land for wildlife habitat.

Los Cabos

Joni Ross makes supporting the Los Cabos community a year-round effort, noting what a difficult time it has been for many in the region. In mid-March, Joni approached a local designer to make cloth masks with the intention of donating the proceeds to the community. Now in their third month of efforts, Joni says they have kept several seamstresses employed, with net profits being donated to those in need. Joni also personally supports a number of local organizations, including Cabo Missions for Christ, Heart 4 Cabo, PET Los Cabos and other animal welfare groups.

Orange County

Phillip Caruso has started his own podcast, connecting a generation of friends in his network across a range of industries, from business to the arts and everything in between. They get together to discuss their accomplishments, struggles and personal journeys, including where they are, where they’re headed and where they want to be. “The first episode just launched, and it’s a wonderful way to connect during social distancing and inspire people, who we can all learn from,” Phillip says. The Agency is also thrilled to congratulate Phillip and his wife Michelle, who just welcomed the newest addition to their family, a healthy baby girl, named Natalia.

Pasadena

Amy Weber was featured in The Wall Street Journal In the Trenches piece about the similarities between show business and the business of showing real estate, highlighting her career as an actor and World Wrestling Entertainment performer. WSJ asked how her background in show business helps sell homes, with Amy responding, “When you meet someone to list their home, it’s like an audition. You kind of have to treat it as such; you have to bring your A-game and all of who you are. In the entertainment industry, they always say it’s 90% confidence, 10% talent. If you walk in and exude that confidence with the seller, they’re going to trust you.”

Palm Desert

Loran Arvizu put pen to paper to showcase the perfect weekend getaway to La Quinta, the desert destination with it all—sunshine, outdoor recreation, great cuisine and small-town charm. Loran outlines where to stay, dine, shop, golf and hike in La Quinta in A Weekend Getaway to La Quinta, the Gem of The Desert. Read the piece in full here.

NorCal

Michelle Torretta dedicates her time away from real estate to causes close to her heart, including Pledge to Humanity, a nonprofit whose mission is to empower our youngest generations to volunteer in efforts that improve the quality of life for those in need through local and global initiatives. She also committed this month to becoming involved with the nonprofit, 100 Black Men of the Bay Area, whose goal is to improve quality of life and enhance educational and economic opportunities for disadvantaged, low-income youth through mentoring-based programs, among others.

As part of the special Heart on Hartz art exhibit taking place this summer in Danville, Dana Weiler and her husband are proud sponsors of her sister Jan’s design, which was selected to be among the 17 heart sculptures on display through mid-September in the heart of Danville’s downtown. The exhibit showcases the work of Bay Area artists, with many of the pieces to be available through online auction when the exhibit is complete. Take the Small Town, Big Hearts walking tour here.

Ontario

The Agency Toronto team is having a very busy summer, with over 18 listings valuing over $37.4 million on the books in just the second month after opening its doors. Managing Partner Peter Torkan and Broker of Record Paige Torkan say the team is also donating to The Agency’s charity partner GiveBack Homes, an organization that provides housing for those in need and other charitable endeavors.

Park City

With people craving more space, room to roam and time in the great outdoors, Worth reports the real estate industry is seeing an uptick in high-priced rentals and sales in second-home markets, including Park City. Worth says the scenic mountain town offers the best skiing during winter months and hiking and biking during summer months. Jake Doilney, who leads the Park City team with Mike Mazzone and Charlie Taylor, says that 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.

Punta de Mita & Puerta Vallarta

Alejandro Aldrete unveiled his new listing, situated on the 1st fairway of El Tigre Golf Course in Nuevo Vallarta. Isla Tortuga 164 is located within the highly coveted, gated Isla Tortuga community, featuring nearly 7,000 square feet of living space, three bedrooms, 42 solar panels and a private 82-foot pool, surrounded by tropical palms and gardens.

Unveiling another spectacular listing in the region, Alfonso Davalos and Mauricio Umansky represent Villa Moderna, located blocks from the beach in the trendy neighborhood of Bucerias. Formerly owned by an architect and interior designer couple, the home has been stunningly renovated, showcasing modern design, exquisite grounds and pool, a new magnificent kitchen and rooftop palapa.

South Florida

Howard Elfman and Steve McAleer have added the magnificent 1235 E. Lake Drive to The Agency South Florida’s portfolio of luxury listings. Located within Fort Lauderdale’s coveted, gated Harbor Beach enclave, the Mediterranean-style estate is situated on the Intracoastal, featuring sweeping canal and Lake Sylvan views, 359 feet of deep-water frontage for mega yachts, a 15,000-square-foot residence and 1,500 square feet of deck space, including a rooftop terrace for sunset cocktails. Amenities include an infinity-edged pool and spa, home theater, gym, massage room, elevator and 1,000-bottle wine cellar.

Turks & Caicos

Joining Park City as one of the coveted second-home destinations named by Worth, Turks & Caicos has seen a number of sales and pending transactions, even with travel restrictions in place. Managing Partner Ian Hurdle tells Worth, “We expect a lot of bookings from our returning clientele, who come to Turks via private jet who seek our top-tier luxury beachfront villas.” Ian and Managing Director Sean O’Neill recently sold The Hideaway at Ridgeview to clients in England after conducting a virtual showing of the property, which was on the market for 71 days, 30 days of which were under complete shelter-in-place order.

Among listings currently in The Agency Turks & Caicos portfolio, Wymara Villa 5107, a stunning four-bedroom, oceanfront villa with covered terraces, pool, courtyards and sweeping ocean views. 18 Kelly Isle is an exquisite villa on the canal waters of Leeward, Providenciales. The three-bath home offers 55 feet of seawall, ideal for docking a boat or taking kayaks and paddleboards directly onto the water. Also among featured listings is 19 Mountain Summer Road, a six-bedroom home on one of the highest points of Providenciales, offering 180-degree views across the north shore and reef.  

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