One of the breakout stars of Buying Beverly Hills and a leader among The Agency’s next generation of real estate professionals, Alexia Umansky balances humility, humor and easy authenticity with a strong drive to succeed for her clients. Here, she shares how she approaches big challenges, her best advice for new agents looking to build their business, female colleagues she admires, leveraging social media to connect with clients and more.
You’ve been a real estate agent for a few years now—what were some of your biggest challenges when you first started working?
I would say my biggest challenge as a new real estate agent was simply getting clients. People want to hire agents with experience, but where do you even begin?! Trying to convince people to take a leap of faith for you is a challenge.
Luckily, being at The Agency and being a part of The Umansky Team, I was able to be very honest with my clients: I may not know everything right now, but I have the best resources in the world right behind me. I may not know the answer to this or to that, but I’m about to do some intensive research and get two to three opinions on the matter from some of the best in the business! I learned to be honest about where I stood in my career, and my clients appreciated the honesty. It created a strong foundation of trust.
Who did you seek out for advice or support at the beginning? And who do you turn to now?
I have always gone to my dad, Mauricio Umansky, and my sister, Farrah Brittany when I am seeking advice. They understand me, and they’re the best agents in the world! But it doesn’t end there. I am so lucky that I feel comfortable enough to go to so many of my colleagues for support. Jane Katzenberger—executive assistant to the CEO, and queen of The Agency—Jane knows absolutely everything and has helped me since long before I even started my real estate journey. I have also called Ben Belack, a fellow agent at The Agency, who is a natural teacher. Ben is always so detailed with his answers, which I really appreciate. He’s also a great friend. I have also gone to Steven Maizes, our in-house mortgage officer and part of our core services division, countless times—I have learned so much from him and am grateful for this division, which helps us continue to service our clients even after the transaction.
The following quote—which I have reworked a bit to apply to this situation—rings true: “You will [find] that help will always be given at [The Agency] to those who ask for it.” – Dumbledore (sort of).
Who are some of your most inspiring female mentors or role models? And what about them stands out to you?
Farrah Brittany. I admire her so much not only because of her great success but because of the kindness she exudes to her peers and her clients. She is smart, sharp, and gets things done. But knows she doesn’t have to be hard in order to do so. She trusts in her voice. She demands respect by giving mutual respect.
What advice would you give to other real estate professionals looking to assert their authority and excel in this field?
Don’t be afraid to ask —for anything! Ask for help. Ask for business. Ask about the business. Ask for feedback. Ask for advice. Ask about the market!
Knowledge is our superpower. The more you ask, the more you know. The more you know, the more you’ll succeed.
What strategies have you found most effective in building your personal brand and establishing yourself as a reputable agent in the competitive market?
I have worked on establishing myself as a resource —someone that anyone can come to and feel safe with. I have found that because I have been honest throughout my career, and a lot of first-time home buyers have come to me for some answers.
I believe I have created a safe space to ask questions and learn. Through my social media (@alexiaumansky), I try to be informative and answer some basic questions that may not be so basic to many of us!
I go over topics such as “What is escrow?” or “Advice for people looking to buy a home in the next few years.”
Do you have any habits or routines that help you stay focused and balanced?
I don’t know where I’d be without my To-Do lists. I love lists. Checking something as complete gives me such a great deal of satisfaction. I also put everything into my calendar, including reminders. If it’s not in the calendar, it doesn’t happen.
When I have downtime, I read for pleasure. Reading works my brain in a satisfying way that calms me and brings me great joy.
