Another month, and another opportunity to celebrate the achievements and milestones of The Agency. From record-setting listings and continued expansion of the business to our recent digital makeover, take a look at the stories capturing the attention of the industry, and watch the video below for a round-up of our hottest Q2 highlights.
Global
In a profile by Spear’s, The Agency Founder and CEO Mauricio Umansky chronicled his storied career going from from the number one agent at Hilton & Hyland to an industry-disrupting titan behind a multi-billion dollar business, and shared his vision to establish a lasting brand.
Inman broke the news that The Agency debuted a brand new website design. As shared in the exclusive, the first phase of the launch includes dazzling new videos and imagery alongside improved functionality—all crafted in collaboration with The Agency’s in-house design team, led by Creative Director, Shane Gazzo.
Inman also covered our new partnership with 1stDibs, the leading online marketplace for extraordinary furniture, distinctive decor and incredible fashion. Be sure to check out the exclusive offers available to members and clients of The Agency.
President of The Agency Rainy Hake Austin shared five ways leaders can nurture a strong real estate with RealTrends, emphasizing the importance of support: “Remember,” she says, “a happy team translates into happy clients and continued growth for your business.”
Santiago Arana joined the panel of the Inman Access class Rise Above the Rest: How to win listings in a challenging market, sharing some tactics he uses to stand out in today’s fiercely competitive real estate market and the importance of presenting your listing ideas and strategies with prospective clients.
California
Amir Jawaherian hosted a segment of “The American Dream TV,” taking viewers inside the latest masterpiece built and designed by Huntington Estate Properties CEO Ray Nostrati. The tour — which includes a one-of-a-kind floating staircase and moss wall, palatial walk-in closet and epic rooftop deck — begins at 18:40.
Forbes recently featured Zac Mostame’s $40M listing in the prestigious enclave of Holmby Hills, just moments from The Playboy Mansion and Spelling Manor. The picture of Old World European elegance on the outside, inside the home features sophisticated brand contemporary interiors. “It’s truly magnificent,” Zac explains.
Eric Haskell, Blake Varga and Amanda Lee’s recent Montecito listing earned a feature in Dirt. The charming Spanish Colonial was beautifully redone by the late Paul Fortune, who also designed properties for Sofia Coppola and Marc Jacobs, with landscaping by Elizabeth Low. See all the photos here.
Jill Fusari of The Agency Alamo is breaking records with her stunning new listing — the highest ever in Contra Costa County. Offered at $13.8M, the Lafayette estate features phenomenal views of Mt. Diablo, a producing vineyard, pool, spa, covered loggia, bocce court, chef’s kitchen with butler’s pantry, and guest residence. “You will feel as if you are on perpetual vacation,” she told Mansion Global in their coverage of the property.
Robb Report dubbed Project Aerie — an architectural triumph listed by Crystal Icardi, Kevin Stewart, Jon Grauman, and Adam Rosenfeld — its Home of the Week on July 19th. The visionary behind the project, Siddhartha Majumdar, shared his inspiration for the home, including its “floating roof” and circular pool.
Jon Grauman spoke with The Real Deal about Los Angeles’s latest ordinance, which aims to curb development in the name of conservation. This latest measure comes on the heels of the city’s new taxes that have squeezed the local luxury market. “This is about continuing the anti-mansionization efforts that the city has been working on for years,” he explains.
In its aptly named article, “In Beverly Hills Even the Cheapest Homes Cost Millions,” The Wall Street Journal spotlighted Santiago Arana’s newly renovated Italian villa-style estate at 1156 San Ysidro Drive. Listed at $17M, the home boasts ya 7 beds, 11 baths, a 10-seat theater, 3,000-bottle wine cellar, a gym, pool and hot tub.
New York
Tyler Whitman sat down with Inman to discuss life after “Million Dollar Listing.” His next project? Opening The Agency’s brand new office in the Hamptons.
The New York Times rounded up some new properties on the market in New York City, including Michelle Amodeo’s listing in the East Village: a bright studio with new oak floors and through-wall air conditioning in a full-service building. View the listing here.
Nevada
U.S. News included Broker and Managing Partner Zar Zanganeh on their list of top agents to enlist if you’re looking to purchase in Las Vegas, calling attention to his 22 years of experience, specialties in luxury real estate and new construction, and his motivation to find off-market properties for his clients.
North Carolina
The Agency is coming to the Tar Heel state. The Real Deal reported that the firm’s 85th office will open in Charlotte, led by Managing Partners Erika Mendoza and Abigail Hines Miller.
Massachusetts
Eric Rollo was quoted in Boston.com’s piece “5 questions you should ask before you hire a real estate agent,” detailing the importance of local expertise. “Even if the agent is newer and may not have sold a ton in the area, they could be a valuable asset if they are well connected locally,” he explains.
Texas
Over the past few weeks, The Agency Dallas has welcomed brokers and agents who have collectively closed over $110 million in the last 12 months. Read more about the new top-performing team in this RealTrends piece.
Damon Williamson of The Agency Dallas spoke with Mansion Global about the slowing pace of sales in Texas, which had previously seen an influx of buyers from other states. “If the Fed dropped interest rates tomorrow, the market would be on fire again,” he explains. Until then, cash buyers are getting a lot more value.
