Welcome to Hottest Week 2012, that magical time in August when we pit local brokers against each other to determine once and for all (for this year) who's the hottest of the hot. Stay tuned this week and next as the tournament unfolds. And let the games begin!
Let's start things off with the women: first up, we pit classically trained opera singer Keely Jowitt of Brock Real Estate against former actress Heather Leikin of Partner's Trust. This year we made a New Year's resolution to be a little less shallow, so we asked all the contestants a few questions about their lives before real estate, their advice for buyers and sellers, and more:
Keely Jowitt
What did you do before you became a real estate agent? How did you get into the real estate game?
Before I became a real estate agent I was a classically trained opera singer. I got into real estate because my broker Brock was the first person I met when I moved to L.A from Canada and he said it was the perfect business to make money and have free time to do my singing. Brock is now my mentor, good friend, and hero for achieving financial freedom at such a young age.
What's the most memorable property you ever helped buy or sell?
What's the biggest mistake made by either buyers or sellers?
NOT using Brock Real Estate :D. Buyers= being too emotional. Sellers=Being too analytical.
Why do you think real estate agents are, on the whole, so damn attractive?
I believe real estate agents are so damn attractive because the thought of a professional job where it's completely acceptable to put your picture on your card & advertisements appealed to the vanity in the good looking/actors who thought it would help make them sales.
Heather Leikin
What did you do before you became a real estate agent? How did you get into the real estate game?
I was an actress and promotional model (isn’t everyone in this town). My family has been in the building industry for generations. Becoming a realtor was a natural progression for me as homes, architecture and marketing were always my true loves.
What's the most memorable property you ever helped buy or sell?
It was a beautiful “green” home in Santa Monica that had been on the market for over 8 months with hardly a showing. The owners were in trouble and turned to me for help. With my marketing and connections it was in escrow with an all cash offer within weeks. It just proved why you need a good agent that knows what they are doing.
What's the biggest mistake made by either buyers or sellers?
The Internet has many people thinking they can save money by foregoing professional representation. But if you don’t have the right agent fighting for your interests, you could lose money in the long run.
For buyer's: a listing agent's fiduciary duty is to the seller and by not having a buyer's agent, you are not going to be shown all of the possible savings buyers can add to the contract and negotiations will be weighted for the seller.
For seller's: connections, contract and marketing experience are vital. Unless you know local negotiation strategy, disclosures and contracts, you could open yourself up for liability down the road. Plus you will need someone with solid referrals for contractors and subs and we work with these people everyday.
Why do you think real estate agents are, on the whole, so damn attractive?
Who wants to drive around in a car week after week with someone that is unpleasant to be with? Who doesn't want someone put together (mentally and physically) and professional representing their home? It is survival of the hottest (and smartest).
Vote below--poll closes at 3 pm PDT on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012.
· Hottest Week 2012 [Curbed LA]
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