James Respondek of Sotheby’s Pacific Palisades

Now, a consistently top-producing agent and client favorite, James Respondek of Sotheby’s International Realty has made a name for himself in luxury real estate, with over 1 billion in property sales in some of Los Angeles’ most exclusive neighborhoods. Here, Respondek shares with DIGS his extensive market knowledge, client-driven philosophy, and why he believes the Westside is the perfect place to live.

How did you get your start in real estate?    

I made my start in real estate when I bought my first property in Australia at 18 years old. It was a vacant lot worth $5K, I put down a $20 deposit and sold it 18 months later for $8K and loved the concept!

What, specifically, makes you so passionate about the industry? 

What makes me passionate about the real estate industry is the constant variety. Properties can be anything from entry-level to trophy pieces to fixer-uppers/teardowns to brand new developments, as well as all the different architectural styles and custom interior details that go with them.

Then there are all the different people—celebrities, professionals, corporate, foreign, young and old, super nice and ultra-high maintenance, encompassing the whole gamut
of characters—you never know who you are going to meet and with whom you’ll be working. 

Will you describe your real estate philosophy? 

My philosophy of the real estate business is to know the available product and all its nuances inside and out, understand my client’s needs and wishes and match them together to negotiate the best deal possible.

How do you cater to the individual needs of your clients? 

I cater to my client’s needs by listening to them closely, understanding their perspective and creating a compatible communication rhythm and style, so they feel completely comfortable and supported.

What distinguishes your firm from others in the same market? 

What distinguishes Sotheby’s from anyone else is its centuries-old heritage as a purveyor of fine art, jewelry, and collectibles, which transitioned seamlessly into the luxury real estate market about 40 years ago, and is now a stand-alone international luxury real estate brand.

What makes you the competitive choice in this market? 

I have 36 years of experience as one of the top agents in the Palisades. When I go to a property, there is a good chance that I will know some of its history, either personally or anecdotally. I also know most of the agents and lots of the homeowners—as evidenced by more than 1 billion dollars in sales. I guess it’s really an abundance of experience, knowledge, and relationships.

What makes the Pacific Palisades market so covetable? 

I chose the Palisades back in the late 1970s because it spoke to me on many levels. The Palisades is a family-centered community close to the beach and the mountains. It is perfectly situated between Santa Monica, which is close to the city, and Malibu, which has a country beach resort feel.

There are many wonderful enclaves, such as the Village area, The Huntington, Rustic Canyon, The Riviera, the Bluffs, Marquez Knolls, Bel Air Bay Club, Castellammare, and the Highlands—all have their own flavor and feel, and offer a great variety to choose from.

What do you enjoy doing when not selling real estate? 

In my spare time, I love to surf at one of our many local beaches and also snowboard up in Mammoth.

Photography by Paul Jonason