When Scott Moore graduated from college at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1995, he took a different path than that of his real estate-driven father. He enrolled at the University of the Pacific’s illustrious McGeorge School of Law and went on to pursue a profession as an entertainment lawyer in LA. His interests soon reverted to thoughts of his father’s successful real estate career, however, and today, Moore has emerged as a visionary in real estate, financing, and construction. As head of the full-service residential firm BBS Real Estate, he offers his clients a one-stop resource to buy, build and sell their projects.
When and how did you first develop a passion for real estate?
I come from a family that has always been involved in real estate and construction, whether it was our primary residence or properties my family was working on for clients. When I graduated from law school, I immediately got my California Real Estate Brokers License and assisted friends and family in the buying and selling of their homes. I’ve had a passion for buying and selling real estate for the past 16 years. Nine years ago, my passion for development began when we were subdividing a four-acre estate on the original Lynn Ranch residence.
What prompted your decision to leave the legal world and start your own real estate company?
While I was an entertainment lawyer, I was still simultaneously active in real estate, helping friends and family buy and sell homes. In 2003, I left the [entertainment] industry to join my father and brother in creating and building a large business and wealth-management company, Financial Specialists Inc. As COO of FSI, my responsibilities included running the day-to-day operations of the marketing, legal and real estate divisions. After six successful years at FSI, I redirected my sole focus on BBS Real Estate.
How have you translated what you learned as a lawyer to your work in the real estate industry?
Every single transaction I do involves my legal hat. With every contract I review, deal I negotiate, and especially during the due diligence process on each project or home, I am applying my legal expertise.
What is your goal at BBS and in what areas of Los Angeles is it most active?
BBS Real Estate primarily focuses on properties and developments in Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and Santa Monica, with some work in Beverly Hills and Bel-Air. Our goal is to be known as a high-end construction and real estate company, with a focus on luxury properties that we can add value to anyone buying, building or selling a home.
What is your specialty at BBS?
I personally handle client management and guide them through the entire process [to] ensure their expectations are being met with everything we are doing for them at each [step] of the process.
Describe the specific services you offer clients?
Buying, building and selling luxury homes and properties…we can help our clients with all or part of the process.
How has the Westside luxury market changed since you’ve been in business, and where do you see it headed in the future?
I’ve seen the best and the worst in the housing market. We are starting to see record highs in certain areas and fewer opportunities for development. You have to be extremely selective in the projects you take on. Clients are now focused on schools and locations where amenities are easily accessible. In the short term, since there has been such a large run-up in values, I think the market will stabilize, but good areas will continue to rise and be stable. Developing areas, such as Culver City and Mar Vista, continue to get better and better.
Talk about the upcoming “Luxury Home Builder Showcase and Workshop” event BBS is hosting in Santa Monica. What can we expect?
The “BBS Luxury Home Builder Showcase and Workshop” is a two-part event for Westside agents and homeowners. Most notably, the venue is a newly completed home that exemplifies the cutting-edge of residential real estate design in every aspect. The house will display the work of the construction arm of BBS Real Estate, So Cal Custom Construction & Design. On Thursday, August 25, from 4-7 p.m., homeowners will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with the high-end vendors and artisans BBS selects to customize each house they build and renovate.
Why is it important to offer these types of events?
For the first time, people can hear from the vendors what makes BBS an extraordinary firm in such a saturated market.
To what extent is BBS involved in philanthropic endeavors in the community?
We volunteer for Meals on Wheels, support the Boys & Girls Club of Venice through charitable donations, and are an active member of the Al Malaikah Shriners.
What do you envision for the future of BBS?
We want to achieve continued success in terms of development and client representation. Since 2009, we have succeeded solely on referrals from former clients and business partners. Now our goal is to continue our focus on the LA area and to reach out to new clients and opportunities.
FOR INFORMATION, VISIT BBSRE.COM
Photography Courtesy of Paul Jonason