Santiago Arana of The Agency: Market Savvy With a Top Westside Realtor

You emigrated from Bolivia without a background in real estate. Why the decision to pursue it professionally?

I wanted to take my love for the architecture of houses and buildings, and the real estate industry — along with my understanding of white-glove customer service, and a university degree in business and marketing — to have a career that I am passionate about.

And how did that career begin?

From scratch. I had to door knock thousands of doors, sit open houses almost every Saturday and Sunday, and do everything I could to get to know as many people
as possible.

What are the cornerstones of your success? 

Work ethic, perseverance, the ability to engage with people at different levels, understanding the market, and “know-how.”

What do you consider the best aspect of your career? 

I love to be part of one of the most important decisions in a person’s life, which is buying a home. I also love selling different amazing homes and meeting all kinds of interesting people. 

What are the qualities that set apart your firm from competing agencies? 

Our collaborative approach, unmatched marketing, and global reach. The Agency is built on collaboration, with the understanding that a team is more powerful than any individual. Sharing with our colleagues in an innovative environment gives us an edge in being able to offer the best practices and inside market knowledge.

Globally, The Agency has a unique partnership with Savills, a renowned international real estate advisor with more than 500 offices worldwide and an unrivaled network in Europe and Asia. Being able to expose our listings globally through this partnership is priceless. On the marketing front, we don’t know of any other real estate office with a 15-person marketing and public relations team behind every listing and development project.

Of the top realtor honors that you consistently collect, which make you most proud? 

Being ranked in the top 100 of The Wall Street Journal’s Top 250 Realtors in the United States for three consecutive years, THR The Hollywood Reporter Hollywood’s Top 25 Real Estate Agents and Variety Magazine’s 2015 Showbiz Real Estate Elite. It’s the validation of my results and a reminder of how fortunate I am that my clients trust me to sell their homes. 

Along with notable recognition, you have many high-profile clients. How do you conduct business in a way that attracts this type of clientele?  

Getting to know as many people as possible and continuously producing
results, coupled with my worth ethic and know-how, as well as getting referrals from high-profile clients.

And what does your expertise tell you about the latest Westside market trends? 

A lot of new construction… and traditional-style homes with a very strong contemporary influence. 

How in the last few years has the Westside real estate market shifted? 

There is a lack of inventory, a lot of buyers, and, as I mentioned before, lots of homes being built.

Where do you see this market headed in 2015?

I see it going up; prices per square foot will rise. There is a big gap between the per square price in Beverly Hills and in other high-end neighborhoods like Palisades, Brentwood, and Santa Monica. 

What do you do when you’re not selling homes?

Spending time with my family, and with myself. Reading, exercising, and socializing with friends. Balance is very important for me, my wife, and my family.

Check out the DIGS Influencer Podcast episode with Santiago Arana.

Photography Courtesy of Santiago Arana