When people first meet Jim, they’re sometimes surprised to discover that he’s a prominent and successful REALTOR®. He comes across as a modest and low-key kind of guy. “Not all salespeople are boisterous extroverts,” he confided. “I truly enjoy communicating and interacting with my clientele in my own thoughtful way. My quiet determination assists me in searching for and locating the perfect properties for my clients. My calm personality helps quell my clients’ concerns and enables me to focus on solving problems during the highly emotional process of buying and selling real estate. Most importantly, I listen carefully to my clients. By doing so, I can empathize with their needs and priorities, providing them with excellent customer service and helping them find the homes of their dreams.”
A real estate transaction can be a complex and emotional event that often takes on a life of its own. I break the process down into its components, making it more manageable, and consequently, smoother and simpler for my clients. In addition, I work cooperatively and fluidly with my assistant and team, crossing over and handling each other’s functions when needed, to ensure that there are no gaps in the high level of communication and efficiency that our office provides.
Jim first began in sales in the insurance industry over 28 years ago. However he was always interested in real estate even since he was in high school. He pursued his interest through education and received his real estate license in 1982. Like most licensees, he was approached and recruited by several different companies. He joined Coldwell Banker and spent five years building his business and reputation there. Jim moved to Merrill Lynch and continued his success for the next five years until Merrill Lynch was purchased by Prudential California Realty who decided to shut down several of their offices due to a downturn in the economy in early 90’s, included was the Santa Clarita office. Jim than joined Realty Executives’ newly formed office in Santa Clarita. He was attracted to the company’s distinguished reputation as an independent real estate firm, which became the dominant force in Santa Clarita Valley’s market. Jim currently works out of Realty Executives office in Newhall (first of four in SCV) with his assistant.
“Early in my career I understood that in order to grow my business, I needed to satisfy my clients 100 percent,” he asserted. “I do this by surrounding myself with top professionals in an organized team to help me handle everything that an outstanding and thorough real estate agent must do.” All necessary and time-consuming jobs and functions are handled capably allowing me to spend more time with my clients, concentrating on areas such as planning market strategy for properties, focusing on contract negotiations, prospecting for buyers for my listings and communicating with my clients. All of this translates to superior customer service.”
Both buyers and sellers benefit from Jim’s proactive business approach. “We have the systems, personnel and resources in place to actively market our properties within the brokerage community,” explained Mangassarian.
Jim personally invests a lot of extra time and effort in keeping his clients informed at every stage of the real estate process. He supplies them with important market analysis and details to help them understand the trajectory of their own transactions. He realizes how much clients appreciate and depend upon feedback and follow-through and prides himself on returning each and every phone call—often sooner than clients expect.
“Customer service has both practical and philosophical applications,” continued Jim. “I believe in the principle that, ‘what goes around, comes around.’ I have always used this as the guideline for putting my clients’ best interests at the forefront of every transaction. This approach is the only ethical, rational and professional way to conduct this business.”
“Customer service is my primary focus,” said Mangassarian. “I’ve invested in building trustworthy, lifelong relationships with my clients. The goal is to guide them toward sound and sensible real estate decisions, based upon a big picture perspective. I’m personally committed to making the real estate process more understandable and less emotionally turbulent for my clients by listening carefully to their questions and concerns and keeping them well informed through frequent conversations and updates. I think it’s vitally important for agents to prepare clients for a spectrum of possible scenarios within their transaction and be accessible and supportive of them when the unexpected occurs.”
Not all customers want the same frequency or degree of communication from the real estate reps. We are sensitive to these differences and adjust our levels of interaction to suit the clients’ individual needs. However, all sellers receive written reports from our office, including information about when a property was shown and by whom, comments from the showing, current market analysis, a mini CMA detailing what’s active in their neighborhood, recommendations regarding price adjustments, copies of all advertising and much more.
Jim enjoys working with buyers and sellers at all levels of real estate. He represents properties throughout the Santa Clarita Valley area which include: Valencia, Newhall, Bouquet/Saugus, Canyon Country/Sand Canyon, Castaic/Val Verde, Stevenson Ranch, Agua Dulce and Acton plus the entire San Fernando Valley and some surrounding cities. He’s intimately familiar with neighborhood details and available inventory. He’s handled everything from residential (resale plus new home sales), ranches, land, income property, commercial/industrial (sales & lease) and business opportunities. He’s experienced and can assist his clients with bank foreclosures, short sales and probate transactions.
Jim knows the communities and inventory he represents like the back of his hand. His longevity and activity in the local market enables him to point his clients to a variety of opportunities. From planned unit developments (Valencia) with it’s paseo’s leading to parks and recreation to old town charm (Newhall) with its custom homes and grand oak trees, to newly formed (Stevenson Ranch) with it’s modern architecture to large Estate size homes and ranches (Sand Canyon) with its gated communities. It’s a stimulating environment to work in.”
Jim mentioned a recent sale of a typical tract home. They kept track of every agent and client who came to view the property, along with their own buyer leads. When an identical model went on the market several weeks later, they were prepared to contact agents and buyers who were already attracted to and familiar with the location and property. This method of tracking and contacting prospective buyers, coupled with traditional advertising in newspapers and specialty magazines, yields superior results.
“Jim has such a well–trained eye for architecture and design, he can preview a home and immediately spot the few things a seller should do in order to maximize what a buyer will see in their home, thereby maximizing their return. We also provide our clients with a very handy list of recommended service providers and reliable vendors who can help them accomplish their home improvement goals.”
Jim can easily relate to all of his clients, regardless of their financial circumstances. He built his thriving business from the ground up, ignited by a strong work ethic and deep sense of responsibility. He clearly remembers the anxieties and pressures of being a first-time homeowner and can easily empathize with newcomers to the real estate arena. At the other end of the spectrum Jim’s cumulative real estate expertise, prominent reputation and innate confidence enable him to meet the needs of his VIP clients and investors.
Everyone is seeking safe and secure communities, high-quality school systems and excellent purchase, sale and resale values. The bottom line is that all of Jim’s clients, regardless of their price range, receive the same standard of unparalleled service.
Jim is personally and professionally nourished and challenged by his real estate career. He especially loves and feels rewarded by “touching lives and helping people” through this profession. It’s clear that his interests and passions, anchored by his total commitment to customer service, has produced an award-winning career. Like fine wine, he will continue to improve with time!
During negotiations, Jim provides excellent customer service by remaining calm and neutral. He gives advice, facilitate and help clients resolve any problems that come up. Jim’s years of experience make the ultimate difference in terms of keeping clients out of trouble and helping them get the highest possible transaction prices. “ We do not, however, make decisions for our clients,” said Mangassarian. “If a client is unhappy and negotiations stall, we will review all the practical solutions and options with them. Our job is to recommend what’s best for the principals in each transaction, so that they can make informed and wise decisions. In addition, other agents like doing business with us because we’re on top of our paperwork and deadlines and known for constructing win-win situations in order to successfully complete a transaction. We’re honest, reliable and effective—and our extended professional circle, from fellow agents to title and escrow reps to contractors, understand and appreciate this.”
One factor that’s contributed to Jim’s longevity and stability in the business is his commitment to securing long-term benefits for his clients. “ I believe in total honesty with my clients. I sometimes counsel clients not to purchase a particular property because I know that it’s not a good match for them, the location isn’t right or it has weak resale value. I don’t mind losing these sales if I know that I’m guiding my clients toward a more beneficial long-term purchase. And most often, clients heed my advice and listen to my experience. The bottom line with my clients is that I care what they buy and how much they pay. I treat them like members of my own family, and they reward me with their loyalty, gratitude and support.”
“The core of our business revolves around customer service and helping people,” he continued. “Both the buyers and sellers I work with like to feel involved and informed. Having a great relationship with clients means listening to them, properly assessing their needs and keeping them up-to-date by communicating with them regularly.”
In addition, the cooperative and respectful relationship he enjoys within the brokerage community, and the fact that he approaches negotiations from a positive win-win perspective, only advances the process. He’s justifiably proud that he rarely loses a deal once it’s in escrow.
There are countless strategies that have helped shape Jim’s successful career. He works hard. He devotes time each day to building his business by contacting prospective, current and past clients and by networking within his sphere of influence. And he holds himself accountable to daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals.
When I asked Jim how much he works, he quipped, “ My son say’s that I work 24 hours a day! I often average 50 hours a week, including weekends. Truthfully, though, I’m always thinking real estate. I enjoy the challenges of matching up the perfect clients with the ideal properties, and I do so on a full-time basis!”
What’s next for Jim Mangassarian? He’s fulfilled by his career, pleased with his success, yet still challenged to grow and excel in his profession. His wife, Mary; son Raffi, bring much joy and humor into his life. Mary, who is a housewife, helps out with her parent’s bakery. Raffi is a junior high school student who loves computers and is totally obsessed with trains and roller coasters. Jim and Mary recently moved in and finished totally remodeling their new home---a true labor of love! Jim’s hobbies include among other things collecting Christmas ornaments, Dept. 56 lighted houses and model trains. He loves to decorate for Christmas by creating a winter wonderland miniature snow village and bringing to life with animation and sounds to entertain family, friends and clients.
You may contact Jim Mangassarian at Realty Executives.
Bus:661-286-8600 ext. 6697
Cell:661-904-9383
Fax:661-254-7463
Web Site: www.JimMangassarian.com
E-Mail: Jim@JimMangassarian.com