The Boutique Real Estate Group

August 12, 2014 by The Boutique Real Estate Group

A Day in the Life of Raj Qsar | www.Realtor.com

Raj Qsar is the principal owner of The Boutique Real Estate Group, an independent real estate brokerage that integrates mobile technology, brilliant design & creative storyboarding into their real estate transactions. His Southern California offices specialize in luxury homes and has expanded into the coastal region of Newport Beach. In his words, here is a peek into a day in his life.

Walk us through a typical day in your life.

My day typically starts at 5 a.m., sometimes a bit earlier. I just get up out of bed. No alarm. I grab my phone and head downstairs. I am totally a morning person. I make a protein shake and jump on my laptop and scroll through emails, Twitter, Instagram and then Facebook. I usually check analytics on our website and social channels, and look at ad campaign results.

On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, I am at the Crossfit gym by 6 a.m. After the gym, I am at home helping get the kiddos—Hannah, Emma, and Cooper—get ready for school. Breakfast, clothes, homework review, and they are off to school by 8:30 a.m., and I am off to one of our offices. At 8 p.m. or so, I start shutting down.

Phone / tablet / laptop / desktop of choice?

iPhone 5S, iPad Air, MacBook Pro with Retina Display, iMac 27″ on my desk. We are an Apple company.

Apps you can’t live without?

DocuSign, DocuSign Transaction Room, DropBox, Facebook, Instagram, and recently I have been using Refresh as I am meeting with so many people.

Emails sent per day? Received?

My Google app business account said I received 7,000 emails last month, and I sent out 1,400.

Tell us about your market.

We tend to market homes above $1 million. It was not intentional, but our services are considered luxury and tend to attract those types of buyers and sellers.

Real estate marketing has truly evolved over the last 10 years. We have developed a comprehensive strategy which showcases our client’s home through real-life video—actual movies—amazing photography, 360 HD V-tours, individual property websites for each home, staging and interior design, custom graphics and design, and a social media content strategy that reaches people on a global scale.

We have complete control over our designs, feel and strategy when marketing luxury real estate. When surfing the web for real estate, our listings stand out: they have a unique look and feel, and buyers recognize our listings as being “boutique-ivied”—and we believe every home has a story.

Total number of transactions you worked on last year? Expected this year?

I personally did about 40 transactions last year with an average sales price of about $2 million. I will do about the same this year, but our price point has moved up. Look for our new office in the beach city of Corona Del Mar in Newport Beach as we launch into the coastal Orange County real estate market.

What made you choose a career in real estate?

After watching an agent “sell” our first home, I knew there had to be a better way. I personally held the open houses, I printed the flyers, I wrote the content. That was all pre-social.

It was so massively complicated, and we were so in the dark the whole way through. I had an “Ah, ha!” moment back in 2008 as technology and social media found real estate. We knew there had to be a better way of not only marketing real estate but also of managing the mountain of paperwork and people involved in a real estate transaction.

So in a sense, our team has digitized the real estate experience. You will never find our clients running to a fax machine and most likely never even pick up a pen to sign anything. We are a paperless office, completely mobile and can run an entire real estate transaction from our iPads and phones. Our technology does not require our clients to be tech savvy—it only requires our agents to understand the benefits of technology and to implement that technology with our clients.

What’s the biggest challenge the real estate industry faces today?

One of the biggest challenges in real estate today is that everyone seems to be swimming in the same pool. There is no original creative. Nobody wants to tell a story. There is an old quote, “Those who tell the stories rule the world.” What I love is when I meet someone, and they just instantly pick up with a story. We believe this type of mindset is so needed in our industry.

What advice would you give to new agents?

The advice I would give to a new agent entering into the world of real estate would be to join an amazing team. And I do not just mean a busy team, but an amazing, highly-respected team where you can learn, experience and absorb everything and anything that is real estate. That includes not only all the “beautiful and shiny” things that real estate offers, but also all the challenges that real estate brings each and everyday: from contracts, lender guidelines and appraisals to staging, photography, pre- and post-processing of photos, editing video, print campaigns and the entire social media and web content strategy.

Who inspires you the most?

Jesus Christ because he changed my heart.

Link to original article.

Previous “A Day In The Life” articles:

Sarah Schnell Jones

Carol Wolfe

Tiffany Kjellander

Geeky Girl Laurie Davis

Sam DeBord

Bill Lublin

August 7, 2014 by The Boutique Real Estate Group

Throw Back Thursday | The Boutique Real Estate Group | #TBT

Great memories of a fabulous listing we actually sold twice within a 1 year time span. #tbt

Visit the Website.

Watch The Movie.

Digitally Walk This Home.

The villas dotting the hilltops in Andalusia, Spain provided the stimulus for this custom built residence nestled into the Northeast Slope of this Southern California coastal foothill known as Shady Canyon in Irvine. A thoughtful compilation of simple horizontal white washed building forms, brick elements, pointed arches, and moorish tile accents are evocative of an unintended complex of buildings evolved over multiple generations. This private & gated 1.15 acre site is punctuated with several natural rock outcroppings that the floor plan layout playfully incorporates as focal design points.

Designed by reknown local Orange County Architect, R. Douglas Mansfield, this Andalusian masterpiece sits on a private 1.15 Acre Flat Plot Tucked into the hillside of Shady Canyon at the end of a Cul-De-Sac and backing up to Bommer Canyon. Approximatley 6,300 sq ft of Living, Six Bedrooms, 7 Bathrooms, 4 Car Attached Garage, Dual Wine Cellars, Professional Grade Appliances & Whole Home Lutron Automation highlight this Private Retreat. The outdoor space capitalizes on the massive flat lot by incorporating a gated circular driveway, fruit orchard, perfectly manicured landscape, Salt-Water Pool & Spa, Fire-Pit & massive grassy area for entertaining family & friends.

Shady Canyon is Orange County’s premier, guard-gated golf course community located in beautiful Irvine. Surrounded by 16,000 acres of natural sanctuary, Shady Canyon has approximately 400 luxury homes and home sites that exhibit stunning architectural designs, luxurious landscapes, abundant space and natural attributes.

Search All Shady Canyon Homes Here.

Connect with a Boutique Agent Today.

in Central Orange County / Orange County Luxury Real Estate / Orange County Real Estate / Orange County Social Media / Orange County Technology / South Orange County 0 comments

August 5, 2014 by The Boutique Real Estate Group

Top 10 Orange County Beaches | The Boutique Real Estate Group

Written by Melissa Sims

I spend probably half of my year at the beach. No joke. We are a family of surfers, scuba divers, spear gun hunters and stand-up paddlers. Squeezing the amazing beaches of Orange County into a ‘top 10’ is no easy task. With over 40 named beaches (and I’m sure numerous unnamed), trying to pick the best is like trying to compare wine to beer. You just can’t…each beach here in the OC has something unique and breathtaking about it. So let’s start south and head our way up.

1. San Onofre State Beach (my personal favorite)

Located in the southernmost coastal part of Orange County, San Onofre state beach is an old-school surfer mecca. You will not find any food stands or bike rentals here – this is strictly for the dedicated beach goer, as you have to be in line for parking no later than 6:00am on the weekend in order to find a spot. They let a limited number of cars in, so if you show up late, you can count on waiting for someone to leave before you get your spot. Why such a draw? Well, for starters, you park DIRECTLY in front of the sand. No sidewalks, no hauling your cart-o-crap. Just open up the trunk and set up shop. Everyone that comes here respects the beach, and usually respects you (as long as you aren’t THAT guy). The surfing at San Onofre, affectionately called ‘Old Man’s,’ is smooth, somewhat consistent and perfect for longboarders and beginners (on a small day). You won’t find a lot of young groms here ripping arials. It’s an awesome vibe and a clean beach – the San Onofre Surfing Club takes impeccable care of this beach, with hand-built showers and garden walks. Cost to park = $15 (or buy a state park annual pass for $195, good at any state beach).

2. Doheny State Beach

Located in Dana Point, just south of the harbor, Doheny is notorious for it’s unhealthy water report. It has gotten cleaner in past years, but still ranks among the ‘bad’ in Orange County. So why is this beach on our list? Doheny is the ultimate beach trip – with an awesome snack shack, volleyball courts, barbeques, camping, grassy lawn and promenade with rentals. Doheny used to have one of the best breaks in Southern California, but once the jetty was built, the shape of the wave changed and it is now known as one of the best beginner spots in Orange County. In addition, the city of Dana Point puts on some spectacular events at Doheny, including Doheny Days, the Blues Festival and the annual Outrigger Canoe Races. Even if you don’t get in the water, Doheny is definitely worth a visit.

3. Salt Creek

Buzzing up the coast, just north of Doheny in Laguna Niguel, is a gem called Salt Creek. Not the easiest to get to from your car…you have to hike down a very steep hill to get to the beach, so pack lightly. The trek is worth it – trust me. With beautiful cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and a view of the Ritz-Carlton high above, you’ll feel like you’ve found a private paradise – except for the crowds. It can get quite busy here, so head out early. There is a snack shack and restrooms here, so you really just need the essentials. Salt Creek is a popular spot for surfers and skim-boarders, and not always the best for swimming. There is also a grassy park above the beach, for those that just want the view. Metered parking.

4. Treasure Island, Laguna Beach

Arguably one of the MOST beautiful beaches in Southern California, Treasure Island Beach is located below the famous Montage Resort in Laguna Beach. Meander along spectacular paths, peppered with California native plants and views of the posh resort. Take the stairs down to the beach and you will understand why this beach is so special. Not only is this beach spectacular in its own right, it is also known for it’s protected tidepools. The Montage Resort offers docents to educate the public on busy weekends and holidays, during low tide. Metered parking, very limited.

5. Crescent Bay, Laguna Beach

I like to pretend this is my little secret, I’ve just let everyone in on it! Crescent Bay is a beach found in a residential area of Laguna Beach. It is not easy to park, nor easy to walk to…but locals love this spot for it’s sheer beauty. Surrounded by cliffs, with mega-mansions to gawk at, this crescent-shaped beach is absolutely stunning. No sound of trains or traffic…just crashing waves and seagulls and pelicans. You will spot the occasional dolphin or sea lion, but mostly just sparkling waters and easy-going people. Beware – the waves can get quite powerful. Limited metered street parking.

6. Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Beach

Personally, I’m a state park kind of gal. I love feeling like I am getting away from the crowds and enjoying the beauty of nature. If you like that too, you’ll love Crystal Cove. Surprisingly, this is right off of Coast Highway – but has a huge preserve between the water and the highway, so you’ll never hear any traffic noise. The park is quite expansive, with 3.2 miles of coastline, offering mountain biking, scuba/skin diving, horseback riding, swimming and surfing. There is also a campground across the street and primitive camping at Moro Ridge. In addition, Crystal Cove is home to the famous Beachcomber Café and the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages, available for rent through ReserveAmerica.com. The history of Crystal Cove dates back to the early 1900s, as a favorite spot of the Irvine family and shooting spot for many classic movies. This is definitely one of Orange County’s best treasures!

7. Corona Del Mar

‘Big Corona’

A favorite spot for families, Corona del Mar is located just south of the Newport Bay jetty, off of Ocean Blvd. and Breakers Drive. A huge parking lot and spectacular views bring lots of crowds, but this spot never feels touristy. This is a great beach for kids because the waves are much calmer than other local spots because of the jetty. But you’ve been warned – LOTS of kids. If you aren’t in the mood for that, go to elsewhere. Parking is $15, and even though this is a state beach, it is run by the City of Newport Beach – so you can’t use the annual parking pass here.

‘Little Corona’

Little Corona is just south of Big Corona, off of Poppy Street. This is one of the only beaches where you don’t have to walk down stairs to get to the sand. It is a path entry, making wheeling your equipment down very easy. It has a public restroom and showers, and is a local favorite for diving and children. It is flanked on both sides with rocky reefs, so waves are not an issue here. Snorkeling is another favorite activity here. Street parking only.

8. The Wedge, Newport Beach

If you want to see some of the biggest, most mind-boggling waves, go to the Wedge. On a big day, the surf can reach 30 feet…yes, that’s right. 30 feet! Not known for swimming, this is mainly for bodyboarding and body surfing, and if the sets are optimal, surfing. In the winter, this is a major spot for watching some serious talent. During summer months, from May-October, boards of any type are not allowed so that others can enjoy the water. Not only good for water-watching, the beach itself is great, and offers amazing sunset views.

9. Newport Beach

Newport Beach is so spread out that it is hard to feel crowded in once you are on the sand. With great restaurants and bars close by, you’ll never get bored here. Rent a beach cruiser in town and experience Newport like the locals do. All thirteen of Newport’s beaches have been ranked superbly high in cleanliness. Just beware of major holidays, it can turn into a crowded party scene. If you want to be closer to the ‘scene’, head over towards 24^th street. If you want to stay away from the crowds, head north, closer to 38^th street or Superior. Parking is a nightmare, and you’ll likely circle for some time trying to find a street spot. But this is definitely not a beach you want to miss experiencing. Quintessential Orange County.

10. Huntington City Beach

Infamous, or just famous? With recent press, Huntington Beach is getting a bad rap. 90% of the time, this beach is just like every other beach. But during major holidays and events, it has been known recently to have a rough crowd. Located just off Main Street and PCH, Huntington is one of the most recognized beaches in America. Regardless of some of the recent events here, people still visit in droves to experience Surf City at its finest. You have the best of everything here – surf, sand, good food and great people watching. Not only can you walk the pier, you can hop across the highway to some of the hottest party spots in town. Visit in early August and watch the US Open of Surfing. This year, promoters are banning alcohol sales and will not have live music – in an effort to bring the focus back to the sport of surfing, and away from partying. I say, ignore the bad press and give Huntington Beach a chance. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Honorable mention:

Main Beach, Laguna

50% surfing, 50% people watching. Main beach is located in the busiest part of Laguna, right in the heart of downtown. There are volleyball and basketball courts right off the highway, and a boardwalk that snakes down the beach. There are tons of easily accessible restaurants right across the street, so don’t be surprised to see people walking barefoot through downtown in nothing but a bathing suit. This is probably the most crowded beach in Orange County…sometimes it is hard to see any sand because the beach is so full. This beach is great for families, as there is a large play area for kids. Regardless of the crowds, still one of the best beaches in OC. Park on a side street and you’ll be fine.

So, where will you be heading?

Connect with Melissa Sims at http://TheBoutiqueRE.com/Melissa-Sims or Melissa.Sims@TheBoutiqueRE.com

in Coastal Orange County / Orange County Luxury Real Estate / Random Orange County 0 comments

August 2, 2014 by The Boutique Real Estate Group

32 Bell Chime #2, Irvine, Ca 92618

Please call 949-612-2535 for a private showing of this home.

32 Bell Chime is a Fully Upgraded Executive Home in The Portola Springs Community of Bougainvillea in Irvine. This Home Boasts Approximately 2,300 square feet of Living Space with 4 Bedrooms + Office (Optional 4th Bedroom) + Loft (Optional 5th Bedroom) & 3.5 Baths. Gourmet Chefs Kitchen with Granite Slab Countertops & Backsplash, Stainless Steel Appliances, Huge Center Island with Breakfast Bar. Beautiful Artisan Laid Travertine Tile Floors Downstairs with Coordinating Upgraded Carpet & Custom Paint Throughout. Media Niche in Living Room with In-Ceiling Speakers, Fireplace, Ceiling Fan, Custom Window Coverings & Whole Home Intercom. Opulent Master Bedroom with Balcony & Master Bathroom with Dual Vanities, Custom Backsplash, Spa Tub with Custom Tile Surround, Upgraded Tile Floors & Dual Walk-In Closets with Built-Ins. Second Level Office (Optional 4th Bedroom) with In-Ceiling Speakers & Media Center Built-Ins & 3rd Level Loft (Optional 5th Bedroom with Custom Built In Three Person Workstation and Private Bath. Great Entertainers Backyard with BBQ Island, Stainless Steel BBQ & Plenty of Room to Entertain. Two Car Attached Garage with Custom Built-Ins & Overhead Storage. Community Features include Clubhouse, Swimming Pool, Spa, Basketball & Tennis Courts, Playgrounds and Lush Parks. Minutes Away From The Irvine Spectrum, The Great Park, Fabulous Schools, Shopping, Dining, Entertainment & Easy Freeway Access.

in Central Orange County / Orange County Luxury Real Estate / Orange County Real Estate / Orange County Social Media / Orange County Technology 0 comments

July 28, 2014 by The Boutique Real Estate Group

Zillow set to acquire Trulia for $3.5B in stock

Via Zillow

Combination of companies sets stage to offer more real estate tools and services that empower consumers and drive more business for real estate professionals

Jul 28, 2014

SEATTLE and SAN FRANCISCO, July 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Zillow, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Trulia, Inc. (NYSE: TRLA) for $3.5 billion in a stock-for-stock transaction. The Boards of Directors of both companies have approved the transaction, which is expected to close in 2015.

The combined company will maintain both the Zillow and Trulia consumer brands, offering buyers, sellers, homeowners and renters access to vital information about homes and real estate for free, and providing advertising and software solutions that help real estate professionals grow their business. At closing, Trulia CEO Pete Flint will remain as CEO of Trulia reporting to Zillow CEO, Spencer Rascoff, and will join the Board of Directors of the combined company. In addition, at closing, a second member of Trulia’s Board of Directors will join the board of the combined company. Further operational and organizational details will be announced at closing.

“Consumers love using Zillow and Trulia to find vital information about homes and connect with the best local real estate professionals,” Rascoff said. “Both companies have been enormously successful in creating compelling consumer brands and deep industry partnerships, but it’s still early days in the world of real estate advertising on mobile and Web. This is a tremendous opportunity to combine our resources and achieve even more impressive innovation that will benefit consumers and the real estate industry.”

“Trulia and Zillow have a shared mission and vision of empowering consumers while helping real estate agents, brokerages and franchisors benefit from technological innovation,” said Flint. “By working together, we will be able to create even more value for home buyers, sellers, and renters, as well as create a robust marketing platform that will help our industry partners connect with potential clients and grow their businesses even more efficiently. Our two companies share complementary employee cultures with innovative, consumer-first philosophies and a deep commitment to create the best products and services for our industry partners.”

Both Zillow and Trulia are primarily media companies, generating the majority of revenue through advertising sales to real estate professionals. Despite continued growth as public companies, significant opportunities of scale remain as the majority of advertising dollars in the real estate sector have yet to migrate online or to mobile. For example, the two companies’ combined revenue currently represents less than 4 percent of the estimated $12 billion[i] real estate professionals spend on marketing their services to consumers each year.

Zillow and Trulia are two rapidly growing real estate sites on mobile and the Web, enabling advertisers to reach a large and expanding consumer base. In June, Zillow reported a record 83 million unique users across mobile and Web[ii]. For the same month, Trulia reported a record 54 million monthly unique users across its sites and mobile apps[iii]. The two brands have limited consumer overlap – approximately half of Trulia.com’s monthly visitors do not visit Zillow.com, and approximately two-thirds of Zillow.com’s monthly visitors across all devices do not use Trulia.com[iv]. Maintaining the two distinct consumer brands will allow the combined company to continue to offer differentiated products and user experiences, attract more users and maximize the distribution of free content across multiple platforms, apps and channels.

in Random Orange County 0 comments

July 23, 2014 by The Boutique Real Estate Group

TOP 10 ICSF TAKEAWAYS AS AN ICSF NOOB

By: The Boutique Real Estate Group

It’s been two years since I started my journey in the Real Estate Industry. InMan Connect San Francisco is the first big real estate conference I have been to, the other being a workshop in Las Vegas with Mike Ferry. The conference was a full 2.5 days of speakers, workshops, and networking. It was like a wonderful smashup of those who are at the top of the Real Estate Industry, trading info on the newest apps, innovative concepts, tips and crazy ideas.

1. On buyer experience- What is more important to a buyer: Relationship or Convenience? When Redfin CEO, Glenn Kelman took the stage on Day 1, my love/hate relationship with Redfin deepened with a new reality check. Kelman’s team found that when browsing properties online, buyers value the convenience more than the relationship of an agent- every time. The invention of the 4G mobile device allows us the instant gratification of getting what we want at the touch of a screen/button/app. Today’s savvy homebuyer will prefer the agent who can show them the property at that very instant instead of the one who they may have been communicating with on and off.

2. Be efficient or be extinct! Don’t reinvent the wheel- simplify your workflow, and improve your system. By 12 noon each day of the conference, there would be at least 5-10 new apps downloaded on my iPad. In fact, there was a room FULL of little booths set up with the newest apps and goodies available for the world of real estate. A few that definitely stood out to me were Refresh, Twilio, Tempo, HouseCall, Updater, Lenda, and Lumentus.

3. Information asymmetry only helps the sellers with the lemons. In the used car market, people used to have no way in telling if they were going to end up with a bad car since the only person who knew was the person selling it. This resulted in low-baller buyers who factored in repair costs when haggling while sellers with the good cars end up never selling because it wouldn’t be worth it. So the only cars that ended up selling were the bad ones at average used car prices. When purchasing anything of value, people love information. With the largest purchase decision of their life, people want to know everything and anything that may alter their decision about purchasing the home. The Internet is a beautiful thing, but misinformation can be a huge problem. Sometimes things are simply just not true, and at that moment, you need to be the professional who can clarify between fact and myth. Therefore, give your clients all the information they need, give them the resources, and be a trusted filter. A consumer who is educated in the market are becomes the fastest transaction. No one wants a lemon.

4. Uber-fying the real estate transaction. The term “uberfy” started trending at ICSF from the very start and is basically used to describe anything that is able to help bridge the gap between consumer and services. How can we leverage that in real estate? Have an awesome online presence! Be on ZTR (Zillow/Trulia/Realtor.com), have a social network, and answer your phone. Embrace the advances in our industry through technology and make it work for your business. A great agent encompasses a combination of professionalism, local expertise, and a great online presence. There is no point having a great product that no one knows about.

5. Work your angle. There are three types of brokerages out there: Corporate firms (REMAX, Century 21, etc), boutique firms (The Boutique Real Estate Group), and discount firms. Know your advantages and disadvantages when working at each type of firm and make sure it is aligned with how you want to operate your business. As Charles Moore put it, “Safeway can be our neighbor, but my wife shops at Whole Foods.”

6. Rich people like free stuff. Ok, so who doesn’t? There are many new things I’ve learned at ICSF and quite a few I already practice (which makes feel great about myself). Then, there are the things that other top agents do that make my practices look like child’s play. Alex Wang, for example practices vacation stalking where he finds out where his clients go on vacation and literally calls the hotel to make sure they receive an awesome care package upon their arrival. In a big transaction, the little things matter.

7. Take it from the top! Many of us take referrals for granted. So your best friend’s sister needs to buy a home. Instead of assuming the sale, you have to win them over again and again. Start from the top and give them the top service their friend or family promised them!

8. Bake, don’t eat! Guy Kawasaki shares with us on Enchantment: Eaters see that there’s only one cake, the more they eat, the less everyone else gets. A baker says they can make another pie, and everyone can have dessert. The best way to get what you want is to make sure the other person gets what they want first! Bakers are also innovative; they can bake cakes, cookies, or brownies and make everyone feel like they have been taken care of. So if you don’t mind my version: Bake, Serve, then Eat!

9. Build an ecosystem. Often times as real estate professionals, we see ourselves becoming unlicensed counselors, therapists, movers, gardeners, maids, and the list goes on. Have a great list of professionals to offer your clients and focus on your own job- helping your clients buy/sell their home.

10. Put yourself in their shoes. If you were about to move to a brand new country, state, community, what would be the first thing you do? In the Global Luxury Connect session, Gary Gold talked about making a YouTube video helping buyers understand the process of buying a home. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in all of the details of a transaction that we forget to remind our clients of the big picture. Being able to really understand a client’s challenges and actually help them solve it will change everything. Helpful is the new viral!

If there was a #11, it would be to NETWORK! My only regret after the conference was that I didn’t network enough. I got a little too excited that I was going to be visiting NorCal and I jam-packed my after conference schedule with other dinners and social events. I highly recommend ICSF to any agent who hasn’t yet experienced it. Many thanks to Raj Qsar for always encouraging and challenging us with the industry’s best opportunities and innovations.

Find the full schedule of ICSF 2014 here.

in Central Orange County / Coastal Orange County / North Orange County / Orange County Luxury Real Estate / Orange County Real Estate / Orange County Social Media / Orange County Technology / Random Orange County / South Orange County 0 comments

July 21, 2014 by The Boutique Real Estate Group

Live From Real Estate Connect | Raj Qsar & Mark Fitzpatrick

This week’s “Mobile Agent TV” is a special episode was LIVE from INMAN CONNECT SAN FRANCISCO.

Our guest is Mark Fitzpatrick who is the CEO at RUHM, which is a full-service “Destination Marketing Agency” of marketers, real estate consultants, and artists that promote the world’s finest destinations.

We will also be joined by, friend of the show, RAJ QSAR who is a finalist for Inman’s “MOST INNOVATIVE REAL ESTATE AGENT” award and is owner of THE BOUTIQUE REAL ESTATE GROUP IN ORANGE COUNTY.

Watch the Google + Hangout Here.

July 20, 2014 by The Boutique Real Estate Group

10 Questions with Raj Qsar | The Boutique Real Estate Group

Raj Qsar, Principal/Owner of The Boutique Real Estate Group, part of Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate‘s Beta Brokerage Project. Read on as Raj answers ten questions with Clean Slate, and talks about digital and social engagement, buying a piece of dirt and Walt Disney.

Which of our BHGRE® P.A.I.G.E. (Passion, Authenticity, Innovation, Growth, Excellence) core values do you identify with most, and why?

Passion: This is truly at the root of who we are and what we stand for. There is a quote that our team references at meetings, on social and even in some of our marketing material, and it is by Walt Disney. “Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it they will want to come back and see you do it again and they will bring others and show them how well you do what you do.” We take such time and effort into the smallest of details when it comes to marketing, social, systems and execution that the final outcome is a culmination of multiple passionate minds at work and the results bring success to our agents and our clients.
What are your favorite qualities in a customer?

One of our favorite qualities in a customer is their ability to instantly trust us. Many of our clients meet us in real life after watching, sharing and engaging with us online and when they meet us they say, “you are all exactly who you seem you would be.” We know trust is built one block at a time and when you are building relationships, it is so important to realize that our clients are entrusting their largest worldly asset to our hands and our minds. But trust is so much more than an online to offline relationship, it is making and keeping promises to our clients and our agents as well. This enables a culture built on earned trust and respect for one another.
What is the one characteristic that’s helped you the most in your career?

The one characteristic that has helped me in my career is the ability to keep asking questions. We keep asking questions because we are just curious people. And when you are curious about something you tend to search until you find the answer. Albert Einstein said, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has it own reason for existing.”
What was the last book you read?

The last book I read was Peoplework by Chris Smith and Austin Allison with a forward written by Gary Vaynerchuk. We have become so digital in all we do. Everyone is head down and focused. And they are focused on their phone. So we forget sometimes that there is a person in that phone. A real, live, living, breathing individual. So it becomes increasingly important to almost have to remind yourself how to run a people-first business in a digital-first world, and that people communicate with people.
If you were not in real estate, what would you be doing?

If I were not in real estate I would most likely move to Napa, buy a piece of dirt, and build a winery.
What was the last song you heard that you couldn’t stop humming?

“Exit” by U2 from the album Joshua Tree.
Who is your real-life hero?

My real life hero is Jesus Christ because he changed my heart.
What is your favorite motto?

One of my favorite mottos is by Steven Covery from his book The 8th Habitand has to do with leadership. He says, “The 8th Habit Leader has the mindset and the skill set to constantly look for the potential in people. This kind of leadership communicates to people their own worth so clearly that they come to see it in themselves.”
If you could sell a home in any market in the world, where would it be?

It would be really fun to tell the story of an estate home in Italy on a Tuscan vineyard that has been passed down from generation to generation. The dirt, the grapes, the building and the people would be a wonderful opportunity to share with the world.
What advice would you give your younger self starting out in real estate?

The advice I would give to a new agent entering into the world of real estate would be to join an amazing team. And I do not just mean a busy team. But an amazingly highly respected team where you can learn, experience and absorb everything and anything that is real estate. That includes not only all the “beautiful and shiny” things that real estate offers, but also all the challenges that real estate brings each and everyday. From contracts, lender guidelines and appraisals to staging, photography, pre- and post-processing of photos, editing video, print campaigns and the entire social media and web content strategy.

This team would have to have systems in place that are actually used every single day…from lead generation to lead conversion to lead nurturing. From digital transaction management to eSigning and being 100% location independent by using your iPhone/iPad to manage the entire transaction. And finally, this team would need a culture that is pure, genuine and intentional by giving back to their hyper-local community.

Is this too much to ask for? I do not think so. I have met so many truly amazing people in this industry and I am re-affirmed each day that these people do exist.

in Orange County Luxury Real Estate / Orange County Real Estate / Orange County Social Media / Orange County Technology / Random Orange County 0 comments

July 17, 2014 by The Boutique Real Estate Group

Live From Real Estate Connect | Thursday July 17th at 5pm

This week’s “Mobile Agent TV” is a special episode, Thursday July 17th at 5pm PST, from Inman Connect San Francisco.

We will also be joined by, friend of the show, Raj Qsar who is a finalist for Inman’s “Most Innovative Real Estate Agent” award and is owner of The Boutique Real Estate Group in Orange County.

You can interact with us during the show using the #MATVlivehashtag on Twitter.

Watch intro video here!

in Central Orange County / Coastal Orange County / Corona Del Mar / North Orange County / Orange County Luxury Real Estate / Orange County Mortgage News / Orange County Real Estate / Orange County Social Media / Orange County Technology / Placentia / Random Orange County / South Orange County 0 comments

July 11, 2014 by The Boutique Real Estate Group

Top 5 Things To Do at Real Estate Connect #icsf

By: Raj Qsar

This will be my 4th Real Estate Connect hosted by Inman News in San Francisco and it is the one event I look forward to year in & year out. I remember my first Connect like it was yesterday and it really helped me connect with people & solidify connections I had made online over the years. So for all you first time or repeat attendees here is a simple Top 5 list for you before you head to #icsf:

1. Make a list of the people you want to meet “in real life (IRL).” Connect is an amazing time for me personally to connect with people who I admire and respect and make that true IRL connection. Some of the connections I have made at Connect have become life long friends on mine! Remember this quote from GaryV, “People are not addicted to social media. People are addicted to people.” Some of my friends I met at #icsf: @chris_smth @katielance @lauramonroe @tericonrad @debra11 @kellymitchell @nobuhata @topbrokeroc @kendyl @jefflobb @tkjellander @lisaarcher @lauriewdavis @jimmymackin @sethstuff

2. Attend the sessions that are a must attend for you! Look for the sessions that pull you out of your comfort zone and will challenge you on a professional level. See the full schedule here. For me I always get something new from “The New Kids On The Block” session which this year is on Wednesday July 16th at 10:10am and these “KIDS” are the startups that are changing the real estate game. Also of note this year is “The Uberification of Real Estate” session which is on Wednesday at 10:30am (sounds killer)! Did someone say Luxury? The session called Luxury Power Players will be off the kilt! Connect Here.

3. Meet the 2014 Inman Connect Ambassadors. Talk about a fab list of people! If you could create a memory with each of these rockstars at Connect it would truly be epic! Meet them here –> Real Estate Connect Ambassadors. Secret hint….They are having a mixer and you can meet them all there —> Click Here. Also, connect with everyone in the Real Estate Connect facebook group.

4. The Party after the Party! Do I need to say anymore? We all know the real fun starts after 10pm! So just ask around, jump in an Uber Cab (download app here) and find out where the action is!! Check your email for last minute invites to all the happening VIP parties and events. If you do not know where the party is just ask my friend @JeremyLehman!! Check out the video we made from ICSF2012.

5. Get out into the city! San Francisco is truly a gorgeous city with sights, sounds and killer food!!! Check out this drone fly over the city just in case you needed a visual! Click Here. And since our team at The Boutique Real Estate Group are total foodies check out this list of The 38 Essential San Francisco Restaurants.

If you made it this far here is my Top Secret List of must meets. Shhhhh, do not tell anyone. I am really shy and do not want anyone to know! =)

@avhellman