TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY TO REAL ESTATE. WHY DID YOU BECOME A REAL ESTATE AGENT?
I began working in real estate as a private fix-and-flip investor in the SF Bay Area in 2017. In my previous corporate years, I worked as a project manager and process engineer for several solar companies, and before that as a quality engineer for Toyota.
While I had a good amount of success in those roles, deep down I always wanted to work more directly with customers while also having the flexibility of creating my own schedule.
So, I began investing full time, again with good success. However, after seven years working on my own, and having a child in that time, I decided to get my real estate license to increase the flexibility of my investing business. Then, I represented some buyers on a deal I decided not to buy myself, and I loved the experience of representing others in the transaction.
Also, I had been craving the energy support of a good team for some time. So, I started looking for quality local brokerages. Sequoia had the perfect mix of a great team culture, experience with investing, and homegrown local expertise. I also relished the opportunity of working more in my San Francisco neighborhood in the Sunset.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY?
Since 2017.
DO YOU HAVE ANY NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS OR AWARDS?
I've made very large profits on some very interesting deals by connecting deeply with the sellers. You'll have to ask me in person if you want to hear the details.
IF YOU ARE NEW TO REAL ESTATE, DOES ANYTHING FROM YOUR PREVIOUS JOB HELP YOU AS AN AGENT?
While I was able to develop strong social skills in my roles as a project manager and technical skills as an engineer, I found that working for myself gave me the ability to wear lots of hats. I was able to do a lot of things pretty well. Now that I'm with Sequoia, I'm looking forward to doing a few focused things extremely well.
WHICH AREAS DO YOU FOCUS ON?
I focus on single-family homes, often with long-term ownership and high equity. Many times, the properties have been neglected. I've completed a lot of probate and inheritance deals, and now I'm expanding more into farming my own neighborhood as well.
DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN A SPECIFIC CITY OR CITIES?
The Sunset in San Francisco.
WHAT MOST EXCITES YOU ABOUT YOUR WORK?
What excites me most about my work are the freedom and limitless opportunity for growth. The wide variety of options and excitement of not knowing what will come next, and then figuring out how to make it work. I also love helping people. One of my favorite parts of my work is seeing and hearing my clients' happiness when the transaction is completed.
WHAT ARE THREE WORDS YOUR CLIENTS WOULD USE TO DESCRIBE YOU?
Dedicated, Tenacious, Trustworthy.
Here's a recent testimonial:
"Dear Ted, Thank you so much for the gorgeous flowers and lovely note. That was very thoughtful of you! It sure was a wild ride, but one that ended favorably for both of us, for which I am very grateful.
I truly believe our paths crossed for a reason, and that we were predestined to cross this finish line together. The plot twist in the eleventh hour is something I will never forget. Thank you for saving the deal for us! Your knowledge, tenacity, and strong work ethic will take you far in this business. In the words of the great Dr. Seuss, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”
With deep gratitude,
Gioia "
WHY CHOOSE YOU VS. ANOTHER AGENT? WHAT DO YOU OFFER THAT OTHER AGENTS DON’T?
My previous clients would all describe me as knowledgeable, dedicated, trustworthy, and tenacious, while also being very kind and focused on a positive outcome.
I take to heart that buying or selling a home is a deeply emotional life experience and that oftentimes a lot of family memories are involved. Whether it's memories that were already made or are about to be, I make sure that my clients stay informed of the major details they need to know while also handling all the things I can myself to make their experience as smooth as possible. If a problem arises, I come to them with a solution.
At the end of the day, I do what I say I will do, and people can see that in me from the very beginning. I always enjoy their happiness when I prove them right.
DESCRIBE YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH ANY ORGANIZATIONS, CLUBS, GROUPS, MEETUPS, OR SPECIAL INTERESTS.
- SJRENC (San Jose Real Estate Networking Club)
- SF-Oakland Euchre Group
WHERE HAVE YOU LIVED? AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I grew up in the Greater Cincinnati area, in a suburban part of Northern Kentucky near the Ohio River. It was a mix of farming families and white-collar executives who worked for large companies like Proctor & Gamble and Fidelity Investments.
I graduated with my BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kentucky in 2006 and went to work as a quality engineer at Toyota right after school.
In 2009, I took a buyout from Toyota during the financial crisis and moved to SF with my then-wife for her residency at UCSF. I at first did some private tutoring while dabbling in real estate investing and then transitioned into project management at several young solar companies.
In 2017, I stepped away from the corporate world to invest on my own, got remarried in 2019 (right before the pandemic), moved to the Sunset in 2020, and now I've joined Sequoia Real Estate.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A NEIGHBORHOOD?
Community, safety, family-friendliness, cleanliness, and walkability.
WHAT BAY AREA CITY WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE IN AND WHY?
The only Bay Area city I'd like to live in is the only one I've ever lived in: San Francisco.
WHAT ARE THE FIVE THINGS YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT?
- My wife
- My son
- My dog
- A sense of hope
- A sense of adventure
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU WHEN YOU'RE NOT WORKING?
Hiking, cooking, traveling, or spending time with my family. Usually, I do all of those things with them.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR DREAM VACATIONS?
To visit Antarctica. I dream of visiting all seven continents.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A 5-YEAR-OLD CHILD IF THEY ASKED YOU WHAT THE PURPOSE OF LIFE IS?
To make yourself and others happy.
WHAT WAS THE HAPPIEST MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE?
Marrying my wife at Stern Grove in San Francisco. It was a true moment of triumph for me for several reasons.
IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
I'd be a dog. They have pretty sweet lives—or at least mine and her best friend do.
WHO INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?
Kelvin does, truthfully. He's full of energy and enthusiasm, is clearly comfortable being himself, and is all about supporting and helping his team grow.
WHICH SITCOM CHARACTER DO YOU RELATE TO MOST?
Michael Bluth in Arrested Development. He's the smart, capable person managing the craziness in the room.
WHAT IS THE NICEST THING ANYONE EVER SAID TO YOU?
"Any company who hires you will be very lucky." A classmate told me this while we were in line to graduate from engineering school. She was a top student like me, and I really respected her.
WHAT IS THE STRANGEST ACTIVITY ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?
To go hang gliding. It might not be strange per se, but I think it's somewhat unique.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PHOBIA?
Loneliness.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MONTH OF THE YEAR AND WHY?
May. It's when the days are getting longer, the weather is beautiful, and people are making plans for their upcoming vacations. It's also a good month for real estate.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ROOM IN THE HOUSE?
Tough question, but I'd say the living room. It's where I get to hang out with my family, pet my dog, and watch my favorite television and movies.
WHAT MAGICAL POWER WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE?
I'd want to fly. I love gorgeous views and vistas, and I'd love the freedom of being able to move around quickly. It'd also be fun taking dives and surfing wind currents. Birds seem to like doing that.
WHAT IS YOUR PET PEEVE?
Inconsideration.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT YOURSELF?
You're catching me at a very happy and exciting part of my life.
