We recently connected with Jonathan Talassazan and have shared our conversation below.

Jonathan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When you’ve been a professional in an industry for long enough, you’ll experience an industry-wide U-Turn, an instance where the consensus completely flips upside down or where the “best practices” completely change. If you’ve experienced such a U-Turn over the course of your professional career, we’d love to hear about it.

In the real estate market, we often witness significant fluctuations and unexpected changes. Over the past four years, we’ve experienced a dramatic shift in interest rates, moving from historical lows to the current 7% range. The market has also transitioned from a period of buyer frenzies, where every property received multiple offers, to a situation where inventory has increased by 40%. However, the most profound U-turn I’ve encountered in my career is currently unfolding and will fundamentally alter the way we conduct business.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently reached a settlement that mandates several critical changes. Firstly, agents can no longer include buyer agent compensation on Multiple Listing Services (MLS). Secondly, agents must have written agreements with buyers, ensuring transparency and commitment. Finally, NAR MLS participants must disclose and obtain approval for any payments made by listing brokers or sellers to a buyer representative. These changes represent a significant shift in industry practices, emphasizing clarity, fairness, and accountability.

These adjustments will undoubtedly reshape the way real estate transactions are conducted, with a more transparent and equitable environment for all parties involved.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For those who may not be familiar with me, I’m Jonathan, a native of Los Angeles. My family has been involved in real estate since I was a kid, and I always knew I would end up in the industry. While my family members worked in the commercial field, my passion for the residential side of real estate was ignited when my parents sold their home. Being part of that process made me realize that helping people buy homes was exciting and life-changing.

As a real estate professional, I offer a range of services including helping clients buy, sell, and invest in properties. I understand the emotional complexity associated with home purchases and am dedicated to providing a seamless and supportive experience for my clients. My attention to detail and commitment to staying ahead of industry trends enable me to deliver top-notch service.

What sets me apart is my relentless dedication to my clients. I work tirelessly to ensure that their needs are met and their expectations exceeded. I pride myself on building strong, trusting relationships with my clients, guiding them through every step of the real estate process with care and expertise.

I am most proud of the positive impact I’ve had on my clients’ lives, helping them navigate one of the most significant decisions they will ever make. I want potential clients to know that I am here to provide not just a service, but a partnership built on trust, integrity, and a deep understanding of their unique needs.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

My social media presence grew with Instagram. I started by posting weekly property tours that received amazing feedback. I showcased new properties in LA and highlighted what’s hot in all the new homes in the $10M+ range. Over time, I made the videos more interactive by providing details about the homes and having people guess the price range. This was a great way to start conversations with people. The hardest part was maintaining consistency. Once COVID happened, I slowed down, but I’ve recently wanted to get back into it.

For those just starting to build their social media presence, here’s some advice:

Consistency is Key: Regular posting keeps your audience engaged and coming back for more.
Engage with Your Audience: Interactive content, like quizzes or Q&As, can help build a community.
Showcase Your Expertise: Share insights and details that highlight your knowledge and add value.
Stay Authentic: Be yourself and let your personality shine through your content.
Adapt and Evolve: Keep an eye on trends and be willing to adjust your strategy as needed.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

Absolutely, I’d be happy to share one of my favorite stories from my career. This particular tale involves a client I worked with for a couple of years, and it’s one that always reminds me that persistence and patience often pay off.

The journey began when my client approached me wanting to purchase a condo near his work. His initial plan was to use it part-time, but as we explored his options, he gradually shifted his focus towards investing in a duplex instead. It was a better long-term investment, and he was excited about the potential returns.

We spent a few months searching for the perfect property, and then, one day, we found it. It was a duplex that had everything he wanted, and we both felt it was the right fit. We crafted a compelling offer, and it seemed like everything was falling into place. However, just before our offer was accepted, an all-cash buyer swooped in and snagged the property from under us. Both my client and I were devastated.

Determined not to give up, I kept in close contact with the listing agent throughout their escrow. The agent repeatedly mentioned how difficult and nightmarish the all-cash buyer was to deal with, expressing regret that our offer wasn’t the one they had accepted. A couple of months after they closed, I received an unexpected call from the listing agent. The buyer wanted to sell the property but had no interest in being part of the transaction or working with the agent again due to the previous difficulties.

Seizing this opportunity, I stepped in and managed to double-end the deal. Remarkably, my client ended up purchasing the property for exactly what he had originally offered. It was one of those moments where I felt everything fell into place as it was meant to be. Despite the setbacks and frustrations, the outcome was ultimately better for my client than it would have been if we had secured the property initially.

This story is a testament to the fact that sometimes, what seems like a setback can actually be a setup for something better. The little hiccups along the way were certainly annoying, but in the end, my client got his ideal investment property, and it all worked out for the best.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.zillow.com/profile/SoldByJonathan?refresh=true
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/JonyTalassazan
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jony.Talassazan/