Charles Stephens

Agent Details

About Charles

Hello, I’m Charles Stephens and this is my website. I appreciate you taking the time to look it over. I am trying to make it an interesting place to not only search for property but to see what’s going on in the community and what is happening in the real estate market. Since this is the “about me” page I suppose I should tell you a little about myself, and my approach to the business of real estate. First, let me say that the process of buying and selling real estate is stressful. It doesn’t matter if this is your first home or your fifth, whether you’re getting married, divorced, transferred or assisting an elderly parent. There are a huge number of unforeseen factors the come into play. Many clients will react from an emotional place even if they don’t realize it at the time. It is the job of a good Realtor to not only recognize this but to anticipate it and help guide their clients through it. Second to that is marketing. Yes, second. All the clever ad campaigns, technology and Internet savvy will go a long way in bringing your property to the attention of qualified buyers but the relationship and trust you have with your Realtor is paramount to a successful transaction. Third is experience. Especially in La Jolla where homes can run to several million dollars the unique relationships that have developed over the years with the agents who work the La Jolla market allows for an atmosphere that while competitive is also communal. I have been a member of the La Jolla Real Estate Broker’s Association (REBA) for more than 10 years. While that may still be considered “new” by some of the older members it has given me the opportunity to work with many other agents and gain an understanding of how those agents approach a transaction. This can be a valuable tool when you begin the process of purchase negotiations. Finally a little more about me, I moved to San Diego in 1996 from Denver Colorado. I obtained my license in 1998 and went to work in real estate full time in 1999. I have always worked in the La Jolla market because of my many contacts here, but I have sold homes as far north as Encinitas and as far south as Point Loma and Hillcrest. I’ve even sold homes in places further inland like Sabre Springs and Rancho Bernardo. I’ve represented $200,000 condos and $5,000,000 homes. I started in the business when it was lukewarm stayed in while it reached the boiling point, and declined back down to freezing. And now at the end of the ice age I’m still here and still enjoying it. In 2005 I began doing residential rentals and property management. It has been a very successful part of my business. It gives me a solid base and allows me to work mindfully with buyers and sellers without the anxiety of needing to make a sale. I have made many great friends through this process and it continues to bring fresh contacts and connections. I’m probably not your typical agent. I like be comfortable and relaxed when I’m working. My jeans see more daylight than my suits do. When you call me I’m either going to answer my phone, or call you back myself. While I do have an assistant, her job allows me time to talk to you, not avoid talking to you. I have a tendency toward telling people what I think they need to hear as opposed to what they may want to hear. You shouldn’t tell a seller their house is worth $200,000 more than it is simply to get the listing and you shouldn’t tell a buyer that you think a house is perfect for them if it’s not. In this business some people will want to work with you and some will not. I want to work with people who want to work with me so I try to start from a point of clarity and honesty. I think we are going to work well together. But if not, I will refer a client to another agent that will be a better match. As I said in the beginning, this process can be very stressful and both the agent and the client must work together. I have all the resources needed to help you achieve your goals in real estate in La Jolla or elsewhere in San Diego. So please give me a call or send me an email. I will happy to talk to you about the market, rentals, and investment property or just what’s happening around the community. Take care, Charles

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