3 Minutes With Pacific Palisades Real Estate Broker Anthony Marguleas

Anthony Marguleas founded Amalfi Estates in 1995. As a Realtor, Marguleas has sold close to $1 billion in properties in Pacific Palisades and the surrounding area and was recently selected by The Wall Street Journal as one of the top 60 agents in the country — out of more than 1 million agents.

How does he buy and sell so much real estate in the Los Angeles area? Patch sat down with him on a virtual park bench and asked some questions.

What’s the best part about doing business in your town?

The hometown feel.

If you were to get an indulgent snack in your town, where would you go and what would you get?

The Yogurt Shoppe on Swarthmore and their chocolate, peanut butter combo.

If you were going to have a secret rendezvous in town, where would it be?

Matthew’s Garden Cafe

What attracted to you to this business, and how did you start?

I had a real estate development company 25 years ago, then I opened a mortgage company 22 years ago and then the real estate company. I realized I did not enjoy doing mortgages as much as finding and negotiating the home purchase as well as marketing a home to get the highest price.

What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced in your job?

When I first started. Being in a 100 percent commission business can be stressful as you do not have consistent income stream.

What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

I have a fantastic support team and have successfully helped 600 families in the Palisades. I teach real estate contracts and negotiations at UCLA. We look for new ways to market a property whether aerial drones, high-end videos or magazine covers.

At our core we are a philanthropic real estate brokerage that gives 10% of our net commission back to one of 5 charities that we let our clients choose: Kids (Make a wish), Pets (SPCA-LA), Health (American Cancer Society), Homelessness (Path), Local (Homeboy Industries). We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. We have donated $381,000 in the last few years and have been averaging $150,000 annually the past 2 years. Our goal is to give away $1M. Clients love it. It deepens our relationship with our client and honoring that relationship with a charitable donation.

You’re not the only person in this business. How do you distinguish yourself from the others?

Treat everyone fairly. Negotiations must be a win win for both sides.

What advice would you give to a person just starting in your business?

Have patience as success does not happen overnight. Always do what is in the client’s best interest. Over deliver and under commit.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Treat everyone fairly. Negotiations must be a win-win for both sides.