Check out our past interview with Southbay Magazine
In an interview with Southbay Magazine, the athletic stalwarts of the Beach Cities team, Michael Grady (Director of the Beach Cities Office) and Kofi Natei Nartey (Managing Director of the Beach Cities Office & Director of The Agency’s Sports and Entertainment Division), talk collaboration, the rise of ‘Silicon Beach’ and the utility of the sports metaphor for the publication’s February/March issue.
Offering a candor and mutual affinity for the cities that hug our coastline, Michael and Kofi don’t simply discuss collaboration as real estate legalese but as a proper ethic: a principle that generates a constant spirit of innovation. The two brandish their own personal residential context as a point of immediate relevance to clients on both ends of the realty equation. “Michael is from Manhattan Beach, and Kofi lives in the South Bay and has children in area schools.” Michael states, “We represent buyers and sellers of homes in the South Bay as well as in Playa Vista, Marina del Rey, Venice and up into Malibu.”
In a results-based industry, it’s this same spirit and savvy among the intertwining networks and relationships that make Michael and Kofi ideally suited to serve the influx of newer residents mired in the tech sector of ‘Silicon Beach.’
When asked what character traits clients prize most about the realtor/homeowner relationship, the two agents responded, “We focus on meeting and delivering on expectations. Time and time again our clients have thanked us for being honest and direct. We are creative in our deal-making, try to make the process as stress-free as possible and even manage to have fun during the process.”
In Southbay magazine’s feature on the influential realtors in the region, Michael, Kofi and The Agency are set apart by the same tenets that redefining real estate was founded: collaboration, innovation and results.
How do you distinguish yourself from the competition?
“The Agency is built on collaboration. As former athletes and coaches, you understand that a team is more powerful than any individual. The Agency embodies this belief by creating a collaborative environment, which is rare in this industry. Sharing with our colleagues in an innovative environment gives us an edge in being able to offer best practices and inside market knowledge. Also, our exposure in multiple media platforms and on numerous real-estate related television shows enables us to give our clients’ properties unprecedented exposure.”
What trends do you foresee for the 2015 real estate market in Southern California?
“With the South Bay being one of the most in-demand markets in the country, the renaissance LA is undergoing, and the rise of ‘Silicon Beach’—attracting interest from buyers in technology, finance, digital and other creative industries from around the world—there’s never been a better time for real estate in Southern California. We have the best climate, cuisine and beaches helping drive demand.”
What makes your firm and you unique?
“The world of real estate is so much more global these days. The Agency has a unique partnership with Savills, a renowned international real estate advisor with more than 500 offices worldwide and an unrivaled network in Europe and Asia. Being able to expose our listings globally through this partnership is priceless. On a local level, we drive higher sales through our innovative, lifestyle-driven marketing. We don’t know of any other real estate office with a 15-person marketing and PR team behind every listing and development project.”
What areas do you primarily specialize in?
“Michael is from Manhattan Beach, and Kofi lives in the South Bay and has children in area schools. We represent buyers and sellers of homes in the South Bay as well as in Playa Vista, Marina del Rey, Venice and up into Malibu. We also specialize in servicing athletes, entertainers and the homes that appeal to this niche.”
What character traits do your clients enjoy about you?
“We focus on meeting and delivering on expectations. Time and time again our clients have thanked us for being honest and direct. We are creative in our deal-making, try to make the process as stress-free as possible and even manage to have fun during the process. Ultimately the client makes the decisions, but we empower them with our industry experience and market knowledge.”
Fast Facts: Before becoming a Realtor, Michael coached with his father, Steve Grady, former 30-year head football coach of Loyola High School. Kofi was a wide receiver at the University of California, Berkeley, was drafted as a free agent by the Oakland Raiders and later completed his MBA at Pepperdine University.
What does it take to be the best in the business?
“The motto at The Agency is to never stop innovating. Be collaborative. Have integrity. With technology, this industry is constantly changing, and we are at the forefront of that. This is what has enabled The Agency to grow its market share so rapidly. It’s a combination of having great agents and innovative and creative tools to create and close business.”
How important is integrity when working in the real estate industry?
“It’s essential. No one person is greater than the group. In a relationship business, if you don’t have integrity, you are not going to make it too far. This applies to relationships with other agents as well. Clients and other industry professionals appreciate working with honest and ethical people. Integrity is one of the core values for us here at The Agency.”
What’s most rewarding about your work?
“Delivering results is the most rewarding part of what we do. We get to know our clients very well during the process of buying or selling a home, so we know what is important to them. We are then able to use our experience, professionalism and all of the resources of The Agency to deliver results.”
