Tifany and Olivia Are Reinventing the Real Estate Game
Buying a house may feel like a nearly impossible feat to achieve, especially in Southern California.
While the median home value in Orange County alone is $765,497, houses in more expensive areas like San Clemente (where the median value is $1,035,947) or Laguna Beach (where the median value is $2,256,485) can seem downright unattainable. If you’re unfamiliar with the real estate market, it might look like being a homeowner is out of reach for anyone who isn’t a multi-millionaire.
But not so fast. Buying a home isn’t as far-fetched as you might think, even during COVID-19.
Tifany and Olivia Khakdoust, the dynamic sister duo behind the real estate company Tifany and Olivia, note that home buying is obtainable at any stage in your life as long as you recognize two things.
ONE: Make sure your goals are realistic, and TWO: Realize that your first home might be a stepping stone to your dream home, so it’s okay if it doesn’t look exactly how you’ve always pictured it. “It may be a tad smaller than you hoped for, and you may need to spend a few weekends DIY-ing,” says Tifany. “But it will be yours,” adds Olivia.
A crucial part of becoming a homeowner, however, is finding a good real estate agent that can guide you through the process as seamlessly as possible while also keeping your needs and desires at the forefront of any transaction. And that’s where Tifany and Olivia come in.
“Hiring a real estate agent like us to represent you on your purchase is not only free, but also extraordinarily beneficial,” explains Olivia. “We walk you through choosing a lender, developing your dream home criteria, evaluating your options, and writing an offer that will beat all the competition.”
Before the pair started working full-time as agents in 2013, they worked in completely different fields. Tifany worked in fashion and interior design while Olivia worked as a journalist and photographer. “Our diverse experience helps us offer our clients a unique perspective,” shares Tifany. “For buyers, we are able to help with things like imagining where their furniture would go and what easy modifications they could do, while keeping in mind the resale value of the home and their long-term happiness.”
The Khakdoust ladies both credit their father, Moe, as the reason why they’re in the business today. “He is a huge inspiration in our lives and taught us our customer service skills, instilled our entrepreneurial spirit, and inspired our willingness to go above and beyond for our clients,” offers Olivia. “He planted the seed that we had what it takes to be great real estate agents.”
And his effect on them has definitely paid off.
Within their first year in the real estate industry, Tifany and Olivia were ranked within the top 20 agents in the United States… and they haven’t stopped there.
The team has an incredible track record. Having handled over $100 million in transactions, their listings sell in an average of 38 days (when homes spend 65-93 days on the market on average, according to Zillow) and usually go for 99% of the original listed price. When asked why they believe their listings do so well and what separates them from other agents, Tifany and Olivia cite their unique and astute approach to marketing.
“We reimagine the narrative of traditional marketing efforts through an innovative and inclusive approach to the industry,” explains Tifany. “We create a unique marketing plan for each home to give our customers a memorable experience from beginning to end.”
And they’re not afraid to utilize new tech to break through to potential homebuyers, which is crucial in a market that, according to Redfin, is starting to become saturated with younger, first-time homebuyers. However, their approach isn’t just about being flashy and fresh.
“We keep a focus on quality and results,” stresses Olivia. “We’re taking a conscious and creative approach to redefining the future of real estate.”
If you’re interested in buying a home, here are a few things to note about what the process with Tifany and Olivia is usually like:
First comes an initial consultation, where you’ll talk with them about what you’re looking for, what your financials look like, and what kind of homes you can expect to buy once you put those two together. They’ll also go deeper into what the buying process is going to look like step-by-step. Then, it’s time to hit the streets.
“We are obsessed with creating a customer experience unlike any other,” shares Tifany. “Our phones are always on, no question is too small, and by the end of your transaction, you will be holding the keys to your dream home and raving about our services.”
So what does the market look like now, in 2020?
The pair have noted that even though we’re living in an unprecedented time, they’ve seen an increase in buyer demand in all price ranges, including luxury. “Before there was any talk of the coronavirus, we were in an inflated market and headed for a correction,” explains Olivia. “COVID-19 just forced that correction to happen sooner.”
Interest rates are currently at a historical low, which gives the buyer more purchasing power and allows them to afford a higher price. However, because of the pandemic, they do predict an increase in distressed (also known as foreclosed) properties. But since it’s Southern California, they expect that those properties are going to go quickly as well. “Southern California is its own microcosm, so to speak,” says Tifany. “We live in a paradise and there’s no shortage of people who’d like to join us.”
If you’re in the market to buy or sell a home, get in touch with Tifany and Olivia on their website at: www.tifanyandolivia.com.
DRE#s 01923401 & #01909196, Berkshire Hathaway HomeService California Properties.
Logan Cross is a writer, editor, and dancer based in Los Angeles. You can find her scrolling through her own Twitter likes and listening to every fictional podcast her phone allows her to download. You can also follow her on Instagram.
Photos by: Carolyn Ruiz Creative.