Vanguard Properties’ expansion, marked by the addition of a stunningly renovated 7,000 square foot space at the top of Mountain Boulevard in Montclair, can be described as pure destiny. Any appearance of chance or luck was mere coincidence; There is nothing coincidental about the way Vanguard does business.
A successful real estate agency requires agents with exceptional market knowledge, an inviting space, strong brand recognition and excellent leadership. When all of these factors aligned in the summer of 2024, privately held, Bay Area-based Vanguard Properties became the premier brokerage for concentrated, tenured talent in the Inner East Bay region.
Before the office opened, Vanguard attracted Pam Hoffman to lead the Montclair team. Hoffman fittingly occupies a modernized version of the same corner office from which she mentored Pacific Union and Compass agents as early as 1989.
“One of our promises to every agent is great leadership,” said David Chol, chief operating officer of Vanguard Properties, at the official grand opening on October 10, 2024. “Pam Hoffman is an icon in this field . She “raised” many of these agents, so to speak.
Hoffman describes the transition as a “heartwarming, full-circle experience” that happened because of the incredible team at Vanguard Properties and their willingness to put their trust and resources behind the agents and office. Its team already has more than 34 agents, all working in gleaming new offices, renovated with the know-how of local artisans.
Like other Vanguard Properties offices, the Montclair location is staffed by professionals who prefer to work in person, surrounded by highly experienced peers, rather than in satellite offices or the large, impersonal headquarters of national real estate conglomerates. These agents know that being surrounded by an organized group of strong tenured agents and leaders improves their business and the services they provide to clients. They find that when surrounded by their new, respected colleagues, everything from pricing and home search strategies to problem solving for buyers and sellers becomes more insightful and precise.
“We have never seen so many permanent agents join the company at once. It’s truly remarkable,” Chol said. He noted that the recent trend of shifting to brokers began when large conglomerates began acquiring local brokers over the past seven years. “These agents learned real estate at a time when brokerages focused on providing quality service to their agents and strove to know each one personally, rather than prioritizing national market share or promote the image of the brand rather than that of their individual agents. These agents appreciate that Vanguard has remained true to its ‘agents first’ principles,” he continued.
According to a 2024 report from the National Association of Realtors, Vanguard has an average agent tenure of 16 years, more than triple the length of time agents across the country work at their current companies. This longevity is a direct result of Vanguard’s commitment to continuing education, mentoring opportunities and unwavering service to its agents.
“It’s wonderful how organic the growth has been, in that we don’t have a recruiting department,” Chol said. “Our agents use people they respect and enjoy working with. They want to be here because of the quality of care and attention we provide.
Since its founding in San Francisco in 1985, Vanguard Properties has been committed to providing a level of service only possible through independent ownership and deep local roots. As the San Francisco Bay Area’s largest independent real estate brokerage, Vanguard now has 17 offices, each with its own personality.
“Real estate is local, and so are our agents’ businesses,” Chol said. “It’s a reality that permeates everything we do. Our management team is comprised of experienced local real estate professionals of the highest caliber, guiding company decisions, not private equity investors or a board of venture capital executives .
Real estate, after all, is a people business that requires a contact-driven culture. At Vanguard Properties, we believe that if you create the right culture and hire the right people, everyone wins. Vanguard’s expansion into Montclair is further evidence of another promise: to open offices only in areas where the agent community has contacted them through trusted emissaries. “When we find people with strength of character who truly align with our core values, we take a leap of faith with them, believing that it will guide us to success. The rapid growth of the Montclair office is a shining example of the wisdom behind this approach to growth,” said Chol.
Despite its prominence as an elite luxury broker, Vanguard exudes a comforting vibe of authenticity and humility. Simply put, they have fun because they love the work they inspire each other to do. This positive energy filled the glass-walled offices with joy at Montclair’s official grand opening, as the voices and laughter of more than 180 agents, community members and friends filled the view-filled rooms and the well-lit spaces.
“The Vanguard Properties brand is synonymous with high-end luxury sales, but the real luxury is in the service we provide to our agents and their clients,” Chol said. “We serve all price points, and each price point receives the same level of attention and detail. »
Some Vanguard agents specialize in first-time home buyers, while others focus on multi-million dollar listings. They encourage each other by fostering an environment that is friendly, authentic and knowledgeable in the areas they serve.
“The best companies for agents are built on referrals, and as a company, we emulate that same philosophy. We always put our agents first and maintain consistent high standards, ethics and quality of service. Our agents trust the Vanguard Properties brand and they bring their closest friends in the industry to us because they know we will treat them with the utmost care,” Chol said. “We are pillars of the industry and we are proud that our agents are the best representatives of our character. »
Come see our new office at 1900 Mountain Boulevard, Oakland, California.
vanguardproperties.com | (510) 590-4290 | DR#01486075
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