When Adam Katz says there’s no place like Pacific Palisades, he knows what he’s talking about. The Coldwell Banker realtor was born in Israel and has traveled the world to the far reaches of India, Laos and beyond.
For the past 10 years, however, Katz, his wife Galit and their two young daughters (plus a third child on the way) have made the family-friendly Palisades their home.
It’s also where he’s found his calling in life as a residential realtor. When he isn’t matching prospective homeowners with their dream homes, he can be found on the Temescal Gateway Park trails, playing soccer at Palisades Charter High School on Sunday mornings or walking for coffee in the Village.
In this interview, Katz reveals some tips to make a home more attractive to buyers, the most popular home styles among Palisades homebuyers and more.
Jacqueline Primo: What was your upbringing like?
Adam Katz: I was born in Israel and lived there with my parents and two brothers until I was 12, when we moved to LA. In Israel we lived in the suburbs of Tel Aviv in a town called Givatayim.
It was the best childhood a kid could ever ask for. I grew up playing soccer, basketball and a lot of sports. I had a great childhood and I have a lot of good memories.
Primo: Where did you go to college and what did you study?
Katz: I went to California State University, Northridge and studied Theater Arts. I graduated in 1987 and pursued acting while substitute teaching with my Emergency Teaching Credential. I acted for about 20 years.
Primo: What was your first job?
Katz: My first job was a caddie at a golf course in Encino when I was 15. I worked in a gas station, as a waiter, a bartender, I got my insurance license and sold life insurance for a while, and for the last 12 to 13 years I have been in real estate.
Primo: How did you get into real estate?
Katz: I was working at a business brokerage firm. My job was to door-knock and cold call to see if businesses wanted to sell. I did that for three years when one day I went to work and the broker had been thrown in jail.
I took that as a sign and went traveling for nine months, sometimes alone and sometimes with others. I went to Thailand, India, Bali, Australia, Laos and more.
When I got back I decided to try residential real estate and that’s where I’ve been since 2002.
Primo: What should homeowners do when showing their house in preparation for sale?
Katz: For a minute homeowners need to put a buyer’s hat on and see their home through the buyer’s eyes. Become objective about the space you’re living in. De-personalize the home.
When people come in and see dozens of pictures of family and friends, they have a hard time seeing themselves in that place. Clear up clutter and make sure the place is clean – it has to sparkle. Curb appeal is the first impression so that’s very important.
All these little things add up to dollars when it comes to buyers making an offer.
Primo: What’s the most popular style of home in the Palisades right now?
Katz: The Cape Cod is most popular by far in the Palisades. The profile of the Palisades is family with kids, and it seems to be the kind of home that serves that type of clientele.
But modern and architectural houses are becoming more mainstream than before.
People also want to be able to walk to the Village or have ocean views – both are in high demand right now, along with new construction.
Primo: What’s the demographic of people moving into the Palisades?
Katz: Families with younger kids looking for good schools and safe neighborhoods. A lot of them like the walkability factor.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
