Q&A: Hugh Evans III and Richard Stearns

Richard Stearns (top) and Hugh Evans III

Photos courtesy of Partners Trust

Both founders of Los Angeles’ real estate brokerage Partners Trust were named among Variety’s 2017 Real Estate Elite. Hugh Evans III and Richard Stearns discuss why they started Partners Trust and apprise the current Pacific Palisades real estate market.

Palisadian-Post: Tell us when and why you started Partners Trust.

Evans: We started Partners Trust in 2009—during the country’s worst financial crisis in our lifetime—with the idea that agents can find greater success working together rather than competing against each other

Stearns: We wanted to create a culture and work environment where associates empower one another to thrive and develop enduring, reliable bonds with their clients.

Post: Tell us about a notable sale over the past year that you were involved with.

Evans: I brokered the price-per-square-foot record of a home in The Riviera neighborhood of Pacific Palisades.

Stearns: I represented the buyer of the Ronald Reagan estate in The Riviera that was priced at $22 million.

Post: What’s the current state of the Pacific Palisades real estate market?

Evans: It is still a competitive market with very limited inventory, however, unlike the past few years, buyers are now more thoughtful in the process.

Stearns: Pacific Palisades is one of the strongest markets in LA. What makes it interesting is the broad price range that is offered, including homes just over a million to over $30 million. And, anything near the new Caruso Village is going nuts.

Post: Tell us about your newest Pacific Palisades property on the market.

Evans: Richard and I just co-listed 15515 Via De Las Olas, a 16,693-square-foot, double lot, perched upon a Pacific Palisades clifftop, offered at $9.5 million.

Stearns: We’re also co-listing an ocean-view, south-of-France-style chateau, sited on over half an acre of land in the gated Shadow Mountain enclave, offered at $11 million.

Contact Hugh Evans III by email at hugh@hughevans3.com or call 310-500-1331;

Contact Richard Stearns by email at richard.stearns@thepartnerstrust.com or call 310-850-9284.