Today we are here with Jerry Koller, founder of International Home Realty based out of Irvine Califonia. Jerry has built himself a team that is equipt to serve international clients on a very personal level.
Q: Jerry, can you tell me a little about International Home Reality and what sets it apart?
A: International Home Realty specializes in helping home buyers and sellers in their native language. As the world gets smaller, people from many cultures and countries are pouring into the greatest nation. We have agents that speak several of the most common languages to assist these people in their transactions. We also specialize in what we call After Sale Concierge service. We become lifetime partners helping with almost anything they need help with. Opening bank accounts, putting children into school, setting up utilities, renting out investment properties. Most of our clients become lifetime friends. We also travel internationally to work with wealth advisors and realtors worldwide.
Q: What were you doing before real estate and what lead you to this industry?
A: The day I turned 18 I bought a 4 family apartment building. I have always been in the real estate business. I have been trained and worked in home inspection, mortgage lending, management of lenders and sr. management. At 50 years old I started International Home Realty to fill a growing need in my area.
Q: How is selling luxury properties different then, selling in the common market?
A: Luxury is hard to define. We sell to buyers from 250k all the way up to 60 million. Luxury buyers are the main difference. The buyer who is looking for a high end home has more specific tastes and has the resources to get what they want. They also have a different view of the home as an investment and a residence. A Luxury home may be size, location, type or just high end finishes.
Q: What advice can you give to someone who is looking for a second home?
A: A second home is an opportunity to have a home that is somewhere FUN to go. A second home should be like a vacation when you are visiting it.
Q: Jerry, can you tell me a little about International Home Reality and what sets it apart?
A: International home realty specializes in helping home buyers and sellers in their native language. As the world gets smaller, people from many cultures and countries are pouring into the greatest nation. We have agents that speak several of the most common languages to assist these people in their transactions. We also specialize in what we call After Sale Concierge service. We become lifetime partners helping with almost anything they need help with. Opening bank accounts, putting children into school, setting up utilities, renting out investment properties. Most of our clients become lifetime friends. We also travel internationally to work with wealth advisors and realtors worldwide.
Q: What advice can you give to someone who is looking for a second home?
A: A second home is an opportunity to have a home that is somewhere FUN to go. A second home should be like a vacation when you are visiting it.
Q: At what price point is a property defined as a luxury property in Orange County?
A: I would say a luxury home starts at about 3-5 million.
Q: What is the most common problem you see your clients have in selecting a property?
A: We suffer from a lack of quality inventory. Southern California is a competitive market.
Q: What are the top three questions your clients ask while showing a property?
A: What do you like about the property? What would you do to change the home in order to make it perfect? How much would you like to offer?
Q: If you were giving advice to a friend looking outside of the Orange County area for a property, what would you suggest they look for in an agent?
A: I talk about this all the time when I train new agents. I believe there are a few qualities that make a great agent,
Find an agent that has experience in the area you are looking to buy
Find an agent that is responsive – Answers your call or calls back quickly
Find an agent that puts your interest first and listens to what your needs are.
Jerry Koller
Jerry Koller has 27 years of real estate experience. Having worked both as a Loan Broker and in the consumer direct lending platforms driven by the internet, Jerry succeeded in both areas. Having had travelled the world, Jerry saw a need to assist home buyers and sellers in their native language. Opening International Home Realty with quality agents that speak a variety of languages, Mandarin, Cantonese, English, Spanish, Japanese, Farsi, has allowed International Home Realty to prosper without competing locally. Jerry and his agents frequently will travel internationally to meet with clients, wealth advisors and investors on their home turf.