Episode 120: What it Takes to Become a Million-Dollar Listing Agent with James Harris

There is no question that real estate agents who achieve million-dollar listing status are doing something right.  But what exactly sets them apart from the rest of the pack? What traits and strategies do they use to achieve such impressive success? 

In order to thrive in this business, you need more than just a license and a pulse. You need to be knowledgeable about the real estate market, have a strong network of contacts, and be able to close deals quickly and efficiently. And most importantly, you need to be hungry for success.

Let’s take a closer look at what it takes to become a million-dollar listing agent and explore some tips and tactics that you can use to help you reach this level of success in your own career.

Brian Charlesworth joins James Harris, Principal at The Agency, Bond Street Partners, and former cast of The Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles as he shares his story from quitting school at 16 to breaking numerous records in the real estate industry by specializing in multi-million properties in L.A.

Top Takeaways:
 
(04:49) How James started his business with his partner David Parnes
(06:33) The difference between today’s economy and the one in 2008
(07:58) Why agents need to step out of their comfort zone
(09:15) Why James thinks that the next 8 to 12 months will be rough for real estate agents
(11:16) How James went from being new to the business to selling $120 million listings
(13:09) What developers really care about
(13:25) What James considers as the backbone of their business
(14:32) The good thing about open houses
(15:45) The biggest attribute to their success
(16:50) Why James decided to keep their team relatively small
(18:03) Why you need to bombard your open houses with signs
(21:51) The advantage of getting a coach
(23:28) How James’ casting in the Million Dollar Listing reality show came about
(26:39) What does James’ team do to market multi-million dollars today
(31:33) James’ advice to parents


Connect with James Harris
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesbondst/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamesBondSt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesbondst/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesbondst/
Website: https://www.bondstreetpartners.com/

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About the guest:

James Harris was born and raised in Central London. When he was a child, he suffered from extreme ADHD and was thrown out of every school. He then quit school altogether at 16.  He found a job in real estate as a residential assistant within an agency. He worked his way up the ranks and moved into the commercial sector within the same company.

When James turned 21, he headed west to Los Angeles to broaden his horizon and ended up trading commodities. As the economy was getting back on its feet after the 2008 crash, James and his childhood friend, David Parnes, decided to set up their own real estate business.

Due to his determined work ethic, good relationship with clients, and a group of incredibly talented people, James and his team have reached a steady incline in sales year over year, with over $3 billion in sales since 2017. They have also broken numerous records including the sale of “The Manor” which is worth $120 million, setting the record for the highest sale in Holmby Hills, the 6th highest sale ever in Los Angeles County, and the 10th highest sale in U.S. history.

James and his partner were also part of the cast of the reality show, Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles for 7 seasons. They have recently left the show to focus on their business partnership.

Today, James Harris is the Principal at The Agency, Bond Street Partners where they specialize in high-end residential real estate and investment properties in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Sunset Strip, the Hollywood Hills, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and the greater Los Angeles region.