Exploring Life & Business with Raine Phillips of The Leasing Department

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raine Phillips.

Hi Raine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from the North side of Chicago. My Father was a stockbroker who had been a former real estate broker. From a young age, he encouraged me to go into real estate. I finally took my first real estate course and hated it. I thought it was dull and did not feel like it was the career path for me. Fast forward with a laugh as I now have over 20 years in real estate! I began my career in New York City when a friend suggested that I should try real estate. With more experience and the drive and motivation of living in NYC, I went for It and loved it. I became a leasing agent in Manhattan and then about a year later, I was recruited to work as a luxury proper manager at Related. These two experiences gave me the foundation of my career. When I moved to Los Angeles 15 years ago, I had the good fortune to consult for a luxury lease-up at Gayley + Lindbrook Apartments. That’s where it really stuck me that I wanted to focus on leasing as a career. Since then, I have the pleasure of assisting thousands of Los Angeles residents. My philosophy is simple: home is one’s sanctuary, and I believe moving is an opportunity to grow into a happier and more tranquil life.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been paved with (thankfully) only a few hills. The most significant was my move to Los Angeles in 2008. At that time, no one could predict the massive implosion of the real estate market, the economic depression and scarcity of employment. As a new Angeleno, it was only 6 months after I moved to Los Angles when the market imploded. I was immediately and negatively affected. My whole network was based in New York and I had no professional contact in Los Angeles. It was during this time that I went on unemployment for the first time ever. I finally made my way back, slowly, with persistence by being a part-time assistant to a women in Beverly Hills. It was a humbling time for me and looking back I really learned about myself. There are things I would of changed about that time, but overall, I believe I did the best I could in the worst circumstances.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Leasing Department is a dynamic company providing both property owners and renters with full-service representation. Whether you are looking to rent or fill a vacancy in Los Angeles, the team at The Leasing Department are here to ensure that the process is swift and conducted in a skillful and seamless manner.

What sets The Leasing Department apart is that our team represents Property owners and Renters!

In the Market! The Leasing Department combines the best of hard data evaluation with real-life experience and client feedback to ensure that you receive up-to-date, accurate information regarding rental pricing. We actively gather market analysis from such respected industry leaders as Zillow, Property Radar and other trusted sources of information while carefully listening to our clients to determine their decision-making process. We assess what property owners are offering and determine how their search aligns with your needs.

Renters! Let The Leasing Department assist you in finding your new home. Our experts provide hands-on consultation and will work within your budget to show you apartment homes that fit your lifestyle. Our premium rental properties are located in Los Angeles’ most desirable neighborhoods. Spanning Playa del Rey to Glendale, our rentals specialize in all-encompassing neighborhood communities. We are here to assist you through the rental process from first-look viewings and assistance in the application process to securing your new home!

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
The biggest professional risk I have taken is deciding to form my company. This entailed making the mental leap to work only on a commission-paid basis. This meant I had to trust myself and believe in myself and my skills to launch my company and continue to work with established clients as well as connecting with new clients. As a person who is passionate about my profession, I really felt that I could be successful. In complete contrast, I am risk averse in my personal life and try to mitigate any risk…

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theleasingdepartment.com
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-leasing-department-los-angeles?osq=the+leasing+department

Image Credits
Korbin Bieliski