Conversations with Joyce Rey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joyce Rey

Hi Joyce, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my professional life as a public school teacher in South Los Angeles. I loved learning and helping others, and my goal was to improve the lives of others through education. As a young graduate of USC, I was subsequently asked by USC to train their student teachers which proved to be quite interesting. Western Airlines (now Delta Airlines) decided to train a class of school teachers to fly on holidays to support their added passenger loads and I was selected for their pilot program. This exciting job gave me a chance to see the world!

On one such flight to Acapulco, a handsome, talented actor—the star of The Flying Nun, Alejandro Rey—changed his seat to sit next to me and the rest is history. We got married and traveling to his film locations forced me to give up my teaching career. He had just purchased a home during our engagement and the entire process fascinated me. I had studied for my master’s degree in business education while teaching so I was well prepared to take the real estate exam and I joined a talented young actress friend of my husband who encouraged me to join her at a prominent Beverly Hills boutique. In the early years, I had the good fortune to represent and sell the famed Sonny & Cher estate by meeting the buyer at a barbecue. When I sold the property in 1978, it was the highest sale ever in the United States at $4.2 million. That achievement established my reputation and as a result, I founded the first real estate company in the world to only handle million-dollar houses. We named it Rodeo Realty (unrelated to the current firm with the same name) and I continued to run it for over 15 years until Coldwell Banker finally bought us and changed the name to Global Luxury.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are always ups and downs in the real estate market. Most of my challenges were generated by economic circumstances, such as soaring interest rates as high as 18% in 1981, the savings and loan crisis of the 80s and 90s, and of course the housing market crash of 2008.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Sales agent/independent contractor, and manager of the estates division

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Real estate is an extraordinary career for those who are willing to commit to seven-day work weeks and long hours! If you enjoy what you’re doing, it’s easy. There is a tremendous advantage in selecting a mentor and a company that offers extensive support. Having a passion for what you’re doing is the key!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://joycerey.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/joycereyrealestate
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/JoyceReyLuxuryRealEstate