Conversations with Nicole Garces-macahdo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Garces-macahdo

Hi Nicole , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
80 years ago in 1944 Security Land Escrow Co. was established as an independent escrow company. In 1947 a Hispanic woman by the name of Cira Garces began her professional career at this company as a part-time secretary/ receptionist. She worked here for 29 years and was approached with one of the best opportunities to purchase the company. So in 1976 she bought the company as a sole member. At the time of this purchase Cira was a single mother of one son she gave birth to in 1964 and one daughter who she opened her home to and adopted in 1973. Cira was strong in her Catholic faith and really believed that everything was a gift from God. Her son, Lawrence Garces who was 12 years old at the time of her business purchase was always spending time with his mom at the office, it was his second home. Later, Security Land Escrow Co. would become the open door to his career, and he did not even realize it yet. Cira was a resident of Downey, CA for many years, so the business was always her outlet to give back to the community and help all her neighbors with any real estate/ escrow need. Lawrence later attended St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, CA and then worked part time at “The Old MCDonalds” on Florence Ave. The golden arch restaurant served as his part time job until he later was employed by his mother at Security Land Escrow Co. Cira “retired” in 2001, and retired was used loosely as she loved her job and still came to assist but spent a lot of her time traveling the world. Cira left us earth side on July 24, 2009, shortly after the 65th company anniversary celebration. Lawrence bought the company in 2004 and has continued her legacy to this day. Lawrence is a very active member and resident in the city of Downey, CA. He is past president of the Downey Rotary Club, member and director of the Downey Chamber of Commerce, and just received their “man of the year” award. He is a member of the California Escrow Association as well. Currently, Lawrence works part time and his daughter, Nicole Garces-Machado, manages the company. Nicole works as third generation escrow officer, in the works to be the new owner in a few short years. Nicole is also director of the Downey Chamber of Commerce and actively participates in most city events.

The motto at Security Land Escrow Co. is “Service is Our Product” we strive to give back to our community and help all our neighbors and surrounding cities with all their real estate needs. This company just celebrated 80 years of business, which is a milestone most companies do not make it to. Security Land Escrow Co. is known to facilitate any escrow transaction no matter how difficult the process may be. We take pride in being a family and welcoming more families to come, service is truly our product.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Real Estate is never a smooth road. The market is ever changing and becomes more challenging as technology becomes more prominent. Security Land Escrow Co. does not just facilitate single family home transactions, we facilitate mobile homes, refinances, bulk sale transfers, 1031 exchanges, liquor license transfers, anything that requires escrow we facilitate it. By being versed in any type of transaction we are able to conquer the many years ahead of us and any obstacle thrown our way.

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?
Security Land Escrow Co. specialize in all things Real Estate/ Escrow. Escrow is the process of transferring any real estate transaction and we assist Real Estate agents in all the legal paperwork and recording of title for the properties in all of the state of California. As most other escrow companies do NOT facilitate the transfers of liquor licenses, businesses, seller carry backs, all-inclusive trust deeds, or mobile homes…here at Security Land Escrow Co. we take pride in facilitating these transactions and they set up apart from all other companies in the area.

We are most proud to be a family owned and run business and we work with many generational realtors in the area, and help educate the new agents in these different transactions as they are not familiar.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The advice we would give for those starting out is to take it one file at a time. Do not try to overload your plate with too many at once, always remember quality work brings back clients and those clients are the best referrals. You need to be open to constantly learning as the technology and people are ever changing. Lastly, you have to take every transaction as its own. You cannot compare any files to each other as they all stand on their own and are never the same.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.securitylandescrow.net
• Instagram: securitylandescrow
• Facebook: Security Land Escrow Company
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/security-land-escrow-company-downey