Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Kaminsky
Hi Matt, 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?
Sure. I grew up in Palm Springs, CA. Loved growing up there and especially loved the strong friendships I made – so many that continue to this day. Growing up, my passion was theatre and I was highly involved in my high school plays and musicals. I always knew I would pursue an acting career. I moved to LA 10 days after graduating and attended Cal State Northridge where I earned my B.A. in Theatre Arts. I’m proud to have now been a working actor for more than 30 years (www.imdb.me/mattkaminsky) But living in Los Angeles is expensive. While it’s possible to get by on acting alone, the uncertainty of when your next paycheck will come can be stressful, especially if you have a family, own a house, etc. So, I’ve always found creative ways to supplement my income. In 2000, I launched my own business: “BESTtrafficschool.com” – a DMV-licensed online traffic school in California. Being a business owner has provided some stability to balance out the instability of my entertainment career. But then the Pandemic hit and like so many others my income opportunities came to a halt. Tv and film productions shut down, and no one was driving the roads. This led to very few traffic citations being issued which directly affected my business. With 2 kids in college and a mortgage to pay, I needed to do something. So I did some soul-searching and decided to pursue Real Estate, something I was always passionate about. My mom has been a top-producer and award-winning Realtor® with Berkshire Hathaway in Palm Springs for more than 25 years and was a huge influence on my decision. I was surprised by how much knowledge I already had from watching her career from the sidelines and she encouraged me to get my Real Estate license. All of this led to me meeting Stephanie Payab, an amazing Realtor® with almost 20 years experience (also with Berkshire Hathaway). Stephanie and I hit it off from the get-go and I knew that we would be a great fit. She became my mentor. And here we are 4 years later and our team is killing it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a Realtor® is definitely challenging. I think the average person underestimates the amount of knowledge and education required to understand the market, the nuances of contract negotiations and conflict resolution, and the vast amount of hands-on time and that Realtors must spend to oversee a transaction and bring it to a successful close. A great Realtor can make or break the deal. Thankfully the Payab Group and Berkshire Hathaway have provided me with unrivaled support that I truly believe has given me a leg-up. When you’re trained by the best, it becomes abundantly clear when you’re dealing with agents who have not been. Sometimes this can be challenging as you’re having to compensate for their deficiencies. And other times, you can use it to your client’s advantage. The Pandemic actually provided both opportunities and challenges. With interest rates at historic lows, an unprecedented number of homebuyers were able to afford to buy a home. However, due to a lack of inventory, it was very common for homes to receive multiple offers above asking price after just a few days on the market. As a result, sellers were the beneficiaries of home values that soared nearly 40% higher than just a couple of years earlier. On the flip side, so many buyers were heartbroken and it could take an extended period of time to finally prevail. In some cases it could be so deflating that buyers would simply give up and put their searches on hold indefinitely. That kind of disappointment was hard for everyone involved. Today, the market is actually much more balanced, but there are new challenges. Interest rates are now the highest they’ve been since 2002. And due to homeowners wanting to hold on to their low interest rates, so many do not want to sell. So lack of inventory remains a huge factor. Additionally, new rules took effect nationwide in August that affect how Realtors are paid as well as new requirements to clarify the agent/client relationship and expectations. These changes have resulted in a slew of new contracts and requirements to learn and the need to educate the public about these changes. It’s definitely a transitionary time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Well, first I’d like people to know that there is something special about Berkshire Hathaway. It is the nation’s largest, full-service real estate firm. Warren Buffet’s name carries a lot of weight, so the Berkshire brand means something. They are selective about the Realtors they work with as we are a reflection of that brand. So, I’m thrilled to be one of their agents. I think I represent them well. I’m known as a great communicator and someone who fights for my clients. I’m recognized for my negotiating skills and my ability to put my clients’ wants and needs above my own. The home buying/selling process can be very stressful. My goal is to ease your burdens and smoothly take you to the finish line. I’m proud to represent Berkshire and even more proud to be a part of the Payab Group. The great thing about working on a team is that when you hire me, you’re also getting the support of my entire team. Our team has exceptional home buying and sales performance and is the recipient of many awards including Top 100 status in Los Angeles/Ventura/Santa Barbara Counties quarter after quarter. We practice the art of magnificent service.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’m an avid reader of fiction. It’s an escape for me and a solitary experience that I really enjoy. My favorite recent novels are “All the Colors of the Dark” – Chris Whitaker, “The Covenant of Water” – Abraham Verghese, “Demon Copperhead” – Barbara Kingsolver, “James” – Percival Everett, and “Table for Two” – Amor Towles. (I could go on) For real estate I follow economist Steven Thomas’s “Reports on Housing” on Youtube. GREAT insight on the real estate market. Favorite podcast for fun: “Smartless.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thepayabgroup.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattKaminskyRealEstate
- Other: https://imdb.me/mattkaminsky
