Today we’d like to introduce you to Ed Faktorovich.
Hi Ed, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started Figure 8 Realty on October 8, 2008. It was shortly after the real estate world and economy had fallen off a cliff, but I wasn’t scared. We were young and nimble and could maneuver seamlessly during a time when the industry was in a state of shock. Working outside of the system had always worked in my favor before.
I started running companies at a young age. It was the 90s, and I was heavily involved in the punk rock scene. I contributed to the culture by organizing punk rock shows festivals and even starting a record label and T-shirt company. I was always up for helping make my friend’s ideas into a DIY business, and those experiences were the building blocks for Figure 8 Realty.
When I started Figure 8, I was fortunate enough to have some friends with the desire to own homes at a young age. I am eternally grateful for their trust because they jump-started the success of Figure 8. Over time, our company began to grow based on our acute understanding of what makes for a successful sale. Our expansion from there was very organic. First, we started a commercial division because our clients were establishing their own companies and needed headquarters or brick-and-mortar locations. This community was at its core very entrepreneurial. It has been amazing to see all the production companies, recording studios, tattoo shops, cafes, and restaurants that we’ve helped place. The rewarding feeling of helping others pursue their goals and dreams has been unparalleled.
Then, in 2010 a client decided to go live in Italy at their Tuscan Villa and asked if we could manage their Los Angeles-based home. We quickly decided to expand our services and started a sister company that offered property management services. It took many years of hard work and long hours to get our property management business to where it is today. I’m proud to say that based on word-of-mouth experience and our team giving 110%, the company has grown in ways I could have never even imagined.
Years later, we found another gap in the market: a need for in-house construction. We started our own construction company called The Fix Construction, which could work hand in hand with the Real estate and Property Management. This opened us up to new horizons and propelled our business forward. Now we were able to purchase homes in need of work, which meant we did not have to compete for homes that were already remodeled. Granted, we still have clients who want to go after the beautiful and ready-to-move-in homes. But, for those who are a little more financially conscious, investing in a house that needs work means they can grow equity and create a house that is exactly what they desire.
Having a Real Estate, Property Management, and Construction company enables us to work like an ecosystem. When one arm requires assistance, another lends its expertise, allowing us to craft holistic packages for clients seeking guidance throughout their ownership journey. Figure 8 does not want to be the type of real estate agency that only dips in and out of people’s lives when it is time to buy or sell their properties. We want to be an integral part of people’s experiences in property ownership and a trusted resource.
Looking back, I’m immensely proud of our achievements. The reality of what we’ve accomplished far surpasses what I once envisioned. After years of dedicated effort, we recently relocated to our stunning East Hollywood headquarters – a concept nurtured by F8 Leadership. This space honors timeless modern architecture while embracing a vision of the future, perfectly aligning with the philosophy of Figure 8.
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?
I learned early on there is an art to pivoting. What I mean by that is as obstacles came our way, we found creative solutions from within. For instance, we were having a hard time selling houses that needed work and setting people up with contractors. This process only went smoothly some of the time. One of our heads of property management grew up in a family of contractors. We were able to support him in getting his contracting license. This solved a major challenge, and we were able to start selling homes that needed remodeling. So instead of having to compete with other real estate companies, we were able to buy properties that needed work and help our clients fix them up.
I’ve come to understand you can find people who are interested and able to take on challenges, who may have been overlooked by others and never given a shot. By promoting and supporting problem solvers from within, I was able to nurture a business ready for any obstacle. Taking on challenges head-on and never losing sight of my Figure 8 community led to bigger and better things beyond simply solving the problem at hand.
We’ve been impressed with Figure 8 Realty, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We’re a full-service Los Angeles-based real estate agency with a boutique sensibility and concierge approach.
Residential & commercial sales, remodeling, property management… Yep, we do all that!
We’re more than just a real estate agency! We’re the only boutique brokerage that offers the complete real estate package. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, purchasing your next investment property, or looking for a new retail space in Los Angeles for your business, we’re here to streamline your real estate experience.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
When working in real estate, we’re effectively helping people see and attain their vision. When they hire an agent, they’re looking for a guide, a shaman, or James Bond type to help them achieve their mission. A helpful method and quality I try to embody can be found in the martial art form of Aikido, where you work with the energy in any given situation, never against the flow, but always guiding. When you help a client try and achieve their goal, there are lots of obstacles that will get in your way. But as an agent, you have to make sure not to be a brick wall, you need to be someone that can take all the energy that’s coming at you positive or negative, and guide it in a way that helps you reach your objective. So that said, we created a tool belt, a mechanism where we don’t just operate as real estate agents but also as contractors, property managers, and designers. This will make the unattainable suddenly possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://figure8re.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/figure8realty/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/figure8realty/
