Inspiring Conversations with Kevin Kwan of REALIV

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Kwan.

Hi Kevin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grow up in the 626 and after graduating from Temple City High School I got a part time job as a teller at Bank of America. I planned to work there for the summer before heading off to college at the University of California Riverside. I ended up working mainly weekends at that job until about my Junior year of college. While working there I noticed a lot of the large deposits and was curious how people got those checks. The common denominator I noticed with people depositing these large checks is that they got them from real estate sales. I got curious and started asking questions with a broker who always came depositing multiple large checks at a time. That lead me to get my real estate license while I was finishing up college. Upon graduating in 2005, instead of pursuing a career as most college students do with a secure job with benefits. I choose to get into real estate to help people with their real estate needs and signed up with the broker who came to deposit those large checks. My parents became my first clients as I helped them sell their home and buy another home and after those two sales, I made almost as much money as my peers were getting paid for a years worth of salary in about 6 months. I thought I had it made since as a newly college graduate I didn’t need much at the time. I started selling a few homes a year and a few years later I had the opportunity to become a partner at the firm I was working at. Right as I got into the brokerage side of the business we experienced the largest real estate crash, known as the great recession which flipped everything upside down for me. In the first 12 months becoming a partner the business loss about $70k and I thought we were done. I was a partner at one of the three offices and we ended up consolidating the three offices to one to stay afloat during this time. We were able to survive and around 2012 I become the sole owner of the company until about 2020 where I decided to get back more into personal sales than running a brokerage. In 2023 I decided to leave the company I ever knew and open a boutique brokerage along side my now new partner called REALIV and I’ve been loving every minute from managing up to 70 agents to having now having a small team 3 agents that produce at a high volume which is completely different from the business model I had before and I am loving every minute of it.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely, had not. As mentioned before when I become a partner in 2008, the real estate market crashed and with that sales and a lot of office closures. We decided to consolidate the three offices into one location which is the one that I was managing to stay afloat and survive those hard times to keep cost down and to rebuild from there. We were one of the fortunate brokerages at the time that did not end up closing our doors and survived until the market got better over time until about 2020 when the world got flipped upside down with COVID and no one could come into the office. I sat in the office one day alone and looked at the empty office and the amount of rent that I was paying and decided I needed to pivot. I loved the brokerage but I loved real estate sales mores over managing agents. I loved the connection with clients and working with them personally so in 2020 in the middle of COVID, I decided to do a merger that allowed me to be more involved with sales and less involved with managing the day to day operations. My sales flourished at the time and I started to build a small team to better serve my clients which led me to start the brokerage REALIV with my partner.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At REALIV, we believe that buying or selling a home is far more than a mere transaction; it is a defining milestone in a person’s life. Our brand is built on two distinct pillars that form the foundation of everything we do. “Real” serves as our cornerstone, representing our commitment to honesty in our guidance, transparency in our process, and integrity in every decision. “Liv” speaks to life itself—the energy within a home, the milestones it holds, and the future it helps shape. Together, REALIV is where precision meets heart, creating a holistic experience that is grounded in truth and trust.

What truly sets us apart is an intrinsic passion for the craft that drives us to think outside the box. We are constantly seeking innovative ways to transform a simple listing into a gateway for new opportunities, acting as strategic partners rather than just agents. We recognize that while many can obtain a real estate license, very few understand the sheer grit and commitment required to be truly successful. By prioritizing the customer experience above all else, we guide our clients through every step of the transaction to ensure a traditionally difficult process feels completely hassle-free. Ranked among the top 1.5% of agents nationwide with over $300M sold, we bring a level of expertise that allows our clients to move with total confidence.

Our company culture is a direct reflection of the vibrant lifestyles we represent. We have a deep-rooted obsession with distinct architectural homes—properties that offer a unique soul and a design-forward aesthetic. We don’t just see square footage; we see the artistry of a build. This appreciation for excellence extends to the golf course, which is a core part of the REALIV DNA. Golf represents the discipline, strategy, and social connection that we bring to our professional lives. We even host REALIV golf events to foster a genuine community, offering a relaxed environment for our clients to connect outside of the traditional office setting.

Ultimately, REALIV is a boutique team that offers deeply personal attention backed by big-market results. We want readers to know that we are more than realtors; we are community builders and advocates for our clients’ most ambitious lifestyle goals. Whether you are searching for a mid-century modern gem or looking to maximize your homes value, REALIV delivers an elevated experience grounded in a high-octane work ethic and a promise to always keep it real.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to is the customer experience above all else. The business is truly about people and the pivotal moments in their lives. By prioritizing the human element over the transaction, every client feels supported, heard, and empowered. This commitment to a seamless, high-touch experience is the vehicle through which we build trust.

I believe that real estate is the most powerful tool for leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. A home or an investment is more than just a place to live; it is the foundation of wealth, stability, and history for a family. Helping our clients navigate the complexities of the market is our way of ensuring they can pass down something of value not just financially, but also emotionally. Success isn’t measured by the number of homes sold, but by the generational impact we help our clients create, ensuring their legacy remains as solid as the properties we represent.

Pricing:

• not sure how this can relate to my field?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.byrealiv.com
• Instagram: kevin_kwan_ and also @byrealiv.com