Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Fox.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ryan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in Bakersfield, California which is about an hour & a half north of Los Angeles. Back in the late 90’s/early 200’s I had every intention on becoming an attorney. Until, that is, one day in high school I met this FABULOUS woman who had to be in her late 40’s early 50’s who was as glamorous & feisty as one could be! I asked her what she did for a living and she explained that she was a real estate broker & investor. My life would never be the same.
I began seriously looking into real estate in about 2002 and finally received my sales license in 2004 along with my mother. The market was great and I purchased my first investment property when I was about 19 years old. It was an amazing time in real estate. Everyone was making a ton of money and everyone qualified for a home purchase. Then, the market crashed. The economy soon followed. After being forced to sale several properties, I relocated to the LA area in 2007 seeking a fresh start, got a job assisting a few investors then I eventually became a broker and dove back into real estate sales full time. I now own & operate two locations, with one office in Downtown LA & another in Southwest Bakersfield. Both offices are managed by my dad, Michael Fox & myself. We specialize in luxury home sales and investment property sales. I LOVE working with seasoned investors, but I definitely have a passion for working with and educating those that are new to the game. We also offer lease up services for landlords.
I am truly thankful to have a great team behind me and we all have amazing stories with a passion for real estate. That’s what keeps us going during the many cycles of our industry. We LOVE it!
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely NOT been a smooth road. I purchased property & began my career at a young age. I did not know how to fully handle a “flip” on my own at the age of 19 yet, I still tried it. I had no idea that you had to watch contractors so closely or that you had to have a realistic budget already in place. I definitely didn’t know that you had to be prepared for the market to begin to crash mid way through a project.
As for my career, I had to learn how to market myself in a down market. When I started around 2004, no one had to market themselves. The phones were ringing off the hook and homes were selling like hot cakes. Pre-approvals were just a phone call away. There was no need to advertise for more business.
Luckily, I had close relationships with seasoned Realtors & investors who gave me tips (once I realized I had no clue on what to do). They helped me tremendously! I shifted my focus and realized that there is ALWAYS a market for real estate. When it’s a buyers’ market, you focus on the buyers. When it’s a sellers’ market, you focus on the sellers. It’s always one or the other. We can make a living in either climate. We just have to be able to shift gears when necessary. That advice has gotten me through the tough times.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Fox Group – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
The Fox Group is a boutique real estate firm located in Downtown LA & Bakersfield, CA. We specialize in both luxury home sales and commercial real estate. Investors are the bread & butter of our company. We also have a team of guys that can help with almost any maintenance or construction need. Our clients love that aspect of our business.
I, myself, have a passion for investing. So, that’s where my heart is. From new to seasoned investors, we work with them all. Multi-Family properties are the core sales of our business, but we also assist our clients with the purchase of office & retail buildings. We work with a few great lenders & escrow companies that help us make this process as smooth as possible each time.
With luxury home sales, I believe it’s all about selling a lifestyle. Our clients typically know exactly what they want and where they want it. It makes our job pretty easy. There is a true appreciation for being a part of what is usually the biggest purchase of one’s lifetime. It never gets old to me.
What I honestly believe sets us apart from many other real estate firm is, we care. Everyone becomes like family to us once we work with you. As a team, we only take on a few clients at a time in order to give everyone the focus & attention they deserve. I will be honest with a client if I believe they are not making a wise investment decision, even at the cost of losing out on a commission. It’s all about helping a client make a wise decision when it comes to investing. Rather it’s investing into an apartment building or buying a home to occupy. We want our clients to walk out of a transaction feeling well informed & satisfied with the outcome.
Another unique aspect about my company is my 6 year old daughter Dani AKA my part time assistant. She can almost explain the escrow process to you like a pro! I love showing her the ropes of female entrepreneurship & investing.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I LOVE LA! The diversity, the events, the weather…. I even love the traffic. That’s when all of my planning happens LOL. This city motivates me to want to be better, healthier & more tolerant. You get to see so many different walks of life. I can appreciate that.
What I love the LEAST, would have to be the parking! I live & work in Downtown LA and let me tell you, parking can be crazy at times.
Overall, I love my city!
Contact Info:
- Address: The Fox Group
355 S Grand Ave Ste 2450
Los Angeles, CA 900711009 Stine Road
Bakersfield, CA 93309 - Website: www.TheFoxGroupRE.com
- Phone: 424-250-8086
- Email: FoxGroupRealEstate@gmail.com
- Instagram: @TheFoxGroup
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFoxGroupRealEstate
- Twitter: @TheFoxGroupRE
- Other: @RealEstateFox on IG
Image Credit:
Mike Fox
Jenn Charles
Dani
Janet Mancilla
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
