Having lived and worked in Pacific Palisades, Ryan Jancula—who grew up on Galloway Street—and Trevor Montano share about everything from what led them to a career in real estate to how they build relationships with clients, leading to more than $100 million in sales so far this year.
Tell me about your childhood. Where were you born and where did you grow up? What were some of your hobbies and interests as a child and teenager?
Jancula: I was born at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica and grew up at 911 Galloway Street. I loved sports and raised money for my basketball team by going door to door selling car wash tickets.
Montano: I was born in Westlake Village and grew up in Agoura Hills. Growing up, I loved playing football and hanging out with my friends on and off the field.
What was your first job out of college? What led you to choose a career in real estate?
Jancula: I worked with a local top producing Realtor in the Palisades and really learned the business. I got my license when I was 19 years old, went to college at University of Oregon and I knew that I would go into real estate from a very young age. I heard stories while growing up of my grandmother, Laurine McNulty, being the top producing agent for Fred Sands Realtors from 1969-90.
Montano: After graduating I worked with a top agent in Malibu and learned the systems needed in order to operate a successful real estate business. From a very young age I knew I would be involved in real estate within some capacity.
While in college I received my real estate license and interned for commercial and multi-family investment institutions. I gravitated toward residential real estate as I enjoyed establishing deeper relationships with my clients.
How does your background help you when working with clients to buy or sell a home?
Jancula: Being from the Palisades and living all over the Westside of Los Angeles, I know these neighborhoods intimately. I also have a very good memory, and can recall facts and details about homes and information quickly. The clients we work with tend to be quick thinkers as well and value our expertise that’s provided with real world facts to help best advise on their investment decisions.
Montano: Having majored in regional development I have a natural tendency to look at homes from a current and future value standpoint. This has helped assist my clients purchasing or selling when their objective is to maximize their investment while having it functional for their family.
Do you represent homes in all neighborhoods of the Palisades?
Jancula: Yes, we represent all over the Palisades. This year, we have already sold over $100 million thus far, and we expect to sell nearly $140 million by year’s end.
Montano: Yes! Our main focus is in Pacific Palisades, and our boutique office is located on Via De La Paz. We help homebuyers in all price points purchase/sale in the Palisades and Westside.
Tell me about how you approach new clients who are aiming to buy or sell a home.
Jancula: It really depends on the feeling and trust that we create with our clients. If a new client fully entrusts in myself and our team, they will know very quickly that we will stop at nothing to provide their desired outcome to the best of our abilities.
If our client is hesitant for whatever reason, we exercise patience, while also working very efficiently to provide their desired outcome. We take our role in someone’s search and investment extremely seriously.
Montano: We first discuss with our clients what is their desired final outcome. We then try to establish the best strategy in order to position our client to make their goals a reality.
We tend to move efficiently when executing our game plan, but we always keep in mind our client’s over-arching needs. We realize the transactions we work on with our clients tend to be the largest they will make in their lives.
What are some of the most memorable homes you have sold or helped a client purchase?
Jancula: Most recently it was our two highest sales of this year. Both were sold off market. One in Rustic Canyon for $15.5 million, and the other at 333 Mount Holyoke we sold during construction for $11.5 million, setting a record for the area.
Montano: Six months ago we represented a seller in Malibu and sold their home off market, setting a record for the neighborhood. This has been a memorable sale because the buyer did not see the property in person, they only viewed the property via FaceTime.
What are some current trends in real estate?
Jancula: Inventory is extremely low and interest rates are historically low. I expect to see interest rates stay below 5% for the next few years. With such a limited supply of homes and multiple factors creating exorbitant buyer demand, I see the market maintaining a seller’s advantage in the upcoming year.
Montano: One of the biggest trends I have seen in the last 12 months is that buyers are willing to pay premiums for homes that are “turn key.” Buyers will pay this premium in the luxury market because of their opportunity cost of their time.
Buyers desiring to spend time fixing up a home versus concentrating on their respective careers is not something we see often. With limited inventory, this has drastically raised the prices of “turn key” homes.
Have you lived in Pacific Palisades, and if so, what neighborhood(s)?
Jancula: Alphabet Streets and Via De La Paz condos.
Montano: Yes, I have lived in the Via Bluffs on Radcliffe Avenue.
What do you and your family like to do for fun?
Jancula: My girlfriend and I enjoy time with our mini Bernedoodle puppy, Honey. We also like to cruise around in my ’66 red Mustang convertible. If you see me in town, say hello.
Montano: My family have always been big travelers throughout the years. I was fortunate to surprise my mom and sister on a trip to Greece this past summer.
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