Blog — CHRISTINE SOLOMON

CHRISTINE SOLOMON is a Realtor® who specializes in residential real estate and commercial investments. She works with NW Real Estate Brokers, a boutique real estate firm located in the heart of downtown Manhattan Beach. Christine attended UCLA, where she earned a BA in Economics and later an MBA in Finance from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Prior to starting her real estate career, she worked at Price Waterhouse and received her CPA. She also worked for more than a decade on Wall Street as an investment banker at Salomon Brothers and Wasserstein Perella.

What would you like potential clients to know about you?

“I am deeply committed to my clients. My job as a real estate agent is my career. It is a full-time profession for me, and I take it very seriously. I love finding the right fit for my clients’ needs.”

How do you distinguish yourself from the competition?

“I work 24/7. In my business I have to be available to my clients whenever they need me. Whether it is having a phone conversation at midnight or driving a long distance to obtain a signature, I am willing to go the extra mile. I have had some pretty interesting adventures thus far, and that is what keeps my job interesting and exciting.”

What are some of the ways you provide top-notch customer service?

“I have my ‘A Team,’ and they know who they are. From escrow and title to home staging, moving, marketing, design and architecture, I have the best resources in the business. My clients reap the rewards of my extensive network. I can offer one- stop shopping.”

How do you handle issues that are unique to the working female?

“Balancing it all can sometimes be challenging. Sure, I sometimes feel bad when I am unable to be at every activity for my 8-year-old daughter. However, I also know that I am setting an example for her. I think it is important for our daughters to see a hardworking mom. Just last week in the car I heard her telling her friend that I put a house into escrow in one day. And then she told her friend, ‘You know, just because you go into escrow doesn’t mean the house will get sold.’ I’ll take that!”

Tell us a bit about your working style.

“Well, I have been told that I can be very demanding.”

What trends do you see in the local real estate market?

“I’ve noticed a lot of international activity. I have a client who just relocated from Dubai, and one of my recent listings in North Hermosa was purchased sight unseen by a couple living in Singapore. I was recently in Europe and developed some clients there as well.”

What are some of the challenges you have encountered being a female in business?

“I think there can still be a bit of a bias about professional women who are hardworking and aggressive in their pursuit of business success. The reality is that you can maintain your femininity while still negotiating and working hard on behalf of your clients. This I know to be true.”

What would you like to do better professionally?

“Everything! I am in the process of getting organized in all parts of my life, and it feels great. This allows me more time to focus on my clients’ needs and wishes.”

What would you like to do better personally?

“I wish I was a better cook. I love to eat and am in awe of my friends who are great cooks. I am remodeling my kitchen right now, so maybe that will inspire me—but really I doubt it. There are just too many great restaurants to walk to from my house!”

Do you have close friends that support you?

“I have the greatest group of girlfriends, and they know who they are. From high school to college to ladies I have met recently, my GFs support me professionally and personally. They are smart, loyal, honest and all-around superstars. We all help each other unconditionally, and that allows me to work hard and continue to grow my real estate business. Girl power rocks!”