Power Players of Los Angeles: Jeff Hyland, John McMonigle, Myra Nourmand and more

John McMonigle
(The Celebrity Realtor)

John McMonigle and his talented team at the McMonigle Group, based in Newport Beach, have acclaimed national and international success. John made history over the past five years by totaling more than $1 billion in property sales. He is dubbed the foremost expert in residential real estate as well as real estate developments. His expertise has landed him on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Access Hollywood, The Insider, and other major TV shows nationwide. Here, Haute Living is proud to bring you the celebrity realtor’s outlook on life and his profession.

HL Where are you from? What attracted you to L.A.?
JM I’m originally from a small town in Oklahoma. The pursuit of better climate, economy, and real estate market attracted me to L.A.

HL What attracted you to real estate?
JM I have been attracted to architecture since I framed houses in the hot sun as a teenager.

HL Who was your first mentor, and how did he/she influence you?
JM Bill Feeney was a top producer in Newport Beach who took me under his wing and taught me the value of organization and infrastructure, and, most importantly, the basic meaning of a “team approach.”

HL You’ll never be found without your…
JM Smile, it is important to have fun in this business.

HL What were your yearly sales for 2007? Forecast for 2008?
JM The McMonigle Group sold more than $500 million in luxury real estate in 2007 and is having a record year thus far in 2008.

HL What is your most memorable deal?
JM My last one.

HL Where do you live?
JM In Shady Canyon.

HL If money were no object, what property on the market would you recommend in Southern California?
JM It is difficult to pick a favorite, as the McMonigle Group consistently represents so many spectacular properties. One that is close to my heart is Villa Del Lago (www.villadellagoestate.com), a truly one-of-a-kind landmark estate in Newport Coast. It demonstrates the synergy between my development firm, Monarch Estates, and my sales practice at the McMonigle Group.

HL What is your formula for keeping your high-end and/or high-profile clients happy?
JM Very simple: always looking for ways to raise the bar for marketing and service.

HL Tell us one thing most people wouldn’t know about you.
JM I’m relatively shy.

HL What is your proudest achievement?
JM Marrying my incredible wife.

HL Where would we find you on a Friday night?
JM Date night with my wife, Robin, or home playing basketball with my sons.

HL What are your favorite vacation destinations and/or leisure activities?
JM Palm Desert, Aspen, Cabo San Lucas, and Montana. I love playing golf and boating.

HL Your forecast for the L.A. real estate market for 2008?
JM I get paid to be positive and that is easy to do when you look at the fundamentals this market has.

HL What are your personal goals for 2008?
JM Achieve our clientele’s goals.

HL In your opinion, what makes L.A. so special?
JM The city’s entrepreneurial spirit.