Raju Chhabria
($2 Billion Agent)
Over the last two decades, Raju Chhabria Real Estate has been a force to be reckoned with in the Los Angeles real estate market, specifically in the Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, and Torrance communities. His firm holds the impressive records of earning over $2 billion in lifetime sales and more than $100 million in yearly sales since 1997. Raju himself has been ranked Shorewood’s No. 1 agent since 1994, and was ranked No. 26 nationally for 2007 by the Wall Street Journal. Originally from India, his easygoing and always courteous nature proved a great fit for Los Angeles and quickly propelled him to the upper echelons of the industry. Not surprisingly, some of the people he admires are Bill Gates, Tiger Woods, Donald Trump, and Roger Federer. Though they represent a selection from diverse fields- sports, technology, and business-they are all superstars and it is easy to see how Chhabria has followed in their paths.
HL Where are you from? What attracted you to Los Angeles?
RC I am originally from Bangalore, India, and moved to L.A. in 1984. My beautiful wife is originally from Bangalore and moved to L.A. in 1980. She returned to Bangalore for a visit and I ended up deciding to move to L.A. after that.
HL What attracted you to real estate?
RC I arrived in L.A. with $10,000 and the intention to go into the import/export of leather goods. Well, that didn’t work out, so two months later, I was broke. I had studied accounting and law in India but my degree was not accepted in the United States so I decided to get into real estate.
HL Who was your first mentor, and how did he or she influence you?
RC I would say it was the person who taught my certification class. He said if we did one-third of the work he did, we could make a million dollars.
HL You’ll never be found without your…
RC Phone, of course.
HL What were your yearly sales for 2007? What is your forecast for 2008?
RC For 2007, it was $189 million, and for 2008, I project $250 million. I have already sold $130 million so far.
HL What is your most memorable deal?
RC The first house I ever showed. It’s kind of a funny story; we walked in on a couple making love! I had just gotten my license and was so embarrassed. I did, however, manage to find a house for the buyer later that night.
HL Where do you live?
RC Palos Verdes, Los Angeles.
HL If money were no object, what property on the market would you recommend in Southern California?
RC Beachfront property in Manhattan Beach.
HL What is your formula for keeping your high-profile clients happy?
RC Lots of service, attention to detail, to have knowledge of the industry and the properties, and, of course, to always be courteous.
HL Tell us one thing most people wouldn’t know about you.
RC I’m a funny guy.
HL What is your proudest achievement?
RC Coming here from overseas and being one of the most successful brokers in L.A. and in the United States.
HL Where would we find you on a Friday night?
RC Probably at home, watching a Lakers game on TV. I’m a big basketball fan.
HL What are your favorite vacation destinations and/or leisure activities?
RC Hawaii and Europe for vacations. I play tennis twice a week and work out with a trainer twice a week.
HL Your forecast for the L.A. real estate market for 2008?
RC In my area, it will stay stable and strong. Other areas could go soft but the high-end areas will keep selling.
HL What are your personal goals for 2008?
RC I would like to stay healthy and do more charitable work. I’ve started doing some and hope to expand that part of my life this year. Also, to make sure that my two sons continue to be well and happy.
HL In your opinion, what makes L.A. so special?
RC The weather is beautiful. There is plenty of opportunity. There are 500 large companies in the vicinity of my office so there is a lot of business activity. Also, the leisure activities; where I live, I am close to skiing, the mountains for hiking and I can partake in water sports. And then there’s Hollywood for nightlife, where there is all kinds of entertainment. And, above all, people here are nice
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