Real Estate Power Players

Mary & Brent Gullixson
The Billion-Dollar Producers

Mary Gullixson has achieved what few others in her industry ever even dream of: close to $2 billion in residential real estate sales. For seven years running, she averaged more than $100 million each year, and in both 2006 and 2007, her sales topped an astonishing $260 million. Her son, Brent, originally wanted to blaze his own trail, but real estate was in his blood. He joined Mary in 2005, and within one year, they were recognized by The Wall Street Journal as one of the top 10 real estate teams in the country. Together, they prove to be an unstoppable force in the San Francisco Peninsula.

Haute Living Where are you from originally?
Mary Gullixon From Beaver Falls, PA, home of Joe Namath.
Brent Gullixon I was born in Stanford, CA, and grew up in Palo Alto.

HL How long have you lived in San Francisco and what neighborhood do you live in?
MG I have lived in Palo Alto since 19__…
BG I grew up in Palo Alto and have lived in San Francisco since 2001 when I returned home from college. We specialize in the towns of Atherton, Palo Alto, Woodside, Portola Valley and Menlo Park.
Haute Living When did you first become interested in a career in real estate and what about it sparked your interest?
BG Mary used to explain to me how newer agents inquired about becoming her junior partner. She often said the opportunity to work with her was there if I should choose to join her. At the time I was working on the 26th floor of the Bank of America building in San Francisco, and our office had a great view of Alcatraz and the bay. One afternoon I saw this great sailing regatta going on. It was a beautiful day, and I thought what a waste it was being inside. I wanted a change so I didn’t have to be in front of a computer all day and only communicate with clients over the phone. Real estate offers the opportunity to meet people face to face, and your car becomes your office. Plus, working with a nationally ranked top producer was too hard to pass up.

HL What was the first big sale that you closed in the luxury market?
BG Mary closed a sale that in my mind symbolized the beginning of high-end real estate sales in Atherton. In 1991, she sold the former Heller Estate, which is now known as Faxon Forest, for approximately $17 million. This is in one of the premier areas of Atherton, next to the Circus Club.

HL Who taught you the tricks of the trade in luxury real estate and what are some of the lessons that you learned?
BG Mary, of course. She taught me:
1. You do a good job and clients become lifelong friends.
2. You never know who will buy a home.
3. You never know who you will meet.
4. No transaction is the same.

HL What is the secret to succeeding in the San Francisco Peninsula real estate market?
BG Know the inventory of the area you work in.

HL What is it about the Bay Area that is attractive to those seeking a luxury lifestyle?
BG There is something for everyone. Whether it’s time in San Francisco, wine country, Tahoe, or the beach, everyone has an opportunity to find activities that suit them. You can snow ski in the morning and make it back in time for dinner reservations in San Francisco. It really is an unbelievable area to live in.

HL Where is the first place you would take a
visitor from out-of-town and why?
BG It depends on the person—maybe a Giants game and then dinner in San Francisco; maybe head up to Healdsburg for a wine tasting. That is a tough question to answer. Some people like the more touristy spots, i.e the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Chinatown.

HL Where are the best luxury shopping venues in San Francisco?
BG Union Square, Westfield Mall, Chestnut Street, and Union Street.

HL The last place you went for fine dining?
BG Fine dining with a three-year-old son can be tough. I recently went to House of Prime Rib with friends and had a blast. The last time my wife Stacy and I went out just the two of us in San Francisco, we went to the Salt House and had a very good time.

HL You never leave home without…
BG Saying I love you to Stacy and our son, Conrad.

HL Your favorite Friday night out?
BG Stacy, Conrad, and I enjoy sushi at our favorite local restaurant, Sushi Hunter in North Beach. We have been going there since we first moved to our condo on Union Street. It may not have the reputation of some other sushi restaurants but we find it hard to beat.

HL Describe San Francisco Peninsula in three words:
BG The perfect place.

HL If you weren’t in real estate sales, you would be…
BG Working on my PGA tour card. In all seriousness, Mary and I would probably be involved in some aspect of real estate. We partnered in real estate ventures in the past and are always looking for the next opportunity.

HL When not selling properties, what is your favorite pastime?
BG Spending time with my wife and son, golf with friends, and
seeing the world.

HL What is something that people would be surprised to find out about you?
MG I was once a pharmacist.

HL What are your predictions for the local market in 2010?
BG I am very optimistic that the momentum our area gained in the last half of 2009 will continue. Listening to the talking heads can be overwhelming, but all we can do is adjust accordingly and help our clients buy and sell their homes.