Real Estate Power Players

Jim Arbeed
The Entrepreneur

Having grown up in San Francisco, Jim Arbeed has a unique perspective about what it is that makes this city one of the nation’s best. Jim is ranked as one of the top five Coldwell Banker agents in the San Francisco Bay Area, and in the top 10 for all of Northern California. The Wall Street Journal named him as one of the top 100 agents in the nation in 2008, and this wasn’t even his chosen career path—he originally wanted to be a pilot, and then had a successful stint as a restaurateur.

Haute Living Where are you from originally?
Jim Arbeed I am from San Francisco.

HL How long have you lived in San Francisco? What neighborhood?
JA I lived in San Francisco until 1976, at which time my family moved to the Mid-Peninsula town of Hillsborough, where we currently reside.

HL When did you first become interested in a career in real estate? What about it sparked your interest?
JA I studied real estate in 1989 at Anthony Real Estate School. I initially studied aeronautics and wanted to be a commercial pilot, but the early 80s were not good years for the airline industry. So I got into the food business and opened two cafés in San Francisco. The transition to real estate was natural, as both businesses are service-oriented and require people skills.

HL What was the first big sale that you closed in the luxury market?
JA A very large new home in Hillsborough that I ended up selling two more times over the years. It’s still one of my favorite homes at any price.

HL Who taught you the tricks of the trade in luxury real estate? What are some of the lessons that you learned?
JA I was fortunate early on in my career to work at a premier office that handled many high-end properties and employed some of the biggest names in real estate. I think that I learned by osmosis. I constantly asked questions to anyone who was around. I also had an excellent office manager who previously was a star sales person herself. And the best teacher in life is experience.

HL What would be your dream property to list and why?
JA I just listed and sold my dream property in December, after listing and selling it less than two years ago. It has the type of grand, symmetrical architecture that I truly admire. It has tremendous street presence, yet has a certain understated elegance at the same time. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s on two level acres with a pool, regulation tennis court, and outdoor kitchen.

HL What is the secret to succeeding in the San Francisco real estate market?
JA I think that the secret, if there is such a thing, to succeeding at anything is perseverance. It also helps to keep an open mind and to park your ego at the front door. Education is power, so always be willing to learn and never think that you are above it all. Real estate is ultimately a service business. We are basically facilitators, and if we are good at it, transactions should appear seamless to our clients. Lastly, learning to take the good with the bad is really important. No bull market can last forever, and in this business, longevity means that you can make the best out of any market or situation.

HL What is it about the Bay Area that is attractive to those seeking a luxury lifestyle?
JA What really makes it attractive is its diversity on all levels. It offers endless choices. With one of the most beautiful cities in the world at its core, Silicon Valley at one end and the Wine Country on the other, it is truly a magical place to live and I feel very fortunate to call it home.

HL Where is the first place you would take an
out-of-town visitor and why?
JA The obvious choice will always be the Golden Gate Bridge. Even after all these years, I am in awe every time I see it. The short trip across this wonder of the world is truly unforgettable. Once across this bridge, the drive to Sausalito and Tiburon is certainly high on the list for visitors as well.

HL Where are the best luxury shopping venues in San Francisco?
JA Union Square, of course, as well as the newer Westfield Mall. Smaller boutiques and shops also can be found on Union Street and Chestnut Street. But let’s not forget about the large, beautiful malls on the mid-Peninsula and in Stanford.

HL The last place you went for fine dining?
JA My wife and I recently took some good friends and clients out to dinner at Michael Mina at the St. Francis Hotel on Union Square.

HL You never leave home without…
JA My cell phone. It’s sad to say, but I really feel naked without my BlackBerry. I have my whole career on it!

HL Your favorite Friday night out?
JA Taking my family out to dinner.

HL Describe San Francisco in three words:
JA Classic, timeless, beautiful.

HL If you weren’t in real estate sales, you would be…
JA I would probably be a classic car collector. Growing up, I loved anything with wheels or wings.

HL When not selling properties, what is your favorite pastime?
JA I really enjoy playing tennis early in the morning on weekends. I find it very relaxing and therapeutic, perhaps because I take my aggression out on the tennis balls.

HL What is something that people would be surprised to find out about you?
JA That I do own a pair of jeans.

HL What are your predictions for the local market in 2010?
JA Our local market will recover sooner than most. That’s not to imply that we are over the hump; we may stay like this for another year and then be on a gradual road to recovery. Our market rode a 10-year high and something had to give. The areas that I work in have fortunately survived relatively well. There are a finite number of properties, which means fewer expansion opportunities and lower inventories. With limited supply and steady demand, these areas survive economic downturns far better than most. I always remain optimistic, and it’s tough not to when you live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.