LIZ RYAN

EXECUTIVEAGENT MAGAZINE

LIZ RYAN Executive Agent of the Month

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LIZ RYAN

Your South Orange County Realtor®

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Written by Haley Freeman - Ian Wiant Photographer

hen people meet Liz Ryan for the first time, they are quick to recognize that they have encountered not only a quality Realtor®, but an exceptional human being. That is because Liz does more than deliver first-rate real estate representation. She shares her authentic self, a self that is bound by integrity and motivated by serving others.

Liz has always been a go-getter who sees opportunities in life rather than obstacles. She grew up in a close-knit Italian family in New York where she learned the high worth of relationships and the value of hard work. She had her first job at 15, a precedent continued by her own two daughters.

“I think the kind of culture I came from taught me to put your heart and soul in everything you do and always treat others the way you would like to be treated. Where I grew up, everybody was close. We treated everyone like family.

I learned loyalty, even with people I’m not related to.”

Liz moved to Atlanta with her family where they opened an Italian Restaurant and a Pizzeria. Soon after, Liz began working in property management for luxury, resort-style communities. She excelled at her work, where her gift for connecting with all kinds of people combined with her conscientious attention to detail resulted in satisfied clients and many offers of employment from the Realtors® she encountered. She knew that eventually, a career in real estate would be hers, but the timing was not yet right.

In time Liz married and relocated here to Irvine, California. Once here, they bought and then sold a home and with each Realtor® they had a disappointing experience. “We bought our first home out of foreclosure, and we had zero guidance. It was clear we had no one looking out for our best interests. What I learned is that these people were just doing a deal, and that was it. It was very impersonal and scary at the same time.”

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As circumstances changed and Liz found herself a single mother with two daughters to provide for, she knew it was time for her to get her real estate license. “There was no fear in me that I wouldn’t be successful at it. My previous experience with contract negotiations and connecting with people helped me to hit the ground running from the start, and my career has flourished ever since.”

Liz’s tenacity and ambition carried the day. She has now been an Orange County Realtor® for 15 years, has garnered numerous industry accolades and has made a name for herself as a top producing agent. Her repeat and referral-based business is a testament to the standard of care and integrity with which she has served the community all along. To this day, she remains a close friend with the first client to whom she ever sold a home.

Even during the challenging days of the downturn, Liz continued to thrive. She became a certified short sale and foreclosure specialist and helped many families who trusted only her to get them through harrowing times and back on a path to financial stability.

“For me, it’s all about relationships. I make sure from start to finish that whatever my clients choose is a smart move for them, they are acting at the right time, and the property is a good investment for them.

Knowing the communities is key, and I pride myself on being very knowledgeable on several communities, allowing me to present options to my clients that would best fit their needs. I’ve lived in a number of these communities, and my children have attended schools in these areas.”

Liz’s area expertise is further enhanced by the outstanding support and leading edge industry resources at Surterre Properties. The company’s award-winning, inhouse advertising agency is unparalleled in the industry, and ensures that Liz’s marketing collateral and online presence have the panache to stand out from the competition. “We are light years ahead of the competition.

Even other agents in the area tell me how they admire our marketing pieces,” Liz said.

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A Genuine Professional Liz started off working in the Irvine area. But when she began encountering clients who wanted a bit more space for their money while still having access to a great school system, she introduced them to communities in the Saddleback Valley area, such as Foothill Ranch, Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo. “It has really become an extension of Irvine. I made the move myself almost 13 years ago, and I know how good the school system and community services are,” says Liz. Her business now is primarily focused on the communities throughout Saddleback Valley in South Orange County.

Liz has always had a passion for helping animals and invests in her community by supporting local animal rescues. She has three rescue dogs and keeps a link on her website directing people to pet adoption resources.

According to Liz her business is just about evenly split between sellers and buyers. As a result, she understands what sellers expect and what buyers are currently looking

for in her market, and she can anticipate their concerns and priorities ahead of time. Liz says that unless she absolutely has to, she never puts a house on the market until it is in “buyer love ready” condition. “I know what buyers are looking for, and I take time to explain that to my sellers. I’ve created a team that includes a landscaper, stager and painter. These three things are essential for almost any house to get it looking turnkey. My stager will come in and determine if we just need to move the furniture around or add art and accessories. I take care of that, and I don’t pass the buck to the seller. Utilizing my team for my listings ensures the homes are prepared for a successful sale, resulting in a quick sale for top dollar.”

Liz is also an Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR). When buyers work with her, they know they are hiring someone “who went the extra mile to learn how to represent their best interests.” Her regular work with sellers also helps her to formulate solid offers that get accepted.

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Liz recently expanded her real estate operation to include a client concierge and a business manager. Her team members are there to enhance quality of service and give Liz more freedom to be hands-on with every client. She also employs a business coach to help her run her business more efficiently. “I’m able to network and participate in mastermind groups with top agents all over the country, allowing me to keep learning and advancing in all areas of my business.”

Here are just a couple of her many outstanding five star reviews on Zillow: “I was moving out of the area and Liz Ryan was referred to me by a friend. My home sold in less than two weeks while other listings on my street remained on the market. I found Liz to be poised, confident and refreshingly straightforward. My home was not a million-dollar home, but she certainly marketed it as if it was. From her staging ideas to professional photography to the stunning color brochures, everything was top of the line. If you want to hire a true professional to sell your home, I recommend Liz Ryan. It

was a great experience working with her and her team of professionals.”

“I highly recommend Liz as an agent. I was impressed with her knowledge of the OC area, her trustworthiness and her sound advice. She listened to our needs and was able to offer a location that we had not considered on our own but completely matched what we wanted in a location and home. She made me feel comfortable and supported.

I could not recommend her more and if I ever have to do this again – she’ll be my first call. Thanks Liz for all you did for us.”

Liz’s authenticity as a person and as a professional is evident in the way she treats others and in the results she creates in her life and business. “I’ve never had to up my game to compete with the competition,” she says. “This is who I’ve always been. I evolve with different markets and strategies, but I’ve always been consistent.” For Liz, that means being consistently true to herself and her clients.

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LIZ RYAN, ABR, SFR

Surterre Properties 3877 Portola Pkwy.

Irvine, CA 92602 Tel: 949.933.0702 Email: LRyan@surterreproperties.com Web: www.LizRyan4Homes.com CalBRE # 01323892 ExecutiveAgent Magazine