Alon Darvish

The CEO of Rexford Realty, Alon Darvish, has a unique set of skills that set him apart and above the competition in the real estate world of Southern California.

Alon and his team work in the areas around Southern California like Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Beverly Hills, and Orange County, where real estate can be highly competitive. Alon is a higher caliber agent because of his superior knowledge and unique skillset. He was raised around the field of construction and has always had a special interest in architecture. Growing up around construction means Alon has superior knowledge about the inner workings of a house, whereas another agent’s knowledge may fall short at just what is on the surface. Alon has always had an interest in architecture, which also deepens his passion for real estate and helps him in his quest to find the perfect home for any buyer. In order for a home to stand out and appeal to the right buyers, an agent must know how to list it well. Alon is an expert when it comes to the entire process. He knows how to stage a house and give it the perfect touch of curb appeal so that it is picture perfect for the listing. Then, he prices it right to attract the desired buyers. Buying a home with Alon is an equally pleasurable experience. He will not rest until he finds the home of the buyer’s dreams.
Alon’s drive and tenacity inspire his team to be equally driven in their work, producing a highly successful agency. Choosing Rexford Realty will always be a win for anyone seeking a real estate agency.

Where did the idea for Rexford Realty come from?

Growing up I had developed an interest in construction and architecture. Real Estate allows me to have a career in which I talk about my interests every day, so I opened Rexford Realty in 2004.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I start my days early so that I have as many working hours as possible. In a typical day I may be meeting with clients, going to a home to make sure it is ready for listing, or hosting a showing. There are so many things that keep me busy but at the same time I make sure to avoid distractions so that I maintain a high level of productivity.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I am a very spatial thinker. I like to visualize ideas and all of the moving pieces, and then finally how all of those pieces come together.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Eco-friendly architecture and sustainable design are exciting trends, especially in Southern California where these issues are very important.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I never start a project without thoroughly researching it first. But once I have, I am fully committed to it and ready to see it through to the finish.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Take personal responsibility when you are wrong. Others will respect you much more when you are quick to do so. I wish I had learned this lesson a little sooner in life.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

When it comes to design and style these days, there are no rules. It’s really about whatever makes you happy.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Listen to your team and lead in a way that fosters open communication. I make sure my team knows that they can come to me with suggestions and feedback at any time.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

I am always looking for innovative ways of doing business that are mutually beneficial for both myself and my clients. For instance, I use a non-independent broker escrow company, Anytime Escrow, which saves the client thousands on escrow fees. It is one more reason that clients will continue to choose Rexford Realty over the competition.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

There was a time when I would try to do everything myself, and so I would say that I was failing to give the job 100% because some areas were getting neglected. Once I learned how to delegate, things ran much more smoothly, and I was actually able to give more of myself than before.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

With the rise of working remotely, instead of “working from home” people feel as though they are living at work. I would like to see a good solution that helps people have a workspace at home that allows them to truly separate work life from homelife without the need for a large and expensive renovation.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

Parts of California were recently devastated by wildfires. It makes you reflect on how quickly your home and all your possessions can be taken away from you. That prompted me to buy an emergency kit for my home. One that you can grab and go if you ever need to evacuate quickly.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Slack is helpful for communication within the team, for project management, and even marketing. We use it daily to share project updates and ideas.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

The Virgin Way: If It’s Not Fun, It’s Not Worth Doing by Richard Branson. It is a fun read, but it also has a lot of great lessons in leadership and resilience.

What is your favorite quote?

“Every problem is a gift—without problems we would not grow.” – Anthony Robbins

Key Learnings:

• Start your days early so that you have more working hours to stay productive.
• Do your research before full committing to a project, then see it through to the finish.
• Listen to your team.
• Learn how to delegate.
• Use software like Slack to streamline communication and collaboration.