Profile: Michael Greenwald

Michael's History in Real Estate. In 2004, Michael was awarded the honor of being in the top 1% of agents in the State of California. This placed him among the top 5% of all agents in the country. He has been involved in the sale of real estate for the past 14 years, during which time he has sold over $300 million dollars of property. In the Brentwood office of Sotheby's International Realty, he is currently the estate manager, specializing in some of the larger estate homes sold on the Westside. In 2004, Michael sold one of the most expensive homes in Santa Monica for over $5 million.

With the acquisition of DBL Realtors by Sotheby's International Realty, Michael's listing and sales inventory has now broadened from Santa Barbara down to San Diego. Unlike many real estate agents, Michael works both with the buying and selling of homes.

"I have expertise with closing deals for both buyers and sellers," Michael says, "because I have experience sitting on both sides of the table. I know the issues that both parties have to deal with."

The route which led Michael Greenwald to real estate, however, was not as straightforward as his sales figures. Born and raised on the Westside, Michael spent his youth in the Santa Monica area, where he earned a Master's degree in Speech Communication from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Some of his first experiences in the business world were in the entertainment industry, where he worked as a scriptwriter and assistant director. Notably, he penned the script for the final episode of Hawaii 5-0, and was thus the last man to pen the immortal words, "Book him, Danno."

But the entertainment industry was not the only venue where Michael tried his hand. He also opened a chain of highly successful health clubs in the Westside area, including Matrix One and Mezzeplex. Even today, in his networking efforts, Michael finds and sells properties for people in these occupational arenas.

A third area where Michael ignited his entrepreneurial talent was in the advertising industry. The ad agency developed images, logos, marketing campaigns, and corporate identities in the real estate, health care, fitness, and entertainment industries.

"Whatever I was involved in, I found that real estate was a common denominator," says Michael. "I know Los Angeles, and especially enjoy dealing with people who are relocating, because I can be a resource for more than just houses. I can help people find everything from good schools to good restaurants, health clubs, and car dealerships."

Michael's assistant, Sujana Kaplowitz, has a solid background in real estate. She is a fully licensed real estate agent and acts more like his partner in business, working with buyers, showing Michael's listings, and coordinating all marketing efforts.

Laura Burkett still works very closely with Michael, representing many of their buyers together. She has worked alongside Michael since 2002 and has an incredible feel for the Westside market.

Michael's Hobbies and Interests. As a native of the area, Michael can hardly help but be involved in many of the outdoor opportunities which exist in the Westside area, such as biking, skiing, and working out. "My definition of a hobby is pretty much anything that I can do to have fun with my son and daughter," he says. Michael has been married since 1992 to Mira Greenwald, and they have a ten-year-old daughter, Ilana, and a seven-year-old son, Justin.

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Michael feels that having a family has helped him become a better real estate agent, because he has a better perspective on some of the concerns a family might have regarding schools and other imminent familial concerns. "I have become very active in the community, not only with other parents and their kids, but also directly with my son and daughter's school, which is Roscomare Road School in Bel Air."

Michael also keeps up many of the contacts and friendships he formed while working in the health club, entertainment, and marketing arenas of the Los Angeles area.

Other Information About Michael Greenwald:

Michael's Approach to Servicing His Market

Description of Michael's market strategies, in addition to specific industries Michael works with

Important Facts About the Westside Real Estate Market

Information for home sellers and buyers