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AGENT SPOTLIGHT

KACEY TAORMINA Broker Associate

Kacey Taormina

BRE 01920673 714.323.3200 ktaormina@surterreproperties.com

1400 Newport Center Drive Suite 100 | Newport Beach, CA 92660

Who is Kacey Taormina and what is the most important thing people should know about you?

I am a dedicated mother and wife, competitive business woman and committed athlete. I humbly serve my clients no matter the size of the deal.

What personal and professional attributes enable you to retain your clients?

Making a commission is secondary for me. I consider myself a trusted advisor and take that responsibility very seriously while maintaining my clients’ needs and goals as my primary concern. I have an even temperament and am able to navigate complicated transactions calmly, which allows me to provide greater value to my clients beyond just “doing the paperwork.”

Tell us about your first sale.

My first listing was for a residential infill project. I negotiated with over 20 developers vying for the land and assisted the winning bidder in navigating the entitlement process. In advance of opening the development, I was even able to pre-sell two of the homes.

What is your favorite neighborhood?

My favorite neighborhood is Eastside Costa Mesa because of the authentic community and walkability it provides its residents. I’ve lived in Boston and NYC, so to be able to get to everything I need on foot in an OC suburb is a plus. Beyond finding a great house, having neighbors you love that share similar interests and are in the same life stage truly improves the quality of your life.

What part of the city would you invest in right now and why?

From an investor’s perspective, the highest cap rates are still found in North Orange County cities like Anaheim and Santa Ana. These areas will continue to be great to invest in multifamily properties because of the high percentage of ongoing renters. There is less turnover in these types of units because the tenants don’t have the resources to move as frequently.

What factors have driven property values in recent years?

Property values citywide continue to increase through improvements to reimagined retail experiences and overall amenities like parks and pools.

Continued low interest rates have also allowed for a growing market. In addition, homeowners and realtors have become very strategic with remodeling and staging choices, targeting their selections very specifically for a particular demographic.

What changes to the real estate industry have had the most impact on you?

The increasing amount of real estate information online available has meant that I must remain focused on new ways to build value into my position, such as seeking out off-market properties. It has forced me to get creative and work harder to make the same amount of money. On the other side of the coin, social media has decreased the amount of dollars needed to market a property. Almost every home I have sold in the last six months has been because of posts on Instagram.

What advice would you give to a new licensee?

Be patient and ask for help! You’re not going to close a bunch of deals your first year in the business, so know that it takes time to build a steady stream of loyal clients that trust you. Also, find an established, notable mentor from whom to learn the intricacies of a deal.