Top CRE agent Davis Saadian to focus on resi at Carolwood Estates Keywords

UPDATED: JULY 5 at 3:30 p.m.

In 2022, Davis Saadian was ranked 33 in Real Trends list of Top California Agents where he took in a sales volume of about $179 million. Aaron Kirman recruited him in 2022 to handle his AKG Real Estate’s commercial practice.

However, Saadian chose to change his game and affiliated with Carolwood Estates, where his Davis Saadian Group will work on commercial and residential. Half of the six person team will focus on residential, which is Carolwood’s forte. The other half will focus on commercial deals. Saadian will equally divide time between commercial and residential.

“The market for commercial real estate has shifted. Investments are not penciling out as in the past couple of years because of high interest rates and inflation,” Saadian said. But in his view, the residential market is strong and offers more opportunity.

He noted that many of his commercial clients have been active with buying luxury homes. Since he was close to their commercial business, he saw an opportunity to work with these clients’ residential business.

He also wanted to work at a smaller boutique firm and collaborate with Carolwood agents who have registered high in media rankings of real estate agents.

After Labor Day, Saadian’s team will work at a 6,000-square-foot office on the third floor of 9440 Santa Monica Blvd, where Carolwood Estates keeps penthouse offices.

After more than 20 years with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, prominent West LA agent Gary Glass affiliated with AKG Christie’s International Real Estate, which was founded by star agent Aaron Kirman. Glass is the second top agent to start working with AKG Christie’s International Real Estate’s new Brentwood office. Cindy Ambuehl was the first marquee name to join AKG Christie’s International Real Estate’s Brentwood office. She made her affiliation in mid-June. Kirman said several more agents will work with the Brentwood office. Glass says it feels odd to wake up and work at a new place. “I was happy where I was, but it was time for me to move. I wanted something new, fresh and exciting,” he said. He also wanted to collaborate with top agents at AKG Christie’s International Real Estate. One of Glass’ prominent listings is back on the market. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez went into escrow in February 14330 W. Sunset Blvd., but the celebrity couple later pulled out. The Hamptons-style house on almost one acre was recently relisted for $32 million.

In April, independent Orange County brokerage Villa Real Estate closed up shop. The high profile Villa was known for handling a 2021 deal for a $70 million Laguna Beach listing that continues to hold the record for priciest home sale in Orange County. Several Villa partners affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty, a group of former Villa agents landed at Compass offices around Orange County. Susie McKibben affiliated with Compass’ Newport Beach office. Making the move with McKibben were Allison O’Neill, Sandra Hauser, Jennifer Wong, Renee West, Pam Duley, Heather Saito and Brad Gentry. Affiliating with Compass in Dana Point are Danielle Bowen and Morgan Just. In other Compass news, Chuck Denny and Christian St. Clair joined Compass Laguna Beach.

Compass offices in Los Angeles County announced new agents recently. Michaela Cadiz affiliated with Compass Sherman Oaks. Cadiz also has a focus in interior design. In January, her work on the renovation of actor Viola Davis’ Toluca Lake house was featured in Architectural Digest. Megan Majd affiliated with Compass Santa Monica. Both Cadiz and Majd were formerly affiliated with Coldwell Banker.

The Hojung & Edwards Team affiliated with Compass from Remax. The team will be working in Compass’ Pasadena office.

Danielle Snyder affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty’s Newport Beach office. Snyder and her team will focus on new construction, resale and timeshares. Snyder previously was affiliated with Surterre Properties in Laguna Beach.

Husband and wife team Lolita and Brent Burghdorf affiliated with The Beverly Hills Estates. They previously worked with Revel Real Estate. The Burghdorf’s will focus on luxury enclaves such as Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Hollywood Hills, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica and Malibu.

Kairi Scott affiliated with Nourmand & Associates. Scott will be working from Nourmand’s Beverly Hills office. Scott will focus on Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Brentwood.

Jack Marguleas, a son of Amalfi Estates’ founder Anthony Marguleas, joined the family business as an assistant/sales partner. Jack will focus on Pacific Palisades, Brentwood and Santa Monica. His brother Max Marguleas also works for Amalfi Estates.

Michael Schwab recently joined the Los Angeles office of private REIT and development firm Meriwether Companies. He’s a Meriwether partner who has been developing Coral Mountain La Quinta, a 400-acre master-planned property in the Palm Springs area.

Several agents affiliated with Douglas Elliman recently, including Brittany Herman, who will be working in Elliman’s Beverly Hills office. She’ll focus on Pacific Palisades and Brentwood. She was formerly affiliated with The Agency. Melanie McLaird recently affiliated with John Stanaland Group at Douglas Elliman. Based in Newport Beach, McLaird will be focusing on Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and Dana Point. She was formerly affiliated with Engel & Völkers. Naz Nowtash started working from Elliman’s Beverly Hills office in mid-June. She’ll focus on Encino, Studio City, Sherman Oaks and Malibu. Nowtash was formerly affiliated with Compass. Callum Moloney affiliated with Elliman’s Newport office. Formerly affiliated with ExP Realty, Moloney will focus on Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Corona Del Mar.

Correction: Previous story incorrectly identified square footage of Carolwood office on Santa Monica Boulevard.