Meet Jeff Katz: Author & Real Estate Broker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeff Katz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeff, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
One of my underlying life philosophies is to live life without regret. My dad used to lament that he wished he come to California 10 years sooner than he did. He was a risk taker; he had a stable job that paid the 1966 equivalent of $100,000 a year, a family, a house in the suburbs, and at 44 years of age quit the job, sold the house, and without a job waiting for him, packed everything up and began the five day journey on Route 66 to a new life in Los Angeles. He eventually owned three businesses and was very successful, the hardest working person I ever met.

Ironically, when I was 44, I did the same thing with my family; sold the house, left Southern California for better opportunities in the Northern California, Now I’m 61 I look forward to new adventures and look back with no regrets, I’m not the type who could have stayed in one job for 30 years.

What should our readers know about your business?
My main source of income is from my real estate career. I’ve been a licensed Realtor since 1985, and except for a six year stint working a salaried job in a senior community, have been selling property in good markets (like now) and terrible markets (like 2008 and early ‘90s in So Cal).

There have been brutally tough financial times, when my kids were born in 1993 I took a job and there were days I left the house at 7 am and didn’t come home until 11pm. Having to move four times in five years with twin babies was tough but we finally got back on our feet and we’re able to buy a house.

Today my business www.jeffkatzhomes.com I specialize in helping seniors whether they are downsizing to a smaller home or senior community, my personal and professional experience is very helpful and I love working with the older adults. Eventually that passion for seniors will turn into a film project, because my other passion is a creative one.

I’m most proud of my self-published book “Once Upon a Time in West Hollywood: L.A. Through the Lens of a Teenager in the ‘70s.” When I was a kid growing up in West Hollywood I liked taking photos and I compiled 125 photos and published a book, available on Amazon. I was literally 14 or 15 years old.

I took some of the images from the book and created an Etsy shop called UrbanscapeDesigns selling cool canvas art. I’d like to expand that shop and in my ‘60s do a film project dedicated to centennial seniors.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Sunset Strip because I grew up in the shadow of the Strip. Canters Deli. Melrose Ave. Santa Monica. Beverly Hills, Century City, and if there is time take in a Dodgers game.

Lunch at Le Petit Four

Dinner at Laurel Hardware. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My late father for giving me the foundation and work ethic. My family and twin daughters for being supportive. BIG shoutout to my wife Suzanne herself taking a chance moving 6000 miles from London to marry me, both of us had no money at the time, and today insists I be self employed instead of the less risky approach of a steady job. I know fun adventures are ahead!

The book that made a difference in my life and gave an insecure teenager confidence is such an old classic Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” Seriously old book written in the ‘30s but somethings and ideas are timeless and classic.

Website: www.Etsy.com/shop/UrbanscapeDesigns

Instagram: @ladetroit59

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-katz-14053915/

Facebook: Facebook.com/jeff.katz.77

Other: www.jeffkatzhomes.com