Meet Vanessa Dunlap | Real Estate Agent & Pilates Instructor

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

Hi Vanessa, how do you think about risk?
I would actually consider myself to be a fairly risk-averse person however when I changed careers and went from a salaried Ad Sales Executive to a 100% commission based Real Estate professional I would say it’s definitely the riskiest move I’ve made to date. In my mind, it felt like the ultimate example of a high risk, high reward situation as I was feeling very stagnant in my career and just the thought and hope to be able to spark joy in a new role & industry was all the motivation I needed to take the risk. I knew I had to go for it in order to re-ignite that professional passion and in many ways the thought of hitting the reset button really did excite me even though I knew it would be a long and tenuous road to get there.

It’s now been two years since I made the switch and I am so grateful that I did because it definitely helped me reboot that fire and love for what I do. I believe that a key component of my success has been my ability to identify significant parallels and opportunities between the Ad Sales & Real Estate and to effectively apply those skills & tactics into my real estate business. From providing top tier client service to negotiating on behalf of Fortune 10 companies, I’ve been able to offer that experience and expertise to my real estate clients and it has truly helped move the needle and fast track my business.

Although the two industries are vastly different, at the end of the day, most successful businesses are built upon strong, trusting relationships through top shelf client service and attention to detail and my ability to provide that level of service to my clients has made all the difference. It has been a beautiful and challenging journey thus far with many new risks & challenges being presented at every turn but I am enjoying the ride and the opportunities to sharpen my skills and hustle even harder.

I think that by taking this risk and leap of faith it has also encouraged me to take other calculated risks in my life that I wouldn’t have considered before. The experience overall has fostered an intense spirit of growth and confidence in my life and has confirmed that I should continue to trust my gut and run (not walk) towards my dreams and goals. You’ve got to “risk it for the biscuit” as they say in order to find your joy and I am so happy that I went for it and I look forward to growing my business and enjoying a long and successful career in real estate.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
On average, every person knows at least 5 real estate agents in their life so being able to set my business offering a part from other agents is crucial. For me, my differentiator is true & uninterrupted client service. I always get a kick out of hearing people say, “Oh I bet the flexibility you have in real estate is so awesome” because the truth of the matter is that I am on call for my clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Buying or selling a home is one of the most significant purchases a person will ever make. Additionally, the emotional components of the deal make the stakes even higher and there is a lot on the line. Considering the overall significance, for me, when a client needs me or has questions or wants to connect I make that a priority and there really are no off hours in my opinion.

Years ago when I was an Ad Sales Executive, I bought a home and unfortunately the agent that I worked with really took their foot off the gas the second we opened escrow. As a first time home buyer that’s when I needed them the most. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into and at the time I wasn’t familiar with the process or with any of the hundreds of documents that I was required to review & sign in a timely manner. As I read through each document and the transaction progressed I realized I was quickly falling in love with the process of buying a home. I still had a lot to learn but I knew in my heart that if I became an agent that my 10+ years in Ad Sales would really set me a apart and help me provide a premium experience for both buyers and sellers with client attention and service being a top priority.

At the end of the day there are a lot of real estate agents out there that can get the job done but what makes all the difference is it being a swift and painless transaction experience. This is what sets me and my business apart, the attention to detail and pride that I take in every turn of the deal whether it’s a short-term rental or multi-million dollar property. I am there to alleviate the stress and to help make it a smooth and exciting process. I think the main challenge is that not every buyer or seller is the same and there is not a one size fits all approach. Learning to be nimble and adaptive while working with different people, personalities and budgets has been challenging but also very rewarding. It has helped strengthen & flex that client service muscle and it has pushed me to continue to provide the best service I can for every client.

When in doubt I strive to deliver the same type of time, care, attention & respect that I would like to receive in return. I take a lot of pride in my work and the proof has been in the referral business that I have been able to garner. I never want to be guilty of “falling asleep at the wheel” because every client and deal that I am a part of is an example and reflection of my business and my body of work. I really enjoy what I do, from holding hands and educating my first time homebuyers to really diving in strategizing with my seasoned investors, there is no deal too big or too small where I can’t give my absolute best.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love eating AND working out because #balance so my favorite spots in LA offer up some of the best food, cocktails & workouts around! Some of my current favorites include:
– American Beauty in Venice- in my opinion The Window serves up the best burger in LA. Add in a flatbread and a spicy margarita and I’m in heaven. Chef’s kiss!
– The Proper Hotel in Santa Monica- this is my favorite hotel with the most incredible design & aesthetic with a fantastic rooftop bar & restaurant. I want to live there.
– Belle’s Beach House- this spot just opened and is a must. You’re instantly transported to an ultra chic tiki oasis with amazing food & cocktails. The spring rolls, crispy tuna & teriyaki burger are some of my favorites.
– A Malibu day trip is always a favorite of mine since I went to school at Pepperdine. A nice walk around the Country Mart, Malibu Pier or drive up to Lily’s for a breakfast burrito is always a great call.
– I love a good walk around Montana Avenue for some shopping or lunch at R+D kitchen where the Dip Duo, Ding’s Crispy Chicken sandwich and a glass of Schramsburg will change your life!
– On Saturday’s the Playa Vista Farmer’s Market is one of my favorites for delicious fresh produce & shopping. Walking through Playa Vista’s new Free Market to grab an ice cream at Jeni’s or a delicious cocktail at Joliet are top picks as well.
– When I’m not holding open houses or writing offers I am also a Lagree Pilates instructor at The Studio MDR. We have 4 different studio locations in Marina del Rey, Playa Vista & Culver City. I was a Division 1 athlete and in my opinion this is one of the most challenging and body transforming workouts I have ever done! I loved it so much as an avid client that I became a certified instructor last year. It’s a true game changer and my personal happy place 🙂
– For some weekend fun I love going to The Room in Santa Monica. On Saturday nights they play the best old school hip hop and serve amazing cocktails for the perfect late night dance party.
– I also love going to Winston House in Venice, the multi-room bar/night club has a live DJ, big dance floor and an ultra-chic bar & lounge. One of my favorite spots in LA right now!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my loving parents Jann & Bill. When I told them that I was going to quit my job, hit the reset button and pursue a career in real estate they didn’t flinch. It has been a very rewarding and at times very tough two years in the business but their support & encouragement has been unwavering. They have been cheering me on since day 1 and throughout every twist & turn. Without their positivity, prayers & humor there is no doubt that I would not be where I am today both professionally & personally. I really did hit the parental jackpot and I am eternally grateful for them and for the example they have set for me and our entire family. Thank you Mom & Dad, to the moon! 🙂

Website: https://www.highlandpremiere.com/

Instagram: @v_town_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-dunlap-322a6a10/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/vanessa-dunlap-highland-premiere-los-angeles

Other: Studio Mdr Website: http://www.thestudiomdr.com/