Driven by his passion for real estate and people, millennial entrepreneur Ellie Shefler is blazing trails in Las Vegas luxury real estate scene with personal sales exceeding over 20 million-dollars in 2017 alone and ranking amongst GLVAR Top 100 in 2018.
Photo credit Fraser Almeida
Shefler’s tenacity combined with an unmatched commitment to service has been the key to his success. Passionate about real estate, Shefler made the decision to join the Luxury Estates International team, which is an upscale real estate brokerage specializing in the marketing and selling of luxury homes, high-rise condominiums, and top-of-the line penthouses in the market.
Born in Israel, Shefler’s family moved to LA in 1975 and lived in Beverly Hills, where his father owned several businesses and bought and sold luxury homes, until he moved to Las Vegas in 1989. Over the years, Shefler has honed his skills and has had to wear many hats to create the ultimate experience for his clients. The knowledge and experiences he has garnered have been invaluable in his real estate career and have allowed him to put his networking and marketing strengths to work.
When Shefler isn’t busy taking over the real estate market in Las Vegas, he can be found at the gym as fitness is a huge part of his everyday life. Always refueling himself for the next challenge.
I caught up with Ellie Shefler, for an insightful interview discussing his success, as well as his tips and tricks when it comes to luxury real estate including both buying/selling, forecasting trends in the luxury market, how to get the most out of your experience with a realtor, and more. Here’s what he had to say.
Q: What attracted you to get involved in luxury real estate here in Las Vegas?
I learned a lot about high-end real estate from my father, who was active in real estate in Beverly Hills. But it wasn’t until I got to Vegas that I found my own passion for the industry. Las Vegas is such a unique world market that draws personalities of all kinds. It’s the people I work with, my clients and peers, that inspire and motivate me. You don’t just get into luxury. There’s a shift that Realtors must experience to get into the luxury market. In 2012, I put together a triple deal at Veer Towers and Palms Place for two penthouses and a custom unit with multiple contingencies, dual representations, and seller carry backs. A solid month of work. It was one of the most challenging and stressful times of my career, but when we successfully closed on all three transactions, I was hooked. The experience of negotiating multiple luxury deals showed me that I was a seasoned agent, that I could handle both sides of a transaction and any deal that comes across my desk, whether it’s a million dollars or more. It was then that I knew I wanted to get into the luxury market full time.
Q: Were you always passionate about real estate?
Yes, I’ve always been drawn to real estate and the intricacies of the deal. I’m always trying to learn new things and I look at every transaction as an opportunity to expand my experience and knowledge.
Q: Can you tell us about LEI, and your expertise in the luxury residential and high-rise market? What is the full scope of service you offer?
Marketing and branding were a big part of what drew me to Luxury Estates International. The tools and resources that LEI places at my fingertips sets them apart from any other luxury brokerage. I think that knowing both the luxury and hi-rise markets sets me apart from many luxury Realtors, who tend to focus on one or the other. Most of my expertise comes from experience, from getting into the contracts and negotiations. But I also keep myself very market-current by cultivating and maintaining relationships, which helps me create opportunity for my clients. Many of my deals are facilitated through my relationships in the industry.
Q: Can you tell us about some of your recent accomplishments over the last few years?
Gladly. I’ve worked very hard to get to where I am now, and these recognitions help affirm to me that all my hard work is paying off. In 2017, I received LEI’s Sales Recognition, Top Producer, Top Sales, Top Revenue, and a GLVAR Top 250 Realtor awards. My proudest professional accomplishments of 2017 were earning my Broker’s license and exceeded $20 million in personal sales.
Q: Numbers speak volumes, and you’ve made TOP 100 first quarter of 2018, how does it feel to make such a huge impact in real estate market?
So far in 2018, I’m ranked in the GLVAR Top 100 and I plan to maintain that position. It’s a very exciting time for me professionally and I want to do everything I can to make 2018 even better than 2017.
Q: What do you think has contributed to your success in the luxury real estate market?
Beyond what LEI provides as a modern, brand-forward luxury brokerage, I think it’s the relationships I’ve formed along the way that motivates me toward success. It’s about maintaining beneficial relationships beyond just one deal. I attribute much of my success to always being there for my clients, working hard, honesty and having an innate ability to create opportunity for people.
Q: What are some things a seller should look for when listing a luxury property with a broker/agent?
There’s a lot that goes into answering that question, but here are three things that a seller should look in a luxury Realtor. Experience is number one. You don’t want your high-end property to be their first listing. Expertise plays a major part as well. You want a luxury Realtor who knows your specific property, whether it’s a custom estate or high-rise penthouse, specific experience in that market or tower is key. Top-tier services, including an experienced team of experts, sales specialists, marketers, PR consultants, and financial professionals. Much like the sophisticated team I’ve gathered together to help me provide the best representation in the valley.
Q: Can you give us a little insight into current luxury high-rise and residential market?
It’s a hot market right now. The Golden Knights have brought a lot of excitement and I can’t wait to see what having an NFL team here will bring. It will be a game changer for our city. Plus, $13-16 billion will be spent on the Strip in the next 3 -5 years on renovations and building new properties. The Drew (formerly the Fountainebleau), Wynn West, Resorts World, and Paradise Park just to name a few. Many of these major developments are going on in the north side of the Strip, so expect to see a resurgence in that area. All of this development will surely have a positive impact on the local housing market.
Q: Do you think it’s a good time to buy in Las Vegas?
Residential custom homes are rapidly expanding. Developments like McDonald Highlands and The Summit are seeing incredible activity. Right now, there’s a two-month supply of existing homes. And, with California’s high prices driving residents here to Las Vegas to take advantage of our lower housing costs, no state income tax, and favorable tax reforms, we’re seeing a large influx of west-coast buyers. This especially applies to retirees, business relocations, and second or third-home buyers. We have still not hit 2006 pricing yet, and with all the development going on, I don’t see the market slowing down in the near future. It’s a great time to buy.
Q: What are some of your core principles as a Broker/Realtor?
I espouse LEI’s core principles and values and take pride in providing the best customer service possible. I’m always there for my clients, any time of the day. Reputation and integrity is important as well, and not just with my clients but with my industry peers and coworkers. As I’ve already said, it comes to down to creating and nurturing relationships.
Q: If you can give one advice to buyers looking to buy in luxury market what would it be?
Luxury buyers are in a more unique position than sellers because luxury resale allows buyers to choose the amenities and lifestyle they want. However, building a custom home gives you even more freedom to create that lifestyle experience on your own. Be forward thinking and consider design styles and finishes that will always be appealing. If you can’t find it on the resale market, you can always build to your exact specs. With such a limited supply, it’s hard for buyers to get the same experience buying resale than building new. But that doesn’t mean buyers shouldn’t consider all of their options. That’s what I’m here for, to inform my clients so they can make successful decisions.
Q: What’s next? Any interesting developments or news you would like to share with us?
I recently helped a client secure a prime lot to build a 15,000 square-foot ultra-modern custom home on a 1.25-acre lot. Total build out will be $5million plus. My ultimate goal is to build unique custom homes, and this is an amazing learning experience for me. I’ll be involved in every aspect, from architectural design and finishes, to planning and build out to final completion. This experience is preparing me for the next phase of my professional life. As for LEI, we’re the fastest growing luxury brokerage in the valley. In 2017, LEI did $120 million in sales, and as an ambassador of the company, I’m happy to be a part of its growth and expansion. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow has in store.
For all real estate inquiries, please visit ellieshefler.com