Drive through Malibu, and among the vistas of sparkling blue ocean, majestic cliffs, and rolling hills, you will undoubtedly come across another area staple: the name Chris Cortazzo.
You will see his name on For sale signs marking everything from $500,000 mobile homes to multi-million-dollar estates. Youll see it in the newspaper when he is commended for sales that top simply inconceivable amounts again. Youll see it on any number of guest lists for charitable events and generous donations, especially when they are for PETA, the Boys and Girls Club, or Malibu area schools.
Yes, Chris Cortazzos name is everywhere in Malibu, because thats what happens when youre The King. It was actually the Bravo TV program Million Dollar Listing, in which Chris was profiled among several other L.A.-area top-producing agents, that coined the term The King of Malibu . Perhaps it was his incredible production that earned him the title. Perhaps it owes to the type of clientele he often serves, namely some of the biggest names in entertainment and business. Either way, Chris, Estates Director for the Malibu West office of Coldwell Banker, is neither impressed by the title nor turned off by it.
I would say Im indifferent to it, said Chris, who leads an office that includes his assistants Rob, Bruce and Kirby. I think its meant as a compliment because I put a lot of time and energy into my career.
Chris understatement is indicative of the juxtaposition that defines him. He is incredibly well respected and revered as the ultimate professional, but for all his renown and accomplishments, he remains humble, grateful, and even hopeful that with every new transaction, he is again able to walk away with the satisfaction of having helped his client achieve their goal.
Every day in this business is challenging, fun, and inspiring, he said. No matter what price range I am working in, I get a tremendous amount of enjoyment out of helping someone buy or sell their home. I never forget that what I do helps someone to fulfill their dreams.
With more than $1.5 Billion in closings since 2000, hes clearly fulfilling a whole lot of those dreams, which, for Chris, is the reward for all his hard work.
You see, anyone who watched Million Dollar Listing and got a glimpse into Chris world may think hes achieved the American Dream. And anyone who sees a number like $270 million which continued his streak as the No. 1 Sales Agent in Malibu, the No. 1 Coldwell Banker Sales Agent in all of Southern California, and a member of the Companys Top 1% Nationwide and thinks they could easily do the same, may have a rude awakening. In truth, Chris career accomplishments are the product of an unwavering 24-7-365 commitment.
I think people have a perception of what real estate agents do, and they dont fully realize what it entails, he said. Its eye opening when new agents get into the business and get firsthand experience of everything involved in closing a deal. Its a very challenging profession that requires a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment. When people ask me what the secret is, I tell them to work hard, and have integrity.
That winning combination is one that has been paying dividends for 14 years. I turn around and all these years have passed. I cant believe how fast time has gone by, he said. I truly enjoy and appreciate each moment of each day. When you are passionate about what you do, time really does fly. I am truly excited everyday to go to work, which is fortunate, since, with the amount of volume I have, I dont have a moment to rest.
Chris ability not just to handle such a high level of volume but perfect every detail is legendary. Part The Art of War, part How to Win Friends and Influence People, his mastery of all aspects of the real estate business, from the attention to detail that is without reproach, to the exceptional negotiating power, to the impeccable reputation that gives his clients an edge in every transaction, is legendary. And his work ethic is unlike anything even people with decades of experience in the business people like Jay Rubenstein, Manager of Coldwell Bankers Malibu West office have seen before.
In all my years in the business, Ive never seen someone who works like Chris does, said Jay. The level of production he maintains is amazing. He does more production on his own than they do in many offices. But with all the business he does, he still manages to be an incredibly nice guy.
It is that side of Chris the nice guy side that flies under the radar when the deal-making Chris is on display. Those who only know of Chris as the uber-agent, the businessman, the investor, or The King of Malibu dont know the real Chris.
So who is the real Chris? Part family man, part animal activist, with a highly developed spiritual side that rivals his ambition. To wit: where he lives.
I bought the house next door to my parents, who are my best friends, and I also bought the property on the other side of them in the hopes that one day my brother and his wife and child will move down and well have a family compound, he said.
Chriss extended family includes a menagerie of animals he keeps on his property, many of which he allows to run free as part of his daily morning regimen.
I have several dogs and have rescued 25 chickens from the Agoura Animal Shelter, he said. They call me and let me know they have an animal they are going to put down, and I go and rescue it. I will do what I can to save the life of an animal. They are part of the family. Every morning I wake up, swim a mile in my pool, let the chickens and turkeys run free, and then go to work.
Interacting with his animals is part of where Chris, who is a vegan, finds his center. His ever-evolving spiritual side is at home in Malibu, and the ocean provides him with a grounding force, he said.
The ocean is obviously a huge draw of Malibu, and a love of the ocean is something we all have in common living out here. In Beverly Hills and other areas of the Westside there might be more of an emphasis on what you drive, but here in Malibu, its more about a lifestyle. I like that aspect of Malibu.
Because Chris is so attuned to what Malibu has to offer, he has been attracting the most discerning clients since his very first days in the business, and high-profile clients remain a staple of his business today. His first listing was actually a property owned by Richard Gere. Not bad for a rookie.
I have always been very comfortable with any type of clientele, he said. I have a lot of high-end listings here but also specialize in the lower range as well. I do not discriminate when it comes to clients, and am happy to assist anyone.
That extends to other agents as well. Despite his intensely busy schedule, Chris took on the charge of mentoring two agents Madison Hildebrand and Bobby Lehmkuhl, both incredibly successful real estate agents in their own right who have clearly benefited from Chris tutelage.
I mentor two people, he said. I did it because I thought it would be rewarding, and I have really enjoyed watching them become successful. I really believe you get what you give.
Chris certainly has. For all he has accomplished, he never stops looking for ways to provide even better service to his clients and for other ways to extend his service to the community around him.
I know I have this persona in Malibu, most of it based on the fact that my name is out there a lot, he said. I spend a lot of time on my job and work as hard as I can, but I dont define myself by my career. Yes, this is a very competitive business, but I am proof that you can succeed without sacrificing your values. I hope at the end of the day to be known for being a nice, fair, good person. Nothing would make me more proud than for that to be my legacy.
