Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff St. Thomas.
Jeff, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am second generation Californian. I was born and raised in Glendora, a small suburb just outside Los Angeles. At the time, my mother was a stay at home mom and my father was an engineer with the Apollo space program. When I was two my parents decided to build a cabin near Big Bear Lake. My father was a man of many talents and they bought a set of blueprints from Sears for a two bedroom one bath cabin. Every Friday night, after work dad and I would take the truck and head for the mountains, we would work all weekend and come home late Sunday. That was the beginning of my love affair with real estate. The first cabin was just the beginning, Dad just kept on building cabins for others and mother would sell them.
When I was nearly ten years old, my parents decided that they were best not married any longer. Dad took us three kids, we moved to Big Bear Lake and dad started building houses full time. I had many jobs over the years from picking up foundation pins one summer for a motorcycle to cleaning out a house once framed and ready for the next trade. Given that Big Bear Lake was a resort town, clients would often come on weekends to see the progress and they would find me working in their new house, I would speak with them about what had been completed and what was to come next.
At this point, I am 12 to 14 years old. The conversation invariably would turn to finishes, counter tops, stone, wood floors, etc…as a young boy I think I was all too helpful, lol. That early interaction gave me skills I still use today. If you are not accustomed to building a house and most are not, the plethora of choices that are required can truly be overwhelming. There are many similarities when buying or selling a house. While working with dad he built several hundred homes, this gave me an incredible foundation for both understanding the mechanics of building along with the ability to hold the clients hand and lead them calmly through a stressful process.
When I was 17, I moved to Palm Desert and started painting houses. That led to larger projects and working with architects and designers. Over the years I was really fortunate to be involved in some incredible new builds costing millions of dollars along with renovations of historically significant properties such as the Kaufman house in Palm Springs.
By the time, I was in my mid-thirties, I was growing restless and was looking for a new opportunity. I had worked with a client on several projects and he kept saying he was going to build a Quizno’s. I said a Quiz what? Long story short our interest evolved into a development partnership. We purchased the development rights from Quizno’s Corporation in Denver to be able to franchise restaurants in the Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and portions of Los Angeles counties. Our office was here in Carlsbad. I was responsible for the site selection, commercial leasing and construction buildout of 130 plus units. My biggest take away was learning the importance of knowing your real estate market street by street, city by city. What’s across the street and around the corner. You might love the house but if there is a freeway on the other side of the fence you might view the house differently.
In early 2003, my father and my grandmother both died on the same day, unrelated causes. That was a wakeup call for me and caused me to reevaluate my life and what was important to me. So, I decided to leave the Quizno’s development venture and take a few years off. I was blessed in many ways, I have met fascinating people and experienced incredible adventures most people never even dream about. I spent time in Austin, Asheville and Lake Winnipesaukee. I love to travel and have been in about 40 of the 50 states along with many countries in different parts of the world.
So alas, my travels came to an end and I wanted to go back to work. I had always been fascinated with Scottsdale, AZ.
I had grown to love the process of real estate, helping a client find the right property in the best location. Knowing how to structure the deal to meet the client’s financial needs, understanding both sides and making it work. You can make all the demands you want but if it does not work for both sides the deal will fall apart, both sides must achieve what they need to close the deal.
I knew this time I wanted to use my vast construction knowledge along with my commercial experience and work in the luxury home market. I spent five years in Scottsdale and was honored to work with The Joffe Group, representing luxury home buyers and sellers on some spectacular and unique properties. After several years I grew weary of the long summers and I started missing the coast and my love of the ocean. At the end of 2015 I made the decision to move back to Carlsbad.
Real estate licenses are state specific, so that meant two months of required classes and passing the California test. I had passed the Texas and Arizona test with ease so I thought no big deal. First off, getting a test date here in California was way more challenging than I ever expected. After five months of applications and a letter to the Commissioner asking for help to get the test date, the day finally arrived. While taking the test I thought wow this is really difficult. Fortunately, I passed the test and could actually go to work. Having grown up in southern California, along with living in Carlsbad for 8 years I know the area extremely well. I know a fair amount of people and as friends found out that I was back and had a license, work started coming my way. So, I started writing offers and making deals and have never looked back.
People always ask where, where are you working. I love working the coast, who wouldn’t? While I live in Carlsbad I am uniquely blessed to have a broad understanding of the San Diego real estate market. With my years of leasing commercial real estate, our need for quality locations took me all over southern California looking for just the right demographics. I possess an intimate knowledge of communities most people have never heard of let alone ever visited. I lived in the Coachella Valley for 20 plus years, I have a vast knowledge of the intricacies of various cities, country clubs and neighborhoods in the valley, thinking of retiring to Arizona, talk to me, again huge knowledge base of the Phoenix metropolis. I can sell your home here in San Diego and connect you with a Rock Star agent in Arizona to assist you in finding the perfect retirement home. Perhaps a new build is something you prefer, with my construction back ground I bring value to the process, choosing the location, upgrades, designs etc… I recently listed and sold a home for a couple north of Escondido, I have helped buyers here at the beach on a couple of different properties, currently searching for a single-family home for a retired single lady wanting to live closer to family. The client and their needs with the location vary, the process is always the same.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think every time you reinvent yourself there are struggles. However, the struggles are what make you better, they differentiate you, struggles create new skills and abilities that enable you to genuinely guide the client on a path that is steadfast and sure. I welcome the struggles, they expose learning opportunities that make you better. Let’s just say I have had my share of failures and disappointments, however, I believe equally blessed with many privileges.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Jeff St. Thomas Real Estate, JeffSold.com and EXP Realty of California story. Tell us more about the business.
I guide clients to enable their dreams.
I think my clients say it best.
“Jeff, sincerest thanks for such great representation on our recent home purchase. This one took some real patience and creativity on your part to get us across the finish line and you exceeded our expectations at every turn. We were so impressed throughout by your work ethic and the conscientious manner in which you approach your craft. Very thoughtful, great listener, super prompt and responsive – I could go on and on. We would not be in this amazing home if it were not for your tireless efforts and positive attitude. You simply would not give up. Happy to put in a good word for you any time.”
“Jeff, I want to sincerely thank you for the diligent work you have done for me in finding an investment property, your amazing patience and professionalism throughout the entire process. You continually went above and beyond in so many ways. I would never have been able to make and complete the purchase without your support and guidance. I look forward to continuing to work with you on future endeavors and please use me as a reference in the future.”
“Fortunately, we met Jeff via one of his previously satisfied clients. And we must say, Jeff blew us away! He is knowledgeable, approachable, personable, endlessly patient, and incredibly generous with his time. He answered every question and explained every form and every part of the process clearly and thoroughly. Buying a home in this market is challenging, but working with Jeff made it as painless and straightforward as possible. Jeff is a true professional and winner you want on your team! We highly recommend Jeff!”
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I would say Lady Luck has brought some amazing and incredible people into my life. She has given me a path each time when I need her the most, luck will sometimes give you opportunity, however you must provide the hard work to make that luck a reality. Lady Luck does not give you success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.JeffSold.com
- Phone: 858.354.7488
- Email: Jeff@JeffStThomas.com
- Instagram: jeff_st_thomas
- Facebook: Jeff St Thomas Realtor
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
