Being Successful in Real Estate After a Mid-Career Switch

Lou Sagatov
Real Estate Agent
http://lousagatov.com/
571-305-2405
[email protected]

You may have heard the Sagatov name around Arlington, especially if you’re house shopping. It graces signs in front of new homes and work trucks traversing local streets.

The man behind the name is Lou Sagatov, but he’s no longer in charge of his eponymous design-build business. Lou passed the business to his son and has started a new career as a real estate agent.

Lou, who also has a daughter-in-law who works in real estate, is proud of his family business. He’s also proud to treat his clients like family.

“One of the things that I offer personalized service to people. I’m not trying to capture the whole world, I just like working on a one to one basis with people and helping them reach their goals,” Sagatov said. “I’d rather work with less people and have a full relationship than try to be so stretched out that I can’t fully service the people I’m dealing with.”

That philosophy for real estate clients is influenced by Sagatov’s 28 years of previous experience in design-build.

When he works with a seller, he uses market analysis to help him determine the current value of the home. Then he helps the owners figure out if they need to make any improvements to maximize its value on the market.

“We do whatever makes the most sense so they can sell their house to meet their goals,” Sagatov said.

After that, he manages the marketing, using online promotion and open houses to help sell the homes.

With buyers, it’s important to set priorities, whether it’s to find a home that’s perfect today or finding a property that buyers can expand or renovate, Sagatov says.

Sagatov says what keeps his clients coming back and referrals rolling in is his transparency and personalized service.

There are challenges in working real estate, Sagatov says. He’s used to dealing with them, because they’re similar to those he’s faced before. It’s about communicating with clients and helping clients get what they want out of the experience.

“I’m working with a builder right now, there are a lot of new builders on the market, how do we get his product sold in a competitive market?” Sagatov said. “For clients, it’s how do we find the right home for them that will allow them to end up with what their dream is? For sellers, it’s how do we sell the house quickly so they maximize their net profit?”

From speaking with him, it’s clear Sagatov puts a great deal of thought into his interactions with clients, as he does with his family.

“I try to figure out how can I support my son and my brother and my daughter-in-law,” Sagatov said. “How do I support them in their business and help them achieve what they want to do too.”

The family is based in Northern Virginia, an area Sagatov has called home for decades. Whether working with a buyer or seller, Sagatov himself is sold on the Arlington area, because of the parks and trails balanced with cultural events and local businesses. Sagatov said Arlington “gives you all the elements you want,” but noted it wouldn’t be the same without the people.

“What I really enjoy about Arlington is the people, there’s a great diversity of people so that makes living here a lot of fun.”

The preceding was a sponsored profile written by Eleanor Greene for ARLnow.com.