In the world of luxury real estate, there is one name that has gained the reputation both nationally and internationally as one of the most trusted and admired agents in the Los Angeles real estate market, Jade Mills. As of 2019, Jade is ranked the #1 Agent Worldwide for Coldwell Banker and the #5 Agent Worldwide for all Brokerages. Jade has achieved the highest sales volume on record of any agent in Coldwell Banker history, just surpassing an astounding $8 Billion in career sales. As of 2019, Jade has represented 26% of all homes sold in excess of $20 Million in the Westside of Los Angeles, including her representation of the seller on the record-breaking $119,750,000 sale of “The Manor” (“The Spelling Manor”). The reason for her success, Mills can boil it down to one thing, “relationships”. “I love my clients. They become friends. They refer me. They trust me.” HOW SHE GOT STARTED In the late 1970’s, following a divorce, while working as a cocktail waitress, she studied to get her real estate license. After some initial success selling homes in the Sherman Oaks community, Mills took a break from Real Estate. With a renewed dedication to the work, she quickly became one of L.A.’s top-producing brokers. Today she represents celebrities and millionaires and closes deals on ultra-luxury properties in wealthy enclaves like Beverly Hills. Some of her most notable sales include the Chartwell Estate, also known as the “Beverly Hillbillies” mansion, which sold for $150 million; Spelling Manor, which sold for $120 million; and the Playboy Mansion which sold for $100 million. GETTING INTO THE LUXURY MARKET In 1990 Mills married her second husband and lived in Beverly Hills. She started working with the parents of her children’s friends from school. “That’s really how I got started in the upper-end, through living and working in Beverly Hills.” Jane has always worked for Prudential California Realty. In 1995, Jon Douglas bought Prudential, and then in 2001 Coldwell Banker bought Jon Douglas. “I’ve never transferred companies, but we were purchased twice, and we are now Coldwell Banker, which is amazing.” Jade attributes the biggest part of her success to “always doing the right thing, always wanting the best for your client, and then you get referrals over and over.” Most of her business comes through name recognition or referrals. TIPS FOR A CHANGING MARKET Jade has seen market downturns, yet her strategy remains simple – “One of the most important things that we can do in our business is keep in touch with our clients and customers.” Jade suggests that you simply “stay positive “. She recognizes that she is very blessed to be in the industry she is in. “One of the most important things is to keep in touch with your fellow agents”. During Covid, Jade held Zoom calls, invited local politicians and had as many as 2,500 people attending to get the latest information about the market and news. “The more you can focus on giving your clients information; the better off you are.” The truth is, says Mills, there is not secret to real estate success. Everyone has a different style and path, but consistency, constant prospecting and building true and deep relationships with people in your community will deliver results no matter where we are in the housing market cycle.