The Heflin Team - Executive Agent Magazine

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MAGAZINE
S O U T H E R N C A L I F O R N I A ’ S P U B L I C A T I O N F O R T H E R E A L E S T A T E P R O F E S S I O N A L
The Heflin Team
Executive Agents of the Month
INSIDE FEATURES:
Harley Broviak
Ticor Title Company
Mike Domino
Main Street Realtors®

Cover Story
By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa - Errol Higgins Photography
eventually worked her way into the market, creating
her business on her terms. Selling eight houses within
her first month, she quickly proved her mettle and was
accepted by her colleagues and the community at large.
Another first for the real estate community: she began
doing business as a team with her husband Van. “We
were the first team to work in Leisure World,” she
recalls. “It wasn’t a popular model at the time, but
Van and I knew that together, we had an opportunity
to provide our clients with a better level of service.”
As the couple’s business grew, they recruited their
son, Brent to join them. Eventually he moved on to
a brokerage in Long Beach, so the Heflins turned to
the obvious answer for their next team member: their
daughter Jennifer.
A
s unofficial ambassadors for Laguna Woods
Village, the Heflin Real Estate Team: Van,
Phyllis and Jennifer Heflin, are advocates
who provide invaluable insight into their beloved
community. The trio has dedicated themselves to their
profession, building an exceptional knowledge of real
estate and their niche market while remaining active in
transactions throughout the region.
The real estate tradition is a family affair for the
Heflins. Before earning their licenses, Van and Phyllis
worked in retail and operated their own gift shop,
“The Coral Tree” located just outside of what was
once known as Leisure World. Their entrepreneurial
nature and extensive business experience provided
an ideal foundation to launch their careers in real
estate. Phyllis’ family had been in the business for
generations, and she followed suit. She set her sights
on selling homes within the retirement community
where both parents were living, but it wasn’t an easy
transition. “Before we arrived, there hadn’t been a
real estate agent selling houses in the community, who
didn’t also live there themselves,” she explains.
That didn’t stop Phyllis; determined and driven, she
With a degree in Recreation Administration and
experience as the director of a community center in
the City of Monterey, Jennifer had ample experience
working with the public in a service-oriented role. She
earned her license and relocated to Orange County,
and has never looked back. “I love what I’m doing!”
she exclaims of her real estate career. “I have always
enjoyed working with people, particularly active adults.
This is a great opportunity to utilize my skills and to
make a difference in the lives of others.” At present she
is active in the Kiwanis, with the Key Club, and also
involved with the Senior Olympics.
With three individuals involved in each transaction
the team represents, the Heflins have created a
successful business based on a highly systematic
approach. Each member has the capacity to handle
any role within the team, though they tend to focus
on their areas of expertise. Phyllis, whose community
involvement includes serving as president of the
Women’s Connection and the Saddleback Associates,
is also active in the Laguna Woods Village Republican
Club. “After thirty three years in the business, we
have become known as trusted real estate professionals
within our community,” she says. “Living and working
in this area for so long has given me an exceptional
knowledge of the inventory, the amenities, and the
resources available to prospective residents, along with
an excellent understanding of how to properly price
and market homes for sale.”
Van’s specialty is in the details. Throughout every
transaction he follows up on important issues including
inspections and repairs. Communicating with pertinent
parties, he takes great care to ensure that escrows close
in a timely manner, and that unexpected problems
are resolved quickly and effectively. His intimate
ExecutiveAgent Magazine

The Heflin Team
knowledge of the building requirements at Laguna
Woods Village allow the team to remain within the
standards that the community’s management team has
imposed. “We know the right people and the right way
to get work done,” he explains. “When we’re listing
a home, this keeps the process running smoothly for
sellers. When buyers come in, we can refer them to
home repair specialists who will provide good services at
reasonable costs.” Van and Phyllis continue to preview
houses on a weekly basis, keeping themselves updated
and informed on inventory changes and market trends.
Incredibly personable and committed to ensuring
that the team’s clientele are represented well, Jennifer
is the multitasker whose roles include buyer’s agent,
communications liaison, and marketing specialist.
SRES certified, she finds a particular joy in working
with individuals throughout what can often be a difficult
transition. “I love helping people,” she explains. “It’s
incredibly rewarding to know that we are able to
facilitate a transaction that is as stress-free as possible,
and to act as a resource for people who are moving into
a new phase in their lives. Time and again, we are in
contact with our clients long after a transaction has
closed. Knowing that we are the ones they turn to for
assistance or information tells us that we’ve done our
jobs well.” A recent client states, “I am really pleased that
we found you to be our representative. All the positive
feedback that I heard from others in Laguna Woods
Village are true. I will highly recommend you to all the
others who I know residing there. Thanks again for your
expertise on the fair listing price and marketing plan.”
Working with buyers, Jennifer is an invaluable resource
during the process of acquiring lending approval.
As the market has become more challenging, so has
the lending process. “There are strict qualifications
for buying a condominium or a co-op in Laguna
Woods Village,” Jennifer observes. “But for every
challenge there is a solution. My team typically works
with local mortgage specialists, who are excellent at
putting together creative lending packages that meet
Phyllis, Van and Jennifer Heflin
ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Jennifer with Andy Brannen, President/Broker
of Laguna Woods Properties
is to accomplish our clients’ goals, and we do this through
teamwork with all parties involved in the transaction.”
When asked to describe their business philosophy,
Van, Phyllis and Jennifer agree upon a single premise:
The Golden Rule. “We really believe that you must
treat others – clients and colleagues alike- the way
you want to be treated,” Phyllis says. “When we make
people happy, we’re happy. We are in a service-oriented
business, dealing with what is often the largest financial
investment people will ever make. There is a lot of
responsibility in what we do, and we thoroughly enjoy it.”
the needs of our clientele.” Jennifer’s intuitive nature is
also a plus when working with buyers. “I start talking
with clients, and I just get a sense of what they’re really
looking for,” she acknowledges. “My mom told me,
early on, that this is about matching houses to people.
That’s something I truly enjoy.”
As listing agents, the Heflin Team offers an insider’s
knowledge of the inventory and market movement within
Laguna Woods Village and the neighboring regions. They
provide objective feedback on how to prepare a house to
market and sell, and offer a comprehensive advertising
plan that includes targeted print publications and a
significant web presence. Their collegial relationships
are also a boon to their business; working well with their
fellow agents has helped the team facilitate successful
transactions time and again. “The ultimate objective
Michelle Apfelbaum helps assist Jennifer
ExecutiveAgent Magazine

The commitment to their
clients typically extends well
beyond a single transaction.
Known as community
resources within Laguna
Woods Village and the
surrounding areas, the
Heflins have also become
friends to countless
clients. Phyllis’ knack for
understanding peoples’
needs has proven successful
outside of real estate as
well; she has been known
to cultivate relationships
within the community, some
of which have resulted in
happy marriages. (She’s
quick to point out, “We’re
not in the marriage business,”
despite her matchmaking
success.) The team describes
their commitment as “going
the 8th mile.” Says Phyllis,
“We live where we work and our
clients become our neighbors.
Our main goal is to make them
happy.”
In addition to the respect and
friendship of countless colleagues
and clients, the Heflin Team has
also earned professional accolades for
their work. Consistent top producers,
they have been ranked as top producers
within Laguna Woods Village and within
their brokerage. One of their most coveted
honors, notes Phyllis, was receiving the
“Villager of the Month” title. “We were the
first active business professionals to receive
this award,” she notes proudly. “This represents
our dedication not only to our profession, but to our
community.” Of course, it’s not hard to understand
why the Heflins are so passionate about Laguna Woods
Village. The gated community features a wealth of
amenities, including five pools and clubhouses, horse
stables and trails, year ‘round golfing, tennis and a great
ambiance. “There’s no place in California like Laguna
Woods,” Phyllis remarks. “It’s country club living;
a land of paradise,” just minutes from famed Laguna
Beach.
The Heflin Team
LAGUNA WOODS PROPERTIES
24361 El Toro Road, Ste. 160
Laguna Woods, CA 92637
949-466-8279
AHom4U@pacbell.net
www.JenniferHeflin.com
ExecutiveAgent Magazine

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L to R; Charne Parelli, Pat Haynes, Jennifer Heflin, Gayle McDonald,
Nancy Emmett, Beth Young, and Andy Brannen
ExecutiveAgent Magazine