A Legacy of Real Estate Excellence

For Shapiro, real estate wasn’t initially the plan, but it was in his blood. “My father has been doing it since the seventies, and whether I knew it or not, I was absorbing real estate information while growing up,” he explains.

After a brief college stint of just one semester, Shapiro’s father gave him an ultimatum: if he was leaving college, he needed a job. Starting as a personal assistant for an actor, Shapiro soon realized he needed a more sustainable career path. With his father’s decades of experience in the industry, real estate became the natural choice.

“I got my real estate license knowing that being born and raised in Los Angeles, I had a built-in network and better yet, I had a built-in mentor in my father,” Shapiro recalls. “Things hit the ground running quickly, and my father opened the door for me, but I decided to walk through that door in my own way.”

Despite the family connection, Shapiro earned his position through years of dedicated work. “Funny enough, you know we live in a world where people easily recognize nepotism. But it took me nineteen years to become partner at Westside Estate Agency. It wasn’t like he was throwing me into a partnership role out of the gates. He waited till I was thirty-nine years old, and nineteen years into the office.”

The Westside Estate Agency Approach

Westside Estate Agency was founded over 25 years ago by Shapiro’s father, Stephen Shapiro, and Kurt Rappaport, who Shapiro describes as “the number one agent in the world, maybe definitely in Los Angeles.”

The company was established with a clear vision: “a boutique agency that provides Service First real estate advisors, no fluff, not trying to sell anything else, just sell and deal with high-net-worth individuals,” Shapiro explains. “That’s what Westside Estate Agency has done. Has dealt with high-net-worth individuals, using discretion, expertise.”

The Art of Serving Ultra-Luxury Clients

Working with discerning, high-net-worth clients requires a specific approach. Shapiro emphasizes several key principles:

Listening First

“What’s most important is listening. High-net-worth clients typically know what they want and prefer to express those desires directly. If you listen attentively, you’ll go far.”

Patience

“Patience is also essential. Many agents try to push deals. This is more about learning to steer your client in the right way only if they ask your advice because everybody has different tastes.”

Discretion

“Discretion is crucial. Today, everything is broadcasted on social media and television, but many of these clients don’t want their business made public. It’s important for them to trust you will not broadcast their activities,” Shapiro says.

Personal Service

“When you create teams, communication lines can cross and important details may be missed. Personal service consistently delivers the best client experience. When you personally return phone calls, show properties, and provide feedback, you’re honoring the relationship. High-end clientele expect the professional they hired to provide that personal service.”

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