Coco Clayman-Cook

About Us:

My Bio

If you are ready to buy or sell a condo, you may want to talk with me first. I am a tenacious and devoted representative of my clients' interests -I am intensely loyal and take my work and commitments seriously. The trust my clients place in me allows me to apply my market savvy and negotiating skills toward the attainment of each of my clients' goals.

But make no mistake, my no-nonsense service is not for the timid. I can be blunt, brutally honest and will always tell you the truth. I don't make excuses, promise to make you laugh and will produce amazing results without wasting your time. That's why my list of satisfied clients includes some of the most respected and high-power business executives, attorneys, developers, and business managers on the Westside.

I am a native of Los Angeles, a graduate of UCLA in Psychology, and a condo owner, resident and investor myself, I have an unparalleled familiarity with the character and value of the city's unique neighborhoods. I love condo living and I know the Los Angeles condo lifestyle and marketplace inside and out. As a Realtor, over the last approximately 20 years I have represented many different types of clients and properties from multi-million dollar estates to the latest and greatest luxury condominiums on the Westside of Los Angeles.

All of my clients expect a lot and I appreciate that - they expect the right price and the best terms and solid deals that won't fall apart. They don't have time to waste, so I listen carefully and do what I say I will do - and more. I work hard for them and I always get results. I will continue to work with the market as it is - I know that we are entering a period of stabilization - at last and that every day that goes by brings new opportunities for buyers and sellers of residential real estate in Los Angeles..

I was the former assistant manager for the Beverly Hills office of a major national real estate company and recipient of numerous awards for record-setting sales, I work well under pressure - love the reams of paperwork - use my psychology degree when necessary and had originally wanted to be a lawyer. I can and will be tough when I need to be and a am a seasoned and skilled negotiator. I always look out for my clients' best interests before my own and I am known for that.

I launched LA Condo Lifestyles this past year and am proud to say that the company is already one of the condo industry leaders when it comes to using creative marketing and the latest technology. I consult on the condo market, am interviewed about the LA Condo Market and my website LACondoLifestyles.com is one of the most thorough and up-to-date websites in the real estate business. Just google la condos and see where we come up - and that's not from pay per click advertising - thats from great content, my blog and my attempt to provide a service to the condominium buyer. I can thank my great team for helping me get where I am - and of course learn about Active Rain.

My dynamic approach is especially effective in the exceedingly complex Los Angeles condominium marketplace. When every transaction involves a complicated series of tasks and review of documents, a score of "experts" and many layers of bureaucracy, my focus, intelligence, technological skill and years of a variety of real estate experience make me a "secret weapon" to all of my clients and a respected leader among her peers.

Real Estate Development Experience

In addition to my accomplishments in residential real estate, I also worked in real estate development and served as executive vice president for a West Los Angeles development company, PCS Development, and participated in all aspects of the acquisition and financing of over $150,000,000 of multifamily apartment properties and condominium projects after the 1994 Northridge earthquake. During a short "window of opportunity" I managed and closed over 40 condominium and apartment properties totaling 2000 units, many of which were REO Properties. I also served as the point of contact during the development and marketing of a number of single family custom homes in Malibu and negotiated the purchase of vacant land and four commercial office properties.

My cut-to-the-chase approach and ability to look at the big picture is well suited to the ever changing demands of development and the REO Market. My grasp of details, organizational skills and ability to multi-task enable me to manage the multiple escrows, construction budgets, scopes of work, construction timelines, intense negotiations and the mountains of paperwork associated with each transaction.

I have been told that I have excellent communication skills and work easily with the principals of the company I worked for,by a number of distressed sellers, other real estate agents, brokers, attorneys, mortgage bankers, loan officers, and appraisers. I also had the pleasure of working with the Los Angeles City Attorney's office, the city's finance department, and their Low Income Housing compliance officers and Asset Management Division.

My participation in the review and submission of close to $14 million in construction loan documents included negotiating the terms and conditions of brokers' fees and commissions, escrow and title fees, lenders and mortgage brokers' fees, as well as the creation of proformas for each project. During my tenure at PCSD, they successfully closed 13 Fannie Mae tax-exempt bond-financing transactions.

Paperwork does not frighten me and I understand "compliance" with federal requirements, creation of business and management plans, and the paperwork involved in the transfer of properties into single asset entities (LLC's). Once construction was underway, my marketing savvy helped the development products reach the marketplace, resulting in many of the units being sold or leased prior to completion.

Every real estate transaction is complex, but the development of a project from inception to completion brings my creative side. Once development begins, every day adds layer upon layer of complex tasks, stops, starts, new projects, new management, additional people, personalities and paperwork. It's a challenge to keep up with it all and keep the big picture in mind. I have enjoyed it tremendously and seem to be good at it.

Areas of Expertise

• Luxury Condominums
• First Time Buyers
• Investors
• REO - Foreclosures