Check out our interview with leading real estate agent Anna Topolanski who works at one of the top real estate companies in Los Angeles – The Beverly Hills Estates.
Follow Anna @annatplski
Hi Anna, please tell us a little about you?
I was born in Paris, France; in a family of four. I grew up in the 6th arrondissement before moving to the 16th arrondissement. I started swimming at age 6 and became competitive very quickly. I always needed to be the best no matter what. I became a pro athlete being in the top 10 in France and top 3 in Israel. After high school, I decided to get out of my comfort zone and went to college in Miami where I swam in Division 1 for a little more than two years. I was thirsty for adventures and wanted to see what I could achieve in every way possible. After that, I transferred to Fordham University, New York to finish my bachelor’s degree. I was always passionate about real estate and I wanted to step into the field as soon as I could. I got my real estate license very quickly after I graduated college and worked my connections and relationships to join The Beverly Hills Estates and have loved every day there.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
competitive, perfectionist, lovable
We would love to know more about your career journey. How did you get your start into Real Estate?
Being from Paris and traveling all around the world definitely shaped my eyes to what is really beautiful. I first got into real estate managing my family’s property in St Barths. I’ve always been attracted to interior design, to get people excited about a certain house, and to sell the dream lifestyle. But it’s only when I moved to LA that I decided to get my real estate license. I saw the opportunities that this city has to offer and I jumped right in! I joined The Beverly Hills Estates and it was the best choice I have ever made!
Let’s talk about Real Estate and about The Beverly Hills Estates? What is different from The Beverly Hills Estates to other ones in a very busy and competitive market?
The Beverly Hills Estates is not your average brokerage. It’s so much more. It’s a family. It’s where we learn from the best brokers in town. It’s where we get the best people whether you need a staging company or a security system installed for a client. We have the best people for everything and it makes a huge difference. It’s a sharing environment, it’s where we get excited and passionate about what we do, and it’s run by the best agents in the country; Branden and Rayni Williams.
The Beverly Hills Estates is a luxury residential real estate brokerage closing the biggest deals in the city and breaking record sales every other week. I feel lucky and honored to be working there under Branden and Rayni.
Tell us about the Real Estate market after COVID. How do you think this affected or will continue to affect the market and if you think is a good time to invest in real estate now?
The market recently slowed down after a crazy post COVID market. I think during COVID people realized they wanted to be more comfortable at home, instead of feeling “stuck” inside their house. Everyone wanted to buy their dream home. Until a few months ago there would be 10 different offers on the same house and every single sale would go over-asking.
Now, as interest-rates have gone up (people are freaking out because interest rates were at an all time low before, but we are just back to average), not as many people are able to afford these houses so there isn’t as much competition over the same listings, but this is still LA, the city where dreams come true, with the best weather in the world, the best lifestyle possible, so people are still buying homes and real estate will always be the best type of investment.
For you, how is different from the real estate market in France to the one in Los Angeles or the US?
The real estate market in France is completely different to the one in Los Angeles. The type of properties are completely different, the architecture is also different; the buying motivation is different but also the buying power here is much higher. Buyers in LA come from all over the world, and the amount of people able to afford $20M+ home is much higher than it is in France.
What is the key to your success?
I would say that determination is definitely the key to everything! Knowing what I want and knowing why I do what I do is how I make things happen for myself. I’m very grateful for swimming because it taught me resilience and perseverance and I learned very early on that I had to work hard every day to get where I wanted.
What is fun and rewarding about what you do? And what’s not?
The fun part about real estate is that I get to see the most insane properties in the world, and my job is literally to meet new people and make connections. It’s all about being social and knowing the market.
Can you name a few of your celebrity clients?
Unfortunately, celebrities often want to stay private and have us sign NDA’s (nondisclosure agreement).
How would your best friend describe you?
Very hard working and easy to talk to about anything.
What is your own definition of happiness?
I believe there are different aspects of happiness and that you have to go through difficult times in order to enjoy the happy moments. I think fulfillment is a huge part of being happy, as well as friends and family. I think money can buy freedom which we all want and work for, and being free is also a part of happiness. Obviously, being in good health physically and mentally is extremely important and plays a big role in happiness.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Probably sushi
And your favorite cheat food?
Definitely pizza
What would be a deal breaker on a first date?
So many… if he’s not a gentleman, if he doesn’t have manners, if he smells bad, if he doesn’t have clean teeth, if he chews his food with his mouth open!!!
3 things you can’t leave home without?
My phone, my car keys (we’re in LA, come on we don’t walk anywhere!), and my wallet
What do you think of Social Media?
I think social media is more powerful than any other type of platform, it’s a great way to connect and stay connected with people all around the world, it’s amazing to grow businesses, to get more visibility on what you do; but it’s also the biggest comparison tool that ever existed, and comparison tends to kill happiness; I also strongly think that most of what we see on social media is fake and does not reflect reality.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram: @annatplski Tiktok: @annatheagent
Quote: Water flows easiest through the path of least resistance
