But how do you keep up in these fast- moving and often unprecedented times? Unsurprisingly, Nourmand has some ideas. “You have to find out when is that biological clock in you the sharpest… and the most productive, and you work with that.” While elements of the job can’t be done anytime, Nourmand suggests finding ways to tackle those tasks you can self- pace to the time of day that works best for you. When considering things like how to respond to restrictions from the pandemic that at least temporarily brought old marketing strategies to a halt, Nourmand says,” Our job is to be a chameleon and to be able ... to evolve and to change with what has been given to us.” Myra Nourmand’s story demonstrates the long-term payout of a client-centered approach supported by hard work. As she appropriately puts it, “By being ethical, by being honest, by being hardworking, and by being an expert,” you are sure to succeed. By bypassing what’s quick, easy, and flashy for what’s genuine, right, and generous, Nourmand’s career built itself. In Nourmand’s story, we find that large price tags are not the true marker of a successful career; they are the byproduct. Follow Up on the First Lady After our initial interview, Smart Agents contacted Myra Nourmand to see how business has changed three years later. Referencing the ongoing global conflicts, interest rates over 6%, and the upcoming 2024 Presidential election, Nourmand says, “Houses [are taking] longer to sell, and home prices have reduced considerably.” In her market specifically, she adds that Measure ULA (also known as the ‘Mansion Tax’) has affected sellers with properties over $5 million. “[Sellers] are
unenthusiastic about paying higher tax on their profits and then higher interest rates when they buy their next home,” she says. While this creates new challenges, Nourmand says that comes with the territory, “the ability to evolve is required 24/7. No matter what is thrown at you … you need to stay creative, work harder, and work smarter,” she explains. It’s also inspiring sellers to get innovative, offering things like “seller financing to offset the high-interest rates” and “providing leases with option-to-buy terms.” Nourmand credits a positive outlook with her ability to stay responsive to ever-changing markets and in the face of challenges. She says, “ I have always believed in the silver lining and that no storm lasts forever…As long as you are healthy and are doing the best job you can, you will succeed. Enthusiasm, honesty, and hard work pays off.” Reflecting on her inspiring career and the legacy she hopes to leave behind, she has no regrets: “I don’t think there is anything I’d like to change in the way that I have done my business in the past four decades.” Nourmand explains, “My business has always been full of referrals and repeat clients who feel I have done a good job.” Those repeat customers are all the proof she needs that her efforts have been worth it. It all comes down to meeting the needs of each client at each moment, and doing so will inevitably build a strong referral network of repeat business over time. “A pebble thrown in the water creates a ripple that gets larger and larger. That’s how I see my business,” Nourmand says. “My network has become larger every decade from doing a good job. The rewards are plentiful. Do the right thing, be fair, be honest.”
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