Josef Helphinstine

For me, it's about relationships, not transactions.

I was born and raised in San Diego. Around the age of ten, I learned to surf and started my love affair with the ocean. Around the same age, I started working in construction with my stepfather, a former Marine Corps drill instructor. He and the ocean were my greatest teachers. Their lessons were not always easy to learn but they made me the man I am today. They taught me if I wanted something, I had to work for it, and not to stop until I had it.

I entered the restaurant business at the age of 15 and remained in it for a major portion of my life. I was blessed to have a few pivotal mentors early in my career. I would not have had the successes I have had, if not for them. I was the Sommelier of one of the top wine lists in the world for almost ten years. I have worked with some of the top chefs in the world. Thomas Keller, Mario Batali, Alain Ducasse, and Rick Moonen to name just a few. I have had the honor to create and share momentous occasions with perfect strangers. Many of whom I keep in touch with to this day. This instilled in me a deep appreciation of the joy that comes from being of service to others.

Many people think thirteen is an unlucky number, but not for me. On the thirteenth of July in nineteen ninety-two I was supposed to go surfing with a friend who stood me up. It was because of that that I met a beautiful girl who went surfing with me instead. A week later after a dawn surf session with her, we sat eating breakfast. I knew that I never wanted to spend another moment without her. She has given me three amazing kids and a life beyond anything I could have hoped for. Thirteen is definitely my lucky number.

My decision to go into real estate was born of two agents. When we moved to Las Vegas almost twenty years ago my wife and I came out early to house hunt. We had one weekend to find a home for our family. We spoke with an agent in the weeks before we came out and explained what we wanted. When we came out, she did not show us what we wanted. She showed us what she thought we should buy. That night my wife was in tears saying she could not live here. I canceled our appointments and called another agent. I explained the situation, AND SHE LISTENED. The next day she showed us a completely different Las Vegas and we knew we were home. I saw that she cared more about finding us a home, than selling us a house.

A real estate transaction can stressful and difficult, or it can be smooth and easy. The sole difference sometimes is the agent.

Great agents have a few common traits.They are protectors, always watching out for anything that could hurt their clients. They are educators, always ensuring their client has all the information necessary to make the best decision for themselves. They are honest, not always telling the client what they want to hear, but what they need to, even if it means losing the deal.I have found that if I just try to help people, regardless of reward, I am a success in life.This is why when I say, “I just want to help.” I truly mean it. I don't just want to be your real estate agent today. I want to be your family’s real estate agent forever.

That is what I mean by “Relationships over Transactions”.