PHOTO: Kendra Wilkinson
Kendra Wilkinson got her first glimpse of luxury real estate while living at the Playboy mansion, but now, she’s buying and selling posh properties on her own show, “Kendra Sells Hollywood.”
Now in its second season, this Max series shows that this former Playboy model has come a long way. In fact, this season highlights a hard-earned career milestone for Wilkinson, who announced during her interview with Realtor.com, “I sold my first house!”
Curious to hear more about what she’s learned in her three years as an agent with Douglas Elliman, we caught up with the working mom of two. She shares her experiences selling homes in Southern California, her plans for the future, and her best advice for buyers and sellers today.
How have you grown as a real estate agent since Season 1?
Season 1, I wasn’t able to sell a house. I was pretty bad. I was really struggling at finding myself, finding my groove. Even though I’ve sold houses before being an investor, I knew nothing about the business of being a real estate agent. It took me a while to break into the business.
Season 2, I am listing my first few homes and selling them. It took a lot to get there, but I’m finally feeling the confidence. The market’s different, but I’m doing pretty good now. I’m out every day. I fail more than I win, but I think in the process of struggle and failure you get to learn what not to do again and how to get better.
You once called the Playboy mansion home. From your new perspective as a real estate agent, how do you see the iconic property now and would you suggest any renovations?
I love the land it’s on, and I love the layout of it. It was neighboring the Spelling Mansion in the most prestigious [neighborhood] in the world, and so that’s why it had its price tag. But it was a very old, smelly mansion. It’s a good idea to keep the bones.
To tear it down, I don’t think it would have been a good move. The bones of it were actually pretty amazing, and the lot, the land, you can’t get that in L.A. It’s just such a unique property. I’m glad they kept it up.
What are your best tips for buyers and sellers to weather the housing market right now?
The interest rates are climbing, and people are waiting for them to go down. My advice is not to make any rash decisions.
Numbers are extremely important because it’s not just about buying a property—it’s about the resale as well. There is a mansion tax [in Los Angeles], and that actually plays a part. You have to watch the market, you have to work with a smart agent and take your time.
And for sellers, you have to price your home to sell right now. Pricing it [high] is not going to be in your favor.
Do you have any personal real estate goals you’re working toward?
I’m still getting on my feet. I’m renting right now. Rent sucks, it takes your money, but I’m not making any crazy decisions just yet. I’m trying to play it safe. I’m going to invest when it feels right. I definitely am one of those buyers that would like to put my own touch on the house. I like projects.
Thinking back to when you first entered the real estate market, would you have done anything differently as a first-time buyer?
At that time, I was really fixated on investing, so I just wanted to keep buying properties and investing in properties. I would have done a lot different. I would have done more research on the growth of the areas and really took in numbers.
What’s next for you as a real estate agent?
Everyone talks about a niche. What is going to be their thing? What’s the approach?
And for some reason, my natural so far is developers and investors. I want to get involved in developing. That’s going to be my next phase in learning this business: building homes. I’m really excited to get into developing, and I really want to pick up a hammer and a saw and get into it! I want to build something that I know is right for buyers.
What style of home would be your dream development?
I like feng shui, you know. I walk in, there’s a little bit of Zen. I like a little Zen touch. I would build a home for wellness. There’s a lot of wellness-style homes that are being built right now, and I think that’d be my angle, too.
I also notice a lot of cheap builds, and I can see the flaws. The last thing you want to do is just put lipstick on a house; it’s just not right. You have to put real love into building your house.
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