3 Ways a Determined Real Estate Agent Quickly Became a Local Luxury Expert

With a strong, decades-long background in sales, Stephanie Band was ready to take on her next endeavor: real estate. If it was anything like the other industries she’d mastered, things would go well, Band thought.

And they surely have.

In 2021, Band, who lives on the island of O‘ahu, Hawaii, started out with a competitor brand before joining the local RE/MAX ALOHA HOMES office in Ewa Beach. She wasted no time diving into the area’s competitive luxury residential market. Leveraging The RE/MAX Collection – the RE/MAX brand’s exclusive luxury home marketing division – helped her quickly expand her network.

“People come to our market from all around the world. That’s why it’s helpful that RE/MAX has an international presence,” Band says.

In the two years since earning her real estate license, Band has become a go-to agent for some of the area’s most exquisite, high-end properties. Here are three ways she has solidified her role as a luxury home expert.

1. Harnessing a strong work ethic

When Band decided to make a career change, she didn’t want to linger as a novice. Instead, she began learning everything she could about real estate, from crafting listing presentations to marketing to closing – and everything in between.

“I study hard and learn quickly. I don’t do anything halfway,” Band says. “Within my first year in the business, I was representing a $3 million house and a $4 million house in the Hawaii Loa Ridge [subdivision].”

Band continues to represent exquisite estates, including a $14 million off-grid oasis and a newly listed $50 million seaside dwelling. Her most expensive listing yet, the home is on the largest residential lot on the Kailua Beachfront and boasts 12 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms.

She was (and still is!) willing to try conventional and contemporary measures of building business.

“Some people have a problem with doing the hard work like making cold calls, but I’ll do whatever it takes to connect with new clients,” Band explains. “And it’s not enough to just talk to them over the phone – you have to go see them, meet with them, and build those relationships. It takes time to do that – and for me, it’s taken driving hundreds of miles all over the island, too.”

2. Going the extra mile in marketing

When representing luxury properties, the details make all the difference, according to Band.

This is an important philosophy in her marketing efforts, where she will do whatever it takes to help a high-end estate put its best foot forward and reach the right audience. So far, this has included bringing in a helicopter, trotting in horses, and more.

And with a proactive mindset, Band doesn’t just wait for a potential buyer to come her way. Instead, she reaches out to fellow agents to match her properties with their buyer clients. The more luxury homes she’s taken on, the more she’s built upon her reputation for being a reputable source of listings and marketing ideas.

3. Learning from others

Band never stops learning from those around her.

Soon after joining RE/MAX earlier this year, Band attended The RE/MAX Collection Luxury Forum, the brand’s annual gathering for agents who work in the luxury real estate space. It was an opportunity for her to immerse herself into the RE/MAX culture and connect with fellow luxury professionals from around the world. She even spoke onstage and presented about Hawaii’s luxury market.

Band takes advantage of learning opportunities on a daily basis, too.

“By being a part of an office you align with, and a network of people you can connect with, you have more opportunities to learn new things all the time,” she says.

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