I originally came to LJ looking for an owner-occupied plex. I knew roughly what I wanted, but looking back, I wasn’t completely clear on what my actual goal was. One of the first things LJ taught me was probably the most important lesson in real estate: before looking for the right property, figure out what you’re actually trying to accomplish. That sounds simple, but it completely changed the way I approached the search. What really sets LJ apart is the combination of his finance background and his own experience as a real estate investor with multiple doors. He doesn’t just know the market — he understands the math behind it. Cash flow, financing, value, opportunity, risk… he can quickly tell you whether something actually makes financial sense. But he also understands that real estate isn’t always just a spreadsheet. There can be an emotional, lifestyle or long-term component to a purchase, especially when you’re going to live in the property yourself. LJ is very good at knowing when those two sides should be blended — and, maybe more importantly, when they absolutely shouldn’t be. He can be very blunt, which I personally appreciate. He’ll tell you when the numbers don’t work, when you’re probably getting a little too emotionally attached, and also when paying a bit more can actually make sense because the property checks the boxes that matter to you. Throughout the process, he has been extremely knowledgeable, fast and available, calm, patient and genuinely attentive. I never felt like he was trying to sell me something or push me toward a transaction. Quite the opposite — I always felt that the goal was to make the right decision, even if that meant walking away. That combination is difficult to find: someone who understands the market, understands the numbers, owns real estate himself, listens to what you actually want, and is honest enough to challenge you when necessary. If you’re looking for a broker who will simply open doors for you, there are plenty of them. If you’re looking for someone who will help you understand which doors are actually worth opening, I would absolutely recommend LJ.