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Jennifer Williamson-Pagan | Realtor

@coastwithjen

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☀️ LA/ Southbay Realtor • ✨Westchester✨🫶🏼
🏡 Helping families buy smart & stay grounded
⭐ 20+ yrs | Full-time Realtor
📲 310-801-0614

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Born and raised in LA, after 40+ years I decided it was time for an adventure! So we packed up our family and moved to Idaho. 🌾🏡

5 reasons we LEFT LA:

1. ✈️ Adventure! I’ve always loved exploring and wanted to experience something completely different. And ten years before that it was Korea, so Isaho seemed like a reasonable choice.
2. 💸 Cost of living. California is EXPENSIVE! We wanted more financial breathing room.
3. 🌿 A change of environment. I was feeling overwhelmed by big-city life and craving somewhere quieter and less stressful.
4. 🌾 Country living! More land, open space, slower days. This city girl wanted to try something new!
5. 📚 “Better” schools. We thought a different environment might offer more for our girls. Turns out, better is subjective!

5 reasons we came RIGHT BACK! 😂🌴

1. ❤️ FAMILY! It takes a village to raise kids, and my village is HERE. I realized just how much I needed that support.
2. 🏡 We never sold our LA home! We kept that door open, and I’m so glad we did.
3. ☀️ THE WEATHER! Sunshine, beach days, the ocean, and being outdoors year-round. I missed it ALL!
4. 🌴 California is in my DNA. The diversity, culture, food, people, and energy. You can take the girl out of LA, but you can’t take LA out of the girl!
5. 💰 Work and opportunity! I was constantly flying back for real estate clients, and my husband was traveling back for work, too. The earning potential was significantly higher here. Eventually, moving back just made financial sense!

Do I regret it? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Idaho gave us an incredible adventure and something I didn’t realize I needed. Time to slow down, breathe, and gain a different perspective.

And here’s the funny thing…

I’m back in the same city that once overwhelmed me, but I don’t feel that way anymore. Maybe it’s living in the South Bay, getting older, or simply growing from the experience. Probably a little of everything. ❤️

I still love Idaho, but I’m so happy to be HOME. Sometimes you have to leave home to realize what home really means to you. 🌴

Have you ever left California and come back? Or left and NEVER looked back? 😂 by @coastwithjen

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7 days ago

Oh the joys of experiencing rain in SoCal. It’s cool, it’s cloudy, & I am actually pleasant this morning. ☔️💧🌧️ by @coastwithjen

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4 days ago

Westchester Fun Fact ✈️

Did you know there was once a neighborhood in Westchester called Manchester Square? It’s sadly no longer there. 😕

LAX began buying up homes in the area in the 1980s as part of its expansion. Today, that area is part of the massive LAX modernization project- including the People Mover area.

My parents eventually bought our home in North Kentwood in 1988 for $300,000 🤯

So when I talk about Westchester, I’m not just talking about it as a Realtor. I literally grew up watching this neighborhood change. And it has changed oh so much!

More Westchester fun facts coming… 👀 by @coastwithjen

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19 days ago

Every successful woman I know is putting herself out there. And guess what? It’s scary, awkward, uncomfortable, and sometimes downright weird. 😂 But they do it anyway.

So here I go! Root me on or unfollow. Either way works! 😎✌️

Nothing but love for everyone! 💚✨ by @coastwithjen

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18 hours ago

So… this happened. I was in a MAGAZINE! 🥹💃🏼

The October/November issue of Southbay Magazine celebrated the incredible women of the South Bay, and my brokerage, Estate Properties International, featured some of its fabulous female agents. I was so happy to be included alongside these amazing women! 💃❤️

Last night, we celebrated at the Fall Fête Fiesta, and what a night! So many inspiring women from all walks of life, doing all kinds of amazing things. Wedding dress designers, artists, photographers, therapists, spiritual coaches, women in finance, fellow Realtors, entrepreneurs… you name it! I loved hearing everyone’s stories, making new connections, and celebrating women supporting women. ✨

And can I just say how much I LOVE my brokerage? I’ve never been with another company, and I never plan to be. The people feel like family, and after 20+ years in this business, I can tell you that’s something pretty special.

But the biggest shoutout goes to my mom, Kim Williamson. ❤️

If you read my feature, you’ll notice I spent most of it talking about HER! When asked who opened doors for me professionally and made the biggest impact on my career, the answer was easy. My mom.

She’s hands down one of the coolest, most talented brokers you’ll ever meet in Los Angeles. I’m so proud to be her daughter and to continue the real estate legacy she built. 💪🏼

Here’s to strong women, new friendships, lifting each other up, and never forgetting the women who helped pave the way. 🥂🌴

#CoastWithJen #SouthBayWomen #Womensupportingwomen #SouthBayMagazine #EstateProperties by @coastwithjen

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2 days ago

Oh, interest rates. The topic that just won’t leave us alone. 😂

Every time the Fed makes a move, everyone starts freaking out about mortgage rates.

But here’s the thing… the Fed doesn’t actually set your 30-year mortgage rate. That rate is influenced by things like inflation, the bond market, and what investors think is coming next.

And after 20+ years of selling real estate in LA, here’s something I’ve learned:

Sometimes the best time to buy isn’t when everyone else thinks it is.

When the market is slower, buyers can have some pretty sweet negotiating power. I’m talking seller credits, help with closing costs, rate buydowns, and yes, sometimes a better purchase price.

When rates drop, more buyers may come out of the woodwork. And guess what? That cute little house you had time to think about suddenly has five other people interested. 🙃

And sellers, this goes for you too! Sometimes getting creative with a buyer’s closing costs or financing is all it takes to make a deal happen. It doesn’t always mean slashing your price.

My point? Don’t get so caught up in the interest rate that you forget about the actual deal.

There are opportunities in every market. You just have to know where to look.

And that’s where having someone who’s been around the block a few times comes in handy. 😉

Always happy to talk real estate, even if you’re just thinking about making a move.

Call me anytime if you’re considering! ☎️ by @coastwithjen

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5 days ago

How do we afford to raise kids in the South Bay of LA on a budget? 🌴☀️

Easy! I spend all my money on my kids, none on myself, and live in a small, old, kinda ugly house my husband bought almost 20 years ago. 😂

But seriously, here’s how we make it work!

💸 We pick our priorities. I’d rather spend money on my kids’ education and experiences than Botox, Gucci bags, or Louis Vuitton purses. My wrinkles are free, and so is my confidence! 😂

☑️ We try to take advantage of free activities for the kids.

🛒 Costco is our second home. Groceries, gas, essentials! We cook almost every night and limit eating out to about once a week.

👗 Secondhand is our love language. Thrifting, hand-me-downs, donating, reusing. My kids don’t need everything new, and neither do I!

🚗 We drive older cars. No fancy new rides or keeping up with the Joneses. Car payments? No thanks!

💅 Little luxuries. I get inexpensive manicures but do my own toes. It’s called balance! 😂

🔨 DIY everything! Before calling a repairman, we’re ordering parts and watching YouTube tutorials.

🏡 We live small and multigenerational. Grandpa lives with us, we help each other, and there’s less house to clean!

And my biggest real estate takeaway? Think twice before selling a property you can afford to keep.

Our little house has been our home, a long-term rental, an Airbnb, and now our home again. It’s served us through so many seasons of life. Keeping it was one of our best decisions, and I know buying nearly 20 years ago gave us an advantage.

Living in LA on a budget isn’t about having everything. It’s about choosing what matters most. ❤️

Our house is old, our cars are older, and my forehead is wrinkled, but our life is pretty darn rich! 🌊😂

What do you splurge on, and where do you save? by @coastwithjen

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6 days ago

🌴 My 5 FAVORITE LA neighborhoods! Born and raised in LA and selling real estate here for 20+ years, these are the places that have my heart! ❤️

🌊 1. PLAYA VISTA
It’s all about WALKABILITY! Bougie, beachy, beautifully planned, and packed with amenities. Parks, pools, restaurants, fitness studios, and activities for kids. Pricey, but such a dreamy lifestyle!

🌳 2. WESTCHESTER / PLAYA DEL REY
My roots! Beautiful tree-lined streets, charming homes, unique little pockets, and some surprisingly generous lot sizes! I love the central location between the Westside and South Bay, with neighborhoods stretching from the beach to beyond the 405. So much character!

🏡 3. EL SEGUNDO
Old-school seaside charm! Historic buildings, longtime local businesses, adorable Main Street, and that everyone-knows-everyone feeling. Its own police and fire departments, fun community traditions, and the beach right there!

🌻 4. EL CAMINO VILLAGE
My current neighborhood and such an underrated gem! Relatively affordable, down-to-earth, and conveniently located near Manhattan Beach, Westchester, and the South Bay. Love the neighborhood feel!

⛵ 5. SOUTH REDONDO BEACH
Laid-back, down-to-earth beach living with SO much to do! Charming homes, coffee shops, restaurants, the pier, King Harbor, and endless outdoor activities. And the BEACHES are absolutely stunning!

❤️ Every neighborhood has its own personality, and finding the one that fits your lifestyle is what I love most about real estate!

Which neighborhood would YOU choose? Or did I leave out your favorite? 🌴👇🏼

#SouthBayRealEstate #LosAngelesLiving #PlayaVista #WestchesterLA #ElSegundo by @coastwithjen

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8 days ago

I’ll admit it. I am a TOTAL wimp when it comes to heat. 🥵🐔 This SoCal heat wave has me DONE.

Today I chaperoned my daughter’s field trip to Discovery Cube OC, and between the blasting AC and the wind tunnel, I found my happy place. 😂💨❄️

And did someone say RAIN on Sunday?! 🌧️ BEST NEWS ALL WEEK! 🙌

PSA: Discovery Cube is only about 45 minutes from the South Bay and SO worth the trip with kids!

That’s the beauty of living in LA. Beaches, mountains, museums, OC adventures… all in our backyard! 🌴☀️

Now bring on the rain. This girl is MELTING. 🫠💕. by @coastwithjen

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9 days ago

We love this place! So close and cheap and funnnnnn! ☀️🫰🏻🥰💃 What do you do when it’s so unbearably hot? by @coastwithjen

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12 days ago

Good Morning on this beautiful hot, sunny Southern California Saturday! I hope you see and realize all of your blessings today! May nothing stand in your way as you dream big and take bold steps! Love and Light to all! ☀️🙏🥰🌊🌴✈️💃 by @coastwithjen

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14 days ago

We moved to Idaho because we thought it would save us money and give us more time together.

Plot twist: moving back to LA actually saves us money and we don’t feel like we’re trying to pull teeth to make ends meet. 😂

Idaho is fantastic- it just wasn’t for us. My husband does the same work here and makes about 3x what he made there.

Yes, LA is expensive. But sometimes it’s not just about what things cost- it’s about what you can earn.

We’ve learned to live here differently: older home, basic neighborhood, strategic choices, lots of free things, and not trying to keep up with anyone. More about that later.

You don’t have to leave California to live affordably. Sometimes you just have to think outside the box! by @coastwithjen

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15 days ago