Orange County’s high-end real estate market is buzzing with the news of John Stanaland, a powerhouse agent boasting over $4.5 billion in career home sales, making a significant move. After 27 years of shaping the luxury landscape, Stanaland has transitioned from Villa Real Estate to Douglas Elliman Real Estate, bringing his entire 11-member John Stanaland Group and his iconic floating office, the Huntress, along with him.
Alt text: John Stanaland, Orange County’s top real estate agent, conducting business from his boat office, The Huntress.
In a statement reflecting his dynamic work style, John Stanaland quipped, “My primary offices historically have been my car and my boat.” He further elaborated on his unique approach, “In all honesty, I work out of my boat three or four days a week. But I will work out of Newport’s office more than my boat,” indicating a blend of his signature mobile office and the resources of Douglas Elliman’s Newport Beach location.
Speaking just before the official announcement on January 26th, the 54-year-old John Stanaland expressed only positive sentiments towards Villa Real Estate, his home for the past five years. He emphasized that his departure was driven by the pursuit of expanded opportunities to better serve his clientele. Villa Real Estate has not yet released a public statement regarding Stanaland’s departure.
“I sell a lot of real estate, and a lot of my clientele is bi-coastal; it’s from all over the country, it’s international,” John Stanaland explained, highlighting the scope of his business. “Aligning myself with Douglas Elliman will give me the ability to give that much more service to my clients and also expand my business that much more.” This strategic alliance with Douglas Elliman, a leading national brokerage, signifies John Stanaland’s commitment to elevating his client service and broadening his already impressive reach in the luxury market.
Douglas Elliman’s expansion in Southern California has been aggressive since acquiring Teles Properties in 2017. The brokerage has steadily built a formidable presence, attracting top teams like The Altman Brothers and The Eklund | Gomes Team. The addition of John Stanaland further solidifies Douglas Elliman’s position as a dominant force in the region’s competitive real estate landscape.
This strategic move by John Stanaland occurs amidst a shifting housing market. “The inventory is crazy low, but people are still paying big prices,” Stanaland observed, acknowledging the current market conditions. Despite the challenges, his team continues to thrive. “We’ve written half a dozen offers in the last week from $5 million to $14 million, and those are all cash deals,” he stated, demonstrating the resilience of the high-end market segment he specializes in.
In an impressive display of market prowess, the John Stanaland Group closed over $300 million in sales in 2022. This included the notable $29.99 million sale of a luxury home in Laguna Beach’s prestigious Montage Ocean Estates, further enhanced by a $1.3 million furniture transaction outside of escrow. Adding to their list of achievements, the team also spearheaded four of the five highest condo sales in Orange County that year.
John Stanaland’s family is integral to his business. He collaborates with his wife, Rachel, and his son Trevor, a former Santa Ana police and SWAT officer, bringing a diverse skillset to the team. His eldest son, Tyler Stanaland, a former pro surfer, is also in the real estate industry with The Oppenheim Group and a cast member on Netflix’s “Selling the O.C.”
Alt text: John Stanaland and his son Tyler Stanaland, highlighting their family’s deep roots and influence in Orange County real estate and media.
The John Stanaland Group comprises a team of accomplished agents including Logan Montgomery, Andrew Ly, Brenda Milan, Deb Robinson, Gary McCord, Morgan Just, Mitch Frisch, Taylor Nelson, and Mariam Bell. Looking ahead, John Stanaland has ambitious plans to double his team size, a prospect welcomed by Douglas Elliman’s leadership.
Howard M. Lorber, Douglas Elliman’s executive chairman, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I am confident that John and his team will help us to accelerate that growth and strengthen our standing in Orange County.” This partnership is clearly viewed as a strategic win for Douglas Elliman, reinforcing their commitment to dominating the luxury real estate market in Orange County.
A Laguna Beach native, John Stanaland’s expertise in high-value coastal properties is unparalleled. His portfolio includes exceptional listings such as a $48.9 million estate in Laguna Niguel’s Bear Brand Ranch and a $39.7 million oceanfront home in Montage Laguna Beach Resort. His deep connection to the area is further underscored by his family’s century-long legacy in Orange County real estate, tracing back to his great-great-great grandfather.
“As a national brokerage with more than a century of history behind it, Douglas Elliman clearly shares our appreciation for the value of heritage in this business,” John Stanaland remarked, drawing a parallel between his family’s enduring legacy and Douglas Elliman’s established history. This move marks an exciting new chapter for John Stanaland and further strengthens Douglas Elliman’s position in the luxury real estate arena.
