Founded in 1947, the Malibu Association of Realtors has a long history of community service and development and, according to 2015 President Sarah Kosasky, the Association is already looking forward to another year of philanthropy and outreach, atop a healthy year of real estate sales in Malibu.
“I’m not in the business of making predictions, because whenever you do that things can get hairy,” Kosasky said in an interview with The Malibu Times, “but I will say we have an inventory problem.”
“When you have a lack of inventory, that increases the market,” Kosasky went on to say, adding, “I think that our market is looking really healthy.”
Kosasky, who became president following Meril May, said beyond the real estate market, Realtors this year will be focused on philanthropy.
“On Feb. 24 we’re doing a blood drive and it’s open to the public … from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at City Hall,” Kosasky said, adding, “we would love for the community to come down and give blood.”
Kosasky shared that during the first meeting of the year, the 15-seat Board of Directors quickly came to an agreement that a main goal of 2015 would be charity. The Board includes Vice President Matthew Ogden of Pritchett Rapf & Associates, Treasurer Alessandro Dazzan of Coldwell Banker Malibu Colony and Secretary Jennifer Chrisman of Partners Trust.
“We went around the table [of directors] and went over what our goals were for this year,” Kosasky said. “We all had different goals but one that … everyone was excited about was getting involved in more philanthropy.”
It’s not just the board that’s pushing for further community outreach, said May, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker, but Kosasky as well. “I’m very excited to have Sarah Kosasky supercede me as the 2015 president,” May said, adding, “she brings a lot of energy and knowledge to the presidency this year, and I feel … that she will continue with accelerated energy to enhance the things the Realtors are involved in, going forward.”
Beyond conducting real estate deals, May said Malibu Realtors give back to the community because this is where they live, too.
“Although it’s a business, this is our neighborhood, this is our community,” May said.
Kosasky, a Realtor with Partners Trust in Malibu, brings with her eight years of experience with the Malibu Association of Realtors and a lifetime of experience living and working in Malibu.
“I love Malibu, I grew up in Malibu,” said Kosasky, “so getting involved in the community here is something near and dear to my heart.”
Kosasky’s legacy as president is just beginning to be written, but she already has big shoes to fill, since her mother was a longtime Realtor in Malibu before her.
“My family has always been in real estate out here,” Kosasky said, “My mom has been an agent for over 20 years, so I was exposed to it early on.”