Real estate and the law have been driving passions for me for many years.  When I was in law school, I was the only member of my class to receive the “American Jurisprudence Award” for real estate law.  After graduating among the top of my class from law school, I began my law practice which, to this day, involves estate planning, elder law, real estate, asset protection and financial issues.  Then, in 1998, I became a real estate broker, and I’ve never looked back.

Consider this:  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical entry-level education of a real estate broker or sales agent is a high school diploma.  In California, in order to become a real estate agent, an applicant must complete only 135 hours of real estate course requirements, and then pass a simple California Salesperson License Exam with a score of 70% or better.  Why is this important to you?  Because when hiring a real estate professional, a buyer or seller of real estate is entrusting that person to guide him or her through what may be one of the most important transactions in their life.   I am one of the few Realtors® in Orange County who is also an experienced, licensed attorney, with a Juris Doctorate in law.  As noted below, I also have advanced training in a number of real estate-related disciplines, including real estate negotiation, pricing, and marketing.  This extra level of education and experience assists me in helping you navigate the complex issues that arise, in the buying or selling of real estate. In addition, during the transaction, I can advise you in the proper manner of holding title, as well as the most beneficial ways to protect your property, yourself, and your family.  This, of course, is legal advice that can only be given by a licensed attorney, and this advice is offered as part of your representation!  So, for example, you can either purchase your home with the assistance of the average real estate agent, or you can let Thomas McKenzie Realtor®/Attorney assist you in purchasing your home, and be assured that your home is titled in the most advantageous manner, and then properly transferred into your new Living Trust, which I would provide and draft especially for you – all at the same or less cost than the traditional agent fee.1    

I am proud to work with work with RE/MAX® Terrasol, with main offices in Huntington Beach and Orange, California. My own office is in Los Alamitos, California. RE/MAX® is #1 in the world regarding the sale of real estate, and the world’s most productive real estate network.2  RE/MAX® agents outsell other agents by more than 2 to 1 at large brokerages.3  RE/MAX® is the #1 name in real estate and in brand awareness, and more buyers and sellers would recommend RE/MAX® than any other real estate brand.4  Finally, RE/MAX® agents receive the benefit of billions of dollars of advertising that assists in the marketing of your property.

On the personal side, I am married to a truly incredible woman, and together we have four children, ages 9, 11, 16 and 17. We moved to Rossmoor in Los Alamitos so that our children could attend the excellent schools here. We are very dedicated to supporting the schools and teachers here, and so we’ve done a lot of volunteering as well as donating heavily. Our 17 year old daughter and 16 year old son both attend Los Alamitos High School. Our daughter is a singer in the SoundFX choir, which has won the Grand National Championship five times. Our two younger sons attend Hopkinson Elementary in Los Alamitos. We believe very strongly in supporting this amazing community that has nourished our family so much.

Before my legal and real estate careers, I was a professional musician and entertainer. My entertainment career took me around the country performing live, including in many Las Vegas main showrooms, and on several television series. I was also a member of The Archies, who performed on the hit song “Sugar Sugar”.

Whether you are looking at purchasing or selling a home or investment property, I would be more than happy to assist you, or answer any questions you may have, and I am never more than a phone call away.  It is my passion to help individuals and families invest in their futures, and plan their estates in the most beneficial manner for themselves, and their families!

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Laws
• Juris Doctorate in Law

Certifications and Designations

• I am a Certified Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE®), which is a designation given by the National Association of Realtors®.  This certification program is for real estate professionals who want to sharpen their negotiation skills, learn about behind-the-scenes issues and how to deal with them, learn how to handle a wide range of personalities and situations, and learn to sort out the competing objectives of the parties involved in a real estate transaction.
• I am a Certified Pricing Strategies Advisor (PSA®), which is a designation given by the National Association of Realtors®.  This certification is specifically designed to enhance a real estate professional's skills in pricing properties, creating a better Comparative Marketing Analysis, working with appraisers, and guiding clients through the anxieties and misperceptions they often have about home values.
• I am a Certified First Time Buyer Specialist (FTBS®), which is a designation given by the California Association of Realtors®.  This certification is designed to enhance a real estate professional's skills in assisting first-time home buyers through the purchase process, to provide a higher quality service to a new generation of today's home purchasers (as well as those trying to come back into the market), and deliver information to these buyers on available mortgage programs to help them overcome the financing obstacles as they attempt to purchase a home.
• I am a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist (CPRES®), which is a designation given to Realtors® by MTI Education.  CPRES Realtors® have completed an educational program focused on wills, estate settlements, conservatorships, and the legal and financial implications of wills and trusts. CPRES® designees are trained to assist their clients throughout the entire probate process as it relates to real estate.
• I have earned the National Association of Realtors Official Designation of "GREEN" and as of this writing, I am one of a total of five "Green" Realtors® in the Rossmoor-Los Alamitos-Seal Beach-Cypress areas.  An NAR Green Designee is a Realtor® who has completed a rigorous training program on energy efficiency and sustainable homes. They are especially suited to help consumers to buy or sell properties with green features, or simply to help clients interested in a more sustainable home buying process.
• I have earned the official e-PRO® Certification, given by the National Association of Realtors®.  The e-PRO®certification is given to real estate professionals who have advanced training in creating a powerful online presence through websites and social media, as well as marketing properties on the web using web placement, photos, slide shows, videos and other materials and techniques.
• I have earned the National Association of Realtors® Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) Designation, which is awarded to Realtors® who are qualified to address the needs of home buyers and sellers age fifty+.  Those who earn the SRES® Designation, have demonstrated the necessary knowledge and expertise to counsel clients age 50+ through major financial and lifestyle transitions in relocating, refinancing, or selling the family home.
• I have earned the official Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS®) Certification, which is awarded by the National Association of Realtors®.  This certification assists Realtors® in the buying, selling, or management of properties for investment, development, retirement, or second homes in resort, recreational, and/or vacation destinations.
• I have earned the official Military Relocation Professional (MRP®) Certification, which is awarded by the National Association of Realtors®.  This certification educates Realtors® about working with U.S. service members and their families and veterans to find the housing solutions that best suit their needs and to take full advantage of available benefits and support.
• I have earned the official Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR®) Certification, given by the National Association of Realtors®.  This certification is awarded to Realtors® who want to hone the skills that will allow them to assist buyers and sellers of distressed properties, short sale and foreclosures and gain a framework for understanding how to direct distressed sellers to finance, tax, and legal professionals.

Affiliations

• National Association of Realtors®
• California Association of Realtors®
• State Bar of California
• Real Estate Section of the State Bar of California
• Trust and Estates Section of the State Bar of California
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
• Financial Planning Association
• International Association of Registered Financial Consultants

1  Under most circumstances, buyers or sellers of real estate who are clients of Thomas McKenzie, Realtor®/Attorney, receive complementary legal advice, and a comprehensive estate plan (or restatement of an existing plan), consisting of a Living Trust, Last Will and Testament, Durable Power of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directive, and other appropriate documents (please see “Disclaimer” below).  

2 As measured by residential transaction sides.

3 Source: Based on 2017 transaction sides cited in two surveys of the largest participating U.S. brokerages.  The 2018 REAL Trends 500 includes data for 1,752 brokerages with at least 500 transaction sides each.  The RISMedia 2018 Power Broker Top 500 includes data for 500 brokerages with the highest sales volume.

4 Source:  MMR Strategy Group study of unaided awareness and the MMR Strategy Group study of buyers and sellers. 

Disclaimer:  "Thomas McKenzie" as a Realtor®, and "McKenzie Legal & Financial" are separate entitles. An attorney-client relationship is neither implied nor expressly created in response to this advertisement and is not formed unless a signed retainer agreement for legal services between the attorney and the client has been executed.

Team McKenzie