What drives a $2 billion career in luxury real estate?

Brett Jennings explores this question with Anthony Marguleas, founder of Amalfi Estates, in this episode of The Real Experts Podcast. With over three decades of experience, Anthony has built a reputation for excellence, including a record-breaking $63.1 million sale of the Hearst Estate.

Anthony’s story begins with a leap of faith. Starting his brokerage in 1994 without prior sales experience, he taught himself the ropes and developed innovative strategies that set his firm apart. He shares how Amalfi Estates evolved from working solely with buyers to becoming a leading full-service luxury brand.

Giving back has always been central to Anthony’s philosophy. His team donates 10% of earnings to charity, totaling $200,000 last year. “Charity is personal, but it’s also powerful. When you give, you inspire others to do the same,” he shares. Mentorship is another focus, with Anthony helping agents achieve clarity and success through consistent guidance and goal-setting.

Anthony highlights the 1-3-5 rule, a framework that helps his agents set clear income goals, prioritize lead generation strategies, and develop actionable steps for success. He shares how applying this rule to his own business helped him break out of a $25M sales plateau and hit $110M in just one year.

Here are the key takeaways:

(3:01) Starting a brokerage with no experience

(6:20) Referring $100 million in listings without taking a fee

(9:04) The law of reciprocity: giving without expectations

(14:01) What happens when you grow a team too quickly?

(14:55) Shifting the focus from units sold to net income

(16:55) Why developing people matters more than numbers

(20:15) Finding focus through coaching and planning

(21:26) Why transactional experience beats years in real estate

(24:03) Why “slow markets” are a myth

(27:33) The income buckets needed to hit $30 million

(29:56) What are the most effective lead-generation pillars?

(33:12) How do you scale real estate success to new levels?

(35:50) Mentoring agents for financial and personal growth.

By focusing on strategies like vision boards and data-driven planning, he has consistently thrived in challenging markets. Anthony reflects on how identifying opportunities—even in downturns—has been key to his growth, saying, “It’s about finding the motivated buyers and sellers in any market.”

Tune in to discover how Anthony’s journey blends business success, philanthropy, and a passion for mentoring the next generation of real estate leaders.

About Anthony Marguleas

Anthony Marguleas is the founder of Amalfi Estates, an independent real estate firm established in 1995 in Southern California. With over 31 years in the industry, he has closed more than $2 billion in sales, including the $63.1 million Hearst Estate auction. Anthony is deeply committed to philanthropy, donating 10% of commissions to charities, which has totaled over $2 million since 2015. He also mentors agents and shares his expertise through teaching and speaking engagements at industry events and universities.

Contact Anthony at:

Website

LinkedIn

About Brett Jennings

Brett Jennings is the founder of Real Estate Experts and a recognized figure in the real estate industry, known for his expertise in luxury home marketing and negotiation, certified by Harvard Law. His achievements include being named in the top 1/10th of the top 1% of real estate groups by the Wall Street Journal. Beyond accolades, Brett is passionate about coaching clients through real estate decisions to impact their lives positively. His unique approach combines real estate knowledge, financial insight, and life coaching, ensuring clients navigate the market confidently.

Contact Brett at:

LinkedIn

Website