Building Trust and Talent: Inside Santa Barbara Brokers' Success in Agent Retention
With over 30 years of rich real estate history, Santa Barbara Brokers blends creativity, flexibility, and integrity to deliver outstanding results for clients and create an environment that’s retained their entire team from the very beginning.
Founded by industry veterans who began their journey in Breckenridge, Colorado, this boutique agency stands out through their independent spirit, community focus, and unparalleled local knowledge.
Ryan Malmsten, a founding member, has a storied background that uniquely positions him to understand the luxury real estate market. After moving to California for college, he returned to the Colorado mountains, where his entrepreneurial spirit inspired him to open the Stage Door Café. This coffee house with a full bar was far ahead of its time as an independently-owned mainstay in Breckenridge until Malmsten sold it in 2000. He then started his next chapter in real estate, selling luxury properties in Breckenridge and Vail. Eventually, Ryan traded skiing for surfing and golf and returned to Santa Barbara, an area he had come to love during his college years.
In 2009, Ryan co-founded Santa Barbara Brokers with Andy Alexander, recognizing an opportunity to serve an exclusive market. They saw potential in assembling a team to meet a growing demand, and together, they solidified the foundation of what would become a powerhouse firm in the region.
Retaining Talent Since Day One – And Continuing to Grow
Santa Barbara Brokers distinguishes itself through its collaborative, family-like atmosphere that feels miles away from a typical corporate environment. With a roster of 18 agents, the firm operates with a hands-on philosophy where Ryan and Andy personally support their agents with everything from contract guidance to market strategy insights. This high level of support has cultivated loyalty, and the firm proudly retains every agent who has been with them since its founding.
“Our focus is fostering the growth of our people – and we are always looking to expand Santa Barbara Brokers,” said Malmsten. “We see the benefit of bringing on people with different backgrounds and specialties, so we cultivate those skillsets and create an environment that’s more flexible and not as corporate. We want top agents in California to know we are constantly creating new opportunities for high-performing team members.”
Their flexibility is a hallmark of the brokerage. Many agents at Santa Barbara Brokers come from diverse professional backgrounds, including law, wealth management, property development, and even professional surfing. They encourage agents to bring their specialized expertise into their roles, creating a well-rounded team that offers clients comprehensive services. For Ryan, it’s all about seeing the potential in people and helping them reach it. This progressive, relationship-focused approach benefits agents and enhances the client experience.
Each agent at the firm is empowered to pursue their passions and operate independently, contributing to a refreshing work environment that resonates with clients and agents.
“We are really impressed with Ryan's story. In particular, his ability to retain his agents is unique — and something other brokerage owners and founders will likely want to learn more about,” said Eric Balog, CEO of Leverage Global Partners.
A Strong Network and High Standards
Santa Barbara Brokers is also part of a robust network that extends across the United States and beyond, thanks to its association with Leverage Global Partners.
“Leverage has been beneficial because we’re able to present our listings to a wide audience, and we’ve had strong referrals through the network,” said Malmsten.
The firm has a proven record of success in high-end transactions, including some of the highest-profile sales in Santa Barbara. In 2019, they facilitated a significant sale to a well-known director, further cementing their reputation as a go-to agency for luxury real estate. Their agents are adept at handling high-stakes deals and delivering a comprehensive offering to clients, ensuring every transaction aligns with the firm’s high standards.
“Santa Barbara Brokers has been a Leverage member for over 10 years, which speaks to the quality of our strategic partnership,” said Balog. “As with all our members, we like to play a role in not only offering first-class promotion and service to our members' clients but also in helping brokerages better serve their agents by having the right tools and support. In turn, this helps to keep them happy and working most effectively.”
Building Relationships, Not Just Transactions
At Santa Barbara Brokers, the emphasis on relationships sets the firm apart in Santa Barbara’s competitive market. With a team of professionals who are deeply involved in the community and dedicated to their clients, Santa Barbara Brokers illustrates what can happen when loyalty meets expertise.
Malmsten’s experience in resort towns like Breckenridge and Vail translates seamlessly to Santa Barbara’s high-end real estate market. He brings an understanding of luxury lifestyles and the nuanced needs of clients, making Santa Barbara Brokers a preferred choice for both buyers and sellers in the area.
“Colorado and California are different in so many ways, but they are both high-end markets with specialized needs, and that experience translated well. It gave us a good perspective when we started Santa Barbara Brokers on what would be important to clients,” said Malmsten.
Located in the penthouse suite of one of Santa Barbara’s highest buildings, Santa Barbara Brokers offers breathtaking views of the city and a deck overlooking the main streets. For clients, a visit to Santa Barbara Brokers is an experience that showcases the beauty and elegance of the area, adding an extra layer of personalization to their real estate journey.
For Malmsten and his team, Santa Barbara isn’t just a place to work; it’s one of the best places in the world to live, invest, and grow. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a dedication to fostering agent success, Santa Barbara Brokers is an ideal home for real estate professionals looking to elevate their careers in the high-end market. By prioritizing relationships and delivering excellence, the firm creates a culture where agents can thrive while redefining luxury real estate in Santa Barbara.
About Leverage Global Partners
Leverage is a community of growth-oriented independent and independently-minded agents, teams and brokerages who recognize the value in their own brand while acknowledging the benefits of a worldwide network. Through a combination of curated global advertising, public/media relations, social media and networking, Leverage helps its members create diversified marketing programs for their listings and themselves. For more than a decade, members have entrusted Leverage to promote more than $170 Billion in listings.
This results in winning more business through earning the trust of sellers. For more information, visit www.leveragere.com/join.
