“She’s good people.”
“My grandmother and my mother were real estate agents. In my early career, I worked in real estate marketing for various brokerage companies in Los Angeles and even got my license. I am very invested in the idea of owning your own property and home, and very knowledgeable about the process, and the people who help accomplish such gargantuan tasks as buying and selling homes.
Pinky was the seller’s agent on the first home I bought with my mother representing me, the buyer. Not only did I immediately like Pinky (it was chatting with her in the living room of an open house when I decided I was home!), she was also a tenacious, but fair, seller’s agent. The deal was smooth, with all pleased with the outcome. A few years later, when it was time to start a family, I needed to sell that home and buy a larger one. I knew immediately I wanted to work with Pinky Jones. Although this second foray into home ownership was not as smooth. Our offer was accepted on a home in an incredibly competitive market, but during inspection, it was obvious that this home needed serious and not financially feasible improvements. We fell out of escrow. Despite the setback, Pinky remained determined and positive, and we ultimately found a spacious craftsman house that we were able to secure less than 6 months later. Fast forward a few more years, some remodeling, a pandemic, and a baby, and we decided to move to Flagstaff Arizona for my dream job at Northern Arizona University. The catch, we had to move F.A.S.T. Within 2 months of alerting Pinky to our plans, we had the house listed! And a mere 2 weeks later we were in escrow (in the market of December 2022, that is saying something). The property even made a NYT real estate article. We are now happily living our dream in Flagstaff. Thank you Pinky!”
“We are so glad we went with Pinky. Our sale was pretty complicated, with a tight schedule and work being done on the property, all while we were out of state. She brought knowledge of the area and handled a flood of viewing with cheery energy. She worked to bolster our case, talked us through the negotiation process and ran with our ideas, resulting in a sale beyond our expectations.”
“Pinky Jones is as wonderful as her name. Full disclosure, we are friends as our kids have known each other since preschool. As a Realtor, I’ve also witnessed Pinky’s work as she has sold homes for other friends in our parenting circles.
Pinky is meticulously well-informed, and completely up to date on all the latest developments in the constantly fluctuating California real estate market. She is a diligent learner, listener and when you choose her to be your realtor, you also get a friendly advisor who will be rigorously honest and transparent with you. Pinky gently guides you every step of the way through the process and keeps you well informed of what you will need to do in order to have the end result you are envisioning. Our home sale had ups and downs and a little bit of drama, and Pinky steered us through that with compassion and care. We recommend Pinky Jones with passion and appreciation for all her heartfelt yet completely professional work on our behalf.”
“My wife and I most certainly took the long and winding road in selling our house… A few years back we bought a small place in a town in Kentucky where I am originally from. We were going back-and-forth between it and Los Angeles when we had the time. We thought perhaps someday, as we grew older and if we really liked it in Kentucky, we would eventually retire there or something like that, but it was way in the future, not now.
But then the pandemic hit hard and we left Los Angeles, thinking it might be better to be in a small town than a mega city if the sh— really hit the fan, and spend the downtime getting to know what Kentucky really was all about. As it happened, things went really well for us in Kentucky and we were gone for the 3 years only coming back periodically for a freelance gig once in a while. Doing that for a bit, and getting to know and love our new place, we realized we were never going to return to LA in anyway permanent and it was just getting too much to have houses in two different states.
But our place in LA was amazing—a mid century modern gem that we had lovingly made into our own very unique place over the twenty years we were there. It was such a special entity for us in our hearts and minds. Living there, raising a child, working on the building, creating a wonderful garden and just making a home became the basis and solidifier of our relationship. It was a very difficult decision to sell and realize it wasn’t going to be our home anymore and someone else would be taking it over. It was so difficult to simply even grasp in our minds the idea that this place could be someone else’s. For us it had become that it was ours forever no matter what. But, of course, that is just fantasy. Pinky understood this wholeheartedly that it wasn’t just a property to sell and make a few bucks but it indeed was a microcosm of our life together with so much meaning, history and attachment.
So, every once in awhile over those last couple of years, we would pick Pinky’s brain to get her feeling on where the market was to determine if it was the right time. Did she think things were to continue going up and we should hold on a little longer?—or act now just to make sure we got the best we could? All those sorts of questions were so important because in addition to just letting the place go away from our hands and hearts, the money we made from the house was going to be start up funds for our new adventures, and our nest egg for our last stage of life. She was certain to never push hard, knowing that the emotional aspect to this decision was very wrought with tremendous gut wrenching feelings. Finally just about a year ago we all figured it was probably the best time and we pulled the trigger.
Being that we were not living in the house and were over 2000 miles away she helped immensely in getting the place ready to be put on the market. She organized some work that needed to be done on the property so it was in shipshape condition. Pinky helped determine what should be left in the house of our own that gave the place a unique character that highlighted the architectural design so viewers would be in awe of it with our artistic eccentricities and individual tastes, but also what elements to stage to be sure that it would feel comfortable and they could envision their lives there. She did it all with gratitude and a smile.
The market was a bit past its heyday craziness peak in 2021 so we didn’t get all the crazy bidding war offers going on back then but we did immediately get a few solid decent ones. She advised going back to the top three and asking them for their best second offer. That helped us pick the best people to take over our house. We have become friends and are pleased that they have taken the reins of our old homestead. They have a distinct and precious home for their new family, and we have our new homestead that we are building here in Kentucky—all are very content, happy and pleased where they are in life’s course. In real estate it of course boils down to some sort of a business transaction, but also in the end it’s about peoples lives. Pinky really helped to transcend ours and theirs and still took care of all the little business details to make it go smoothly on all fronts, personal and financial. She’s good people.”
“Pinky Jones made our dreams come true. We were living in a house we loved, but was too small for our growing family. We did not know if it was possible to get a bigger place in a neighborhood we loved for about the same price. Turns out it was, because that is exactly what Pinky helped us do! We ended up in a fantastic home, almost double the size, with amazing views in a great neighborhood, all while only spending just a little more each month.
Pinky was invaluable at every step of the way, from the initial conversations of how to begin the process of selling our home and buying a new one in a very competitive market; to helping us with referrals from her inexhaustible rolodex of vendors along the way (for everything from window washers, to house cleaners, to handyman, to mortgage brokers); to setting and sticking to a schedule from start to finish; and finally to staging, selling, and maneuvering through double escrow.
Not only did we get multiple cash offers well over listing price- we sold for more than we thought possible. When we found our new dream house Pinky helped us beat out 17 other offers for the winning bid. We couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.
The process is long and sometimes daunting, but with Pinky’s expert guidance, we were able to work through it one step at a time to achieve our goal of finding an amazing new home that our family absolutely loves. Selling and buying a home is an emotional process and Pinky understands that. She was our rock, our friend, our fierce advocate, and our cheerleader along the way. We are forever grateful for Pinky’s care, nurturing presence, and skilled direction. She’s a keeper!”
“Trying to buy a home in Los Angeles, in this market during a pandemic, is no joke. Having Pinky by my side for this process made it so much easier and enjoyable. She continually guided me, questioned me and reminded me of things I originally said I wanted in a home. Her knowledge of neighborhoods is boundless, and really helped me narrow down exactly where I wanted to call home, even when my desperation made me want to just throw in the towel, and live somewhere I didn’t love. As luck would have it, as I entered escrow, a project I was on took a turn and soaked up all my time. Pinky handled my absences with patience and ease, taking my late return calls, overseeing inspections and contingency’s and was even able to speed up my closing when I was shipped off oversee’s for work unexpectedly. I absolutely could not have done this without her, and would recommend her to any of my friends or family. THANK YOU PINKY!!”
“As first time homebuyers looking for a home during the intense COVID market, we wanted a Realtor we could trust - one who had our backs and could walk us through the process with care and attention. Pinky Jones met and exceeded those expectations during our home search and eventual purchase in NELA.
Pinky came highly recommended by a friend who had worked with her previously on both the buying and selling side. We set up a virtual meeting with her and immediately felt at ease. Pinky was not only knowledgeable, but also kind, patient, and interested in understanding and serving our needs.
Once we started actively looking for a home and putting in offers, Pinky guided us through the process with grace. We asked a seemingly endless number of questions and each time she swiftly and thoroughly answered them, often with additional details we didn’t even know we needed! We were consistently blown away with her depth of knowledge, attentiveness, professionalism, and her above and beyond approach.
We ended up closing on the second home we put an offer on! Which felt nothing short of miraculous given our budget and the market at the time. Pinky guided us through every step of the way and helped us enter the next big phase of our lives as homeowners. It was a better experience than I could have imagined, and we’re so grateful Pinky was on our team.”
“Pinky was a great and patient presence to work with as we were searching for our first home to purchase. She was sensitive to our needs and requirements, even guiding us to make good decisions toward passing on certain properties - while also helping us where we needed once we had settled on the house we wanted. An experienced veteran in the ever-competitive Los Angeles RE market, she always advocated for us and helped us to ultimately make an effective bid that got us into our home. I’d happily work with her again!”
“Pinky had been our next door neighbor, so we felt she really knew where we were coming from. When we entered into the search for a home she shared her vast knowledge of the housing market and thoughtful personal anecdotes that helped give us perspective. She is a wonderful guide in the process of finding a home that is just right. We are glad to have been able to learn from her as we developed an idea of what type of property would suit our needs.
We were often overwhelmed by the process, and without Pinky’s kindness and patience, I’m not sure we would have made the leap. She always made time for us when we found another listing in another part of town. And regardless of the property she offered a critical eye and a consideration of all aspects of the property that helped us clarify our priorities. In the heat of the closing process she organized a house inspection, sewer inspection, mold inspector, and roof estimate in less than 72 hours. This was a rabbit out of the hat moment and it helped us have confidence about our choice and our bid. Her rapport with all of these people was friendly, respectful and professional and that was to our benefit.
She encouraged us when we felt so discouraged by the competitive market, and gave us space to take a breather at times to reevaluate our needs. We are grateful for her support and advice, and we are so happy in our new home.”
“On a hot day in Hollywood, I donned my lioness t-shirt and work trousers. My son came over to help pack up the house that had been in my family since 1941 as we prepared to sell. He’d learned that his brother’s client and friend wanted to buy the house and insisted that we could hire an attorney and get the transaction done. I should grab that deal now!!
”No,” I explained, “we’re hiring a realtor, Pinky Jones. Grandpa, Daddy and I know her, Caroline Luat Young. I’ve worked with her professionally and Grandma worked with her at church. After interviewing realtors, I’ve decided she’s the best one to sell this house for us.”
”We could save a LOT of money! That could go towards your retirement!!!” his anxiety blazed as he shouted his concern.
”I’ve studied real estate with successful, experienced investors. They all say emphatically that you hire a realtor as part of your team and they are worth their commission,” I retorted.
”We’re hiring the realtor to do marketing, and we already have a buyer!” he insisted.
”Realtors provide more services than marketing. They have a whole legal team at their disposal. Pinky is being trained for hours on a regular basis about the constantly changing regulations and procedures due to the pandemic. She is trained in the laws and rules. There can be nuances to every deal that require time and attention.”
”My brother already has a relationship with this buyer. We can trust him!”
”Pinky has earned the respect of 100s of agents in our area. We trust her. And she knows what to look for in dealing with contractors who have ways of delaying the deal. She wants to help us sell quickly.”
”Selling quickly is why we should take the deal at hand!!!”
”We are going to let Pinky market and hope to get multiple offers that can bid up the price.”
After a long, heated argument, he conceded that my mind was made up. We were hiring Pinky.
She listed our house on a Friday. A week later, Pinky presented us with 12 offers, all over asking. After one more week of negotiating counter offers, she brought us an offer at $200,000 over asking with a very limited contingency. The winning offer was $100,000 more than the offer my son had emphatically hoped we would take.
This deal, like most, had its sets of twists and turns. Pinky took on the role of a lioness protecting her cubs, fairly guarding our interests.
What I remember most was the peace I had. During the biggest sale of my life, I trusted Pinky to get us through. She worked well with my son, my husband and me. Four personalities, four sets of different concerns and we all became a team. Each shined in different ways. Pinky earned my son’s respect with her professionalism. Through all the patience, persistence and paperwork, Pinky’s presence brought us peace.”
“Pinky is a great realtor who listens to her client. When you say stop, she stops, when you say go, she will gooooooo! It’s important to have that client relationship when looking for a house because there is so much angst and fear going on during the buying process. I was born in LA and feared that I would never own a place of my own because of how competitive the market is here. I am so glad I had her in my corner. I remember one of the many conversations I had with her and what stuck out to me was the hours she spent attending professional meetings in order to stay ahead of the curve. LA is a crazy market and you want the one person who knows the ins and outs of this great city. ”
“I had the pleasure of working with Pinky when I bought my house in Highland Park in 2014. When I came to sell in 2020 it was a no-brainer to work with her again. Despite huge external challenges, including dealing with the greatest public health crisis in living memory, and with me conducting much of the transaction from a different country, Pinky was always professional, friendly and hugely competent in guiding the sale home. She is trustworthy, a great communicator, and a constant calm and reassuring presence.
Pinky has an innate understanding of the market, a deep appreciation for the aesthetics and history of a house, and a deep empathy for her clients’ needs. There is no bump in the road too large for her to calmly navigate around, and no concern too small for her to address professionally and knowledgeably. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend working with her.”
“When I decided to sell my house in Highland Park last spring, I’d been living and working in the UK for years. I’m a lecturer in a music conservatory in Scotland, and I knew I’d have only a couple of months to prepare the house for sale, get it on the market, and close a deal before the fall term started. I had no margin for error; I had to do everything right the first time. I had to partner with the best realtor I could find to pull it off. I was i incredibly lucky. A friend recommended Caroline Luat Young – Pinky Jones. From my first conversation with Pinky, I knew I’d made the right call. She clearly knew the market and the neighbourhood and she was organised, efficient, intuitive and insightful. Pinky understood the house, it’s history and it market potential, she knew immediately how where , and when and how to proceed at every point. Moreover, she understood me , and the immense task I was undertaking emptying the house with a lifetime of personal possessions- furniture and household artifacts, workshop power tools, kitchen a library furnishings, loads of collectible musical instruments – virtually a lifetime of family and professional possessions. Pinky, and her brilliant colleagues at LFE managed the real estate process -the physical touch ups, the promotion and marketing, legal work and daily details. I trusted her implicitly and she performed brilliantly. She was always accessible, she answered every phone call, text or message within 30 minutes or less, and always had the right answer or advice. From the onset, I felt like a I had the best personal assistant advisor in the business leading the way, and watching my back. Her insight and expert advice, and her support an council have been crucial. I’ve worked with six realtors over the past 15 years, and slogged through over a dozen escrow negotiations in the past 10. I’ve never worked with any one
more competent, considerate, reassuring and effective. I cannot overstate how grateful I am for having worked with her. ”
“Years ago, we bought and carefully restored a very old house in Highland Park. Every room was filled with the loveliest quirks and surprising details, the sorts of things that make you fall in love with a place. When the time came to sell, it was a very emotionally challenging moment in our lives. We called on Pinky to help us navigate the twists and turns that can come up during the sale of a house. At every step, she led us with a calm and steady hand. Her intelligence, intuition, incredible attention to detail and great business acumen never flagged. She made herself easily available and responded quickly with exactly the information or opinion or encouraging word that we needed. Besides being a consummate professional, Pinky is a compassionate and deeply thoughtful human being. With her warmth and support, we were able to wade through the complexities that arose during the sale process and reach a very happy conclusion. We truly cannot recommend Pinky highly enough!”
“Pinky was a delight to work with from start to finish. There were innumerable occasions that she went so far above and beyond what one would expect from an agent it is impossible to list them all here. Suffice it to say ours was not an “easy sell”. We had a very unique historical home on the Westlake/Echo Park border that required just the right agent and just the right buyer. Due to a family emergency, we moved from Los Angeles very quickly and our house was left empty while we tried to sell it the property from out of state. From the onset, Pinky handed everything like a dream...from stopping by to deal with a skunk that decided to take up residence, to managing the cleaners and painters, to attending local city council meetings to keep us updated on neighborhood improvements and shifting property values, to helping us deal with storm damage that brought down part of a retaining wall.
As a family we were invested in who the next owners were going to be. We wanted a great price but were not willing to sell to developers. Pinky had incredible patience as we turned down several offers from “not the right buyer”. She had a real understanding of not only the financial value of a classic home but also the emotional value in a property steeped in Los Angeles history. In the end both us (the seller) and the buyers were happy. I couldn’t have asked for more.
I interviewed many agents and even turned down working with several personal friends to work with Pinky because she put our minds at ease right from the start. We put our trust in her and she delivered 100%. In the end we walked away with not only a seamless transaction, but also a great friend!”
“Caroline’s patience and unflagging enthusiasm helped us realize our house dreams. When something was going wrong she backed us like a bulldog. A bulldog that could get what she wanted with kindness. Caroline was masterful with the sellers and it wasn’t easy. Her patience and her ability to calm us down when the going was tough was a huge help.”
“Caroline, or Pinky as we came to call her, helped us find our new home in the area we wanted at the price we could afford. She went beyond the call of duty to find a house that fit our needs and made the process a lot easier. She paid attention to our concerns and made sure she showed us a range of possibilities. Her patience and understanding of the real estate process was especially remarkable. Today not only do we have a new home, but a new friend.”
“Pinky was very knowledgable about the areas we were looking in. She not only helped us find a perfect home with views, but she helped us discover wonderful things in our new neighborhood.”
“Pinky was extremely professional and did a tremendous job negotiating our deal from the initial stages throughout the home inspection to closing. She was there every step of the way and since then we have referred her to other friends that have had the same positive experience.”
“Pinky was always available on short notice from very demanding clients (us!). Lots of patience, confidence, and understanding was especially reassuring for us as first time buyers. Technical savvy and flexibility made writing repeated and multiple offers easy to manage for us, considering our busy schedule. Lots of great support from the staff and team and Keller Williams too.
WE LOVE PINKY!”
“Buying my house was the scariest thing I’ve ever done—I had great expectations with a very limited budget in a city that can be unforgiving when it comes to buying real estate. My far fetched dream of becoming a home owner had all but screeched to a halt when Caroline “Pinky” Luat came into my life, and found me the home of my dreams. She worked tirelessly for months to show me every property I was interested in and walked me through the process numerous times. I was in and out of escrow more than once and had gone through six or seven agents by the time we met...I never thought I would find something, let alone my dream house. Thanks Pinky.”
“Pinky listened to what I wanted, gave me her astute feedback and found a property that was exactly what I was looking for: a financially a wise decision and wonderful place to live. She
was a great consultant as we analyzed the benefits and drawbacks of each income property I was considering. She was a strong negotiator when it came to protecting my interests. Whenever I had a question regarding the escrow process, she eased my concerns with her knowledge, patience, and professionalism. I was very happy with Pinky and would recommend her highly to everyone I know.”
“We were looking to buy a house. We were very green to the housing market game. We had a lot of Realtors vying for our business but found most of them to be just out for themselves. Until we found Caroline “PINKY” - she took my wife and I under her wing and guided us through the very confusing process. She went above and beyond to be honest, fair, and above all loyal. We still see her when we go to her rock shows. What more could you ask for- a Real Estate pro AND a rockstar in our book! That was our experience and I guarantee yours will be the same.”
“Pinky is everything we wanted in a Realtor. She has an awesome network that made the entire process of buying a home much easier. Before we found our house, thanks to Pinky, we knew exactly what we could afford and where we were going to find what we wanted. We knew we could get the loan and we got it, no problem.
She never failed to answer our questions (as first time buyers we had tons) and she helped steer us away from problem properties that would have cost us a bundle to repair.
She knew the right inspector to help us find all we needed to know. He specialized in pool properties, and let us know all the issues with the pool that needed fixing. She also got our sewer inspected because of the large tree on the property. As expected, it needed repairs. Pinky fearlessly negotiated a new sewer line before closing.
We love our pool home and our new neighborhood. We could not have done it without Pinky.”
“I’m an ex-agent myself, but rather than try and sell my home on my own, I went to Caroline. She’s on the ball, knows her stuff and is an EXCELLENT negotiator. Plus, she’s funny as heck and always entertaining! She’ll tell you the truth, and not blow smoke up (where ever) just to get a deal done.
I’ve sent several friends to work with her, and they all raved about how she went above and beyond.
Yay, Pinky!”
“Pinky is an amazing asset to have on your team! Her professionalism, spirit, intelligence, and determination helped us through our 10 MONTH WAIT for our short sale to go through.She is great for the first time buyer and is filled with information and patience.”
“As a first time buyer, I had no idea what to expect during the transaction. Caroline guided my family and I through every step of the process so that we were ready for each next step. She eased our fears and was always at our service during the escrow period, and even after we had long moved in. We will never forget her!”
“Having never even thought about buying a house, all of a sudden I found myself shoved into position. I knew NOTHING about the process. Caroline answered all my questions and was there for the whole emotional roller coaster, guiding me as to what needed to be done and what I could expect. Through her I found what seemed like the one and only person who could help me get a loan. You couldn’t do better then to have her and her network of people behind you when you go to buy a house.”
“Pinky is the best. Not only is she very knowledgeable about the real estate market in Los Angeles, she is the hardest worker I have seen. She is extremely attentive, will answer her phone at any hour of the day, and go the extra mile to make sure that you find the house of your dreams. She is also very patient, which was necessary in dealing with me and my family. First we thought we wanted one thing and then ended up going with something completely different. Throughout, she dealt with us in a professional manner and worked hard to get the deal done. I would recommend her to anyone, particularly a first time home buyer like myself.”
“This past year my parents made the difficult decision to sell their home of thirty years in the interest of eventually resettling in Los Angeles. It was the home that they had built a life in. It was the home that I grew up in. It was one of my mother’s finest works of art. It was a place of laughter, love, and refuge. We watched winter fall from red cushions. We walked amongst the fireflies in the summer, under the massive Ash tree that reigned over its garden. All of what I am was sculpted within that house’s walls.
I say this so that you might understand the gravity of the loss - and so that you might understand how fortunate we were to find Pinky Luat. It was chance that brought us to Pinky, it has been my experience that most of the best moments in life are found this way - and this was no exception. Pinky understood that we were looking for more than a house. She understood what we had given up, and I think - in the end - she understood better than we did what we were looking for. She was sensitive to those ineffable qualities that transform walls and windows into something more. Pinky’s experience and competence are immediately apparent. I had lived in Los Angeles for thirteen years but Pinky’s knowledge of the city was humbling. There was no neighborhood that she lacked a story for. She was our guide through the city and with her the city, its homes, and the vast and wonderful possibilities held within all became visible.
Pinky’s advice was indispensable, personal, and honest. With Pinky there are no setbacks, only new opportunities. Through her warmth, enthusiasm, and professional expertise she helped us find the perfect property. I cannot recommend her highly enough!”
“Pinky is the best! If you’re looking for a real estate agent, I cannot recommend her highly enough. Pinky is knowledgable, savvy, and she expertly negotiated a great deal for us. The specifics of our deal were a little complicated, and Pinky steered through it all with ease and patience. What impressed me most, perhaps, was her willingness to let the deal go if it wasn’t just right. She never once put any pressure on us to close if we were not 100% comfortable. She clearly cared about my family and our future and made that her top priority. Thanks Pinky!”
“Pinky is the best. I just closed on my very first home a couple weeks ago, and simply would not have gotten here without her. The process actually started years ago, when I was first thinking of buying and was referred to Pinky by a friend. Didn’t happen then, but she stuck with me, and years later it finally did.
She knows the ins and outs of LA real estate very well, brings an amazing personal touch to her practice, answers every question clearly (I had maybe a million) without ever making you feel bad for not knowing, and responds immediately to every inquiry.
In my case, my family was very involved in the process, and she dealt with every cook at the pot with utmost grace and respect. The home buying process can be incredibly stressful, and she was a calming force throughout.
I’d recommend Pinky wholeheartedly, and in fact I already have a couple times!”