By Mary O’KEEFE

You don’t have to be from the Crescenta Valley to sell Crescenta Valley. The location is close to Los Angeles yet far enough away to keep traffic to a minimum. The neighborhoods are designed to create a hometown feeling and neighbors know each other.

But for those who were born and raised here, knowing the ins and outs of Crescenta Valley gives them an advantage.

“I went to Monte Vista [Elementary], Rosemont [Middle School] and CV [Crescenta Valley High School],” said Kenny Kim.

Kim recently joined Kobeissi Properties as one of its newest realtors, but he is not new to the real estate business. He remembers going to open houses with his mother, a local realtor for years.

Although Kim knows the business side of real estate, especially in California and, more specifically, his hometown, he also understands the emotional side of selling or buying a home.

“I have always been a people person,” Kim said. “I love meeting new people and I am patient. You need a lot of patience in this business.”

He added he loves the reaction of those new to the area – the most common being that the area is so clean.

Then, of course, there are the good schools.

People from within the state of California and beyond are impressed with the low crime rates and great schools, Kim said. And most have done their homework before deciding to check out the area.

“They may not know how to spell La Crescenta, but they know us,” he joked.

When talking to Kim, the love for his hometown comes through, from talking about the people he has met to the safety of the neighborhoods, this guy not only knows his hometown, he loves it.

Now he is continuing his career with Kobeissi Properties and, he added, the owners Mike and Sandy have been great mentors to him.

“They have so much confidence, “ he said. “[With them], I know I have somebody to go to for advice.” Kim added the Kobeissis love what they do and through that are confident in what they do.

For him, working in Crescenta Valley allows him to share what he feels about his hometown with others.

“I have lived here all my life and I just can’t leave,” he said. “This town … it is a part of me.”

  Mary Okeefe