Pleasanton, CA — July 7, 2020 — NextHome is pleased to announce the newest addition to the franchise, NextHome Estates Realty Group, based in Los Alamitos, California. The brokerage represents the 74th office location opened in California for the NextHome franchise and the 489th NextHome office opened nationally.
NextHome Estates Realty Group will serve clients across Orange County and Los Angeles County including Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Seal Beach, Cypress, Long Beach, Buena Park, Anaheim, Lakewood, and Huntington Beach.
NextHome Estates Realty Group is owned by local attorney Tom McKenzie, who brings extensive experience to the new brokerage. Tom has been a practicing attorney and licensed broker for more than 20 years, specializing in estate planning, probate, trust administration, asset protection, and elder law. In addition, Tom has been a licensed financial advisor since 1995 and holds 10 different real estate certifications and designations.
Tom’s remarkable life included an early stint as a singer/songwriter. His talents helped him pay his way through law school – working as a full-time entertainer at night and excelling in his legal studies as a full-time student during the day. While attending Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, Tom was the only member of his class to receive the “American Jurisprudence Award” for real estate law. During these years, Tom was extended an invitation to serve as the associate editor of his school’s prestigious law review publication, and his article on Historically Black Colleges has been cited in a number of books and legal journals, including the book “Unearthing Promise and Potential: Our Nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” by Marybeth Gasman.
Tom obtained his broker’s license in 1998 and, after graduating among the top of his law school class, opened McKenzie Legal and Financial.
Throughout his career, Tom often worked with legal and financial planning clients who needed real estate services. Their needs prompted Tom to think about opening his own brokerage. To gain a better understanding of the industry in the area, Tom first began selling with a nationally franchised brokerage. He quickly learned what he did, and what he did not want to do, to best serve his clients.
“I saw the opportunity to offer true, ethical representation for buyers and sellers that currently weren’t being well represented,” Tom said. “I wanted to be able to provide agents who embrace the highest levels of integrity and put the clients first.”
As a dedicated professional for both his legal and real estate clients, Tom knew he would have to partner with a robust and supportive franchise in order to not spread himself too thin. That’s when he discovered NextHome in REALTOR® Magazine.
“When I read the article, NextHome was exactly what I was looking for so that I could truly help my clients,” Tom said. “Throughout the process of being affiliated with NextHome, I have not been disappointed. I have been very happy with the corporate staff, the support they give, and the educational assistance.”
Now, as a brokerage owner and attorney, Tom is uniquely qualified to help clients with a broad range of needs.
“I can offer perspectives and advice that can only be given by a licensed attorney, helping clients avoid pitfalls and seize opportunities they might not have even known existed,” Tom said.
From putting properties straight into trusts, to helping investors with LLCs, to legal review and notary services, Tom can help with it all.
“I want to provide convenient, low-pressure options for my clients and help them know that they are in safe hands from the beginning of their transaction to closing and beyond,” Tom said.
Tom’s wife Natalie will be joining him at NextHome Estates Realty Group as the brokerage’s office manager. She is also a paralegal and notary public.
Tom and Natalie recently celebrated 19 years of wedded bliss and together they are the proud parents of four children.
Macy (18) recently graduated from Los Alamitos High School. For most of her academic career, Macy performed with the school’s prestigious Sound FX advanced mixed choir group. The choir is recognized as one of the nation’s best and members have performed at The Hollywood Bowl with Kristen Bell, Nick Jonas and John Stamos, and at the Greek Theater with Barry Manilow. Last year, they hosted the world’s largest assembly with the “Mean Stink’s” anti-bullying campaign and were featured performers on the Today Show.
Ryan (17) is both academically and mechanically talented and, according to his dad, has the biggest heart in his family.
Cody (12) is a high achiever in math and Noah (10) is a standout football player.
“My family is truly my greatest joy,” Tom said.
Please join us in congratulating Tom on the opening of NextHome Estates Realty Group in Los Alamitos, California!
Interested in being a part of the NextHome Real Estate Franchise? Contact VP of Sales Charis Moreno at Charis@NextHome.com.
Each office is an independently owned and operated business.