Sarah Knauer was selected for “30 under 30” honors.
Sarah Knauer, chairperson of the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, has been selected by the National Association of Realtors for its “30 Under 30″ listing.
Annually, the NAR’s magazine features 30 young rising stars in the real estate industry. Knauer, 27, joins a group of honorees from states across the country, such as Tennessee, Michigan, Nevada, Maryland, Texas, and New York.
In the July/August REALTOR magazine story (“A Class Like No Other”), the editors noted: “This group of go-getters was chosen early in the year, during ‘normal’ times, based on a combination of factors: production numbers in 2019, innovative marketing practices, industry leadership, and dedicated community service. When the usual ways of doing business were upended, they—like so many of their peers—figured out how to sustain their business safely.”
Knauer, a sales partner at Amalfi Estates with founder Anthony Marguleas, submitted an application in January, after being inspired by another agent at a September 2019 conference.
“I was first notified via email that I had been selected as in the top 50, and then a few weeks later as a finalist,” Knauer told Circling the News. “To be honest I was pleasantly surprised! I was definitely planning on re-submitting a couple more times and am honored that they chose me this year.”
The magazine wrote that the first buyer Knauer ever represented bought a $10 million house, and that the realtor now offers her clients concierge-style services, including hiring painters and stagers, getting trees trimmed and scheduling inspections.
Supporting herself as a piano teacher throughout high school and college, Knauer received her real estate license while still a senior in college.
After graduating from Pepperdine in 2014, she realized she needed to work with a mentor who was a leader in the industry. “I looked at the top 100 Real Estate Agents listed in the Wall Street Journal and wrote a letter to several, asking if I could work for them,” Knauer said. “Anthony replied. He gave me responsibilities beyond my years and pushed me to take risks that have paid off in my career and in my life.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Knauer’s business has stayed steady. “Moving into a larger or different space seems to really be on peoples’ minds,” she said, “and I am happy to be here to help them find their new homes!”
Before the pandemic, Knauer was planning a November wedding with fiancé Logan Cahoon, who has a barbeque and catering business in Los Angeles.(meatheadbbqla.com).
“We just decided to cancel this week,” she told Circling the News. “We are planning on a civil ceremony at the Santa Barbara courthouse followed by lunch at San Ysidro Ranch (where my parents were married) with my family, and we will plan on having the ceremony we planned, with Sam Lagana officiating, when it is safe for Logan’s family to travel.”
Knauer was inducted as the Palisades Chamber of Commerce Chair on January 30, the youngest businessperson to take on that role.
“The Chamber just re-opened this week and we are finalizing sales for the Palisades View magazine/directory which will come out in time for the holidays,” Knauer said. “We are going to focus on creating a ‘shopping guide’ and highlight the best holiday gifts from all of our members. I really encourage businesses to participate and contact me if they would like to purchase an ad.”
About her “30 Under 30” selection, Knauer said, “I feel so lucky to be a part of this amazing community and to have had tremendous support from Anthony, and from all the people in the Palisades who have believed in me and helped me to receive this honor.”
Before Covid-19, (left to right) Anthony Marguleas, Victoria Velazquez, Max Marguleas, Jamie Dixon and Sarah Knauer brought back the Pacific Palisades flag. It can be purchased at the Palisades Chamber of Commerce office on Antioch.