Ty Bergman: Navigating the Waves of Luxury Real Estate

In the ever-changing landscape of Southern California’s luxury real estate market, Ty Bergman stands as a beacon of experience and adaptability. With roots tracing back to 1989, Bergman has not just witnessed the evolution of the markets, he’s been an integral part of shaping it.

Bergman’s journey began alongside his father Peter, making their mark in Marina del Rey’s Silver Strand. Representing developers for decades on a collection of 325 single family homes that has seen values skyrocket from $250 to over $1,000 per square foot over the years. Their venture, Bergman Properties, quickly outgrew its corporate affiliations, establishing itself as a leading force in beach area real estate. Peter and Ty are the highest producing real estate agents in Marina Del Rey ever.

“We sold a lot of properties in our career. $1 billion plus, over 35 years on just a few streets, some homes four times over, with homes changing hands from when they were newly built” Bergman reflects, highlighting the depth of his experience in the area. “We also sold major condo conversion developments in West LA, hundreds of units for our developers, creating a sales team and pre-selling a majority of the units. It’s been quite a ride.”

Throughout his career, Bergman has weathered various market storms, from the Savings and Loan crisis of the ’90s, the 2008 market crash, to the recent pandemic. Each challenge has shaped his approach and deepened his understanding of the market’s cyclical nature.

“We had a gorgeous property that was on the market, a new construction for the developer at $2 million, and it ended up selling a year later for $1 million” Bergman recalls of the ’90s downturn, illustrating the dramatic swings the market can take.

The pandemic brought its own set of challenges and opportunities. While some areas saw stagnant growth, others experienced unprecedented appreciation. Regions like Encino, in the San Fernando Valley, Woodland Hills, and Malibu saw jumps that Bergman describes as “a decade of gains in the amount of appreciation of 40% or more.”

Today, Bergman’s focus is primarily on the luxury market, with an average deal hovering around $6 million. His client base consists largely of Baby Boomers, successful business owners, and real estate investors, with much of his business coming from past clients. In fact, Bergman recently set a record with the highest sale ever in Manhattan Beach with the $24.5 million sale of 1800 The Strand. 

What sets Bergman apart in a competitive field is his commitment to adding value beyond typical realtor services. He’s created a one-stop shop, offering complimentary staging and even utilizing his own construction team to help fix up homes that need work.

Looking ahead, Bergman sees potential continued growth in areas like Malibu and the San Fernando Valley. He’s also keeping a close eye on Venice and Marina del Rey, which have seen flat prices since 2018 but should be poised for an upturn.

However, a few challenges loom on the horizon. For one thing, homeowners insurance costs are causing some deals to fall through. Bergman notes how deals have recently fallen apart during the inspection process when buyers receive unexpectedly high insurance quotes.

Despite these hurdles, Bergman remains optimistic about breaking more records in the coming years. He sees the trend of increasingly more expensive properties continuing, with hundred-million-dollar sales becoming more common.

“I’m looking forward to some big sales coming here in 2025,” he says with enthusiasm. Bergman’s journey from a family business to a respected name in luxury real estate reflects the changing tides of Southern California’s property market. As he looks to the future, his years of experience and adaptability may well serve him in navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in this dynamic industry.

Peter and Ty Bergman are the incumbent specialists for Marina Del Rey. They have the detailed expertise to price, negotiate and sell your property. Anyone looking to buy a property in the Marina will quickly find their way to Peter and Ty Bergman. You can find out more information and contact the team via their website.