Toluca Lake–based realtor Joan Duffy has carved out a niche for herself in the local real estate market thanks to her expertise, knowledge of the community and charismatic personality. With over five decades of experience in the field, she has become many residents’ go-to agent through a combination of integrity and a genuine passion for helping people find their dream homes.
“I’ve been lucky enough to now represent the grandchildren of clients I worked with in the past,” Joan shares. “I was once invited to a wedding, and the bride and groom had me sit at the main table because I sold the bride’s parents a house next to the groom’s parents’ house when the bride was a child. I was part of the celebratory speech from the father of the bride, who said that if it wasn’t for me, his daughter would have never met her husband.”
What further sets Joan apart is her past experience building houses, which helped her gain a knowledge of the ins and outs of how a house goes together.
“I learned a lot from building houses, and I believe it’s allowed me to guide my clients and refer them to tradesmen I’ve worked with in the past who I know would do a great job,” she says.
Joan is as well-traveled as they come. Originally from Chicago, she has also lived in New York and South Bend, Indiana. When it came time to decide where to move next, Joan “flipped a coin, and depending on what side it landed on, we were either going to move back to New York or to Los Angeles. The coin landed on the Los Angeles side, and needless to say, I’m happy it did. The weather is definitely a huge pull here, not to mention the friendly people and great community here in Toluca Lake.”
While her experience and expertise in the real estate business are certainly impressive, it’s Joan’s vibrant personality that’s made her a favorite among local buyers and sellers. “I’m a proud member of this community, and you can find me walking in the neighborhood with my dog, Aggie, in the morning,” she says.
In addition to her active involvement in the Toluca Lake community, Joan’s philanthropic efforts extend far beyond the local borders. For several years, she has dedicated her time and resources to The Kipsongo Project, a nonprofit working to improve the lives of the residents of western Kenya by equipping them with the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty. The project was co-founded by Joan’s niece, Krystina. Although Krystina has passed away, the impact she made lives on.
When it comes to what buyers and sellers can expect in the coming months, Joan says that while the market is hard to read right now, one thing is certain: “People are always going to move because of birth, death, divorce, transfer and marriage no matter what the market looks like,” she shares. “We’re in a fantastic area here in Toluca Lake, so this is always going to be a great place to live.”