Patrick Connor, President

London Properties

What I do: Responsible for the daily operations of the Central Valley’s largest, family owned real estate brokerage with 11 offices from Atwater to Hanford.

Education: Graduated from Bullard High 1988 and Washington and Lee University (Lexington, Virginia) 1992 BA in English. Played collegiate Tennis.
Age: 46

Family: Married to Alison Conner; daughter, Gentry (12) and son, Daniel, (9)

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How and why did you first get involved in the real estate industry?
As I was graduating college, my dad was developing a 70-home subdivision, and growing up around various construction projects and real estate, I had an interest in coming home to work on a development from the ground up. During the week I did construction and on the weekends I worked in the sales office. Following that project it seemed a natural fit to get involved with the brokerage side.

What do you see as the key factors that differentiate London Properties from other area real estate companies, Patrick?
Our associates are proud of our motto; “London Properties, the most trusted name in real estate.” To achieve this, we base every decision by asking, “What’s right, instead of who is right?” Our biggest differentiating factors from other brokerages are that we are truly a full service, one-stop-shop for our associates and clients. We represent clients with residential, investment, and agriculture properties as well as property management. We also offer home loans (Royal Charter Mortgage), homeowner’s insurance (Port Royal Insurance Services), and disclosure reports (California Property Data) as well as greater marketing exposure for properties through Reliance Marketing. Having all of these services under one roof in our main Fresno office creates a buzz of energy that generates more sales. London Properties also offers sellers the broadest range of listing services that start at only 2 percent. These additional listing services generate more inventory for buyers to choose from.

What are the most important issues facing the real estate industry today?
The most important issues that we face today are increasing rental rates, a shortage of inventory for buyers, and debt that our next large generation of buyers (millennials) might be carrying. The good news is that for now, interest rates have remained at historic lows allowing more people to qualify for more home.

Given the violent attacks against several Realtors around the country in recent years, is personal safety a concern for your Realtors when they are out in the field and do they receive any special self-defense-type training?
Today, personal safety is at the top of everyone’s mind. September is recognized in our industry as Realtor Safety Month. In addition to what our trade organization does for awareness, as a company, we consistently educate on safety and best practices. From www.londonproperties.com we offer our associates and the public abundant information for personal and home safety as well as neighborhood watch programs.

How would you characterize the current market and where do you see area real estate prices a year from now, Patrick?
Our current market appears to be steady and stable with a bit more room for growth.  Although some markets in the state have become over-heated (with appreciation), our Central Valley is still affordable. In the next 12 months, we see our market prices increasing by approximately 3-5 percent on average. At some point, interest rates will go up, leaving some people wishing they had made their buying/selling decisions earlier.

What was the best advice you ever received and who did it come from?
“Be stingy with your time,” was a principle that my mentor, Rudy Facciani, always tried to instill in me. The more you protect your time, the more you will have for the things that matter most.

Who or what has been the biggest influence on your career, Patrick?
As the second generation in a 46-year-old family business, my biggest career influences have come from my parents. My dad has impressed upon me that if you say you’re going to do something, then do it and my mom has always encouraged the principle that it is more important to find and recognize people for doing something right instead of catching them doing something wrong.
 
What are your roots in the Central Valley, Patrick?
My ties to the Central Valley started with my sister and I being born in Fresno. My dad grew up in Visalia and Idaho and my mom in Missoula, Montana. They moved back to the Central Valley to attend Fresno State after marrying in 1966.

First Job? When I was 10, my sister and I “offered” to be the janitors at London Properties (then at 723 W. Shaw). Either before school or after sports, we would ride our bikes to the office and clean. I learned discipline, pride in doing a job well, and that no job was beneath me. By the time I was 12, we created a business, D & P Cleaning, in which we cleaned vacant properties, rentals, and construction sites.

What do you like to do in your spare time, Patrick?
In my spare time I enjoy traveling and any other activity with our family.  I’m an avid cyclist and skier.