Sam Araghi and Rudi Behdad
Rudi Behdad and Sam Araghi are a successful mother and son real estate team
By Srianthi Perera / Photo credit: Sina Araghi
Rudi Behdad’s real estate career has grown in tandem with Playa Vista.
She bought a condominium there in 2003, when the planned community established itself in the land formerly owned by the Hughes Aircraft Company.
“It was just a piece of land,” Behdad says. “I saw the advertisement that they were building a community here. I saw the vision. I was one of the first homeowners in Playa Vista.”
Behdad was transitioning to a new life after a divorce. She had held a real estate license for many years, but was not using it actively. When she settled in Playa Vista, that changed. Selling homes became her focus and new passion.
Teamed with her son, Sam Araghi, since 2011, the duo has been successful. After college, Araghi had been managing public works projects for his father’s construction company. He holds a construction license, which helps him envision and help with their clients’ remodels when the need arises. Behdad reflects on her 18-year career with fulfillment. She has been ranked annually among Coldwell Banker’s top international realtors, was awarded Coldwell Banker’s President’s Elite Top 3% internationally, and most recently, she and her son were included in WSJ Best Real Estate Professionals List.
Behdad’s older son, Sina Araghi, is a professional photographer who brings his photography and marketing skills to the mix. Both sons are married and have children of their own.
“I love working with my son – we make a great team,” Behdad says. “I think our clients appreciate the unique set of skills the two of us bring to the team. I have the experience, but Sam has the vision.”
Their age disparity is a plus in their profession because, between the two of them, they offer better relatability to clients, Behdad notes. She has her life experience to share and he is more in touch with the issues that young families face.
“Real estate is very unique,” Behdad says. “You become very involved with your client, with their family life; they need to trust you, you need to connect with them and they need to connect with you. Together, I think we are a very good team because we can relate to people of different ages and different phases.”
Their specialization is another asset. Because Behdad has lived in Playa Vista since its inception and has a thorough knowledge of the buildings, the layouts, floorplans and the other aspects of the planned community, it’s been immensely helpful for clients. Overall, business has been good and they have been consistently growing over the years.
Behdad came to the United States as an international student after finishing high school in Iran. She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, then later studied for an MBA. Back in Iran, she had a job in development banking, specializing in banking in developing countries.
After marriage and the birth of her sons, the family moved to the U.S. The sons grew up in Westwood and Behdad gave up her career to raise them. She obtained a real estate license but used it only sparingly.
Behdad found that her experience settling in a new place and transitioning from one life stage to another was directly relatable to her new profession.
“In real estate, you help people go through transitions,” Behdad says.
She’s built such incredible, long-lasting relationships that many of her clients have become lifelong clients, and Behdad is there to help them through each phase of life.
“We help them through these stages of their transition because home is the center of every family,” Behdad says. “We help people and this is what I like about it.”
Over the years, Behdad has had many clients and they have also transitioned into lifelong friendships.
“This is so rewarding,” she says. “You connect with people and help them with their life story.”
Rudi Behdad & Sam Araghi
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