Brandon Oda
Brandon Oda is a multitalented photographer and software designer in San Francisco. Together with his respected work as a landscape and portrait photographer, Oda has also designed and implemented his own photo editing software. Such a broad skill set is uncommon in the world of photography, and Oda has made a name for himself on both fronts.
Brandon Oda was born and raised in the Los Angeles area. His love of the many landscapes of California was fostered by his parents, who took him on weekend road trips around the state starting when he was a young boy. He was given his first camera on his tenth birthday, and he quickly developed an eye for style and composition. He started by photographing beaches at sunset. As he grew older, he began to focus on evening photography.
Oda attended the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence. RISD helped to open his eyes to the wider world of the arts. While he studied at RISD, he was also able to take computer science classes at neighboring Brown University. He began to sell his photos when he was still a student. When he is not taking photos, Oda works on his “smart home” project, automating many tasks around the house. Oda also enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and swimming. He travels widely, enjoying worldwide journeys with his wife.
What do you know about the real estate industry?
I know that the real estate industry is constantly changing. There have been a lot of changes since we bought our home in 2001. Marketing a home is so much easier through the Internet. People may believe that the many home sales websites take away the need for a professional realtor, but that isn’t the case. A realtor is necessary to make sure you are fairly represented in the sale.
Have you ever sold real estate? How did you make it happen?
I’ve never actually sold any real estate. Prior to living in our current home, we rented an apartment in Telegraph Hill.
How much experience do you have in buying or selling real estate?
I have bought one home and that’s my only experience with buying and selling real estate. I have helped several friends through the process, however.
Have you ever made a sell or a purchase you have regretted?
I’ve never regretted buying our home. The one thing that I should have paid more attention to when we bought the house is that the driveway space is limited. On-street parking is difficult to get, so it can be challenging for my photography clients to find a place to park. I am considering renting office space and opening a stand-alone studio.
What advice would you give inexperienced who are wanting to buy or sell?
Make sure you are covered by good professionals in whatever you do. Don’t just pick the first realtor you find online. Do your research and make sure that they are experienced in the type of real estate you wish to buy or sell. Get a real estate lawyer even if you feel that you don’t need one. This will help you avoid costly problems down the line.
What have you found out to be the best way to market property?
Marketing property online seems to be the best way to go. There are so many apps for home sales these days. It’s fun to go through them and see what homes in your neighborhood are selling for. The whole process is much smoother than it was when we bought our home. I don’t want to sell our house, but I know we would have an easy time if we tried it.
What tools do you believe are essential for success in the real estate industry?
Real estate taught me to cover all of my bases and to be prepared. As in life, you never know what difficulties might get in your way. It’s wise to plan for any eventuality. Buying real estate isn’t for the lazy and disorganized. You need to be on top of your game.
What has real estate taught you about life?
The lessons I learned in real estate apply to all areas of life. As an artist, I am often annoyed by people assuming that I have my head in the clouds. I am a business owner like any other, and I have a tough approach to managing my business. I have been careful to set up my business with forethought.
Do you have a mentor who taught you what you know?
I don’t have a mentor when it comes to real estate, but I do have a mentor where photography is concerned. One of my college professors was very special to me. He taught me to look at my work with detachment and to critique myself. Being honest with myself was a difficult lesson, but I’ve used it often in the course of my work.
Do you have a feedback system? How does it work?
I do have a feedback system for my photography clients. I send them an emailed survey which I keep confidential. With confidentiality in place, people feel that they can be more honest. I also keep tabs on my listings on various websites. I try to minimize the effects of bad reviews when they happen.
