Michael La Riche

I was born in Ohio and moved to Philadelphia to pursue my career in commercial photography after interning in Cleveland. There I had a successful career in both tabletop, medical and retail fashion photography for years before moving the business to California. My studio in Mid-Wishire area brought additional recognizable clients and added graphic design capability. When I closed my studio the roster of clients were Bon Appetit, Alpo, Campbells, Fed X, UPS, Disney, Crystal Cathedral, Norton and more.

In the years leading up to closing the studio, with architecture as a hidden interest, I decided to launch a career real estate and became an agent with Coldwell Banker and Prudential CA in Pasadena where I moved my primary residence, living in and restoring two substantial 1920’s English Tudor homes. My move back to Orange County brought me sales positions with Surterre, Pacific Sotheby’s, EQTY |Forbes Global Properties, and more recently back to my roots, Coldwell Banker, which I consider my best move.

Over the past 20 years not only have I had success as an Associate Broker both with buyers and sellers alike in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, but have created a holistic dog treat brand “Smart Alex” which was unfortunately cut short of funding just prior to the pandemic. It remains a possibility of rebirth as a retirement project, perhaps!

By specializing only on the Orange County Coast since my move back, I’ve represented clients in Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Dana Point and Laguna Beach. My mailing list of over 1000 contact contains executives from many worldwide corporations such as Apple and Walt Disney Corp.

What I incorporate into my real estate career as a value to my clients is my business experience from a lifetime of entrepreneurship in creating and running my own companies, managing employees, along with a keen eye to detail when directing stagers and managing other support contractors to get homes 100% ready for the market. I don’t leave anything unnoticed, and treat my listings as my own home, pride included. I believe in first impressions are so important when homes are announced onto the market.

With every broker I’ve been associated with, I’ve brought my own advertising/marketing ideas. When combined with companies such as COLDWELL BANKER GLOBAL LUXURY, I’m able to co-create successful local, national and international marketing customized to each listing. I typically don’t have more than 2 listings, so each one receives special attention and independent advertising to keep focus on one property at a time.

I work with a very experienced team at my Newport Beach office but am always the first contact for my clients. I’m available 23/7, and rarely unavailable. I never turn my client duties over to an associate.

Several years ago I participated with the City of Laguna Beach as a member of the Historic Ordinance Task Force. By reviewing years of records, research and holding public meetings, we were able to help change our antiquated ordinance to be more fair and understanding to those people that had homes previously and randomly put on a city list, which hand tied the owners from doing any improvements. Our outcome created a voluntary option for residents with qualifying homes to be put on a registration and perhaps apply for the Mills Act, or otherwise apply to remodel as any other homeowner.

In my down time I try to keep aware of what’s happening with digital photography, a bit of travel, a music and movie buff, and continuing to raise my rambunctious 2.5yr old mini aussie-doodle brothers.

I give back to my community as much as possible, delivered Meals On Wheels to mostly seniors living alone or dealing with a medical issue, volunteering and being a member/advisor with our local Board Of Realtors Charity committees in years past and this year I’m President of the Laguna Real Estate Charitable Assistance Fund. They’ve been around over 20 years and in the past years have raised funds for not only for organizations representing people in need by also animals in need. The group has given over $1.3m through “A Taste For Charity” and “Pet Parade and Chili Cook-Off”, yearly events held in Laguna Beach.

Some ongoing charities I personally like to contribute to are Wounded Warriors, Tunnels To Towers, The Smile Train, World Vision, and our local and county food banks.