Water World

Val Pagett loves everything about the South Bay and is passionate about sharing it with her real estate clients.

The word “versatile” comes to mind when you get to know Realtor Valerie Pagett. So do the words “genuine,” “hardworking” and “adventurer.” Conversations with this South Bay native are riveting as she recounts her global travels and passion for the SoCal community she always comes home to.

“Traveling has heavily influenced my life, but I also love everything about the South Bay. This is my home, and I enjoy sharing it with others,” says Val of her 10-year career assisting real estate clients. Recently she joined the Lauren Forbes Group at Compass, where she’s a top-producing agent at the Hermosa Beach office.

“I am an expert advisor on all things real estate,” she shares. “My specialties are helping buyers find their sanctuaries and helping sellers capitalize on their investments as they move to a new chapter.”

Long before she developed a taste for travel and a passion for real estate, Val’s first love was swimming. She trained extensively and competed in international swim meets as a teen. She was later awarded a full scholarship to swim at the University of Hawaii.

“I hope to leave a lasting impression of someone who genuinely cares about others and the world.”

“I am extremely thankful for the water and consider myself home when I am in it,” Val says. “My athletic career has completely shaped the person I am today. I bring my athlete mentality to everything that I do.”

After college, the next chapter in Val’s playbook was a stint with the Peace Corps. She was an English teacher in a remote Cambodian village for about two years.

“The Peace Corps was an amazing adventure,” she says. “What a strange thing to move across the world, learn a foreign language and culture, live alone in a tiny village on the Mekong without toilets or running water, and see things from a totally new perspective.”

Val returned to the United States grateful for the comforts of home and ready to make an impact. Her father encouraged her to work in real estate—taking advantage of her local expertise, high-level problem-solving skills and adept negotiation abilities. Val was all in.

“I bring a heightened level of attention to every client I work with, leaving no doubt in their minds that if they need something, I will handle it,” she points out. “I come in as a partner, as challenges arise. There is nothing more important to me than helping my clients feel protected and empowered.”

Val is an award-winning Realtor, named as one of LA Business Journal’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents in Los Angeles and one of LA Magazine’s Real Estate All Stars. Her team achieved $153+ million in closed and pending sales in 2023, and at press time they are at $72 million for 2024.

Val continues to travel internationally and is planning her next adventure. Her active life continues to revolve around the water and athletics; she exercises every day—training in the ocean, Begg Pool or Afterburn Fitness. She also volunteers extensively, serving on the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair and Leadership Manhattan Beach boards.

“I pull a lot from my experiences as a high-level athlete in my day-to-day work as a Realtor,” Val says. “I am always looking to swim a little farther, learn a little bit more or help one more person than previously.”

Val is in her happy place in the South Bay, near the water, while helping people find their dream homes. Her ultimate goal? “I hope to leave a lasting impression of someone who genuinely cares about others and the world.”