We had the good fortune of connecting with Ayush Vats and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ayush, how do you think about risk?
The best lesson I ever learned about risk was that it isn’t a binary question. What I mean by that is that while we may correctly estimate the risk involved in taking an action or making a decision, we’re generally poor at assessing the risk involved in passivity. Not taking risks is a risk in and of itself and I find there is often the most danger in inaction — and the inevitable “what ifs” that follow. To me, doing nothing is, often, a non-option.

A few years ago, I found myself at a crossroads in deciding whether I wanted to continue my corporate career or forge a new path. I had safety in familiarity and a reliance on the comfort and security of a predictable life. What was harder to admit was that the routine had become monotonous and found myself filled with dread at the thought of another week, another month, another quarter of the same problems and measures of accomplishments. On the other hand, I had a passion for Real Estate. However, the knowledge that I would be starting for all intents and purposes at the bottom in one of the most competitive markets in the world made the venture a gamble — I could succeed, but I could end up in a worse position.

Ultimately, rather than view the risk of the unknown as a non-starter, I was able to recognize the risk inherent in simply continuing as I was — unhappy and unfulfilled. By doing so, I would be placing unnecessary thresholds on what I could accomplish, and ultimately finding happiness and success in pursuing my current path. In short, immediate risk was a far better choice than the remorse I would inevitably face down the line.

What should our readers know about your business?
Being successful in Real Estate is tough and tougher still in a market like San Diego, where you have so many incredible Realtors and Real Estate professionals, all the the top of their game 24/7. As a ‘naturalized native’ of San Diego, I started without a built-in network of people that many recommend you rely on when first starting off as Realtor.

Building from the ground up, fighting for every inch that I got is something that really translates into my working style. Whether it’s representing a seller or a buyer, I feel that same burning passion to fight on their behalf as I did for myself. I always tell my clients that in a transaction, I consider their money as if it was my own and I’ve built great loyalty among my clients because of how intensely I fight on their behalf.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
With the diversity San Diego has across the city and the county, you could spend a week doing something new everyday. I’d like to show what you’d definitely want to get into, in the part of the city I run around in the most — the metro area.

A good day needs to start with a filling start! We would definitely need to grab some breakfast burritos at Dos Brasas, which is a spot I found the first day I moved to Mission Hills. Grab the burrito to go and get some coffee from one of my three go-to spots. The first is California Bean, which is set up in the parking lot of Home & Away, down San Diego Ave. I also love Kettle & Stone on West Lewis or James Coffee. Their Bankers Hill location is right by the Willis Allen Metro office which is convenient for me!

I love to take friends to Balboa Park. You can really tailor the experience based on their interest. Some of my favorites are the Japanese Friendship Garden and the Timken (bonus, it has free admission!). And of course you cannot go wrong spending a few hours at the world famous San Diego Zoo.

After a busy morning, lunch has got to be either a fresh slice at Sister’s Pizza or tacos at Salud! in Barrio Logan, which is a short drive. (Or both, obviously).

In the afternoon I’d head down to the Harbor. We can spend our time checking out the USS Midway, Star of India and shopping at the Headquarters at Seaport Village until it’s time to catch a legendary San Diego sunset at Embarcadero park.

A fun day in sun deserves pre-dinner cocktails at Bar Kindred in South Park or Nolita Hall in Little Italy — both have a great selection and fun, unique atmospheres.

One of my favorite spots for dinner is Civico at the Park — pasta made from scratch and fantastic service!

If you didn’t stuff your face with cannoli at Civico, finish off your marathon day with something sweet (let’s be honest — I’d recommend that any day, friends in town or not!) Extraordinary Desserts is a San Diego staple, and I also love Dixie Pops which has a selection of house-made ice creams and popsicles.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My journey has really been a cumulative effort of people that have empowered me my entire life. Starting with my parents, who always instilled an idea of no boundaries or limits on who I believed I could be — on any continent. Additionally my wife, Alex, who was a critical support during one of the most transformative periods of my life — especially in the crucial moments where doubt tried to creep into my own mind.

I also have to recognize the constant encouragement I received from my mother-in-law, who is familiar with the business and a special shoutout goes to one of my dearest friends Errol, who pushed me along the process and got my feet wet in Real Estate.

And what better place to work in the Real Estate space than Willis Allen Real Estate, which embodies the approach of creating and providing value first that I live by. I definitely couldn’t do it without my family at Willis Allen, where I started with Leslie Kilpatrick, Steve Kilgore who manages our office and Andy Nelson, who owns the brokerage. All steadfast in their belief in what I could accomplish.

Special shoutout to Megan Luce- I always tell her she can charge me $75 per piece of advice I get from her. I’m hoping she’ll never collect because I’d be in trouble!

And lastly I wouldn’t be here without all of the support I receive daily from everyone that’s reading this and has been instrumental in anything I have accomplished.

Website: https://www.buyandsellinsd.com/

Instagram: @ayushvats_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AyushVatsSD/

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