MEET THE TEAM
JAMES WARD
Team Leader
James Ward has been in the Real Estate Business for over 32 years. He purchased his first piece of property at the age of 18 and first investment at the age of 19. He was a licensed Realtor with Century 21, Citizens Realty between 1988-1999, where he honed his experience, representing numerous clients. He was a REO agent and specialized in selling Multi-Family Units; all while buying, selling, and managing his own Real Estate Portfolio. Between 1999-2006 James worked with Nelson Shelton & Associates in Beverly Hills where he sold Luxury Real Estate. In 2007, James formed Optimum Synergy Enterprises Inc., an Independent Brokerage; which later purchased a franchise-EXIT Real Estate Group. He ran EXIT Real Estate Group from 2000 to July 2019. In an effort to focus on developing, he gave up the EXIT franchise and merged his team with Keller Williams Real Estate, where he presently leads a team of agents that sell Real Estate.
He also has a Mortgage Company, Innovative Lending Group, which was formed in 2007; and is still performing to this date. In 2008 James formed Ward-Schurr Inc. with a business partner, Barack Schurr; to buy, hold, and sell Real Estate in Los Angeles and Texas. James is still currently buying and selling Real Estate. He also owns other single asset entities; that own and manage his real estate holdings. He has built many properties from the ground up. Throughout the years, James has bought, sold, and built over 100 properties; ranging from Single-Family to as many as 72 Units. James currently works with select clients and deals with distressed properties primary.
TOMARAH LEWIS
Senior Agent
Tomarah moved from the East Coast Carolinas to Los Angeles 3 years ago. As an Encino resident, Tomarah is passionate about providing service in and around her local area. She truly understands what matters to Buyers and Sellers and continually demonstrates her dedication to deliver clients a process that is as seamless as possible. Her passion for excellence, meticulous work ethic, and professional demeanor help her reach her client's goals on each transaction. Her pro-active approach and relentless follow-up leaves no stone unturned. She deeply values the lasting relationships developed with her many clients and peers. Tomarah is the definition of professional and will always, without hesitation, go above and beyond to ensure a positive result for all.
Tomarah proudly assists buyers, sellers, and investors with properties in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding cities. She also works with clientele in the city of Inglewood, where the main office is located.Â
Markets/Geographical areas of service: Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Sherman Oaks, Chatsworth, Inglewood
Professional Experience:  As a seasoned Loan Officer, Tomarah has over 23 years of combined experience in Banking, Lending, Credit, and Relationship Management. However; her Real Estate career started out as the Broker’s Assistant and Franchise Support Administrator in Hollywood. Because of her incredible business and real estate acumen, she quickly absorbed the knowledge and skillset necessary to become a licensed real estate salesperson. Tomarah also provides Transaction Management Services to her clients.
Specialties:Â Single family homes, investment, multifamily homes, condos, and luxury properties
Professional Designations: REALTOR®, NMLS, Notary, Notary Signing Agent
Affiliations:Â CAR, NAR, Beverly Hills Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors
JARED MAGSANOC
Junior Agent
Everyone is always looking for the right agent with the tools and knowledge of Real Estate. If you're looking to sell, purchase, or have any questions regarding Real Estate, Jared Magsanoc can be your Solution. He's a Real Estate Professional.
Jared is an innovator and a problem solver. Consider working with Jared as a strategic partner to build wealth through Real Estate. Even being involved with the fast pace world of Real Estate and Finance, he takes time building personal relationships with all of his clients. With his deep knowledge and his highly experienced team, Jared & The Optimum Team can help you achieve your goals in Real Estate.
SAMANTHA REESE
Junior Agent
Samantha is one of the newest additions to the Optimum Team. Born in Florida, and raised in Michigan, Samantha has considered Los Angeles her 2nd home since 2004. Despite not being a Los Angeles native, she brings a spectacular level of first-hand knowledge of Inglewood, Ladera Heights, Playa Vista, Marina Del Rey, Culver City, South LA, and the LAX neighborhoods (as well as The Valley, Brentwood and the beach cities from Malibu down to Hermosa). She brings her Midwestern work ethic, intense creativity, high efficiency, and keen business sense to her clients. She takes great pride in her honest nature, exhibiting the highest levels of integrity, and always finding a way to connect with her clients.
Samantha also brings with her, a wide-reaching network of connections from her days as an actress and film and tv makeup artist, a "go get 'em" and "never say die" type of motivation, which proves well for anyone that she is working with. She has a fierce love for Real Estate and for helping clients accomplish their goals.
JOHN FORTE
Senior Agent
John Forte has been working with buyers and sellers for more than 20 years. Please give him a call for all of your real estate needs.John Forte has been working with buyers and sellers for more than 20 years. Please give him a call for all of your real estate needs.
SONDRA QUIROZ
Senior Agent
In 2002 Sondra began her successful practice of Real Estate in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2011 she moved to Los Angeles and continued on as a successful agent in the Greater Los Angeles area. Recently, Sondra has joined Keller Williams Real Estate located in Inglewood, CA and continues to be a Trail Blazer in serving the needs of her Sellers, Buyers, Investors & Rental Property Clients in the Los Angeles Metro area. With her own style and uniqueness which expresses a genuine personable interest to you, her goal is to locate the right and perfect property suiting your needs and providing you the highest and best quality of time until the job is complete! Sondra and her team harness the benefits of technology to interact with you in the most seamless way possible and to optimize the marketing efforts that deliver results while keeping your stress level at a minimum. She is continually exploring and implementing new technologies and systems that prove to deliver better results and strengthen communication between her team and you. At the core of Sondra's philosophy is developing a close, professional bond that puts you squarely at the center of each transaction. She listens and tailors your experience to match your expectations. Whether it's a first home, your ultimate dream home or for investment, Sondra has the commitment and the professionalism to guide you through the transaction with ease and professionalism. What is impressive about her and her team is she is willing to back her promises with guarantees ensuring you have someone motivated and committed to obtain the results you are seeking. Of all the decisions you'll face when buying or selling a home, there's none more important than the person you choose to represent you. Let Sondra and her team show you what real customer service should be.
