The Million Dollar Listing Star Has Made His Way Down to Orange County and Has No Plans of Stopping
Real estate mogul Fredrik Eklund is a force to be reckoned with. From being the No. 1 broker in New York to his major real estate expansion in California, it seems there isn’t anything Eklund can’t accomplish—all while still managing to succeed beyond belief. Fredrik Eklund Bravo
43-year-old Bravo TV star, who stars in the entertaining reality show “Million Dollar Listing New York,” made his move from the Big Apple to Los Angeles in July 2019. Since then, he’s been rapidly expanding his real estate business, The Eklund Gomes Team, in the Los Angeles area. Fredrik Eklund Bravo
This past fall, the team made their way down to Orange County—while it was bound to happen, the business decision came quicker than anticipated. “OC wasn’t in my immediate plans,” Eklund says. However, he received an email from eager real estate agents Seth Nelson and Ariana Gaffoglio; they met the next day at the Hotel Bel-Air, and the connection was instantaneous. “I’m very intuitive; we instantly clicked. They felt like family right away,” Eklund explains. The Eklund Gomes Orange County Team was born just days after. “Now I’ve been down to Orange County once a week and selling a lot.”
Orange County is, of course, one of the most expensive real estate markets in the country. The $38 million home in San Clemente listed by the team was the location for Eklund’s LOCALE cover shoot. While the home boasts incredible views, stunning architecture and exhibits a charming Mediterannean feel, the 450 linear feet of oceanfront is Eklund’s favorite aspect of the property. “With my help, we are looking to expand more down here [Orange County]. I’ll probably end up living down here one day!” he says. This year, he hopes to be the No. 1 team in Orange County, and they are already well on their way.
“All I knew was I wanted to be successful in New York. I was very drawn to the energy of New York…” Fredrik Eklund Bravo
So, how did Eklund get to where he is today, selling some of the most sought after real estate in the country? His journey began in New York City. “All I knew was I wanted to be successful in New York. I was very drawn to the energy of New York…reinventing myself and working my ass off. But, I didn’t really have a plan,” Eklund recalls. He moved from his hometown of Stockholm, Sweden to New York City at the age of 25—without knowing anyone. After the move, his new friends in New York suggested he give real estate a shot.
With two sides to his personality (one being an analytical and business side and the other being, as Eklund puts it, colorful and eccentric), it seemed that this was an ideal career path for Eklund. “You gotta have both [sides], I think. You have to entertain your clients; you have to make it fun and spread good energy—nobody wants to work with a lazy, angry broker!” Eklund states. He goes on to explain that the task of buying a house is stressful, and it’s his job to make it fun.
“So, I got my license, and I was just trying it out. I have to say, I’m lucky in a way because New York—at the time—was very undervalued. It was about to see an incredible explosion in new development, pricing, activity…becoming almost the capital of the world at that time. This was in 2003 and 2004, [so a few years] after Sept. 11, the city was really coming back strong, and I just jumped right into it. I was lucky,” Eklund explains.
But his success isn’t all attributed to just luck. Eklund studied at the Stockholm School of Economics before moving to the US, and he even founded an internet company and worked at an investment bank back in his past life. A few years after his arrival in New York City, he co-founded The Eklund Gomes Team at Douglas Elliman in 2010 with John Gomes, which now has offices in Manhattan, Beverly Hills, Brooklyn, Miami and Laguna Beach. It seems as if he’s always had the grind and grit it takes to prosper.
“It is difficult, and it can be exhausting because I take it so seriously. I’m super competitive, a perfectionist and a control freak, so for me, why go into a market if you’re not going to basically be No. 1?”
Across the country, from coast to coast, Eklund manages to stay on top. In markets like New York City, Miami Beach and Beverly Hills—where real estate is competitive, lavish and jaw-dropping—Eklund succeeds. He sells luxurious homes to some of the most influential people in the world. “It is difficult, and it can be exhausting because I take it so seriously. I’m super competitive, a perfectionist and a control freak, so for me, why go into a market if you’re not going to basically be No. 1?” Eklund says. He does it right and does it to be the best—not just the best for himself, but the best for his clients across the various markets.
Eklund recalls the feeling of being scared when he moved to the States and then having the same feeling when making the cross-country move to California. His advice is to just do it; go after your dream. “Usually, it’s not people who say no to us; it’s our own insecurities and our own, maybe laziness [that’s in our way, which makes us] feel content where we are,” Eklund says. “I think everyone is walking around with this dream, and you just gotta do it. It’s very difficult and it’s very scary, but in my opinion, it always pays off because if it doesn’t pay off the way that you thought it would. It will pay off in a different way,” Eklund says.
In addition to having an astounding career, Eklund is the proud father of three-year-old twins, Milla and Freddie. While his career and personal life are now in harmony, it took a couple of years for him to get to this point. “It was not easy—I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I’m lucky because I have such a good team at work; [my husband] Derek is amazing; I have nannies—I have an army of assistance. I could never do this without all of those people,” Eklund says. “The kids grow up so fast; they have to take priority over work because work can always be done at a later stage—or in my case, an earlier stage—but the kids, I only have one shot at.”
“This life is so short; it’s like a blink. I think we’re given a limited period of time to really enjoy ourselves but also to really experience a lot of different emotions and things—and not material things.”
Eklund’s optimistic outlook, larger-than-life personality and diligence have led him to this prosperous point in life. He’s someone who truly lives life to the fullest, diving into adventure and lighting up a room. “This life is so short; it’s like a blink. I think we’re given a limited period of time to really enjoy ourselves but also to really experience a lot of different emotions and things—and not material things. So, how are you going to do that? How are you going to take advantage and really feel gratitude for the time that you’re given?” Eklund expresses. He’s found his cool California groove and finally feels at home in the Golden State. Only time will tell what the next chapter holds for Fredrik Eklund.
Fredrik Eklund
@fredrikeklundny
Photoshoot Location:
4130 Calle Isabella
San Clemente, CA 92672 Fredrik Eklund Bravo
Taylor is a graduate from the University of Southern California with a degree in journalism. She is our Los Angeles and Orange County editor. You can find her dining at a new restaurant, in the ocean or planning her next adventure. Say hello!
