Andrew Pienovi jokes that he learned about real estate through osmosis — as a child sitting in the backseat as his father, Brian, drove from house to house making deals.
“So, [I’m] no spring chicken anymore, but it was a very easy pathway,” Andrew Pienovi said. “Being a son of a real estate agent, you're always listening to the conversations in the car, and it was a good learning experience for me.”
The Pienovis and colleague Patrick Clark have joined forces to bring the Christie's International Real Estate brand to Portland, Oregon, for the first time by opening Christie's International Real Estate Evergreen.
Their decision reflects a growing demand from buyers outside the state and internationally, as Portland continues to attract interest, according to Brian Pienovi. He added that the team aims to combine local expertise with global connections to serve the luxury market.
With an average sales price above $1 million, the founding members of this new brokerage will also lead sales and marketing for the Ritz-Carlton Residences Portland.
Like father, like son
Brian Pienovi, 69, and Andrew Pienovi, 42, have worked with Clark for about 15 years.
“As a result, we've [toyed] with the idea of doing something unique and special together, and that's how it came together,” Brian Pienovi said.
Previously, Brian Pienovi and other partners established and built two separate brokerage firms in Portland before selling each to Windermere Real Estate. He has been in the business for 45 years, starting right out of college. For his son, it's been 20 years.
Both enjoy spending time together in their professional and personal lives.
“Not very many people have the opportunity to work either as an adult parent with one of your adult kids or vice versa,” Brian Pienovi said. “It's unique and doesn't always work.”
“I have a lot of friends who rarely see their parents, and they may live in the same town,” Andrew Pienovi said.
The common denominators of the team
Brian Pienovi said he and his son have much in common with Clark, including their connections to the community and the markets they serve.
“We've just worked on a lot of properties together over the years, so it's just kind of a natural fit,” he said. “We know a lot of the same people.”
Andrew Pienovi said the trio began discussing going into business together about two years ago. He said he's looking forward to the global marketing capabilities of Christie's International.
Brian Pienovi has no intention of slowing down, although he loves golf and could retire now.
“I'm kind of a deal junkie,” he said. "I could retire tomorrow, but I like the game. I like the business. I like the people.”