Behind $9 Billion in Career Sales: Jade Mills Reveals Her Formula for Success

You can now call her "The $9 Billion Woman." Jade Mills recently surpassed $9 billion in career sales — a feat few real estate agents could ever dream of achieving. 

With a career spanning more than three decades, Jade has cultivated an unparalleled reputation for her expertise in the high-end residential market, representing A-list celebrities and discerning individuals worldwide. A consistent top performer holding the No. 1 agent position within the Coldwell Banker network for multiple years, she has continued to make a name for herself in luxury real estate by shattering industry records. She is often a dealmaker behind some of L.A.'s buzziest transactions: the $100 million sale of the Playboy mansion in 2016, the $150 million sale of the Chartwell Estate (seen in “The Beverly Hillbillies”) and the $120 million Spelling Manor in 2019. 

Her influence extends beyond sales. She's also elevating the next generation of top luxury real estate professionals - both as a mentor and Global Luxury Ambassador for the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury program and as the president of Jade Mills Estates. She regularly dispatches advice to colleagues at Coldwell Banker Global Luxury events and summits throughout the year. Her four children have become formidable forces in luxury real estate as well. Her daughter Tiffany specializes in the Santa Ynez Valley, while son Zach Quittman focuses on the beach communities of Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and Venice. Alexis LaMontagna has built a successful career from Hollywood Hills to Calabasas, and even youngest son Austin, a video content creator, contributes by referring NBA friends through his network. As co-chairman of the International Luxury Alliance, she has also helped assemble an elite group of luxury real estate professionals who regularly gather to share winning strategies, ideas and luxury real estate market trends around the globe. 

I recently sat down with Jade to unpack the secrets behind her latest career triumph. Below is an excerpt of our exclusive interview. 

Michael Altneu: How did you achieve this remarkable milestone of $9 billion in career sales this year? 

Jade Mills: Consistency in real estate is so very important.  I know great agents who have one or two sales and take a month off.  You not only lose momentum, but you lose clients.  For as long as you are in the real estate business you should live and breathe your craft. If you are out of town, your clients will get another agent.

Michael Altneu: You’ve achieved an extraordinary milestone of $9 billion in career sales despite industry shifts and evolving market conditions this year. How have you managed to not only sustain but elevate your business during times like these?

Jade Mills: This year was certainly not my best.  Reaching this amazing milestone was not just this year but a culmination of many years of hard work.  I have had quite a few big sales in the last two years, but again consistency is the key. 

Michael Altneu: Looking back on your career, what would you say has been the secret to your longevity and success in real estate?

Jade Mills: Having very loyal clients and always doing the right thing.  I know I always talk a lot about being ethical but it is truly what keeps you in the business.  My father always told me that all you have in life is your reputation. Keep it stellar!

Michael Altneu: Having worked with high-net-worth clients and celebrities for so many decades, what are the most significant shifts you've observed in the luxury real estate market over the years?

Jade Mills: The most significant shift this last year has been understanding why people do not want to move.  Because of the higher interest rates, owners are opting to stay in their homes at a lower interest rate rather than moving and having to pay the present interest rate.

Michael Altneu: With newer technologies like AI rapidly changing the real estate industry, how do you see the future of luxury real estate evolving in the next decade?

Jade Mills: As long as the internet and email took to evolve, AI and technology like ChatGPT will change and advance even more rapidly. It is very hard to say how the industry will be in the next 10 years, as new technologies are being developed every day. One of the tools that I think will really change our business is Presence CoPilot which is the new AI-powered mobile-platform designed to help real estate agents work more efficiently, close deals faster, and deliver exceptional client experiences.

Michael Altneu: What advice would you give to aspiring real estate agents who dream of achieving similar levels of success in the luxury market?

Jade Mills: Work hard, don’t sell anything that you would not purchase yourself, and advise your clients with only their best interest in mind.  This isn’t a job for you if you do not want to work hard.  Reach out to your sphere of influence.  Have the most knowledge of any professional in your area, and study the market daily. 

Michael Altneu: Looking ahead, what makes you the most excited?

Jade Mills: The thrill of the deal!