Longtime Orange County real estate broker and entrepreneur Phil Immel died “peacefully” Wednesday, Nov. 12, “surrounded by family and loved ones,” his son, Ryan, announced on social media.
Known as the “King of Monarch Bay,” Immel sold 90% of the oceanfront property in Dana Point’s tony beach enclave during his 50-year career. That included listing the blufftop home sold to retired showbiz investor Gordy Crawford in March 2022 for $33 million, which set the record as the most expensive home ever sold in the city at the time.
Immel was 70, and no cause of death was given.
“I’m beyond devastated to share the news,” began Ryan in an Instagram post Thursday night, expressing his grief in a heartfelt tribute.
He included a series of photos capturing Immel as a professional, a devoted dad and a man with a playful side.
“Phil was such a light in so many people’s lives and a dear friend to many,” Ryan wrote. “I’ve been so moved knowing the impact that he has had on our community and by the conversations I’ve had with many.”
He described his father as someone who rose above a challenging childhood in Chicago to build “an incredible life” in Orange County for his family, including his other adult children, Torie and Blake.
Ryan and Blake worked with their father at Immel Team Luxury Real Estate in Monarch Bay Plaza, launched by Immel in 2014. Sotheby’s International Real Estate acquired the independent brokerage in 2018 for an undisclosed sum as part of the brand’s expansion into the Palm Springs area, Orange County and San Diego County under Pacific Sotheby’s.
In an email to advisers and staff, Martha Mosier, president of Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty, called Immel “a true force” who “earned the admiration and affection of clients and peers alike.”
“He served our community with the same dedication he brought to his business — mentoring others, leading with kindness, and elevating our industry through his professionalism and heart,” she wrote. “He will be profoundly missed and long remembered as a cornerstone of our real estate community and a treasured member of our company family.”
Immel became a licensed real estate broker at 19 while studying real estate and marketing at San Diego State University. At 28, he served as an in-house corporate consultant and executive director for all ancillary services at Coldwell Banker’s national headquarters in Newport Beach, reporting directly to the chairman of the board and the subsidiary presidents.
He later joined Prudential California Realty, where he became the top agent in OC from 1999 to 2008 and ranked eighth nationwide in 2004 for sales volume. He received the Prudential “Legend” Award in 2011.
He served as the broker associate and luxury director at the Immel Team, a second-generation firm headquartered in Monarch Bay Plaza.
In addition to his agency work, Immel’s expertise made him the go-to expert on real estate issues for national news programs and radio, as well as for print publications.
His insights were accessible to anyone at www.RealEstateGuru.com.
As Ryan put it, “He gave his all to everything he did,” emphasizing his father’s dedication and status as “a true pillar in our community” who daily inspired those around him.
The family will announce a celebration of life at a later date.