The following post is a reprint from this day in 2010 and is as fitting today as the day I wrote it.  One of the biggest ironies of government solutions to housing problems is how heavily regulated the foot soldiers (agents, loan officers) have become while the executives in the glass tower can build billion […]

We have three offices that are storefront-type locations: sidewalks, ground level, pedestrian-friendly, coffee brewing, friendly staff on hand, and everything you might expect of a retail setup. If someone were to walk in off the street to engage us, we’d be ready. There is a reception area, a board table, Internet access, and, sometimes, doughnuts. Doughnuts […]

This past Tuesday I was wrapping up a team meeting with 5 agents. The question came up on how to list “For Sale by Owner” properties. Before I continue, let me state that it’s fairly established that most “FSBOs” eventually list with a broker. There is a learning curve to the process, and these home […]

Westchester and the surrounding counties are seeing a peculiar phenomenon causing no small amount of consternation to home buyers. There simply aren’t many homes for sale. This is especially the case for homes one might consider in the starter home category; we have buyers who are seeing very little for sale, and what they do find is […]

Evaluating the sales of the many team members of the company from the 2nd half of 2016 through the first half of 2017 yields some very happy news. I’d like to extend my heartiest congratulations to the top producing agents in our firm who have not only achieved high levels of production but have done so […]

A few weeks ago, Jenn Maher and I made the difficult decision to ask the top producing agent at J. Philip Real Estate to leave the company. These sorts of decisions aren’t made lightly, and such a move cannot help but affect the bottom line, at least in the short term. But it had to […]

The firm is growing (happily) and more importantly, it is with quality people. Among our newest associates is Elena Kupka, a woman of high character and commitment.  I met Elena in 2013 when I listed her home in Briarcliff Manor. After the deal closed we remained in touch and she even referred me more business, which […]

I write this with a feeling of deep appreciation. The 2016 numbers are still being tallied, but I am beyond thrilled to say (as I did last year and in the several years preceding it) that this year has been the best in the history of the firm, and in 2016, it’s by a more […]

For almost 30 years, a small framed Sport Graphics picture has hung on my wall. The image is that of a 4 man rowing shell going down the race course of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia at the 1988 Dad Vail Regatta, which was the national race for smaller programs. That was my boat. It was […]

A tad over a year ago, our firm welcomed Brittany Alvarez to our growing team of professionals. While new to the industry, we had a great feeling that she’d be successful. She was. Brittany was the company’s 2015 Rookie of the Year, a million dollar plus producer, and among our finest agents right out of the […]

It is with great pride that I introduce my esteemed colleague Gloria Hernandez as the branch manager for the firm’s Pelham Market Center. Gloria has been licensed for over 15 years and brings a wide range of experience to the position, but what I love most about her is her dry wit- few people can […]

If you like a brick Tudor in the Chilmark area, $705,000 just bought your dream home. This 4 bedroom, 3 bath stately house is a stunner- we were honored to list it for the sellers. As described in the MLS: The most peerless property in sought after Chilmark. Restored brick Tudor set on a quiet […]

I was incredibly honored this past week to be asked by my colleague Joe Rand to be a late addition to a panel he was moderating at the Inman Connect Conference on the “SWOT” of the real estate industry. My fellow panelists were Pam O’Connor, CEO of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, and […]

A year ago at this time I was happy to share how 2014 had been, by far, the best year in the history of the firm. We had opened 3 new branch offices, expanded our team to almost 70 agents, and set records for sales production. It would be a tough act to follow.  2015 […]

I LOVE these classic homes- here are some great homes at great prices with character, style and an awesome lifestyle. http://westchesterrealestateblog.net/idx/city/ossining/

SEATTLE In the very same week that the Zillow Group set social media in the real estate space on fire with their purchase of software firm Dotloop, CEO Spencer Rascoff has announced the purchase of website AshleyMadison.com. It is unknown how the dating platform for cheating spouses fits into Zillow’s model, but industry insider comments […]

Jennifer Maher, the manager of our Mahopac office, has done it again and hired another renaissance woman. She and I are  excited to announce the affiliation of Licensed Salesperson Brittany Alvarez with the firm. Want to hear glowing praise? Check this out: “Ms. Alvarez’s reputation in Putnam County precedes her. Brittany is known as a […]

I am biased, but I think I have the best people on my firm’s team. That’s why the company has grown through an era in the industry when many other firms disappeared. One of the very best examples is Angela Johnson. In August, 2012 when Angela joined the brokerage I wrote this: …”it is with immense […]

If you’ve noticed the conspicuous absence of updates here let me assure you that the reasons are all good. I am fine, the company is fine, and we have been busy. I have lots of good news to report. First, after our best year in 2013, I wrote a year ago that I could foresee […]

“De-cluttering” is so 2008.  As I advise new clients listing their homes on the market to sell this spring, I am surprised to see how their jaws drop when I start the pre-sale preparations not with tidying up, curb appeal or repairs, but with fighting the battle online.  Here’s what I mean: Before the 2014 consumer visits […]