Million Dollar Listing New York on Bravo TV

Bright Lights! Big City!  Tonight’s premiere of Bravo TV’s Million Dollar Listing New York did not disappoint.  It was filled big egos, huge cash, gay porn, reptiles, old money & new money.  Ryan, Fredrik & Michael may have showed us that the luxury market in New York City has characteristics only found there, but the issues of closing transactions transcend across all markets and all types of deals..  Balancing the needs of eccentric and sometimes demanding buyers and sellers, the guys gave us an inside look at “the art of the deal.”

To understand NY real estate you have to be able to assemble a jig-saw puzzle right out of the box.  The City is divided into many unique markets such as, SoHo, NoHo, Tribeca, Downtown, Uptown, East Side, West Side and Midtown just to name a few.  Brokers often concentrate on specific regions within NYC so they become “The” expert in their respective markets.  A basic concept, no matter where real estate is transacted is that relationships with people, clients and colleagues are a vital part of a brokers success.  Having a last name, father and Rolodex like Michaels doesn’t hurt either.

Michael has perfected the soft sell approach.  Losing the deal for his client Kim looked as if it truly disappointed him.  I can assure you though that if Michael’s bedroom scene involved Ryan or Fredrik, it would have ended up on the editing room floor.  In this business, as in life, especially in todays world of instant communication, timing is everything.  Doing business in NYC is a rapid-fire atmosphere where a last name may only get you a reservation at a restaurant but not a commission.  Michael is a smart guy, with a law school and masters degree.  His blood-line is pure NY real estate royalty and I am sure he will come from behind and make his mark.

Polar opposite, enter Fredrik.  I would bet that no one was truly shocked to learn that Fredrik was a porn star in a former life.  The gay part may have fooled some…. Not!!  Fredrik is an intense hard charging individual that I think would do whatever it takes to get a deal done.  Say what you want people but the truth is in the numbers..  $1 billion in sales in his career thus far.  Now that’s the stuff that dreams are made of.  When he decided to reduce his commission on the second sale as shown tonigh, I will say I was surprised.  98% of all brokers would have done the same thing but there was a minute there I doubted the new “boy diva” of Manhattan.  Fredrik did show a side that will continue to bring him repeat business when he fought hard for his clients needs.  Although he did break a cardinal rule of real estate by letting a buyer and seller mix..  We saw the result of that and it wasn’t nearly as pretty as Fredrik.  Probably the biggest question on everyone’s mind after watching Fredrik is, what the *&%$ does John do for a living?  And Fredrik, next time you send a snake in a box, make it a Tiffany.

Ryan is truly an actor.  When we met his friend Adrianna, thus duo could have stared in What Not To Wear, an episode of Hoarders, Intervention, a Dr. Phil show and an episode of Scrappers.  He was on the money with his advice to make that “apartment” into a product that could be sold.  Ryan also showed tremendous restraint and poise when dining with his potential client when in walked Tag Ericksson.  (Fredrik’s porn alter-ego)  It truly was unprofessional for Fredrik to basically solicit Ryan’s client.  Perhaps that snake should have been delivered to the return address.  Ryan showed us that he works tirelessly to help his clients achieve their goals and think outside the box to make things happen.  In my humble non-biased opinion (??) Ryan is the go-to guy.

I had some fun with this blog tonight.  Real estate is a business that is very personal.  Homes provide us a place to retreat from the stresses of our daily life.  A place where family traditions and memories are made.  I am proud to say that I am part of a culture that sees this business as cool, sexy and rewarding.  I own and operate a firm based in NJ, Blue Diamond Realty.  We provide our clients with unparalleled service in the world of luxury real estate.  Based in NJ/NY, we offer our services in most major cities around the U.S.

Tonight’s episode was just a glimpse into the Million Dollar Listing game in New York.  I can assure you that Ryan, Michael & Fredrik have paid their dues and have earned the right to be the “Kings of NY Real Estate”.