Real Takk Podcast

Episode 137: NYC Pied-à-Terre Tax Just Dropped: Who Actually Gets Hit? + Tax Hikes Then vs Now

It’s officially the start of the summer season — and in true solo pod fashion, we’re kicking it off with a timely breakdown of the brand new NYC Pied-à-Terre Tax that just got enacted.
 
In this episode, I walk through exactly how the new surcharge works (Phase 1 vs. Phase 2), why the crazy-low DOF market value on high-end condos actually shields many owners from the tax in both phases, and what the switch to comparable sales in 2028 could mean in the long term.
 
Then we zoom out: the never-ending “tax the rich” playbook in NYC and beyond. I compare the actual tax landscape of 2021–2026 (post-COVID, Inflation Reduction Act, state cuts vs targeted hikes) against 2005–2010 (recession-era increases) at the federal, state, and major city levels. Property taxes, mansion taxes, transfer taxes, income surtaxes — who’s really raising what, and how much?
 
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Episode 136: Emergency Pod: NYC Pied A Terre Tax, The Goal, The Reality, The Problems, + A Letter from Vornado's CEO

Pleased to have my friend & industry veteran, Justin Rubinstein, founder of J. Rubinstein Homes, back on the pod. We jump on this quick episode to discuss the newly proposed pied-à-terre tax by Mayor Mamdani. We discuss the pros, cons, and likely pain points of this tax, as well as the political climate in our real estate industry. 
 
I end the episode by reading the recently released letter from Vornado Realty Trust CEO Steve Roth, which he addressed at a recent REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York) conference.  Please check out Justin's updated website, along with his recent interview with our Founder & CEO, Rob Reffkin, here or here!
 
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Episode 135: Brandon Polakoff, Principal and Head of NYC Investment Sales of Avison Young

Very excited to have Brandon Polakoff, Principal and Head of NYC Investment Sales at Avison Young, join us on this episode of the Real Takk Pod. 
Based in the firm’s New York City office, Brandon leads a team of more than 30 professionals, guiding clients through the sale of multifamily, office, development, and retail assets across New York City and beyond. 
Brandon joined Avison Young in 2018 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of the company’s youngest Principals. He’s been involved in approximately $5 billion in transactions and has consistently ranked as the top producer for Avison Young’s Tri-State Investment Sales group, and has earned multiple awards in the commercial field since.  
Prior to joining Avison Young, Brandon worked in investment sales at Cushman & Wakefield (following its acquisition of Massey Knakal Realty Services), with earlier experience and internships at Silverstein Properties and Beacon Capital Partners. He brings over a decade of specialized experience, particularly in the multifamily sector, where he has helped build and scale Avison Young’s platform in the region.
A highly regarded leader in commercial real estate, Brandon’s accolades include:
Commercial Observer’s Power 100 list (2024 and 2025)
Commercial Observer’s 30 Under 30
Crain’s New York Rising Stars and Notable Leaders in Real Estate
GlobeSt’s 50 Under 40 and Aspiring Leaders
Connect Media’s Next Generation Award
And multiple “Ones to Watch” and Rising Stars honors from New York Real Estate Journal and Real Estate Weekly
Brandon holds a BA in Economics from Trinity College, where he was a member of the lacrosse team and earned All-Academic and All-Sportsmanship honors. 
Please follow Brandon on LinkedIn & Instagram, and check his listings on the company website.

Episode 134: Gabe Phillips, Founder & CEO of Catalyst Power

I’m excited to bring Gabe Phillips onto The Real Takk Podcast. Gabe is the founder and CEO of Catalyst Power, a New York-based integrated energy company that’s helping mid-market commercial and industrial businesses across the Northeast decarbonize their operations without the burden of upfront costs.
Gabe’s journey in energy began with trading electricity and gas at Sempra Energy Trading. He went on to found GP Energy Management, a full-service energy trading and risk management platform, which he successfully built and sold. From there, he launched Catalyst Power from the ground up, creating a true one-stop shop for building owners: retail electricity supply, cogeneration, on-site solar, battery storage, community solar, and EV charging infrastructure. The goal is simple but powerful — dramatically lower energy bills while shrinking the carbon footprint.
Gabe was recently named one of Goldman Sachs’ Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs of 2025, and his expertise lands right at the intersection of commercial real estate, sustainability, and the evolving way New York buildings are powered. With Local Law 97 penalties now in full effect, this discussion is more relevant than ever for our audience of property owners and managers.
Catalyst Power's Website
Gabe's LinkedIn 

Episode 133: Ann Korchak, Board President of SPONY, the Small Property Owners of New York

I am thrilled to have Ann Korchak, the Board President of the Small Property Owners of New York, or SPONY. What exactly is SPONY? They are a non-profit, all-volunteer advocacy and education organization founded in 1984. It represents small housing providers—primarily independent, family-owned landlords and multi-generational businesses in New York City (and, to some extent, statewide)—who own and manage smaller multifamily buildings (often with an average of around 11 units per member, many of whom live in or alongside their properties). In short, SPONY positions itself as the voice for the "little guy" in NYC's housing ecosystem: small-scale landlords who provide a significant portion of the city's rental stock but face disproportionate burdens from overregulation, high costs, and policies that favor larger entities or tenants over owners without adequate protections.
Anna has become a powerful voice in Albany and at City Hall—testifying on issues like tax liens, good cause eviction, rent guidelines, and policies like COPA —always pushing for balanced, sustainable solutions that support both owners and tenants without driving small providers out of business. She's been featured in outlets like the New York Post, The Real Deal, the NYT, and at various industry events, as recently as 72 hours ago.  Please follow her organization on: 
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SPONY's Website
Ann's LinkedIn
 
 

Episode 132: 2026 First Solo Pod on Rezoning & Real Estate Players in the Epstein Files

In this solo episode of The Real Takk Podcast, I unpack the complexities of NYC rezoning and spotlight the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan, approved in August 2025. After decades of outdated zoning, it finally opens 42 blocks to nearly 10,000 new homes.
Then I dive into this month's hottest topic: the renewed attention on the Epstein files following the DOJ's massive January 2026 document release, with a focus on the elite real estate connections and broker name-dropping linked to Epstein's former Upper East Side townhouse.

Episode 131: Year-End Wrap-Up & Prediction Pod with Frank Giordano of Charney Co.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to The Real Takk Podcast, where we dive deep into the high-stakes world of NYC real estate, the stories behind the deals, and the lives of the power players making it all happen.  AND it’s that time of the year again!  The end-of-the-year wrap-up pod is here, where we discuss all things real estate in 2025, along with our prediction pod for real estate in 2026.  
 
Today, I'm absolutely thrilled to introduce our guest, Frank Giordano, a seasoned New York City real estate advisor and the Director of Brokerage Services at Charney Companies, a dynamic boutique firm specializing in sales, leasing, and investments across the city's luxury and multifamily markets. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Frank honed his expertise at Compass, where he collaborated with top agents on high-profile new developments like One York Street, 70 Greene Street, and 88 Franklin Street. A graduate of Pace University's Lubin School of Business with a focus on entrepreneurship, Frank and I first met when he was just a young 20-year-old front desk administrator, starting from the ground up, at the once legendary real estate brokerage Town Real Estate, here in this very same office building almost 18 years ago.  We became great friends, ultimately taking him on a trip to Japan and inviting his family, and, fast forward, he now lives with his wife, Sarah, and son Leo in the Gramercy Park neighborhood.  
Please follow Frank on the socials @f_roundtown on IG 

Episode 130: Esther Patten of Compass NYC, The End of Year Wrap up Pod & 2026 Real Estate Prediction Podcast

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to The Real Takk Podcast, where we dive deep into the high-stakes world of NYC real estate, the stories behind the deals, and the lives of the power players making it all happen.  AND it’s that time of the year again!  The end-of-the-year wrap-up pod is here, where we discuss all things real estate in 2025, along with our prediction pod for real estate in 2026!
Today, I'm absolutely thrilled to introduce our guest, Esther Patten, a powerhouse real estate agent with Compass in the heart of NYC. With over 15 years of expertise navigating the fast-paced worlds of Manhattan and Brooklyn, Esther is your go-to expert for everything from sleek condo sales and co-op closings to savvy multi-family investments, cutting-edge new developments, and seamless residential leasing. She's shattered records—like setting the bar for the priciest townhouse in Bedford-Stuyvesant at 1 Verona Place—and has racked up an impressive $360 million in transactions, all while building her success almost entirely on glowing client referrals and deep-rooted connections with investors, developers, buyers, and sellers across the city.
A proud Northwestern University alum and former Division I women's basketball player, Esther brings that same competitive edge and Midwestern grit to every deal, making her an invaluable resource for clients from Chicago and beyond. She's passionate about giving back, supporting causes like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Meals on Wheels NYC, and when she's not outpacing the market, you'll find her dominating on the court in women's basketball leagues or fueling up with high-energy workouts at Barry's Bootcamp and Tone House.
@estherpatten

Episode 129: Elkin Serna of Compass NYC, The End of Year Wrap up Pod & 2026 Real Estate Prediction Podcast

We're back with an annual tradition of wrapping up the good & the bad of real estate in 2025, and the prediction pod of 2026.  I am here with my good friend Elkin Serna, 
Elkin is voted the “Best Realtor in the USA” by his daughter and is the principal of the Serna Team here in NYC.  He is a 9-time NYC Marathon Runner and part of the prestigious Real Trends 2025 by sales volume. I have had the pleasure of knowing for almost 2 decades in the real estate business.  Born in Colombia and a New Yorker since age 10, Elkin brings that Wall Street grit from a decade in finance before joining the brokerage world.  Elkin & I first met at a showing for one of the portfolios I represented in Midtown Manhattan. Eventually, I worked in the same office at the now-defunct brokerage TOWN Real Estate, once located here at 110 5th Avenue.  Please follow Elkin on the socials @elkinjserna

Episode 128: Rachel Hausman Masse of Compass Boise, Idaho, The 5 Mile Lifestyle & 3rd Generation Real Estate Power Agent

I’m absolutely thrilled to introduce a powerhouse who's not just reshaping the Boise, Idaho market but inspiring a whole generation of agents with her blend of grit, heart, and unyielding expertise.  
Please join me in welcoming Rachel Hausman Masse, a trailblazing real estate advisor with Compass in Boise, Idaho. What sets her apart isn't just the numbers; Rachel grew up in a generational real estate brokerage family, where her grandparents were home builders in Chicago, her mother was a top agent in her neighborhood, and now Rachel who joined the family business right out of college, eventually starting from scratch once again to open up her real estate practice in Boise Idaho with her family.  Rachel is a nonstop hustler, working & showing homes while in labor, connecting with buyers while on her flight to Oregon, hosting client events, & closing over 150 transactions per year while raising her two daughters with her husband.  
On this episode, we’ll discuss her family, her upbringing, the difficulties of being in this business, and, of course, learn about the housing market dynamics of Boise, Idaho. 
Please give her a follow on Instagram at @rachelsellsboise
Compass Website
Rachel's Website