Real Takk Podcast

Episode 96, Sean Mcpeak of Serhant, End of Year Wrap Up, and Prediction of the 2024 Real Estate Market

We're wrapping up the year with our traditional segment, where I invite my favorite real estate experts to discuss the winners, losers, and predictions of 2024.  This episode features my friend Sean Mcpeak, the Founder of the Mcpeak Team at Serhant and most recently “The Empire Collective” with his partners Jordan March & Alex Heydt. 
 
Sean & I met at Compass back in June of 2014 and worked together for just four short years at our Union Square West & 5th Avenue offices. After a taste of Halstead for 2.5 years, he joined Serhant as one of their founding agents, and it’s been a little over 3 years since their inception into the brokerage world.   Sean offers a wealth of knowledge and experience in our field, and he’s here to offer his distinct viewpoints of our real estate market & world. 
 
Please follow Sean’s Instagram at @sean_mcpeak
His Team: @empirecollective_  
 
 

Episode 95, Jordan Wright, Malibu-Based, Third-Generation Real Estate Agent

Jordan Wright is a third-generation real estate agent based out of Malibu California. With degrees in Film, International Relations, and French, and a diverse background in marketing and customer relations, sellers seeking high-level marketing of their homes will find a skilled and knowledgeable realtor in Jordan Wright.
 
Like many of the agents I love at Compass, Jordan is not just a big real estate nerd.  He’s a dedicated big wave surfer, with his passion taking him to all over to world to chase his surf spots.  He’s also a big time snowboarder, spear fisherman, yogi, and an outdoor enthusiast.  
Jordan & I met at the Tom Ferry conference back in 2019, where he was a superstar agent & coaching client bringing his knowledge of door-knocking to the audience.  He has a pretty incredible story that we will get into a little later on this episode. 
 
Please follow Jordan at @thewrightwayteam on IG 
 
Deep Dive Questions: 
You’re a third-generation real estate agent in your family.  Did you ever want to do something different? Or was this always in your blood? 
Tell me your door-knocking claim to fame story. 
100 people at an open, how does that even happen? 
What are some of the biggest hurdles buyers & sellers must overcome when they start learning about your market? 
Is it possible to be a first-time home buyer in Malibu? 
What advice do you have for agents that can help them prepare for 2024? 
What advice do you have for buyers so that they can be properly prepared to purchase in 2024? 
What is one win, and one loss, you had in 2024? (Personal or business) 
Please follow me: 
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Twitter
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Episode 94, Brandon Walsh, $80 Million in Sales of Real Estate, Founding Team of Compass Lake Tahoe

Have you been to Tahoe?  Well, let me introduce you to my friend & colleague Brandon Walsh.  Brandon moved to North Lake Tahoe in 2009 to join the Squaw Valley Ski Patrol. He took his talents to real estate in 2014 and joined the family-owned Tahoe Real Estate Group, then in 2018 became part of the founding team of Compass.  Brandon has sold more than $80 million of real estate to date and continues to excel in his career as a real estate broker, servicing clients locally and from across the world.  
 
DID YOU KNOW? 
1.  Lake Tahoe is over 2-3 million years old. Tahoe is considered an ancient lake and is counted among the 20 oldest lakes in the world.
2.  Most of Nevada's side of Tahoe is a National Forest, thus housing supply on that side is limited.  
3.  The stored heat in the Lake's massive amount of water compared to its relative surface area prevents the Lake from reaching freezing temperature under the prevailing climatic conditions.
4.  Tahoe’s clarity has impressed visitors since the time of Mark Twain in the 1880s. Historical accounts indicate the water may have been as clear as 120 feet during that time. 
 
Please follow Brandon's life journey at @brandon.walsh_tahoe 
 
Locals Corner!
Favorite current Tahoe restaurant or establishment?  Old Range Steak House  IG: @oldrangesteakhouse 
The All Time go to Tahoe restaurant or establishment?  Moodys Bistro IG:  @Moodysbistrobarbeats
 
Guest Questions Corner 
Guest Question from Tim Rothman of Compass NYC:  Being that you work and sell in vacation areas, when would you say is your busy season and when you are not busy, what do you do to keep yourself busy aside from drinking, smoking and doing other fun stuff? 
 
Guest question from none other than Lane Johnson from Aspen Colorado: How does it feel to live and work at a place that, in comparison to Aspen, Colorado, is considered subpar?   I’ll rephrase… where Tahoe ranks among ski resorts in the continental United States???
 
Guest Question from Levi Meyer of Compass Miami: Brandon, I referred you a buyer for Lake Tahoe and you sold him a house in Nevada! I wasn’t expecting that. Can you elaborate for us on the crossover from Tahoe to Nevada and how that works for you as an agent?  
 
Deep Dive Questions: 
I’d like to think the 20s are a struggling time for young professionals.  (lots of videos on social media posted from Gen Z who are complaining about housing costs, income, buying groceries, etc.). How did you get into the business?  What hurdles did you have to overcome? When did things start to ‘click’ for you? 
Is there an affordable housing crisis in Tahoe? Meaning, are typical middle-class workers having a hard time getting into first-time home ownership? If so, what are your ideas of solutions that must be implemented to satisfy both consumers & and builders?  Can you get into home ownership if you’re working full time on the mountain? 
Construction Costs:  Describe the typical costs and processes, that buyers have to think through when purchasing non-new development. What about costs as a developer? (and this is a general question, but if you know specifics, please go deep!) 
interest rates are at an all-time high in our modern lives. What are your buyers saying? sellers? And please forecast what your market will look like at the end of 2024. 
What advice can you give to the following
First-time home buyers 
first-time sellers 
Brand new real estate agents 
veteran real estate agents 
Please follow me: 
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Twitter
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Episode 93, Todd Wiley, Founding Agent of Compass San Francisco

Pleased to have Todd Wiley on the Real Takk Pod. Todd is the Founding agent of Compass San Francisco.  Upon graduating from San Francisco University, Todd started his career at ATT Wireless back on October 1994, then worked his way through several tech companies & ultimately switched careers getting his real estate license in 2004.  For the next 11 years, Todd ran a successful real estate business before ultimately being selected to represent our first Compass flagship office in the Bay Area.  
 
Todd is a specialist in trust and probate cases, Todd focuses a portion of his business on the development of his professional relationships with attorneys, fiduciaries, accountants, and financial planners. As a result, Todd has been a consistent top-producing agent for the last decade, performing in the top 1% out of real estate agents in San Francisco. 
 
What I love about Tom is that he is not just a big real estate nerd.  Todd is a skilled outdoorsman, putting his mark in the surfing community in California judging competitions & traveling the world chasing the perfect wave.  He is also a skilled fisherman where he frequently shows off his stock of salmon that he calls “mowing the lawn’  trolling along the coastline of California on his boat.  Todd has one of my favorite Instagram accounts in the real estate industry.  He’s authentic, positive, and informative with his content.  Please follow him @thewileyteamsf along with his websites
Compass
Google 
Fun Facts!
Favorite current SF restaurant or establishment?  Burma Superstar  @Burmasuperstarsf
All-time go to SF restaurants or establishments? Kokkari in FiDi
If you could live in any other block or neighborhood in SF, where & why? Sea cliff in El Camino Del Mar 
Deep Dive Questions: 
As the founder of our SF flagship office, tell me why you decided to make the change.  How did it start?  Your business was obviously good before the change, why rock the boat? 
Every agent will go through phases of struggle in the lifespan of their career.  What were some of your largest obstacles?  And how did you overcome them? 
SF is a unique market compared to the rest of the world.  What have you learned in business since the COVID shutdown of 2020?  
How have real estate market dynamics changed since the early 2000s, to where we are today? Speak on the city’s relationship with real estate, the type of buyers, & changes in neighborhoods. 
What are your thoughts on the recent movement to ban real estate broker commissions?  Are you concerned with the NAR lawsuit? 
Your wife is also your business partner.  How do you balance your work life & private 
Please follow me: 
IG
Twitter
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Episode 92, Jeff Reynolds, Representing Compass Seattle, Expert in Luxury Condo & Land

We're on to Compass Seattle, where I have my Seattle Luxury Condo & Land expert Jeff Reyolds on the pod.  Jeff comes with a passion for urban living and a deep understanding of the real estate landscape.  He is the editor and founder of www.UrbanCondoSpaces.com, a blog dedicated to the Seattle and Bellevue markets. Leveraging over 18 years of experience, Jeff has established himself as a trusted real estate advisor, land acquisition consultant, and broker.
 
Follow Jeff on:
Twitter @Seattle_Condos
Instagram @urbancondospaces  
 
Local Expert Jeff Reynolds:
My current favorite Seattle Establishment:  Canlis 
All-Time Favorite Seattle Establishment:  Cafe Lago
Please follow me: 
IG
Twitter
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Episode 91, Bree Arellano, Real Estate Pro of Compass San Diego

Pleased to have Compass San Diego real estate pro Bree Arellano join the Real Takk podcast.  Bree is a San Diego native who started two businesses of her own before diving into our world of real estate.   I like Bree’s style of content that she produces, blending in a mix of educational videos, personal life, and life around San Diego.  She leads an active lifestyle of surfing, practicing yoga, & and running. 
FUN FACT: 
1. Top 2 San Diego recently favorite restaurant or establishment? The Friendly   IG: @thefriendlysd
2. Top 2 all-time go-to San Diego restaurants or establishments?  (Wrench & Rodent) & (Born & Raised) 
 
Please follow Bree on:
Instagram
@breearellano (https://www.instagram.com/breearellano/#)and follow our journey.
Please follow me: 
IG
Twitter
SPOTIFYApple 

Episode 90, Jay Martin, Lobbyist & Executive Director of CHIP

Jay Martin is the Executive Director of CHIP, also known as the Community Housing Improvement Program.  He is a lobbyist and an advocate of more housing in NYC including affordable and better housing all around.  
CHIP was founded in 1966 as a trade association for owners of over 400,000 rent-stabilized rental properties across New York City’s five boroughs. CHIP provides educational programming, compliance assistance, and legislative advocacy to its more than 4,000 members. 
CHIP advocates for the rights of property owners, empowering them to make major investments in their properties and achieve financial sustainability while maintaining affordable properties.
As a representative for the owners of one-third of the City’s rent-stabilized homes, CHIP plays an invaluable role in establishing trust, good relations, and community between New York City property owners and residents. 
Jay has been featured in countless articles, and a few podcasts hosted by brokers in the commercial world.  I am proud to say that this is the first time Jay is on a podcast episode hosted by a residential real estate broker.  
FUN FACT: Jay's go-to restaurants:
1. 2nd Ave Deli
2. Atera
Please follow Jay Martin & his insightful tidbits of his work on
Twitter @jaymart222
Linkedin @ linkedin.com/in/jay-martin-a7474027
 
 

Episode 89, David Lombino, Managing Director of Two Trees, Discussing Domino Park, The Refinery, Brooklyn, & Bjarke Ingels River Ring

NYC's top developer Two Trees Managing Director David Lombino joins the pod to discuss their work on Williamsburg Brooklyn's premier waterfront. 
 
Two Trees is a Brooklyn-based, family-owned real estate development firm founded in 1968.  Two Trees has owned, managed, and developed a portfolio worth more than $4B in real estate, owning and managing more than 4,000 apartments, 3 million square feet of commercial and industrial real estate, and most notably developing one of the most important waterfronts in New York City,  Domino Park, Domino Sugar Factory, and their new project known as the River Ring, Two Trees’ Other Eye-Catching Project on the Williamsburg Waterfront and a development site which was formally owned by ConEdison and used as an oil tank storage facility.  Two Trees purchased the 11-acre Domino site in 2012 for $185 million, and over the past decade has demolished 27+ buildings and cleared the site for rezoning, excavation & development. 
 
Most recently, Two Trees has been in the news for opening up The Refinery, a fifteen-story, 460,000 square-foot office space within an industrial brick structure originally completed in 1884 which then housed the factory & production of sugar for Domino.  The Refinery is set to redefine the standard for commercial buildings in New York City, offering world-class workspaces and amenities, while preserving the site’s rich history and embracing sustainability.
 
Fun Fact:  Michael has a friend group named "Red Sauce Gang".  The gang meets once a quarter and tries out various restaurants around the city.  
 
Here are David Lombino's and the Red Sauce Gang's go-to that YOU should try: 
Raos 
Michaels of Brooklyn 
Le Crocodile 
 
 

Episode 88, Jason Advocate, Partner At Advocate LLP, On Divorce Law In Real Estate

Jason Advocate is NYC's leading divorce attorney in NYC.  He has been involved in the split of the family members of Rockrose & TF Cornerstone, to Kent Swig of Swig Equities who was once married to another real estate titan's daughter.  Jason is the Partner of his law office  Advocate, LLP which specializes in divorce & family law in NYC.  Jason has 25 years of experience representing clients in all aspects of divorce, including child custody, alimony, and property division. 
While divorce is wildly complicated, we’ll center our conversation around real estate, and the complexities involved around it here in New York City.  Please follow Jason on his website advocatellp.com, his LinkedIn, 
As a long-time New Yorker who grew up in the Upper West Side, here are some of his favorite GO TOs in NYC: 
Recently Favorite Restaurant in NYC: HYUN  IG: HYUN_NYC
All Time Favorite Restaurants in NYC:  Bowery Meat Company IG: bowerymeatcompany 
Favorite Old Time NYC Bar: Max Fish IG: maxfishbar

Episode 87, Aaron Buchbinder, Founding Agent of Compass, On The Real Estate Market In Boca Raton

Joined by my guest co-host Levi Meyer from Compass Miami, I am pleased to have my other Florida friend & industry colleague Aaron Buchbinder from Boca Raton Florida to talk about his life, business, & the real estate market there.  We discuss happenings on house maintenance, roofs, insurance issues, what you can purchase at several price points, and his advice to homeowners, sellers, & those who are looking to move to Boca Raton.  
 
As one of the founding agents of Compass in the Boca Raton area & a top producer, Aaron brings a wealth of knowledge to this episode.  He understands the markets on the coastline and can guide you through all questions & concerns you have about Boca.  Please follow him on IG at @thebuchbindergroup
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-buchbinder-78ba847/ 
Website: https://thebuchbindergroupfl.com/