From Wall Street to Real Estate: Ellen Silverman's Journey

"Finding your sanctuary in the city that never sleeps" is Ellen’s promise to all her clients. Whether her clients are seeking that perfect space or selling a prized property, she is 100% dedicated to meeting her clients’ needs and protecting their best interests in the unique and vibrant New York City market. Ellen approaches every client interaction as a partnership, emphasizing clear communication and hard work to achieve common goals.She has worked in real estate since 2016 after a seasoned career as a Wall Street analyst. Her excellent financial and analytical skills, command of the digital space and organized and detail-oriented processes help her navigate all facets of real estate transactions. Born and raised in Manhattan, she went to Trinity School prep school, then graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University with a BS in Business Administration and Mathematics and also received an MBA from Zicklin School of Business.Ellen has experienced living in New York City as a renter, buyer, seller and therefore understands the ebbs and flows of the market and the diverse neighborhoods of Manhattan. Ellen has earned the coveted Certified Buyer Representative and Master Certified Negotiation Expert designations. In addition, her keen eye for interior design and staging, and up-to-date insights into new condominium developments bring greater value to her clients. Ellen serves both local New York City clients and international investors from Spain, Portugal, France, Israel, Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam. What does it really take to navigate the complex world of New York City real estate? Ellen Silverman pulls back the curtain on one of the world's most misunderstood property markets, sharing wisdom gained from her remarkable journey from Wall Street analyst to successful Manhattan real estate agent.Growing up in downtown Manhattan, Ellen developed an early appreciation for diverse living spaces by visiting friends in various neighborhoods—from Greenwich Village apartments to Upper East Side townhouses. This curiosity, coupled with her mother's constant redecorating projects, planted the seeds for her future career. Despite spending three decades in finance, Ellen maintained her passion for properties, purchasing her first apartment in 1995 for just $50,000 in an area others considered questionable. This bold move exemplifies her talent for recognizing value before neighborhoods become trendy.The conversation shatters common misconceptions about New York real estate. While TV shows portray only ultra-luxury properties with glamorous agents, Ellen reveals there's a "whole gradation of how you can live here." She enthusiastically highlights emerging areas like Astoria and Long Island City in Queens, where buyers can find modern condos with Manhattan skyline views at significantly lower prices. "When I say Queens, people are horrified," she laughs, "but it's literally two subway stops to Manhattan. You have amazing skyline views, huge space that's affordable...and believe me, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are coming."For those considering a real estate career, Ellen offers practical guidance based on experience. She recommends joining established brokerages with strong training programs and emphasizes that success comes from learning by doing—particularly by assisting experienced teams. Perhaps most surprisingly, she notes that many major NYC brokerage firms are led by women, who often excel thanks to superior multitasking abilities and intuitive skills. Her parting wisdom resonates beyond real estate: "If there's something you want to do as a self-employed entrepreneur, definitely pursue it. Don't doubt yourself. Life is really short, and it's better to try and fail than not to try at all."Ready to discover more about NYC's diverse neighborhoods or considering a career change? Listen now and gain invaluable insights from someone who truly understands the concretFor more Divas That Care Network Episodes visit www.divasthatcare.com