Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to another SLG Meetup, your host, Alvaro, to bring you another exciting, successful, and interesting guest. Today we have with us Peggy Savakolas. She's a real estate broker in the Hamptons. You probably have seen her at the TV show selling the Hamptons on HBO Max.
Or if not, you probably have seen her in other appearances she has had on TV, such as Million Dollar Listing in New York, or Million Dollar Beach House on Netflix. She's also been a commenter on Fox Business News talking about real estate and overall she's a superstar when it comes to a luxury real estate in the Hamptons. So today she's going to tell us all about that, her personal branding and how she's able to manage to build such an incredible career. Hi, how are you Peggy?
Good, how are you? Fantastic, fantastic. How are you? Are you back in the Hamptons?
Right now I'm actually on Long Island, so I spent the majority of my summer in the Hamptons, but been over the place. Well, I see that, and I'm sure that it's been a fantastic summer because that's the season for you guys. In fact, here in Miami we see a lot of people that live here that go back to the Hamptons on MacGyland, so I'm sure you've been busy with the summer. I spent my summer last year in Palm Beach and it was the hottest summer I think you guys have ever had.
I nearly died. I was like, I learned how to play tennis there for the first time. It was a lot to say the least. A lot of things to do down here in South Florida, but definitely the summer.
You might consider visiting other places. One of my favorite spots is definitely the Hamptons. So I'm glad that we have this conversation because a lot of people might have seen you on selling the Hamptons on HBO off Macs or they might have seen you in the past on the other show, million other beach house or just on social media following along your journey on showcasing some of the most incredible homes. So when you are talking about a Hampton, you're not just showing the properties, you're showing the lifestyle that the Hampton offers, and I feel that it is one of the most unique and extraordinary destinations in the world.
Yeah, so I love the Hamptons and the reason why I love it is it's one of the most glamorous but also hidden treasures of New York and I want to say the country. You have some of the best beaches, like Cooper's Beach is always ranked as one of the top beaches in the country. You have these mega mansions and everyone is very private in the sense that you don't know what goes on behind these hedges. It really is a hidden gem just an hour outside of the world's best city, which is what I truly think I'm not going to be.
No, it's definitely a great city and the Hamptons in general, I believe that he offers such a magic escape for anybody that is either in the city or for anybody else around the world. So I like that TV shows like the ones that you are in, it showcases more about it because even though it's a very private and secluded place that people like it that way, I feel like now it's also opening up to a new demographic, which before he was considered the old money, but even the real estate industry, the people that were running it, it was old money, old school people, it's coming this new generation of clientele, but also brokers like you. I mean, I think you asked the local brokers out east and the Hamptons are not going to be in favor of people like me coming in and, you know, I was one of the first brokers that actually came from New York City to the Hamptons before before COVID hit and it was really, really difficult to break that mark. You know, it's a very close knit family.
It's a very close and industry at least some of the mechanisms or just the way they do things still stuck in the drastic times. And because there's a limited amount of brokers and inventory, they didn't want New York City brokers coming in and taking their homes. So it was very, very difficult for me to break in. I literally was getting door shut in my face.
So let's talk about that because you were in law school and you traveled, you did some other things prior to get more deep into real estate. But once you decided, okay, I'm going to go fully and I'm going to move to the Hamptons, I'm going to do real estate there. How do you penetrate the market? Because it's very difficult that you said.
Well, I never gave up my New York City business. So I just fortunately, New York City slows down a little bit during the summer and then that's when the Hamptons before the summer, that's when it really breaks through. I'm a believer that you should always keep all your doors open and there's always a way of expanding that I ever think when I was in law school, I was going to do real estate, absolutely not. But when certain things come your way, why not?
You know, I have a lot as a great backup plan, but I knew that I wanted to make this a career for me and how I broke into the Hamptons. Really, I just didn't really care what other people said. I got a lot of doors slammed on my face. I had a lot of top brokers not wanting me to show multi-million dollar homes because they didn't know who I was or they didn't take me seriously, but I just kept persevering.
And that's pretty much what I've done my entire career. I've had a lot of doors physically and just like, very heavily shot in my face and I just kept going. I'm going to do this and I'm going to also take your listings. There you go.
That's a great mindset to have especially in this industry, but not everybody has that tough skin. I've been able to develop it through experience and through a lot of those doors slammed on your face. But at the end of the day, there must be something that you're doing or that you might have done to develop that thick skin because some people are afraid of being rejected. So how do you overcome that?
I have a Greek mother. Well, that says a lot. No, you know, I look at life where, listen, if you can't, you know how to fix skin, then real estate is probably not the right avenue for you. Can you develop that thick skin for sure?
I grew up with an immigrant family, so I've always had the mentality of just having to get it done. And as far as thick skin goes, I kind of just use that no as, as like power and motivation. And a lot of times people underestimate me because I am a girl or, you know, I'm from New York and not a Hampton's Road Guru in the beginning and I use that as a superpower. You know, let them underestimate because they're under the radar.
But as far as like having a thick skin, my mother definitely helped that. But it's really, it's what your motivation and what your goal is. And if you have a passion for something, then that will be your motivation and that will stick in your skin. That's right.
So having that reason and that passion combined, it will create that. Yeah, fuel to move forward. Now I can ask you because once you penetrate into that industry, once you're getting into it and you're like, all right, no matter what I'm just going to be doing this. And I'm just going to build myself niche within the whole Hampton industry.
So how do you build yourself a brand and how do you get yourself known among all these other sharks. You make yourself known, no one's going to promote you. No one is going to, you know, establish you. It's a lot of going out there and making yourself known and being the mayor of your town or telling everyone what you do as far as if you're in real estate.
If you are in mom, join mom groups. If you like, I started horseback riding, you know, because I also found a passion for it. But that's a very hamptons thing to do, you know, going out to more workout classes, but you just make it known. And my biggest thing is what I always say is when you do meet people, you always follow up.
You know, follow up is key. And my little trick is I don't like giving out my business cards or contact. I'd rather get theirs because you always want to have control and then it's on you if you're going to respond. So you're just going out there meeting people and socializing, especially in the beginning.
Well, I like that and the handle is very social. So you definitely need to be out there. Nobody's going to go to your home and be like, Hey, hi. So you're going to find those communities.
And I like that because a lot of people, we're in the people's business, right? So a lot of people connect with you, not just because of how good you are at something, but also because of similar passion, similar interest, similar communities. And that's how you build those relationships. So I guess that what you're saying just to summarize it is about getting yourself in front of the right people, the right people are those that you can connect with in different passions in different areas that you might connect and then develop a conversation that you can follow up upon.
Right. And you know, the hand turns or in a lot of luxury industries can smell out salespeople, right? So it's not going to happen right away. You want to build that relationship first, you know, this past summer was the first meeting film this summer and I really got to enjoy the hand turns and just network and not only that work, it was fun for me.
And it was casual. So I think just building that at first is really, really, really crucial for a lot because everyone knows a real estate broker. You know, everyone has so many friends. So they need to develop a trust with you.
And that doesn't always answer their name being very like salesy. Right. Because I mean, we have some friends in common. I see you hanging out with some really cool, cool people and you're always in the scene in the known people see you that you're doing things when it comes to referrals, right?
Because you just said it right there. Everybody's going to refer some sort of business to somebody. How do you become that top of mind is I always been in front of these people doing your full lives or also utilizing social media so that people can remember you. I think it's a combination.
I think definitely being in front of people outside of mind is one thing for sure. But I think also being able to produce as another, you know, no one's going to refer you if you didn't produce on their property or something along those lines. The majority of my business is referral based for repeat clients. And I think that is a huge testament to the broker or the person that you are.
And I think a side of just being on social media and constantly in front of people's faces, which is a huge part of it. Another aspect is being able to produce. And when you do have that listing, I don't care if that listing is $200,000 or $200 million, you have to put in your all and follow up even after it closes because that is with the referral bases, right? Because that $200,000 seller or buyer can turn into a $2 million or can turn into a $5, $200,000 seller.
So it's just a little bit of a combination of being in people's faces and being aware, like making sure that they're aware, but also backing it up with producing and building that relationship with clients. I always say my clients are, they start as clients with and as friends. I like that. I like it.
That's a good thing. Now, how important was for you to join mess seekers or be powerful brokerage because a lot of people, they don't know which direction to go. They feel like, Oh, I feel it already a big breath. Now I can go my own or they want to jump on going to a team.
Like, how important was for you to do that move? Well, I was with the next speakers. Mess seekers are the only agency that I've worked for or worked with. So I've been there for almost 15 years now.
I'm a very loyal loyal person as far as figuring out the agents that you want to work for. It's not the grass isn't always green on green or on the other side. It's green wherever you water it. But also, but also like the broker themselves.
So if you're looking for different beverages, I think a lot of it has to do with your new industry, what kind of training will kind of support they provide you. And if you're seasoned, if you're seasoned, you have more flexibility as to what workers you go to. It's just a matter of what they they can supply for you and how you guys can grow together in a way. So I've been with mess seekers for not 15 years, but almost 15 years.
No, I've seen that. I've seen that the evolution of the brokerage itself and also you as a professional and having these TV shows now that went from million dollars to now selling the handles. How much of an impact have that happened in your business? Well, sunset I used to work with Ryan Sirhan.
I was on one of the first original team members. I was also on mailing down listing New York on Bravo. So I was all over the place. Wow, that's incredible.
So you'll be, that's why people are familiar with your face. You'll be a lot of the TV shows. How has that been for you? We don't TV.
I'm a very good with the flow type of person. It's been great. You know, I think the most beautiful part of it is the impact I've had on certain people's lives. You know, I have with being on TV.
I not only can obviously promote and have a lot more eyes on my clients, but it's also on the personal aspect of it. A lot of near agents or parents of teenagers or something along the lines, DM me all the time and ask me or they're like, you're doing great for like women in business or my daughter wants to start real estate for you and like they ask a bunch of questions. So that to me has probably been the most impactful on a personal side on a professional side. You're going to have people that want to work with you and I think that are not going to want to work with you and because of the show and that's fine.
You know, a lot of my clients don't want to do with the show and I respect that, but it's been great overall for the professional side and personal. Well, look, everybody that is looking from the outside is oh my god, Peggy, she's killing it in the hands. This amazing life. So they're just incredible horns TV fame.
How? Because everybody, you know, as you mentioned, they might see that everything is really on the other side, but how have you handled the difficult situations? Like what was what made through a moment that was painful that you were able to overcome? I had a very, very difficult time after a million dollar V test.
And when you are in the eyes of so many other people, I think it doesn't. I think you just kind of have to just truck along. And you're never going to be able to make everyone happy. You know, when you're in the spot like not the moment the spot like what I have used on me, whether it's social media on TV, I'm never going to make everyone happy.
And as long as I intrude to myself or a new father or true nor if you can't really fault that. So in any difficult situation that I've been in, I've always said, am I being true to who I am? Am I in my crowd in my actions? If I'm not proud of my actions, how can I better them?
And then if I'm falling off of who I really am as my core, how do I get myself out there? But the spotlight is a very interesting thing. So I always just try to stay grounded and be true to my and I have some friends that definitely like smack me around and say petty like you're being annoying on your Instagram stories or whatever, but it's just what it is. I like what you mentioned about staying grounded, right?
Because it's a very flashy industry. Everything is glamorous. Everything is very bling bling. You're having access to some of the most incredible homes working with some of the most wealthy people.
And at the end of the day, this might be attached to you from reality. And who you are really, I just had a conversation two days ago with Luis who was probably with you on Million Dollars in New York. And he had a completely different transformation, right? From being in the spotlight to all of a sudden living in with his parents and having nothing and just focusing on a new dream.
And that's okay. He's been true to himself and he found happiness. Right. So sometimes what you said about being on the spotlight, it makes you want to have different expectations from yourself than from what you really want.
So how do you give that true? Nor how do you stay committed to really what matters to you instead of just chasing what other people might expect from you? That's a really good question. I think if anyone really answers that like hardcore, they're not fully there yet.
I think it's an on-road process. I think it's so easy to fall into the world that you are in. I mean, I grew up with immigrants parents. I mean, I'm a question to these multi-million dollar homes with people spending a half a million dollars for one month to rent a house and their staff coming in for the first week to set it up.
And then they're only spending a week in the home. I'm not a person for that. But I think it goes back to just always reminding your core circle. Yes, there's glitz and glams and I go to all these fancy and fabulous events.
But my core circle of people are very real. And when the cameras and lights are all gone or out of these events, I sit on the floor and my friends hit you all the time. And you just hang out and I get made fun of. I think it's having your core circle of people that will support you and not falling into the trap of the glitz and glam that is so easy to fall into.
And again, it's going back to Stainty, who you are. I love that, by the way. This is a great statement and a good reminder for everybody, especially in this industry. So, with that being said, no, no, quick area, please.
No, I was thinking, I don't know if there's any new agents out there. If you're joining Real Estate for the glitz and glam, it's not glitz and glam. And I'm not necessarily going to sparkle it to open house days. I'm wearing normal clothing.
So it's a lot more humble than you guys all think. I'm sure that it's about being vulnerable, but also being true to yourself and being able to surround yourself with that core circle that you were talking about. It's a good analogy and a good way to put it so I'm glad you share that. And I always ask a question to all of our guests.
And again, it varies from person to person. But what is really luxury to you? Luxury for me is the ability to do what makes you happy. And if that's sitting home and family time or going to be able to travel whenever you want, that's luxury to me.
It's not the materialistic amenities that all these homes have. Luxury to me is the ability to forward your own happiness and in whatever way that is to you. I love that for me was the summer going to Greece and have a Greek salad. That's amazing.
I was Greece. I always go every summer. I got to make a nose primarily. But also some three knee happens.
So this summer was beautiful. I'm sure that you have in roots in Greece and having your family from there. You go a lot. Yeah, I grew up going to Greece in the summer every summer.
So now I try to go over two years. Okay, fantastic. Well, look, there's always opportunities to expand right? What do you do?
Always. If you could tell your younger version of your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be? Be okay with saying no to things and always go after what you want regardless of what anyone else thinks as long as it makes you happy. Just do it.
I love that. It's such a complicated thing, right? To remind even ourselves today as an adult version to keep saying no to things because no is what will help us be able to say more yes to things that matter. We are just pleasing people and when you say yes to things and things to really don't do nothing for us.
So I like it a lot. I'm a big people pleaser and it's a big it's a big learning curve to start saying no to people and absorbing my energy and inner peace for myself to be better overall in general. I like that right because as humans we want to be open to opportunities and you were talking previously about being passionate about things and passions comes from being curious and curiosity comes to saying yes to things right so when you're being open minded and saying yes to things it's great for a period of time or at least for a section of your life. But if you keep saying yes to everything then you're going to be deluded from focusing on the things that really matter and energy is something that we got to be able to harness in the most.
I mean, it's way so I like that. But in either way I think that your conversation is an inspiration for many just because you were able to go all the way from New York to the Hamptons penetrate that really difficult niche and make yourself a brand for yourself. Not only that but being on TV and selling some incredible homes. So can't wait to go and see what you guys have going on in there.
I know you're going to West Palm a lot but if you're coming down a little bit farther to Miami. We want to help you to welcome you and we have some friends here as well. So again, for anybody that wants to reach out to you wants to work with you. Where can they find you best.
Social media is great so Instagram peggy double underscore Z and my contact as far as email goes just peggy Z dot com is really the best but Instagram is Instagram and email. All right. And any news on what's going to be next on selling the Hamptons. Stay tuned for all that fun stuff but I'm also expanding to Florida soon too.
So there's some news out of I can't say just yet but there's definitely some big news coming up soon. Well, can we do to hear all about it. So thanks again, thank you. I appreciate you and we'll stay touch.
Thank you for sharing such a pleasure. And thanks again for everybody tuning in today. We hope you enjoyed it. I remember embracing its beautiful success in life.
My name is Alvaro and I'll see you next time.