Love and Heartbreak: Real Estate Unfiltered

Join us for the Season 2 final episode where we dive deep into the relentless and inspiring two-decade-long journey of Limor Nesher in NYC Real Estate. Limor opens up about the key achievements that have defined her career, such as the landmark sale of a development site and her appearance on HGTV's "Selling New York”.  Limor’s story is one of perseverance and adaptability, especially highlighted during the 2008 market crash which coincided with personal milestones. Tune in to hear Limor's invaluable insights, family focus, and strong foundations that have enabled her to provide the tough love lessons to succeed in this competitive marketplace.

In this episode, we sit down with Christian Rogers, a seasoned agent with over 17 years of experience and an impressive track record of over $650 million in transactions. Christian takes us on a journey through his humble beginnings to becoming a key player in some of New York City's most monumental real estate deals. Prepare for a mix of laughter and learning as he shares a behind-the-scenes look at the glamorous—and sometimes chaotic—life of a top-tier real estate agent. 

In this episode, we are joined by Terry Sprague, who was featured in The Wall Street Journal and named the top agent in Oregon by Inman’s RealTrends and The Thousand. Terry worked in finance for many years, living life in the fast lane before transitioning to real estate. His unique journey and boundary-pushing approach has led to the industry outlook he shares with us on the podcast. Terry's success has been a product of his hard work early on, doing Century Clubs where he made 100 cold calls a day while constantly asking himself the question of "How do I put my current self out of business?” This episode provides some unique insight on the intersection of art and real estate. How bringing different worlds and disciplines together can be very additive to an otherwise static industry. Get your creative juices flowing with this one!

We are blessed to have the always engaging, enthusiastic, and hard working personality of Nile Lundgren join us for this episode. Nile has done everything from multiple reality tv shows on Bravo, to growing his real estate business to $100 Million in production in 1 year in 2022. Learn from his very humble beginnings, roadblocks, and mastering of the ego on his way to success.

Starting a business in a recession and building it to a successful one is not easy. We are fortunate to be able to have a seasoned industry veteran join us for this episode with Josh Arcus. Josh has closed some large deals as an agent and also ran a large real estate company in his time in the business. He is a family man who has learned through the challenges, taken them into opportunities and persevered through some very scary times. He shares those stories and more today!

Kirk Eckenrode and Trevor Connolly, two top agents running The CE Group in NYC, have worked with consulates, celebrities and generals, oh my! They share with us how they have turned multiple really "crap" situations into a golden career. Their positivity, optimism, and never give up attitude is contagious. We hope everyone will enjoy listening to how the art of communication can help you on your way to persistent sales follow up. You might be surprised how successful sales people, like Kirk and Trevor, are not "salesy," but instead honest, down to earth, and truthful. That is  the special sauce to success in even the toughest of markets. "The deal is not done until the deal is done" much like the hilarious stories in this episode! Have fun with this one!

Every now and then a special person or experience touches you. Vince Rocco has been that person to so many people in the real estate industry in New York City. It is a career treasure of mine to have had the opportunity to have him on the show and share how he worked through the business, built his brand, relates to developers, or tough clients good and bad. Vince is a 20+ year industry veteran and host of the “Talking New York Real Estate” Podcast. He has launched numerous new developments in New York City and now teaches and shares with many newcomers to the business. There are some real treasures of things you would never believe happen in this one so stay on the lookout during the episode and in the next new development you go to!

“The Midtown Mama”, or heartbreaker to some in her past life, joins us with some of the most entertaining stories from her time as a 25 year hall of fame on air broadcaster and shares how she used those teachings to become a successful real estate agent. She teaches a masterclass in this on how to use humor to cut through negotiations and tough situations, but also how it has not always gone her way. Learn how she has learned from that and maybe inject a little humor in your life. I’m not too funny of a person but I feel a little better about myself just listening to Carolyn riff about anything and everything. Enjoy!

Join us today with a newcomer to the real estate business agent, James Maaba. James has very quickly amassed 300 rental transactions in his first 2 years in the business. He shares with us how he’s gone from dead end jobs at White Castle to finding his inspiration and thriving even in very challenging markets.

Miss “Hawaiian Sunshine” joins us today! Shawna Tamayose runs a high powered real estate team of more than a dozen agents. She has grown very quickly in the industry receiving a multitude of accolades, awards, and lots of respect from her peers in the business. Not much has rattled her and you will hear some stories of things that would cause most people's skin to crawl. How she built her business, stays cool under pressure, and fostered a win or go home mentality even from an early age. This one is sure to make you jump and get excited to tackle the day!

"Love and Heartbreak: Real Estate Unfiltered" is officially back for a second season! This time it is waaaay more unfiltered. Our first episode will launch on March 6th, and we'll be publishing new episodes every Wednesday, just in time for a well-deserved mid-week break.

 In our final episode of Season 1, Jarrod Duncan shares his transformation from banker to real estate investor and advisor. He discusses his start in property flipping, overcoming unique challenges, and mastering real estate investment strategies. Jarrod offers crucial tips for due diligence and smart purchases, providing a rich finale full of insights for real estate enthusiasts.

We are changing it up today with a different type of expert. Originally aiming for a career in nursing and real estate, Prince Brathwaite’s entrepreneurial spirit ultimately steered him towards the fitness industry. Today, he reveals how he transformed personal challenges into success, growing from a single client - his mother - to a booming fitness empire. Prince's narrative is deeply rooted in community solidarity, emotional strength, and the importance of valuing human connections.

Join us as John Dugan recounts his journey from humble beginnings to a real estate star. He shares personal stories from crazy kitchens, to war zones to wild client encounters and reveals the critical choices that shaped his career. Get firsthand insights on tackling fear, building influential networks, and John's unique advice for anyone in real estate, all wrapped up in a candid, inspiring narrative.

Join Jill Biggs, NJ's elite broker, as she reveals the secrets behind her staggering success of closing over 500 transactions annually and leading a 60+ member team. Her philosophy of extreme commitment and intentional action has taken her from a kids' clothing store owner to a real estate powerhouse! Jill's episode is a treasure trove of wisdom. 

In our final episode with Nick Montalbano, we focus on the transformative power of self-love and generosity. Nick recounts key experiences that forged his work ethic and his methods for surmounting obstacles. Embracing a 'give back' ethos, Nick inspires with forward-thinking and the impact of everyday heroes, urging us to practice honesty, generosity, and self-acceptance in our journey.

Eager to enhance your persuasion skills? In this second episode with Nick Montalbano, we delve into the… unorthodox…strategies behind his real estate success. Nick also shares the significance of authenticity and emotional intelligence in business. He offers insights on interpreting signals, balancing instinct with data, and effective property pricing. 

In the world of luxury real estate, few stories are as compelling as Nick Montalbano’s. In this unfiltered episode, Nick joins us for part one of a gripping three-part series, sharing valuable lessons from his tumultuous past. Despite nine turbulent years involving risky behavior, substance abuse, brushes with death, and encounters with the law, Nick found redemption through bodybuilding and real estate, applying the street smarts he gained along the way. Fresh off a $9 million deal on the iconic 5th Avenue in Manhattan, Nick tells a tale of personal growth, self-discovery, and unwavering determination.

The third episode sees Ben Willig sitting down with Noah Rosenblatt, the mastermind behind Urban Digs and the Talking Manhattan podcast.  Noah recounts his humble beginnings, painting a vivid picture of the twists and turns that led to establishing one of NYC’s pivotal real estate data platforms. He opens up about the cringe-worthy, hilarious, and unforgettable moments of his agent days, offering a raw, unfiltered view of the industry.  From capitalizing on contrarian views to investing in the intricate world of data integrity, Noah’s journey is a mix of humor, wisdom, and valuable lessons for aspiring agents and veterans alike.

Join us in this inaugural episode of Love and Heartbreak: Real Estate Unfiltered, where our host, Ben Willig, delves into the world of NYC real estate with the indomitable Brett McDermott.  Brett’s journey from a struggling part-timer to one of Elegran | Forbes Global Properties’ shining stars is a testament to his resilience and unwavering commitment. We’ll dissect the real, gritty challenges that define the entrepreneurial journey, explore the ‘sweat equity’ needed to secure East Village rentals, and unlock the art of building trust in sales.  Brace yourselves as Brett also reveals how to navigate those unforeseen ‘snakes’ in the business and offers invaluable tips for both buyers and renters. It's a blend of wisdom, humor, and realness that’s not to be missed!

In this electrifying second episode, Ben Willig invites the energetic Scott Kogos to share his rollercoaster journey in over 17 years of NYC real estate. Scott opens up about his unexpected beginnings, transforming stumbling blocks into stepping stones, and the life lessons gleaned along the way.  From bizarre showings to managing stress in this fast-paced industry, Scott unveils the reality that lurks beneath the polished surface. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom, offering insights on working with agents and navigating the unpredictable waves of the real estate market, all laced with Scott’s infectious energy and unrivaled motivation.

Think you know the industry? Think again. Welcome to the other side of New York real estate with Love and Heartbreak: Real Estate Unfiltered. This new podcast strips away the gloss, offering an unfiltered, uncensored gaze into the life and experiences of real estate professionals. Hosted by Ben Willig, a seasoned real estate professional with over 15 years of experience and the Director of Sales at ⁠Elegran | Forbes Global Properties⁠, this podcast promises a roller-coaster of emotions, enlightening insights, and unprecedented access to the stories usually reserved for the ears of industry insiders. This isn’t your typical corporate podcast - it’s a raw, unscripted, and honest journey through the landscapes of one of the world’s most exhilarating real estate markets. New Episodes Out Every Wednesday!