As an introduction to Season Six of Selling New York we’ve decided to switch up our normal epilogue and take a moment to interview SNY veteran and Season Six premiere episode star, Maggie Kent. Since Maggie has been on the show from its start, it only seemed right to have her take a moment to reflect on past and present in this quick Q&A.

1. Do you remember your first day of taping for Selling New York? What was it like?

Yes! It actually turned out to be one of my favorite episodes. It was shot in a beautiful apartment on Mulberry Street and it just felt really fun and easy.

2. Looking back on being selected for the show, did you feel any hesitations about starring in it?

At that time, there was a lot of negative reality TV programming popping up and we were taking a leap of faith that we would be represented in a way that wasn’t negative. HGTV really gave us a look and sound that only made our personal brands stronger.

3. Out of your personal roster, what is your favorite SNY episode?

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This week’s question: What’s the most common distraction in a home that may turn off potential buyers?

The CORE agent verdict: Clutter!

It seems like a fairly standard and obvious answer, but agents across the board are always faced with the challenge of getting sellers to de-clutter. CORE agent Debbie Batres explains that “In New York City, space is hard to come by and walking into a space where most of the apartment is covered in ‘things’ lessens the appearance of usable square feet.”

Adrian Noriega's clutter-free exclusive at 15 Broad Street

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While Selling New York is momentarily taking a break from new episodes, our agents have been busy putting together some helpful tips for sellers and buyers to use as go-tos when making a decision on anything from a first-time apartment buy, to sprucing up before a showing. Be sure to stop by next week to see the first post of this series!

We consider our agents among the most “in the know” in New York City. It’s no news to anyone that our home has been devastated by Hurricane Sandy. From advice for tenants affected by the storm to rebuilding updates and ways to give back, Tony Sargent has provided a comprehensive update on his website, TheSargentReport.com. An excerpt from his latest post, “New York After Hurricane Sandy” is below:

Home? Where is it? That is the question now for thousands who have been made homeless in New York. My heart goes out to those who are still out in the cold or their apartments.Here are some links for Zone-A residents, Tenant Advice on Curbed, Photos from New York Magazine and other websites:

• Curbed’s Up-to-the Second Guide to Zone A Building Rebirth – ZONE A – Building by Building Updates
• A Guide When to Pay Rent, or Not, After Hurricane Sandy – An Attorney’s Advice – Curbed
• VIDEO: “We have no other place to go” – Lashonda Rice – NYT.com
• PHOTOS: What We Saw When the Lights Went Out – NYT.com
• PHOTOS: After Sandy, Day by Day – The hardest hit areas of New York City – NYT.com
• Chelsea’s Art District Hit Hard – NYT.com
• Stunning Aerial PHOTOS of New York After Sandy Blackout, by Iwan Baan for New York Magazine
• Donate or Volunteer – The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City – 100% of donations go directly to relief efforts – NYC.gov
• Donate Supplies – Barry’s Bootcamp’s list of needed items – Tribeca Citizen

Do You Need Help? Do you wish to volunteer? Emergency Contact Information & Helpful links (Source: PDE):

• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency): 800.621.3362
• FEMA Connecticut: 860.256.0800
• FEMA New Jersey: 609.963.6900
• NYS Office of Emergency Management: 518.292.2200
• Nassau County-Office of Emergency Management: 516.573.0636
• Suffolk County-Office of Emergency Management: 631.852.4900
• Nassau EOC (Economic Opportunity Council): 516.292.9710
• Suffolk EOC (Economic Opportunity Council): 631.852.4900
• American Red Cross (Greater New York Region): 877.733.2767
• American Red Cross (Long Island): 631.924.6911
• Salvation Army-Nassau County: 516.485.4900
• NY State Hotline Regarding Hurricane Sandy: 888.769.7243

You can read Tony’s full post here.

We are excited to announce the publication and release of the premiere issue of The Sargent Report: Tribeca. Tony Sargent designed a new take on The Sargent Report to provide a concise and comprehensive review of Tribeca’s luxury real estate market. This issue includes a summary of sales and market activity, details on future new developments, and the neighborhood’s most recent, noteworthy condo sales.

Sales volume for overall Manhattan real estate is at historic highs, while inventory and new listings are at five-year lows. However while luxury property sales remain high, an increase in entry-level sales draw overall averages down slightly.

In Tony’s experience  of selling Tribeca luxury condos and co-ops, he has recognized that the area is a very  strong micro-market with its own sales dynamics.

Publishing The Sargent Report: Tribeca is  a result Tony’s vision and objective to provide residents and buyers of Tribeca high-end condominiums with the best possible advice, analysis, predictions and insight needed to make confident real estate decisions.

Welcome to Ten, CORE founder and CEO Shaun Osher’s rapid-fire interview series with prominent CORE figures. Read on to find out how this week’s subject deals with being on the hot seat.

1) How did you get into the business?
About 14 years ago, I was very fortunate to meet a broker/owner of a small boutique rental firm that was looking for “new blood”. He taught me a lot and we’re still close friends. It’s very important to have a mentor when you’re just starting in this business.

2) You are the Director of Sales for several new development projects – how do you manage everything?
The support I get from CORE’s various departments is unparalleled. Any PR, branding, marketing and event planning support from CORE takes the headaches and responsibilities off my shoulders. This allows me to focus a lot more of my attention on the brokerage side of the business. I also carefully select the sales teams for each project.

3) What do you love the most about new development?
Collaborating with the design and development teams during the planning phase of a new construction project, knowing that the input I bring to the table will impact both people’s lifestyles and the building’s aesthetics.

4) What do you attribute your success to?
It’s easier said than done, but I always try to look at the big picture and focus on long-term goals. The platform I have at CORE enables me to push the envelope and constantly reach new limits.
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As the upper end of Manhattan’s real estate market continues to make gains, CORE is thrilled to announce plans for a new Upper East Side retail location at 673 Madison Avenue, at the corner of 61st Street. Located on the second and third floors of a historic brownstone on one of New York City’s premier commercial avenues, CORE’s Upper East Side office is slated for a spring 2013 opening, following a thorough gut renovation of the 3,500-square-foot space that will begin this fall. The uptown office will be the company’s third, following its original Chelsea retail location at 127 7th Avenue and its Flatiron District office at 104 5th Avenue, which opened last year.

We spoke with CORE co-founder and CEO Shaun Osher about this exciting news, and below you’ll find his remarks on the new office and how it fits his vision for CORE. For more on the announcement, read The Real Deal’s coverage today.

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CORE’s Jarrod Guy Randolph recently landed on the small screen, showing off his $4.995 million penthouse listing at the Upper East Side’s Isis condominium to CBS’s cameras. The piece was great — we’re sure the spacious full-floor spread and private outdoor spaces inspired plenty of viewer real estate envy — but it only told part of the story behind this luxurious listing at 303 East 77th Street

When Jarrod, a Forbes “30 Under 30″ recipient who joined CORE last spring, got the listing, the penthouse was completely empty, and he could tell that buyers were having a difficult time envisioning what the nontraditional space (with four bedrooms and four private terraces in all) would look and feel like as a fully furnished and functional home. “We really needed to furnish the place to show that there’s a lot you can do with it, whether for entertaining or just as a quiet place to call home,” Jarrod told us. “With furniture, I knew it would feel even more spacious, and people would respond to it.”

So Jarrod embarked on the most ambitious staging effort of his career — recruiting design specialists like Susan Goldstein of Studio D, rustic Brooklyn furniture craftsmen Organic Modernism, the contemporary art experts at Jayne Baum Gallery and others to create an immaculate space filled with both modern and traditional design elements, including over $250,000 in furniture and art. “Beautiful furniture and artwork always make the space look more luxurious, and it reenforces the luxury image of the building,” Jarrod said. “I’ve staged apartments before, but I really had to call in a lot of favors for this one.”

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Welcome to Ten, CORE founder and CEO Shaun Osher’s rapid-fire interview series with prominent CORE figures. Read on to find out how this week’s subject deals with being on the hot seat.

CORE is a sprawling operation, and it takes solid leadership behind the scenes to make sure all of the moving parts are in their right places and performing the right tasks. Ashley Sternbach, CORE’s Director of Operations, is an expert at streamlining the many sides of our business and keeping things running efficiently, and her 5 years at our company have made her an integral part of our success.

1) What did you do before joining CORE?
I practically joined CORE right after I graduated from Boston University’s School of Hospitality. I knew I wanted to work in real estate after graduating and luckily, it happened.

2) Why did you join CORE?
I liked the boutique feel and felt that working at a start-up would be an interesting challenge.

3) What has it been like to see the company grow and evolve?
When i joined CORE, there were only 10 agents, and the company was really trying to solidify its place in the luxury real estate market. It has been amazing to personally and professionally grow with the company. I like looking back and seeing how far we have come.

4) As a Director of Operations, you’re typically behind the scenes, so explain to people how your role works, and why it’s so vital to the business.
The work that I do as Director of Operations is very versatile. The unique thing about operations is that it is all about performing multiple roles at the same time, while other jobs tend to focus on a specific, narrower scope. I am often wearing multiple hats, whether it is setting up a new sales center for a new development project or interviewing potential new employees to bring on board, no two days have ever been the same — and that is one of the best parts of my job!

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Welcome to Ten, CORE founder and CEO Shaun Osher’s rapid-fire interview series with prominent CORE figures. Read on to find out how this week’s subject deals with being on the hot seat.

On the eve of her third anniversary at CORE, Elizabeth Kee has firmly established herself as a rising star in the industry, one who has shown great skill in managing and executing deals at all levels, including both residential and commercial property. And it’s no secret why she’s been so successful: real estate is in her blood. Read on for Elizabeth’s thoughts about the industry, and for more on Elizabeth’s background, click here.

1) How did you get into the business?
Since I was a small child, I have been obsessed with real estate. My parents were in the side-business of flipping houses. Instead of reading “the funnies” on Sunday morning, I preferred to read the Real Estate section.

2) Who is your mentor?
My mother has always been my mentor. She is a successful entrepreneur who I learned my professionalism, work ethic and business skills from. She is an amazing businesswoman and a fantastic mother – a very tough balance to maintain.

3) You’ve become very successful in a short time. What do you attribute this success to?
Real estate is my passion. When your career and your hobby are the same, it is nearly impossible not to be successful.

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