On Sunday, May 19, 2013, CORE CEO Shaun Osher was a keynote speaker at “AREC”, a real estate conference in Australia’s Gold Coast, produced by Total Real Estate Training (TRET). TRET is a full-service education company created to provide the real estate industry in Australia and New Zealand with access to the very best in international and local experts in real estate. Shaun Osher joined a lineup of notable speakers scheduled for the three-day conference including the inspirational Chris Gardner of “The Pursuit of Happyness” and real estate coach, David Knox.

In his presentation, Shaun shared secrets about agent branding to over 3,000 people. Discussion topics included the traits of superstar NYC agents and how to replicate them, how to use new media to build your personal brand and personal branding and marketing promotions that work.

Shaun’s presentation was clearly a hit; the Twitterverse exploded following his speech. Check out what AREC-goers had to say:

“@BradenWalters19 May: #osherarec great session. The best of the day. We got so much out about building our brand. Thank you. #arec13 @shaunosher”

“@EldersREVic 19 May: @ShaunOsher is on stage and is speaking magnificently. Shaun is making a lot of sense. #AREC13″

“@T_McGlynn 19th: Highlight of day one at #arec2013 was @ShaunOsher and his amazing journey in NYC. Day two is shaping up well. @TRETCOMAU”

Ismael Leyva Asks $8M for Central Park West Pad
The Real Deal
Noted architect Ismael Leyva’s 353 Central Park West condo is highlighted, with Shaun Osher and Emily Beare as the listing’s brokers.  The renovated 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom home encompasses an entire floor of the 16-unit building.

DR+R’s Columbia Business School; One Museum Mile Sales
Curbed
One Museum Mile, one of CORE’s newest developments, is featured, with 70 percent of all units now sold.

The Great Outdoors – 93 Worth Street
New York Post
93 Worth is highlighted for its beautiful outdoor space, including a 640-square-foot terrace and a 3,000-plus-square-foot common roof deck.

Today’s “Photo of the Week” takes a glimpse into one of Saddle River, New Jersey’s most lavish homes.  Last week, 105 Chestnut Ridge Road was filmed for an upcoming installment of HGTV’s “Top 10 Outrageous Homes in America,” with listing broker Michael Graves taking the entire camera crew on a tour of this spectacular French manor.  Displaying some of the most unique homes in the country, “Top 10 Outrageous Homes in America” showcases incredible properties that have extravagant features and amenities.  Listed at $17.5 million, the home’s well-appointed interior is highlighted by a spectacular indoor pool and custom infinity hot tub, situated in a separate entertainment area located off the foyer. The photo above captures Michael in front of the camera as he continues the tour, leading the crew and TV producer Sara Ivey throughout the home.  This massive 25,000-square-foot, five-bedroom, seven-bathroom mansion features radiant heated floors, an elevator to each floor, Crestron home entertainment system, double height floor-to-ceiling windows, cabana, custom bar, outdoor USTA grade tennis court and two double parking garages at either side of the home.  For someone looking for a classically-configured home with amazingly unique amenities, this exquisite home is undoubtedly a home buyer’s dream, nestled just a short drive from New York City.

Where: 353 Central Park West, 15FL
Size: 4-bedrooms, 4-bathrooms
Asking: $7,750,000
Listed by: Shaun Osher and Emily Beare

This newly-listed property on the Upper West Side is perfect for anyone who appreciates entertaining, architectural detail and breathtaking views. Designed and beautifully renovated by world-renowned architect Ismael Leyva, this 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom home boasts one-of-a-kind luxury. At 2,733-square feet, this full-floor home offers an open, flexible floor plan complete with a private elevator, Onyx wood burning fireplace, LED lighting, and balconies overlooking Central Park. Featured on The Real Deal, this home also has an integrated stereo and entertainment system, as well as modern architectural details that blend seamlessly with the state-of-the-art conveniences in the Italian lacquer kitchen. The intimate and unique condominium also offers a full-time doorman/concierge, spectacular gym and spectacular rooftop terrace with 360-degree views.

Dreaming of barbecues, cabanas and spectacular city views?  We are too.  Summer is just around the corner and Manhattan is buzzing with excitement.  Today’s New York Post profiles the hottest new outdoor spaces, including an exclusive look at 93 Worth’s beautiful roof deck and penthouse terrace! Be sure to check out the full outdoor kitchen, pergola and outdoor fireplace in the rendering above.

Where: 105 Chestnut Ridge Road
Asking: $17,500,000
Size: 5-bedrooms, 7-bathrooms
Listed by: Michael Graves

Located in Saddle River, NJ, this state of the art French manor offers the ultimate in luxury and sophistication on 4.4 acres of beautiful wooded land. Complete with an indoor pool with custom infinity tub, this home offers what most New York City properties cannot – space, serenity, and seclusion.

Where: 1280 Fifth Avenue, 18ABC
Asking: $8,275,000
Size: 8-bedrooms, 10.5-bathrooms
Listed by: Tom Postilio

Directly across from Central Park, One Museum Mile’s classic design and limestone relief façade sits beautifully on Fifth Avenue, thanks to legendary architect Robert A.M. Stern. Boasting spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline and Central Park, the building’s exquisite amenities, including a roof deck and swimming pool, make it one of the most sought after buildings in all of New York City.

Where: 2 Northside Piers, 23Y
Asking: $915,000
Size: 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom
Listed by: Ralph Modica

Situated in East Williamsburg, this 1-bedroom condo offers flawless views, lots of light and twilight views of the Manhattan skyline. Designed for late night relaxation and inspiration, this property is complete with every modern convenience imaginable. Northside Piers is home to the only Ozone pool filtration system in Williamsburg, making it a rare find in Brooklyn during the summer months.

In spring 2012, I received a call from an international buyer interested in acquiring an entire building in prime Manhattan. The customer had a budget of $25M and was ready to buy sight unseen as he was unable to come to New York for some time, so he really needed an agent to help guide him. He also made it clear that he wanted a great deal and was intent on negotiating.

I shared with him a number of properties that met his criteria, but he quickly found that it was challenging to get what he wanted between price, building size, or the desired neighborhood. Similarly to what most NYC buyers experience in the search process, he realized that he was going to have to compromise.

In an attempt to think “outside the box,” I decided to look in emerging areas and found him a great deal uptown in East Harlem, an area that he had never considered before. This particular site would allow him to build a new building from the ground up, and the price was so attractive that it made economic sense for him. But my customer ruled it out immediately, saying that the price was too much to pay for the area.

Back to the drawing board, we continued the search for another two months. I made offers on several other, bigger and more expansive buildings on his behalf. But the market gradually picked up while we were searching and his aggressive bidding strategy resulted in all of his offers being turned down.

Increasingly disappointed, my customer was on the verge of giving up on his quest to buy in NYC. Then he asked about that property that I had previously recommended in East Harlem. Again, he voiced his concern that he didn’t know the area, he didn’t understand the basis for the value, and – although he does develop abroad – he felt it would be difficult for him to develop in New York.

I decided to introduce the area to him in a creative, objective way. I took a video camera and interviewed locals, business owners, and doormen throughout the neighborhood, asking about the neighborhood’s past and present and plans for future development. I learned about a huge art complex that would be built across the street from the location. I took footage of the dozens of new developments that were underway in the nearby vicinity. I shared the video and the sales data of these projects with my customer to illustrate to him on the pace of growth and escalation in property values that was underway. I also educated him about the development process in NYC, including realistic construction costs.

After looking at all this information, he saw the full picture and agreed that the deal made sense.

I immediately reached out to the listing broker to present an offer only to learn that the listing was already in contract! Frustrated, my customer urged me to get the deal done. So I communicated with the broker every day, emphasizing my client’s qualifications, and secured a back-up position for him. After two weeks of persistent negotiating, I finally convinced the listing broker to give his offer primary consideration. She told me that if my buyer came in at the asking price and agreed to pay cash, then the deal was his.

I spoke to my customer and he agreed to pay cash and very close to the asking price, and then promptly flew to NY to sign the contracts.

Only then, after almost six months, did my client and I finally meet in person. I took him on a tour of the area where he saw the actual property. He was thrilled with the purchase. Now, a few months later, he realizes that what then seemed expensive has already gained in value.

‘Historic’ Doesn’t Rule Out ‘New’
The New York Times
The launch of sales at 241 Fifth is highlighted in this New York Times feature.  The 20-story tower, located in the Madison Square North neighborhood, is set to accommodate 46 units upon completion, ranging from 1-bedroom to 3-bedroom apartments.  Doron Zwickel provides additional insight about the project in this article as well.

Helping Agents Pursue Dreams
Herald Sun
Shaun Osher is featured in this Australian publication, discussing the importance of real estate agents understanding the needs of their clients. Shaun will be one of the keynote speakers at this year’s Australian Real Estate Conference, providing insight about personal branding techniques for highly-successful agents.

Living Large
CBS2
Michael Graves’ listing at 7 Bond Street is featured in the CBS2 segment of “Living Large” with Emily Smith. Affectionately named “Double-O Seven Bond Street,” this exquisite NoHo penthouse strikes the perfect balance of turn-of-the-century charm and modern sophistication.

Boasting 46 condominium units conveniently situated between 27th and 28th streets, 241 Fifth also carries the unique distinction of being the only ground-up construction residential project in the trendy neighborhood of NoMad.  Designed by Eran Chen of ODA-Architecture, these homes offer an inspired blend of sophisticated and contemporary style right in the heart of the Manhattan.

Residents will enjoy views overlooking the historic Flatiron District and Madison Square Park.  Thoroughly modern interior design elements will include stained white oak flooring and white-finished fixtures from the Zuchetti-Kos Faraway Collection.  Residences also feature oversize windows, kitchens with a suite of Miele appliances, bathrooms with a deep-soaking tub, glass-enclosed shower and solid teak wall detailing.

The building’s amenities package features 24/7 concierge, a rooftop terrace, a fitness center equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and weightlifting equipment, a Zen tranquility room for yoga, Pilates or meditation, a residence lounge and private wellness treatment room, which offers a serene space for massage or beauty treatments.

An exclusive landmark address with unparalleled detail, 241 Fifth promises to be the most desirable residential destination in NoMad.  We’ll have more news soon, including details on the 241 Fifth launch party!

On Thursday, May 9th, Michael Graves’ penthouse listing at 7 Bond Street was showcased on CBS2’s segment of “Living Large” with Emily Smith. Affectionately named “Double-O Seven Bond Street,” this modern home is centrally located in the heart of Lower Manhattan, overlooking Lafayette Street and beyond.  Featuring turn-of-the-century details accentuated by modern designs, the 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home offers soaring 14 foot ceilings, bright south and east exposures, polished Zebra wood floors, multiple skylights and a private 1,200 square-foot roof-garden.  Exquisite details include a designer floating glass staircase, bespoke glass “drop” lighting imported from Murano, Italy, seven skylights and a gas fireplace set into a stunning wave patterned feature wall.  Check out the segment above to experience what this unique home has to offer.