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.

Brendon DeSimone returned to his East Coast roots just a few short years ago, but already has an impressive track record of deals for a broker who only recently entered the NYC market. Prior to joining CORE, Brendon was a very successful broker in San Francisco where real estate deal making is extremely different than it is here in New York City. Brendon’s perspective on the details of all aspects of a deal  is an invaluable asset to any client and has proven to be a real asset to his business. Here are Brendon’s answers to Ten questions:

1)     How long have you been selling real estate?

I started in 2002 in San Francisco. It was after the high tech dot.com boom, but during a little lull – right before the first big dip in interest rates in 2003.  We joked that if rates got any lower, purchasing would be nearly free. Now look at them!

2)     How did you get into the business?

I was one of the first members of a small Silicon Valley start-up and I loved it.  It was very entrepreneurial. We were small, nimble and creating a first-of-its-kind technology and service. We would hear customer feedback and within days, we’d have the product and development teams on board to make changes.  It was so exciting to be a part of that. Over time, the company grew and the excitement wore off.  In order to effectively grow, processes and procedures were put in place as were large company employees. As the company grew, the culture changed and it just didn’t feel the same. I left and wanted to do something similar, but was afraid of running into the same issue at another start-up. I took six months off and did some research, had informational interviews and tried to figure out what I was passionate about. I wanted to do something entrepreneurial and work for myself. I used to go to open houses with my mom when I was a kid. I once called a broker, acting like my mom, and spent an hour on the phone with her about a property. All roads led to real estate.

3)    How is NYC housing different from San Francisco housing?

The housing stock is completely different. I was mainly selling Victorian and Edwardian single family homes and two to four unit buildings.  There were/are very few high rise buildings or co-ops in San Francisco.

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Our look earlier this week at a gorgeous Park Slope townhouse has us thinking about the Borough of Kings more and more, so once again we’re jumping across the river for a look at some of our favorite homes currently on the market in Brooklyn.

Where: 257 Berry Street
Size: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
Asking: $3,790,000
Listed by: Doug Bowen and Vickey Barron

Williamsburg is now firmly entrenched as Brooklyn’s own version of Soho, with converted warehouse buildings, a dense population of artists, and places to see and be seen. Large townhouses in this area are not widely available, and this one — which is new construction, measures 5,000 square feet and includes a gallery space — is a blend of house living with a loft aesthetic. Located right off Bedford Avenue, it’s near everything Williamsburg has to offer while still being situation on a peaceful and calm block.

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When location and quality come together, it’s a beautiful marriage. Call them trophy homes, perfect properties, or Manhattan’s most wanted. Just don’t call them in a month, because they probably won’t be around that long. Here are three listings on the market that are bound to make fans, fast.

Where: 422 East 72nd Street, 28/29C
Size: 4 bedrooms/3 bathrooms
Asking: $4,250,000
Listed by: Alison Abovsky and Kirk Rundhaug

The Upper East Side has a reputation as a family-friendly neighborhood, and this gorgeous duplex in a full-service condominium building has the perfect layout for a large brood. Add the turnkey condition, with a recently completed design and renovation by a renowned architect, and the appeal is easy to understand. Air and light make good Manhattan homes great, and this 2,900-square-foot space is filled with sunlight and boasts two balconies to take in excellent city views.

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