HGTV’s “Selling New York” follows CORE agents as they navigate the country’s most competitive—and compelling—real estate market. Here’s our behind-the-scenes look at Episode #608, which first aired on January 17, 2013. For more SNY recaps, click here.

In SNY episode #608 entitled “Slide Show,” Elizabeth Kee and Lindsee Silverstein team up to list a penthouse in the “A Building” at 425 East 13^th Street. The seller is a young, world class poker player who has taken his bachelor pad up a notch with a sculptural slide that combines two penthouse apartments. This listing is a true game changer with a sprawling floor plan, multiple private outdoor spaces and a game/media room. Combined with a double height atrium and floor-to-ceiling windows which offer open city views, this penthouse with a slide is a truly a unique dream home.

After 15 other potential agents were interviewed, Elizabeth and Lindsee were selected to list this unique property because of their candor about the face-lift needed to achieve the seller’s ambitious asking price. Also, their creative ways offered to market the apartment without removal of the slide (as most other agents suggested) sealed the deal. With the slide remaining, these resourceful agents were able to lose the frat house feel and upgrade the property to emulate a sleek home – perfect for entertaining.

Part of the customized marketing plan included an influencer’s event, which targeted young, influential industry gurus, who this listing would appeal to.  The catered event with a noted local mixologist, renowned spin artist, and prominent sommelier added to the event’s huge success.

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A sampling of last week’s press coverage of CORE and CORE properties.

Residential Sales Around the Region
New York Times
The sale of the colorful Flatiron District loft at 15 West 20th Street (aka Altair 20) by CORE’s Adrian Noriega, a 2,300-square-foot pre-war condo that closed for $3.375 million, is featured in the New York Times’s snapshot of recent sales.

10 Unique Multimillion Dollar Homes
CNBC
The “Slide Penthouse” in the East Village’s A Building (click here to see more coverage of the apartment), listed by CORE’s Elizabeth Kee and Lindsee Silverstein, is highlighted in a slideshow on unique multimillion dollar homes.

Market Ready
New York Times
Gail Dunnett, whose Studio D firm recently staged model apartments at One Museum Mile, offers advice to a Times reader who asks about whether to furnish a spare room as a bedroom or office when putting the property on the market. “The more bedrooms the better,” Gail says.

The East Village, Greenwich Village and the West Village have their own distinct personalities, but the boundaries between them tend to be elastic (or downright invisible, to some people), and together these neighborhoods collectively create one dynamic and vibrant downtown scene — each with charms and attractions that bolster the other two. Here are our favorite properties from the three downtown neighborhoods that make up the Villages.

Where: 11 Fifth Avenue, #20K
Size: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Asking: $2,650,000
Listed by: Vickey Barron

This apartment represents everything that lower Fifth Avenue, affectionately referred to as downtown’s Gold Coast, represents. A spacious two-bedroom in the lauded and full-service Brevoort, this co-op unit has a massive living and dining area with expansive views. Grand, elegant, and almost bringing an uptown feel down to Greenwich Village, this is a perfect example of white-glove living in a downtown setting.

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It’s a New Yorker’s dream: a living space big enough to invite friends and family over without worrying about everyone stepping on each other’s toes. Sometimes even luxury homes don’t come equipped with grand entertaining spaces, but the three that follow on this list don’t have that problem. For all you aspiring hosts out there, here are our favorite party-ready pads.

Where: 72 Reade Street, 4 FLR
Size: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
Asking: $5,750,000
Listed by: Michael Graves

A big and bright floor-through loft in TriBeCa is perfection when it comes to entertaining. The contiguous dining, living, and family room space creates a massive area for all the action, with a large L-shaped terrace at the end to handle the overflow. (And, come summer, everyone will be knocking down your door.) The open chef’s kitchen and high ceilings are a loft-lover’s delight.

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Where: 141 Clermont Avenue
Size: 1,324 square feet
Asking: $849,000
Listed by: Doug Bowen & Win Brown

Looking to think outside the (apartment) box? How about a pre-Civil War detached house sporting Greek Revival and Italianate architectural details? The historic house at 141 Clermont Avenue is tucked away in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, on a quiet block that feels like a nice break from the city. The money saved from buying across the river can certainly put you in the mood to splurge on the decor, and this old beauty has amazing potential — just don’t touch those original wide-plank floors. And fear not, Manhattan shoppers, we haven’t overlooked you.

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