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 402, which first aired on October 20, 2011. For more SNY epilogues, click here.
In “The Right Moves,” CORE agent and “SNY” newcomer Adrian Noriega assists a buyer–who is not only a returning client, but also a friend–in finding the perfect apartment. Sound like a sticky situation? Well, disappointed after losing what he thought was his dream home, Adrian’s client, Doug, pressures Adrian even harder to deliver the goods that made him a returning client in the first place. Throughout this hunt, not only is an apartment on the line, but so is a long-lasting business relationship—and perhaps a friendship—as well.
Keep on reading for some exclusive behind-the-scenes information about what didn’t make it into last night’s episode of “Selling New York” and what happened after the cameras stopped rolling!
1) Friends are forever—as long as you find them their dream home. Adrian has worked as Doug’s real estate broker not once, not twice, but a total of three times over the past few years, and the two have developed a strong friendship. While it may have placed additional pressure on Adrian to deliver results, he said that he truly enjoys mixing business with pleasure, and he considers many of his former clients among his closest friends. Doug said that having a friend like Adrian as his representative was a big plus because he knew that he could trust Adrian. In addition, both Adrian and Doug agreed that it is far more fun to go apartment hunting with someone whose company you actually enjoy. And yes, Doug is very happy at his new home, and he and Adrian are most certainly still friends. Phew!
2) Looking for more “house” in NYC? Try a “schoolhouse!” If Doug wasn’t reluctant about Adrian bringing him to Harlem, pulling up to a former public school way up on 148th Street most certainly did not help ease his worries. But P.S. 90, with its beautiful façade and brand new apartments, ended up surprising both Doug and Adrian. Converted into condominiums in 2010, P.S. 90 offered something near and dear to Doug’s heart: space. With over 1,200 square feet, the modern 1-bedroom apartment was love at first sight. Interestingly, one of the amenities at P.S. 90 is an “art room,” where residents are able to express their creativity in any way, shape or form. And no, there’s no detention for misbehaving.
3) The Harlem Renaissance now includes Starbucks. In addition to the Apollo Theater, Harlem is now home to another American cultural staple: Starbucks. Doug required—not requested—that Adrian find him a new home near a Starbucks, and after confirming that Harlem had indeed succumbed to the pressures of American consumerism, Doug felt more than comfortable making Harlem his new stomping ground.
4) When in need of neighborhood guidance, seek out the local royalty. Not only was Doug a Harlem newbie, but Adrian was as well, having only worked on three previous transactions in the neighborhood throughout his decade-long career. So fellow CORE agent and “SNY” superstar, Tom Postilio, recommended that Adrian and Doug get an insider tour of the neighborhood from Tom’s friend, author and Harlem resident Alexander Smalls. Adrian, however, said that Mr. Smalls proved to be more like Harlem’s beloved mayor than just an everyday resident, with passersby waving and smiling and greeting him at every turn. The personalized tour—which highlighted Harlem’s irreplaceable cultural aura and historical significance—was essential in making Doug feel that Harlem was the right neighborhood for him and ultimately prompted him to make an offer
5) Poker Face versus Broker Face. Negotiating a real estate deal is most certainly not a game of poker, but Adrian put on his best “broker face” in order to represent his client’s best interest. After his previous deal fell through, Doug was eager to close on his new apartment in P.S. 90, suggesting going in at full asking price. Adrian, however, knew better. “There were no offers on the apartment,” Adrian said, so therefore, there was no reason to be that aggressive. However, if the apartment was receiving multiple offers, Adrian would have sided with Doug’s suggestion. These critical negotiations make the difference between a client returning for business down the road or heading to another broker. Not to worry, though, because who wouldn’t return to Adrian after receiving a massive orchid and a bottle of champagne as a housewarming gift?