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 401, which first aired on October 13, 2011. For more SNY epilogues, click here.
“Selling New York” is back for its fourth season, and if the first episode is any indication of what’s to come, this is sure to be one of the most exciting seasons yet. In this episode, entitled “Making It Personal,” CORE agent and “SNY” favorite, Tom Postilio, is tasked to sell an apartment in his own building, Windsor Park. As always, the stakes are high, but this time the pressure is hitting a little too close to home, especially when potential buyers show little interest in living at Windsor Park. Never one to back down from a challenge, Tom—with the help of a cookie or two—found a buyer who, like him, fell in love with Windsor Park.
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. Business and pleasure can, indeed, be mixed—but martinis and cameras, not so much. All work and no play does not a happy realtor make, so after showing his listing to the CORE team, Tom hosted a small gathering at his own apartment, conveniently a short elevator ride away. Tom says socializing with his colleagues, such as founder and CEO, Shaun Osher, and Chief Operating Officer, Brittley Jarrell, is both entertaining and productive. “The more olives you add to a martini, the better the martini becomes,” Tom said of their brainstorming sessions (as well as their drink of choice). On that note, Tom said that he mostly likely would be substituting seltzer for gin the next time cameras are around.
2. Not quite a home office, but close enough. In trying to sell an apartment in the building Tom personally calls home, the lines between business and personal were getting blurred. Initially, Tom found it “tricky” to balance business that was so close to home, but he quickly realized that he had the home field advantage by working on his own turf. He was able to focus on the reasons why he loved his apartment and his neighborhood, and use these reasons to close the deal.
3. Cookies, Central Park and Carnegie Hall. Tom moved to Windsor Park because of the neighborhood, but the neighborhood seemed to be the biggest point of contention for potential buyers. After hearing multiple concerns that the neighborhood seemed touristy, Tom gave personalized insider tours to showcase the hidden gems of his stomping ground, including his favorite bakery for a cookie, as well as his beloved Central Park. And while Tom also provided insight into everyday necessities—tailors, dry cleaners, markets—he also offered a sentimental glimpse into his affection for the neighborhood by taking buyers to nearby New York City staple, Carnegie Hall, where Tom, then a teenager, saw the legendary Frank Sinatra perform.
4. While “all the world’s a stage,” not every apartment is staged. Not only were potential buyers confused by the neighborhood, but they were also disappointed with the apartment’s lack of views, as it faced a courtyard. While you can’t change a view, you can change the overall vibe of the apartment by highlighting its attributes. Tom’s expert advice is to make an apartment as “clean” as possible in order to have it appeal to the broadest possible audience. Simple changes can make all the difference in closing a deal.
5. Onto the next one… After selling this apartment at a higher price than most units in the building, Tom was the toast of the Windsor Park board members and is now working on closing more deals in the building. He currently has two exclusive listings in Windsor Park and is excited to share his treasured neighborhood with future buyers.