Why I Do What I Do...For Mom!

Much like Fransisco Lindor walks up to the song "My Girl" every at bat, in honor of his daughter, this post is all about my girls. My mom and my daughters for Mother's Day. 

There’s a moment that defines everyone’s path. For me, it was watching my mother lose the first home she bought at 25 to foreclosure by the time she was 30.

That experience wasn’t just a financial setback. It was emotional. It taught me, even as a child, how fragile the idea of "home" could be. More importantly, it planted a seed: if I could one day master the world of real estate, maybe I could help someone else avoid that kind of loss. 

That "someone else" became hundreds of New Yorkers. But it started with her.

My goal is to be able to help her retire to a farm. She drums, rides horses (as seen above) with the Federation of Black cowboys and makes Shekeres, an African percussion instrument made of a gourd and adorned with beads. So a small plot of land where she can be free is the goal. I also have two daughters who would love it as they are huge animal lovers.

Real estate in New York City isn’t just tough, it’s a maze. Costs are sky-high, neighborhoods evolve overnight, and what looks good on paper doesn’t always feel right when you're standing on the block. Add safety, school districts, community resources, and proximity to things like houses of worship or transit, and suddenly, you’re making decisions with long-term impact based on short-term impressions.

That’s where I come in.

I’ve walked the streets of four out of five boroughs, from the quiet corners of Queens to the up-and-coming pockets of the Bronx. I don’t just know listings; I know blocks, bodegas, and bus routes. My approach isn’t just about closing deals, it’s about opening doors, literally and figuratively.

Because I know what it feels like when the door closes too soon.

I didn’t get into real estate just to sell luxury. I got in to build stability. 

While NYC is expensive, you sometimes just need an informed party to educate you on how to think outside the box in order to make the most of it. Many people rent here, as they feel buying is out of reach. Here is a 30 year comparison on a $2500 rental in Queens, versus a purchase of a new construction luxury condo at just under $1M for reference. 

I know buying isn't for everyone. Neither is renting forever with roommates. So I drew this up after visiting an amazing new development luxury condo, of all places in my father's old neighborhood in Astoria Queens. On the way there, a venue I did a play at early in my career, The Greek Cultural Theater, has been demolished for, you guessed it, new condos. The one I visited was along the water right buy the ferry and I saw a slice of beach I forgot about, since I hadn't been there since the 1970's!

That's a video of the block, then a video tour of one of the units there. Talk about a hidden gem in NYC that most people never would believe exists! 

In my fifth year, my first daughter was born. She listened to the first words I spoke to her and did exactly what I asked. She opened her eyes so I could tell her I loved her. Then she cooed back in a way that sounded like she tried to say I love you too daddy. It was the most amazing experience of my life. 

In my seventh year in business, my second daughter was born. She looked at me and smirked as if to say, "I knew she needed help dealing with you two!" While things have not been ideal between us, I am forever grateful to their mother for giving me the two greatest things in life after the first gift of life my own mother gave me.  

I don’t just want to find you a house, apartment or townhouse, I want to help you discover a place that fits your life, your values, and your future. It's amazing when I look back at nearly 20 years in business and realize, through all the ups and downs, I have helped many people start families, some of the most successful business ventures in NYC and find peace in this concrete jungle. 

And one day soon, when the time is right, I still plan to buy my mom that farm.

Until then, I help others find home.

From the bottom of my heart, and from the foundation my mother gave me, this is why I do what I do.