Spring is in swing, and The Agency continues to break records, make news and drive innovation in the real estate industry. Take a look at the April highlights, including new books, new seasons of Buying Beverly Hills and—of course—some of the most glamorous listings on the market.
Global
The Agency Founder and CEO Mauricio Umansky appeared on Good Morning America to talk about his new book, “The Dealmaker,” and share some secrets behind his success, including the importance of knowing how to read a room to the number one thing that keeps people from reaching their potential. Watch the full segment on YouTube here.
Inman got the inside scoop on Mauricio Umansky’s new book, revealing the eight most surprising revelations.
Good Morning America may have gotten the exclusive announcement, but The Real Deal also reported that Netflix has given Buying Beverly Hills the green light for a second season. Mauricio Umansky will return alongside daughters Farrah Brittany and Alexia Umansky plus our other star agents.
In a webinar for Barron’s Live, Grant Ludwick and Matt Robinson shared some tips on how to increase space within your own home if high interest rates are keeping you out of the market. From accessory dwelling units to pool houses, there are plenty of ways to add utility and equity to the property you already own.
California
Billy Rose and Jason Walker recently spoke with MarketWatch about a new tax in Los Angeles that adds 4% on property sales valued above $5M and 5.5% on those above $10M. The law took effect on April 1, motivating buyers and sellers in the city and leading to some of the quickest closing timelines in The Agency’s history.
Farah Levi and Marco Rufo‘s stunning $36M Bel Air listing dubbed the “Ultimate Party Pad” by Dirt.com. The bespoke home was “designed for all lifestyles and occasions” according to spec developer Rudomin, who spared no expense creating the showstopper. Lovingly named El Canto Del Agua, the listing was also featured on the cover of the San Francisco Chronicle. Take a look at the glass-encased 1,000 bottle wine cellar, 20-seat home theater and resort-style terraced pool here.
Dirt.com got the scoop on Rebekah Schwartz Sklar’s recent listing: a unique concrete contemporary in the San Fernando Valley’s coveted Bell Canyon currently owned by TikTok sensations Pierre Boo and Nicky Champa. Even more dazzling than the design are the views from all three levels. View the listing here.
Featured in The New York Times “What You Get” series, Billy Rose and Josh Myler’s Los
Four Seasons Private Residences listing in Los Angeles went up against a Queen Anne Revival in Santa Barbara and a Rancho Mirage desert compound. For $4.4M, this residence offers resort-style living and all the conveniences of a central city location.
Texas
Rising real estate star Chase Duran has joined The Agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as reported by The Real Deal. “I need a broker that’s going to help me scale my business to the next level,” Chase is quoted in the article. “I knew the Agency was going to help get me there.”
Nevada
Zar Zanganeh now holds the highest-priced lease on the market in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas-Review Journal recently covered the property, which boasts unobstructed views of the Strip, an 18-car garage, two-level guest house, service quarters, an outdoor sport court, expansive pool and spa, and numerous other amenities that warrant $100K per month.
New York
New York Post featured the Upper West Side townhouse listed by Chris Toland, where jazz icon Miles Davis used to play alongside other greats, such as Dizzy Gillespie with property’s former owner, Newport Jazz Festival founder and New Orleans Jazz Festival co-creator George Wein.
Heather Cella and Lauren Schaffer’s listing in Central Harlem was featured in The New York Times. The article notes the large terrace, resident discount for the ground-floor parking garage and extended tax abatement as pros. View the full listing here.
Florida
Mansion Global featured Shantel Shimkus’s Naples listing in the coveted Pine Ridges Estates. A modern mix of tropical resort living and Mediterranean elegance built in 2020, the residence is surrounded by lush vegetation, with easy access to equestrian trails and sandy beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. See more photos here.
Colorado
After a record-breaking sale in Cherry Hills and surge of transactions in March, The Denver Post rounded up the priciest listings in the area, including a home in Cherry Creek North listed by The Agency’s Blank and Bingham Team. Custom built by Shofner Development, the residence features five bedrooms—including an epic primary suite—eight baths and a gourmet kitchen across 7100 square feet.
Canada
A CTV News piece on how much income is needed to buy a home in major Canadian cities featured one of Irina Popova’s listings. A corner unit in an amenities-packed building, the two-bedroom residence features a walk-in closet and custom built-ins on top of convenient proximity to downtown. View the listing here.
Caribbean
As seen in The Sacramento Bee, Mauricio Umansky and Danny Lowe are presenting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a very discerning buyer or resort developer: a private island in the Bahamas only 300 miles off the coast of Miami. Named Hummingbird Cay, the island features two homes, eight bungalows, a pair of commercial kitchens, dining halls, caretakers cottages and more. View the listing here.
Speaking with Turks and Caicos Weekly News, Sean O’Neill offered his expert analysis of the market on the heels of a healthy first quarter. “Strong tourist numbers highlight the continued demand for visitors to visit our shores and with every flight comes more and more potential purchasers. These visitors, and the rental revenue that they produce, are a major driver for our reduced inventory,” he explains in the article.
