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New York real estate is in flux. Rising interest rates, political uncertainty, shifting financing from banks to debt funds, and new policies like City of Yes and 485x are reshaping how deals get done.

In this episode of Broker Brunch, Brian Whelan sits down with Andrew Dansker (Dansker Capital Group) and Derek Bestreich (IPRG) to break down the current state of the NYC market. From the contrasting investor appetite in Brooklyn vs. the Bronx, to the stress on rent-stabilized assets, to where the real opportunities lie today — nothing is off the table.

They also share what it’s really like to build and scale brokerages in this environment, including the challenges of hiring, culture, and leadership when the market is anything but predictable.

Tune in for an unfiltered look at what’s trading, what’s not, and where NYC real estate is headed next.

Our Panel

Derek Bestreich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-bestreich-8058722/

Andrew Dansker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewdansker/

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Brian Whelan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-whelan-43155850/

Mitchel Flaherty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchel-flaherty-7b4b1064/

(00:00) Preview

(00:54) Introducing Andrew Dansker & Derek Bestreich  

(01:40) Defining the Broker’s Role  

(04:05) Market Pulse: Q2 Surge & Stock Market Impact  

(05:30) Expansion Beyond NYC: Florida & the Southeast  

(06:37) Political Uncertainty: Mayoral Race & Investor Sentiment  

(07:30) Rent-Stabilized Multifamily: Stress & Long-Term Plays  

(11:03) What’s Actually Trading in 2025  

(15:35) Bank Competition, Loan Extensions & Capital Constraints  

(18:42) Forced Selling & 1031 Exchange Traps  

(21:08) Brooklyn vs Bronx: Demand & Global Brand Value  

(23:49) Policy Tailwinds: City of Yes & 485x  

(26:32) Debt Funds Filling the Construction Gap  

(30:32) Time Kills Deals: Speed, Closes & Overseas Capital  

(33:10) Zooming Out: Time Horizons & Investor Outcomes  

(36:35) The Grind of Building a Brokerage  

(38:59) Leaving the “House” & Reinvesting in Growth  

(46:28) Underestimating the Leadership Load  

(50:40) Hiring & Culture: Beer Test vs Integrity Test  

(53:00) Why WFH Doesn’t Work for Brokerage Teams  

(58:32) Team Structures & Splits that Reward Origination  

(01:06:48) Looking Ahead: Scaling Brokerages Beyond NYC