Scott Harris, a New York City residential real estate broker with 22 years of experience, shared his background and upcoming book "The Pursuit of Home" which explores the emotional aspects of home buying. The discussion covered the unique characteristics of the New York real estate market, particularly regarding cooperative apartments and the sophisticated requirements for transactions. Both Scott and Paul emphasized the importance of building trusted professional relationships and understanding client needs during the home buying process, with Scott providing specific insights about the New York market and Paul sharing perspectives from the Toronto market.
Scott Harris's Real Estate Journey
Scott Harris, a residential real estate broker in New York City, discussed his background and journey into real estate. Born and raised in New Orleans, he moved to New York in 2002 and has been in the industry for 22 years, helping sell over $2 billion in real estate and running a team of nine at his company, Magnetic. Scott attributed his entry into real estate to his stepmother's suggestion when he was 28, after considering various career paths, and found it to be a successful and fulfilling choice.
Emotional Journeys in Real Estate
Scott shared his upcoming book, "The Pursuit of Home," which explores the emotional journey of home buying, scheduled for release in October. He drew parallels between his real estate experience and the hero's journey, emphasizing the importance of guiding buyers through their emotional experiences. Paul expressed interest in reviewing the book and discussed his reading habits, mentioning "Unreasonable Hospitality" by Will Guidara as an inspiring work. Both discussed the emotional and personal aspects of real estate transactions, with Scott highlighting the need for agents to understand their clients' communication styles.
New York's Unique Cooperative Housing Market
Scott explained that the New York real estate market is unique, with 70% of housing consisting of cooperative apartments, which require approval and significant financial assets to purchase. He highlighted the need for a high level of sophistication among brokers and the involvement of attorneys and other professionals to navigate the complex process. Paul noted the contrast with the Toronto market, where cooperative apartments are rare, and emphasized the importance of discussing specific neighborhoods or postal codes when inquiring about local real estate markets.
Home Buying: Expert Advice
Paul and Scott discussed the process of buying a home, emphasizing the importance of self-knowledge and building a trusted team. Scott advised listeners to find reliable professionals, such as attorneys, mortgage people, and real estate agents, to ensure a smoother experience. Paul expressed gratitude for the conversation and mentioned plans to share the recording links soon.