The Broker Brunch

#56 David Schwartz: The Solution to New York City's Housing Crisis

Check out our current listings here: https://www.ripcony.com/property-listings/?broker=Brian%20Whelan%2C%20Mitchel%20Flaherty [https://www.ripcony.com/property-listings/?broker=Brian%20Whelan%2C%20Mitchel%20Flaherty] David Schwartz has built over 80 deals and is just getting started. With over 100,000 New Yorkers living in homeless shelters, he believes we can't keep doing the same things and expecting different outcomes.  In this episode of Broker Brunch, Brian Whelan sits down with David Schwartz, Co-Founder of Slate Property Group, to discuss how his team is tackling New York's housing crisis through hotel conversions, nonprofit partnerships, and creative development strategies.  David explains how converting hotels into housing saves roughly 25% on cost and 50% on time, why partnering with nonprofits like Riseboro ensures affordability in the long run, and how Slate is building on city land in Inwood and securing free land through air rights in Williamsburg for 100% low-income housing.    Connect with us on LinkedIn: Brian Whelan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-whelan-43155850/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-whelan-43155850/] Mitchel Flaherty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchel-flaherty-7b4b1064/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchel-flaherty-7b4b1064/] David Schwartz's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-schwartz-19a7161/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-schwartz-19a7161/]   (00:00) Intro (02:29) How Hotel Conversions Work  (06:48) Partnering With Nonprofits  (13:00) Building on City Land in Inwood  (24:04) Affordable Housing in Good Neighborhoods  (28:29) Slate's Lending Business: Scale  (39:27) What the Best Brokers Do Differently  (43:23) Metropolitan Park and Steve Cohen  (52:09) Advice for Brokers in 2026

#55 Jamie A Smarr - Inside the Policies Holding NYC Housing Back

Check out our current listings here: https://www.ripcony.com/property-listings/?broker=Brian%20Whelan%2C%20Mitchel%20Flaherty [https://www.ripcony.com/property-listings/?broker=Brian%20Whelan%2C%20Mitchel%20Flaherty] New York City has no shortage of people who want to live here. The real challenge is supply. In this episode of Broker Brunch, Mitchel Flaherty sits down with Jamie Smarr, President and CEO of the Housing Partnership Development Corporation, to discuss why NYC is not building enough housing and what it means for the future of the market. Jamie breaks down how public-private partnerships helped rebuild New York in the past and why stronger incentives, fewer regulatory barriers, and better policy alignment are key to increasing housing production today.  The conversation also explores programs like 421A and 485X, the role of government incentives, and why housing supply remains the central issue behind affordability in the city. For brokers, developers, and investors in the New York real estate market, this episode provides valuable insight into the policies, economics, and market forces shaping NYC housing today. Connect with us on LinkedIn: Brian Whelan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-whelan-43155850/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-whelan-43155850/] Mitchel Flaherty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchel-flaherty-7b4b1064/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchel-flaherty-7b4b1064/] (00:00) Why NYC’s Housing Supply Is Broken (03:41) Programs Helping New Yorkers Become Homeowners (07:26) The Real Problem: Demand vs Housing Supply (12:23) Politics, NIMBYism, and Why Housing Gets Blocked (15:12) Massive Demand for Affordable Housing in NYC (19:09) Converting Offices to Housing: Why It’s Difficult (24:24) Creative Real Estate Development in NYC (27:13) Lessons From the Bloomberg Development Era (28:50) Why NYC Must Keep Building Housing

#54 Zach McHugh & Jack Shulman - Exploring the Current State of the Industrial Real Estate Market

Check out our current listings here: https://www.ripcony.com/property-listings/?broker=Brian%20Whelan%2C%20Mitchel%20Flaherty [https://www.ripcony.com/property-listings/?broker=Brian%20Whelan%2C%20Mitchel%20Flaherty] Industrial real estate continues to outperform, but only for operators who understand the details that most investors miss. In this episode of Broker Brunch, Mitchel Flaherty sits down with Zach McHugh (Sitex Group) and Jack Shulman (B&D Holdings) to break down what is really driving today’s industrial market.  From shallow bay demand and IOS strategy to sale-leasebacks, environmental risk, and the flood of institutional capital entering the space, they share how experienced owners consistently win while new entrants get caught by hidden risks. They also unpack why functionality beats flash, why multi-story industrial struggles in NYC, how PFAS contamination can kill deals overnight, where Florida is outperforming New York, and why 2026 could see a major surge in leasing and transaction velocity. If you invest, broker, or operate in industrial real estate, this is a practical look at what actually matters on deals today. Connect with us on LinkedIn: Brian Whelan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-whelan-43155850/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-whelan-43155850/] Mitchel Flaherty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchel-flaherty-7b4b1064/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchel-flaherty-7b4b1064/]

#53 Rod Santomassimo - The Secret to Long-Term Success in CRE Brokerage

Check out our current listings here: https://www.ripcony.com/property-listings/?broker=Brian%20Whelan%2C%20Mitchel%20Flaherty [https://www.ripcony.com/property-listings/?broker=Brian%20Whelan%2C%20Mitchel%20Flaherty] In this episode of Broker Brunch,  Rod Santomassimo, founder of The Massimo Group, joins us to unpack what actually drives long-term success in commercial real estate brokerage. We talk about the mindset shift from chasing transactions to building a real business, why specialization and discipline separate top producers from everyone else, and how systems and coaching turn effort into consistent results. Rod also shares how AI is changing prospecting, marketing, and even exclusivity timelines, and what brokers need to do now to stay ahead. Guest Rod Santomassimo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crecoach [https://www.linkedin.com/in/crecoach] Connect with us on LinkedIn: Brian Whelan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-whelan-43155850/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-whelan-43155850/] Mitchel Flaherty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchel-flaherty-7b4b1064/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchel-flaherty-7b4b1064/] (00:00) Preview and Intro (03:34) Why Brokers Stay Stuck (05:45) What Top Brokers Do Differently (07:41) Impact of AI on CRE (13:34) The Scaling Order That Works (18:10) The Two Career Killers (21:06) Know Your Client Better Than They Do (24:57)  LinkedIn, Content Cadence, and Old-School Mailers (26:25) How Much to Invest in Career Growth (28:57) The Future of Real Estate Brokerage

#52 Lev Mavashev & George Gianopoulos - The Real Reason Why NYC Rents Keep Breaking Records

Check out our current listings here: https://www.ripcony.com/property-listings/?broker=Brian%20Whelan%2C%20Mitchel%20Flaherty [https://www.ripcony.com/property-listings/?broker=Brian%20Whelan%2C%20Mitchel%20Flaherty] Lev Mavashev of Alpha Realty and George Gianopoulos of King’s Capital break down what is really happening in the New York City multifamily market, from record high rents and extreme supply constraints to the sharp divide between prime assets and rent stabilized buildings. In this episode, they explain how boutique firms are competing with institutional players, why foreign capital is aggressively buying NYC multifamily, how value add strategies actually work on the ground, and what investors, brokers, and operators should expect as activity ramps up heading into 2026. Connect with us on LinkedIn Brian Whelan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-whelan-43155850/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-whelan-43155850/] Mitchel Flaherty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchel-flaherty-7b4b1064/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchel-flaherty-7b4b1064/]