Episode 306: The Rise of Collaborative Home Ownership with Nikki Merkerson

Episode 306: The Rise of Collaborative Home Ownership with Nikki Merkerson

On this episode of Boro4Boro, Matt Wynter and Isaiah Ajala welcome Nikki Merkerson, founder of PairGap, to explore the evolution of the home buying process in New York City and across the nation. Nikki explains how PairGap builds the infrastructure for collaborative home ownership, helping friends, family, and partners buy property together with tools for vetting, protection, and ongoing asset management. Whether you're a first-time buyer, an investor, or a realtor, this episode offers a forward-looking view of a more collaborative real estate landscape. Filmed in Studio 1873 as part of the Mastery of Real Estate (MoRE) Network, powered by Brown Harris Stevens. Subscribe to Boro4Boro for more conversations on NYC real estate. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boro4boro/id1731246276 Hosts: Matthew Wynter | @milliondollarwynter https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/matthew-wynter Traci Byers | @uptowntraci https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/traci-byers Isaiah Ajala | @isaiahajala https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/isaiah-ajala Scottie Cabrera | @scottiecabrerahomes https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/scottie-cabrer Guest: Nikki Merkerson Sponsor: Romer Debbas - Full-service real estate law | romerdebbas.com Brown Harris Stevens is one of the largest privately owned real estate brokerages in the country, with more than 40 offices across four states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida. https://bhsusa.com/

Episode 305: Constructing the Future of New York City with Jordan Crouse Morris

Recorded live at The Real Deal Forum on the MoRE Network Stage, this special episode of Boro4Boro features hosts Matthew Wynter and Traci Byers in conversation with Jordan Crouse Morris, COO of Construction at Charney Companies. Together, they explore what it takes to oversee large-scale construction projects across New York City, from managing complex logistics and navigating evolving regulations to balancing timelines, budgets, and community impact in one of the world's most demanding building environments. Filmed in Studio 1873 as part of the Mastery of Real Estate (MoRE) Network, powered by Brown Harris Stevens. Subscribe to Boro4Boro for more conversations on NYC real estate. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boro4boro/id1731246276 Hosts: Matthew Wynter | @milliondollarwynter https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/matthew-wynter Traci Byers | @uptowntraci https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/traci-byers Isaiah Ajala | @isaiahajala https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/isaiah-ajala Scottie Cabrera | @scottiecabrerahomes https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/scottie-cabrera Guest: Jordan Crouse Morris | https://charneycompanies.com/ Sponsor: Romer Debbas - Full-service real estate law | romerdebbas.com Brown Harris Stevens is one of the largest privately owned real estate brokerages in the country, with more than 40 offices across four states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida. https://bhsusa.com/

Episode 304: The Reality of Buying Multifamily & Becoming a Landlord ft. Scadi Etienne

Most people think buying a multifamily in NYC is a wealth-building move. It is, but it also makes you a landlord the moment you close. And most people aren't ready for what that actually means. In this episode, we sit down with Scadi Etienne - real estate investor, broker, and contractor with 18 years in the game, 20 properties and 54 doors across Brooklyn and Baltimore. He bought a Bed-Stuy three-family in 2011 for $360,000. It's worth $2 million today. He also had a five-year eviction that cost him $30,000+ in lost rent, and a tenant who poured cement in his pipes. He's not shy about any of it. Filmed in Studio 1873 as part of the Mastery of Real Estate (MoRE) Network, powered by Brown Harris Stevens. Topics covered: → Why one tenant should always cover the entire mortgage - and why COVID proved it → The real difference between single-family and multifamily risk in NYC → How NYC's landlord-tenant laws work → What to look for when evaluating a multifamily investment property → Why co-op units can be a landlord play most investors overlook → NACA, DSCR loans, and how everyday New Yorkers can actually get into ownership Chapters: 0:00 – Intro 1:45 – Who is Scadi Etienne? 5:51 – Co-op financing: why some buildings can't get lender loans 8:05 – The moment he became a landlord (he didn't plan it) 9:50 – Mailbox money vs. flipping: why he chose the slow check forever 14:30 – Horror story #1: cement in the pipes (9-month eviction) 16:00 – Horror story #2: the 5-year eviction 18:45 – NYC landlord-tenant law: what needs to change 21:09 – What to look for when buying an investment property 21:50 – Single-family vs. multifamily: the risk difference 27:00 – Managing 54 doors across Brooklyn and Baltimore 30:00 – Know the rules before you invest out of state 33:00 – NACA and getting into homeownership in NYC 35:00 – The NYC "white picket fence" reframe Subscribe to Boro4Boro for more conversations on NYC real estate. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boro4boro/id1731246276 Hosts: Matthew Wynter | @milliondollarwynter https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/matthew-wynter Isaiah Ajala | @isaiahajala https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/isaiah-ajala Traci Byers | @uptowntraci https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/traci-byers Scottie Cabrera | @scottiecabrerahomes https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/scottie-cabrera Guest: Scadi Etienne | @IamScadi Sponsor: Romer Debbas - Full-service real estate law | romerdebbas.com Brown Harris Stevens is one of the largest privately owned real estate brokerages in the country, with more than 40 offices across four states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida. https://bhsusa.com/

Episode 303: Why Most Real Estate Investors Fail Before They Start ft. Welby Accely

Most investors think the win is getting to the closing table. It's not. And by the time they figure that out, the damage is already done. In this episode we sit down with real estate investor, Welby Accely, who over overcame 3 financial wipeouts during his 20+ years in real estate before building an eight-figure real estate portfolio. His journey has taught him exactly where investors go wrong, and he's not shy about saying it. Topics covered: → Why the qualified buyer is the most powerful person in any deal → The "Starting Five" every investor needs on their team → How to vet a mentor when everyone online claims to be an expert → Why FHA, VA and NACA buyers often end up house-poor → The difference between waiting for appreciation and forcing it → What 2026 looks like for buyers willing to move while everyone else waits Filmed in Studio 1873 as part of the Mastery of Real Estate (MoRE) Network, powered by Brown Harris Stevens. Boro4Boro highlights the best of NYC real estate — neighborhoods, market insights and conversations with industry leaders. Subscribe to Boro4Boro for more conversations on NYC real estate. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boro4boro/id1731246276 Hosts: Matthew Wynter | @milliondollarwynter https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/matthew-wynter Isaiah Ajala | @isaiahajala https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/isaiah-ajala Traci Byers | @uptowntraci https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/traci-byers Scottie Cabrera | @scottiecabrerahomes https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/scottie-cabrera Guest: Welby Accely IG: @atmybest197 Sponsor: Romer Debbas — Full-service real estate law | romerdebbas.com Brown Harris Stevens is one of the largest privately owned real estate brokerages in the country, with more than 40 offices across four states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida. https://bhsusa.com/

Episode 302: Lenders, Lawyers & Smart Strategy at Inman Connect

Recorded live at Inman Connect in the MORE Network Studio on February 3rd and 4th, this special episode of Boro4Boro brings together industry experts for a dynamic conversation on the power of professional partnerships in real estate. Our hosts sit down with Brian Scott Cohen of Guaranteed Rate and Pierre Debbas of Romer Debbas PLLC to explore why building a trusted network — from lenders to attorneys — is essential to navigating the complexities of buying or selling a home. From financing to contracts and everything in between, this episode highlights how the right team can make all the difference in a seamless real estate transaction. Guests: Brian Scott Cohen Pierre Debbas Sponsor: Romer Debbas — Full-service real estate law | romerdebbas.com Boro4Boro highlights the best of NYC real estate — neighborhoods, market insights and conversations with industry leaders. Part of the Mastery of Real Estate (MORE) Network. Filmed at Brown Harris Stevens' Studio 1873. Hosts: Matthew Wynter | @milliondollarwynter https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/matthew-wynter Isaiah Ajala | @isaiahajala https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/isaiah-ajala Traci Byers | @uptowntraci https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/traci-byers Scottie Cabrera | @scottiecabrerahomes https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/scottie-cabrera Subscribe to Boro4Boro for more conversations on NYC real estate. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boro4boro/id1731246276 Brown Harris Stevens is one of the largest privately owned real estate brokerages in the country, with more than 40 offices across four states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida. https://bhsusa.com/