Boroughs & Burbs, the National Real Estate Conversation

Hosted by John Engel and Roberto Cabrera

Marketing Education Leisure

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Episodes

233

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Real estate: the ultimate game of risk and reward. It’s the biggest investment most people ever makeFortunes are won and lost every day. How do you stay ahead of the game? Who’s buying, who’s selling and why? You need an edge. Boroughs & Burbs. This podcast is your secret weapon, giving you the insider knowledge and strategies you need to succeed in the high-stakes and cutthroat world of real estate. The Boroughs are New York City.The Burbs are wherever you are: Connecticut, Austin, the Hamptons, Carolinas, Florida and beyond. From Palm Beach to Palm Springs, Manhattan to Malibu, we travel the country pressing the experts in every luxury market to expose the pain, find the deals, and occasionally predict the future. Don’t settle for mediocrity - tune in to Boroughs & Burbs Thursdays 3pm Eastern and start dominating your market.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 12, 2026Episode 23156 min

Choosing the Right Partner | Boroughs and Burbs Ep. 231

Boroughs and Burbs Season 6, Episode #230 asks a simple question with big consequences: why does the right partner matter so much in design, development, and luxury real estate? Daniele Busca of Scavolini and Tim Rooney of Jeffrey Beers International join us to discuss how trusted partnerships turn vision into value. From Italian kitchens and baths to hotels, restaurants, residences, and branded spaces, the best outcomes depend on collaboration, communication, execution, and shared standards. A great partner understands the client, protects the design intent, solves problems early, and elevates the final result. This episode looks at why materials, craftsmanship, project management, and hospitality thinking all matter, and why choosing the right team may be the most important design decision of all.

June 6, 2026Episode 2301 hr 0 min

The Home Photo Test | Boroughs and Burbs Ep. 230

On Boroughs and Burbs Season 6, Episode #230, “The Home Photo Test,” we look at the pre-listing fixes that matter most on camera. Ed Quinlan, President of Chem-Dry, joins us on carpets, rugs, and soft surfaces. Chris Seman, President of N-Hance Wood Refinishing, explains how cabinet color, finish, and condition shape kitchen impressions. Nathan Willard, President of The Patch Boys, adds the wall and ceiling repair perspective, where bad patches often jump out in photos. This is a practical “before you list” conversation about what buyers actually see first, what sellers overlook, and which targeted updates deliver the biggest visual impact without full replacement.

May 14, 2026Episode 2291 hr 2 min

New Jersey | Boroughs and Burbs Ep. 229

Boroughs and Burbs, Season 6, Episode #229 takes us to New Jersey with Danielle Lacko and Andre Di Stefano of Douglas Elliman for a closer look at one of the most dynamic real estate markets in the country. From commuter towns with direct access to Manhattan to waterfront communities, historic suburbs, luxury new construction, and lifestyle-driven relocations, New Jersey is not one market, it is many. Danielle and Andre help us understand where buyers are moving, what sellers need to know, and how pricing, inventory, taxes, schools, and transportation shape decisions across the state. We’ll talk strategy, local nuance, and why New Jersey continues to attract families, investors, and city buyers looking for space, value, and connection.

May 6, 2026Episode 2341 hr 6 min

Adaptive Reuse | Boroughs and Burbs Ep. 234

On Season 6, episode #234 of Boroughs and Burbs, we dive into one of the most important trends shaping today’s built environment: adaptive reuse. Joined by Bob Diamond of Diamond Law Center, we explore how outdated office buildings, retail spaces, and industrial properties are being transformed into residential and mixed-use assets. As cities grapple with shifting work patterns and housing shortages, adaptive reuse offers both opportunity and complexity. Bob breaks down the legal frameworks, zoning hurdles, and regulatory challenges that can make or break these projects. From feasibility to financing, we examine what it takes to unlock value in existing structures—and why adaptive reuse is becoming a cornerstone of urban redevelopment.

May 1, 2026Episode 2281 hr 4 min

Bal Harbour and Surfside | Boroughs and Burbs Ep. 228

On this episode of Boroughs and Burbs, we explore one of South Florida’s most coveted beachfront corridors, Bal Harbour and Surfside with Rita Collins and Ray Jacomo of Douglas Elliman. These neighboring communities offer a unique blend of ultra-luxury living, walkability, and international appeal. From Bal Harbour’s iconic high-end condominiums and world-class retail to Surfside’s evolving residential landscape and family-friendly vibe, our guests break down what’s driving demand. We dive into pricing trends, limited inventory, new development, and the shifting buyer profile shaping the market today. Whether you’re seeking privacy, lifestyle, or long-term value, this episode provides a clear look at two of South Florida’s most sought-after addresses.

April 23, 2026Episode 2271 hr 2 min

Top Designer and Top Realtor Collaborations | Boroughs and Burbs Ep. 227

On Season 6, Episode #227 of Boroughs and Burbs, we explore the powerful intersection of real estate and design with two leaders in their fields: Louise Phillips Forbes of Brown Harris Stevens and Dahlia Jacob of Dahlia’s Day Interiors. From preparing listings to maximizing value, their collaboration shows how thoughtful design can transform a property and the outcome of a sale. We discuss how staging, renovation strategy, and aesthetic vision influence buyer perception, pricing, and speed to market. Where does design end and marketing begin? And how can agents and designers work together more effectively? Whether you’re selling, buying, or advising clients, this episode reveals how great partnerships create exceptional results.

April 17, 2026Episode 2261 hr 8 min

Market Update Q1 | Boroughs and Burbs Ep. 226

On Season 6, episode #226 of Boroughs and Burbs, we sit down with Jonathan Miller of Miller Samuelfor a clear-eyed look at the Q1 housing market. With headlines dominated by interest rates, inventory constraints, and shifting buyer behavior, what is actually happening beneath the surface? Jonathan breaks down the data versus the narrative, highlighting where markets are tightening, where they’re softening, and how pricing is really being set in today’s environment. We discuss the impact of policy, consumer sentiment, and regional divergence and what it all means heading into the rest of the year. If you want a fact-based perspective on where the market stands and where it may be headed this episode delivers.

April 9, 2026Episode 2251 hr 3 min

Waterfront Long Island vs Waterfront Connecticut | Boroughs and Burbs Ep. 225

On Season 6, episode #225 of Boroughs and Burbs, we explore one of the most coveted segments of the market, waterfront living, with a side-by-side look at Long Island vs. coastal Connecticut. Joined by Maria Babaev and Tom Tripodi of Douglas Elliman, we break down the key differences in lifestyle, pricing, inventory, and buyer demand across both shorelines. From sandy beaches and Hamptons estates to Connecticut’s quieter harbors and commuter-friendly towns, our guests share where value is emerging and what today’s buyers are prioritizing. We also tackle insurance, flood zones, and long-term investment considerations. If you’re considering a move to the water, this episode offers a clear-eyed comparison to help you choose the right coast.

April 2, 2026Episode 2241 hr 2 min

Houston | Boroughs and Burbs Ep. 224

On season 6, episode #224 of Boroughs and Burbs, we head to one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing markets in the country: Houston, Texas. Joined by Stephanie Aron-Weiss of Douglas Elliman and Casey Schrade of The Greater Houston Partnership, we unpack what’s driving Houston’s continued growth. From a booming energy sector and expanding medical and tech corridors to population influx and business-friendly policies, Houston is attracting both companies and homeowners at scale. We explore how these economic forces translate into housing demand, what types of properties are in highest demand, and how infrastructure and development are shaping the city’s future. If you want to understand Houston’s momentum—and what it means for real estate—this episode delivers.

March 26, 2026Episode 22357 min

Fisher Island | Boroughs & Burbs Ep. 223

On this episode of Boroughs & Burbs, we head to one of the most exclusive residential enclaves in the country: Fisher Island, Florida. Accessible only by ferry, private boat, or helicopter, this ultra-private community has become a global destination for wealth, discretion, and luxury living. Joining us are Lourdes Alatriste of Douglas Elliman and Karla Abaunza of Luxury Living Realty, who offer an insider’s view into this rarefied market. We explore who is buying, why Fisher Island continues to command premium pricing, and what makes its lifestyle—from private beach club to marina and golf—so unique. If you’re curious about the intersection of privacy, prestige, and real estate, this episode delivers a fascinating look inside a world few experience.