Closed! NYC's Real Estate Podcast

Hosted by BFKP Productions

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Closed! focuses on hot button issues impacting New York City real estate professionals and consumers. Each episode takes a deep into a trending topic impacting the market. We hope you join us at the Closing table! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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60 recent

June 15, 202622 min

How FF&E Closes the Deal with Brave Ronquillo-Ascalon

On this episode of Closed!, recorded live at The Real Deal Forum, Lee and Emily sit down with Brave Ronquillo-Ascalon, a business development leader at Stage One, to talk about the role of staging and furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) in transforming how real estate is wholly experienced and ultimately sold to buyers.Brave breaks down why FF&E is the 5% that makes up 100% of a buyer's first impression of a development, demonstrating how the right lobby, amenity space, furniture selection, artwork, materials, and layout can shape their opinions before they ever step inside a unit. She discusses how Stage One works with developers and landlords as a one-stop procurement and furnishing partner to streamline increasingly complex new development projects. From the emotional impact of design to the practical risks of poor staging and designs, Brave explains why even a small slice of a project’s budget can define the entire sensory experience of a building.To learn more about Brave Ronquillo-Ascalon and Stage One, find Stage One on Instagram and LinkedIn, and as always, to learn more about Lee, Emily, and BFKP, visit bfkplaw.com.To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 12, 202616 min

Inside the Internet’s Weirdest Homes with Samir Mezrahi of Zillow Gone Wild

On this episode of Closed!, recorded live at The Real Deal Forum, Mike and Emily sit down with Samir Mezrahi, founder of Zillow Gone Wild, the viral real estate platform highlighting the most unusual and unexpected listings across the country.Samir talks about the origins of Zillow Gone Wild as a pandemic-era side project that grew into a multi-platform media brand with more than 4 million followers and a hit HGTV television franchise. He breaks down why real estate has become entertainment, what really makes a listing go viral, and how the strangest homes often reveal the most about the personal and creative choices people make with the spaces they live in.From secret gun ranges hidden beneath private go-kart tracks to 68,000-square-foot Alabama mansions, Samir offers a look inside the internet’s obsession with weird homes and why real estate is the best form of storytelling.To learn more about Samir Mezrahi and Zillow Gone Wild, follow @samir @zillowgonewild, and as always, to learn more about Mike, Emily, and BFKP, visit bfkplaw.com.To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 10, 202610 min

Stephen Siegel on Why New York’s Office Market Is Making a Comeback

On this episode of Closed!, recorded live at The Real Deal Forum, Lee and Mike sit down with Stephen Siegel, Chairman of Global Brokerage at CBRE and one of the most recognizable names in New York City brokerage, to talk about what the data is really saying about the recovery of the New York City office market.Stephen breaks down why the return-to-office conversation has shifted so dramatically since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, and why working from home was never going to replace in-person work. He discusses how financial services firms, law firms, AI companies, and other major users are reshaping the market, and why premium supply remains scarce. Stephen delves into flight-to-quality, rising rents across Class B buildings, and why landlords who invest in amenities and general improvements will see the market move in their favor.To learn more about Stephen Siegel and CBRE, visit cbre.com, and as always, to learn more about Lee, Mike, and BFKP, visit bfkplaw.com.To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 8, 202630 min

Building Gowanus from the Ground Up with Justin Pelsinger of Charney Companies

On this episode of Closed!, recorded live at The Real Deal Forum, Lee and Mike sit down with Justin Pelsinger, partner and COO of Charney Companies, to talk about how one of New York's most active developers is building at scale across Brooklyn and Queens.Justin breaks down how Charney got into Gowanus before the rezoning, how they closed a $450 million construction loan for a 55-story tower in Long Island City, and why relationships still drive large-scale financing in any market. He also gets into the Gowanus Wharf master-brand campus, their cultural cross-branding partnership with Brooklyn music venue Public Records, and why design is never just an afterthought.To learn more about Charney Companies, find them on Instagram @charneycompanies, and as always, to learn more about Lee and BFKP, visit bfkplaw.com.To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 3, 202624 min

Why Every Developer Needs a Tax Attorney with YuhTyng Patka

On this episode of Closed!, recorded live at The Real Deal Forum, Lee sits down with YuhTyng Patka, partner at Adler & Stachenfeld LLP, and one of the leading real estate tax attorneys in the country, to pull back the curtain on one of the most important and least understood forces shaping New York City real estate: property taxes and tax incentives.Tyng chairs her firm's New York City Real Estate Tax & Zoning Incentives Practice, its Climate Mobilization Act Task Force, and its PACE Financing Practice, and was recently named to Crain's 2026 Notable Women in Law. She works with owners and developers every day on tax certiorari proceedings, incentive programs, and the ever-evolving legislative landscape that determines whether a project pencils out or not.In this conversation, Tyng breaks down how the property tax system actually works, why the 485x incentive has spawned a wave of 99-unit buildings across the city, and what developers are leaving on the table as a result. She also shares how she uncovered that the city had been misclassifying properties and misinterpreting its own law, winning significant refunds for her clients in the process.Whether you are a developer, an owner, or a lawyer who wants to better understand the tax side of real estate, this one is not to be missed.To learn more about Tyng and Adler & Stachenfeld, visit www.adstach.com or find her on LinkedIn. And as always, to learn more about Lee, Mike, and BFKP, visit bfkplaw.comTo find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 1, 202618 min

Brown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman on Why Private Listings Hurt Everyone

On this episode of Closed!, recorded live at The Real Deal Forum, Lee and Mike sit down with Bess Freedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens, one of the most prominent privately held real estate firms in the country, to discuss one of the most contested debates in residential real estate right now: private listing networks.Bess brings decades of perspective to the conversation, from her early days as an assistant state's attorney and legal aid lawyer to leading one of New York's most storied brokerages. She breaks down exactly what private listing networks are, why she believes they hurt sellers and buyers alike, and why Brown Harris Stevens has chosen not to play the game despite having the network size to do so.She also shares her thoughts on price discovery, fiduciary duty, the states already moving to outlaw the practice, and why she thinks the whole thing is, in her words, a bunch of malarkey.If you work in residential real estate or are thinking about buying or selling a home, this one is essential listening.To learn more about Brown Harris Stevens, visit bhsusa.com, and as always, to learn more about Lee, Mike, and BFKP, visit bfkplaw.com. To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 28, 202614 min

Erin Hosler: Bringing 5 Star Hospitality to Residential Real Estate

On this episode of Closed!, recorded live at The Real Deal Forum, Lee sits down with Erin Hosler, Director of Residential Hospitality at First Service Residential New York, to discuss what it looks like when world-class hospitality meets residential property management.Erin brings over three decades of experience training service teams at some of the most recognized names in luxury hospitality, including The Ritz-Carlton, Soho House, the Langham, and more. Now, she's channeling that expertise into a first-of-its-kind training program at First Service, helping building teams across New York and beyond create meaningful, memorable experiences for residents.From the Ritz-Carlton's three-step service philosophy to crafting "wow moments" for residents, Erin breaks down why the little things, not the amenities, are what truly define a building's culture and keep residents happy. She also shares how she tailors training to individual building brands, navigates established teams, and even customized a full program around a pop star moving into one of her buildings.If you work in residential real estate, property management, or just love a great conversation about service and culture, this one is for you.To learn more about Erin and First Service Residential, find her on LinkedIn @https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhosler/, and as always, to learn more about Lee, Mike, and BFKP, visit bfkplaw.com.To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 26, 202625 min

Serhant's Peter Zaitzeff on What New Development Math Means for NYC Luxury Buyers

On this episode of Closed!, Lee Bergstein and Emily Ashe are joined by Peter Zaitzeff, Director of New Development Sales at SERHANT. With over $4.8 billion in career sales, Peter is a powerhouse in the New York City luxury market, recently co-brokering the record-breaking $60 million sale of a duplex at 150 Charles Street. Together, they explore the high-stakes world of elite real estate, from the strategic rebranding of iconic developments to the intimate, relationship-driven nature of ultra-luxury transactions.The conversation also dives into the shifting landscape of real estate media, Peter’s transition to a public-facing role on "Owning Manhattan," and the critical importance of authenticity in building a modern brand.If you love law, real estate, or New York City, then this is an episode for you.To learn more about Peter Zaitzeff, visit: serhant.com or follow him on Instagram @zaitzeffTo find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com.To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 11, 202641 min

The Truth About Co-Op Board Approvals in New York City (with Mark Levine)

On this episode of Closed!, Lee Bergstein is joined by Mark Levine, Principal at EBMG LLC, Accredited Property Management LLC, and Apex Management Group—one of New York City’s most active property managers, overseeing hundreds of co-op and condominium buildings across the city. Together, they break down one of the most frustrating and opaque parts of NYC real estate: the co-op board application process.From incomplete applications and internal board dynamics to the real reasons deals get delayed or denied, Mark offers a behind-the-scenes look at how these decisions are actually made—and where things most often go wrong. The conversation also dives into the upcoming legislation imposing strict timelines on board approvals, what it means for buyers, sellers, and boards, and whether it will truly fix the system or just create new challenges.Co-op approvals can make or break a deal—and they impact everyone involved. In this episode, Lee and Mark unpack the pain points, the pressure, and the potential reforms shaping the future of NYC real estate transactions.If you love law, real estate, or New York City, then this is an episode for you.To learn more about Mark Levine and his companies, visit: http://www.manageyourbuilding.com/ or ebmg.com. To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 29, 202631 min

Why the Best NYC Apartments Never Hit the Market (with Ian Slater)

On this episode of Closed!, Mike Flynn and Lee Bergstein are joined by Ian Slater, co-founder of Trove Partners at Compass and one of New York City’s top luxury residential brokers, to unpack what’s really happening at the highest end of the market. With over $2 billion in career sales and a team ranked among the best in the city, Ian brings a front-row perspective on how wealth, demand, and discretion are shaping luxury real estate today—and why the market is more complex than it appears.The luxury market in New York City isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s increasingly bifurcated by neighborhood, property type, and buyer profile. Ian breaks down how post-COVID wealth creation, especially among younger tech buyers, is driving demand, why much of the market now operates off-market, and how privacy concerns and social media have fundamentally changed how high-end deals get done. They also explore the rise of “horizontal mansions,” the impact of global events and policy shifts like a potential second-home tax, and why New York remains a stable asset for the ultra-wealthy despite ongoing volatility.If you care about luxury real estate, market dynamics, or how wealth is moving through New York City, this is an episode for you.Follow Ian Slater on social media and learn more about Trove Partners at trove-partners.com. To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.