Learn how these award-winning team members got their start in real estate and what they predict for the year ahead.
April is Team Month Here in Inman.Add nuance on a weekly basis team beat Through our email newsletter, we’ll provide top insights from the best team leaders in the country as we take a deeper look at how to build a team, scale a team, and even leave a team.
Name: Ashley Reddy Quinn and Nick Montalbano
Team Name: Elegran’s Asset Advisory Team | Forbes Global Real Estate
title: salesperson
experience: Year 10 (Quinn) and Year 11 (Montalbano)
market: 5 boroughs of New York City
Awards:
- 2015 REBNY Deal of the Year
- 2023 Elle Grande | Forbes Top Global Real Estate Transaction Volume
Team size: 4 people
Sales volume: US$150 million
What should readers know about your team?
Ashley: Our unwavering determination, unparalleled level of service, integrity and work ethic set us far above our peers.
gap: We have grown a lot over the years and continue to grow, and it’s amazing to see the progress. The future is limitless.
Our team comes from different backgrounds, but we all share the same values. We have some amazing growth stories. This shows up in the chemistry of our team; our clients can see that no matter who they talk to on the team, they’re meeting the same people.
How did you get started in real estate?
Ashley: My mom was my motivation to get into the world of real estate. She has always been a savvy investor, something I witnessed and experienced growing up.
I went to pre-college with the goal of becoming a dermatologist. During my sophomore year, I began to lose the spark, enthusiasm, and interest that I knew I needed to complete all of my undergraduate studies and then attend medical school to continue on this path. So, I found a job in fashion – another passion of mine.
Working in the fashion industry in New York is great, but I still miss that “can’t eat, can’t sleep” excitement and waking up in the car every morning. NYU did not have an undergraduate real estate program at the time (only graduate programs), so I decided to take classes in the evenings at the New York School of Real Estate.
There, Elegran CEO Michael Rossi gave a speech after a class. He had a lot of smart and interesting points, which prompted me to contact the company. After three rounds of interviews, I found myself joining Elegran in the spring of my senior year at NYU in March 2014 and closing my first deal during my commencement ceremony at Radio City Music Hall.
11 years in, it’s been a year full of challenges and rewards, with no end in sight
gap: IThis is a simple explanation for me. I’ve been sober for 25 years and it’s been a wild ride. I just did a 3 hour podcast, divided into three episodes. I really feel like if you read this, you will 100% understand me and my team. (If you’re interested, here’s episode 1, Episode 2 and Episode 3.)
What aspects of working in real estate do you wish more people knew about?
Ashley: It’s not everything you see on TV. The job is hard, endless, and sometimes thankless. It requires a lot of mental and physical effort (presenting to clients in New York City is literally exhausting). This is not for the faint of heart!
gap: I think a lot of people get into real estate to make quick money. But in fact, it’s not. It’s very difficult to do that and get to the top. A lot of sacrifices were made.
What are some things you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
Ashley: The most powerful word you can say is “no.” There’s tremendous power (and peace of mind) in knowing when a client or project isn’t the right fit. It is in everyone’s best interest to find more suitable references for clients/projects. Being able to focus on the projects and clients that best suit your skills and knowledge will make you the best agency possible in the long run.
gap: When I first started my business, it was easy to get attracted to the big deals. I was running around like a madman over a big thing, hoping it would be over, to prove to myself that I belonged here. Then I realized what was real and what chasing a whale was. But this experience has only helped me grow.
What’s the one thing you wish every agent knew?
Ashley: The hustle only gets harder.
gap: Busyness is real, and as your business grows, so does the hustle. You get out what you put into it.
Tell us about a high point in your career
Ashley: It’s always a high point when a client recommends our team to a new client or transacts with us again. Recommendations and/or repeat business are the best compliments we can receive in this industry. It tells the story of clients’ experiences working with us, both personally and professionally, because they wouldn’t continue to work with someone they didn’t like and didn’t feel comfortable with.
What is your biggest prediction for 2024?
Ashley: I believe we will start to see an increase in the pool of buyers and an increase in the number of listings. That being said, I think this will continue to be a tough market. Staying focused and truly focused on your client’s goals will help you survive the most challenging markets.
What makes a good leader?
gap: Know how to offer advice when needed, but also know that you don’t know everything and sometimes you need to sit back and listen to your team’s feedback.
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