Luxe Living
MELANIE GOLDBERGER Los Angeles Power Broker
By Zoe Benjamin
L
os Angeles native and real estate extraordinaire Melanie Goldberger has lived no ordinary life. Coming from a successful 20-year career in advertising sales in New York City, Goldberger has found herself as an even more successful real estate broker who has a deep understanding of what New Yorkers are looking for. How exactly has she managed to accomplish so much in two completely different professions? It all has to do with highlighting your best assets and evolving in a way that cultivates success. What is it about your approach that makes New Yorkers gravitate towards you? I tend to always gravitate towards New Yorkers; I know how they think, so I can reference items
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that they would appreciate. I believe my fast pace, humor and familiarity with what they go through after living in New York and coming to LA connects us. I have some clients that still live in New York and I’ve taken on the whole process for them; in a lot of ways, it’s helped me become a better agent. It’s easy for clients that work with me to be bi-coastal and live in both New York and LA. They’re very thankful for my assistance and I become friends with all of these people.
against multiple counter offers, especially the first-time home buyer market, which is extremely competitive. One of the things I do is give them a lay of the land of such a competitive market; all financials and other materials need to be ready to go. It’s important to get acquainted with the property’s listing agent and give them as much information about my client as possible. You have to be strategic and make sure your client is educated on the housing market.
What is your method when approaching clients? My husband always says, “I think you care too much.” We purchased our home in East Hampton, and then purchased our home out here; I can empathize with them in going through the process, especially in LA’s competitive market. We are up
What kind of trends do you currently see in Los Angeles, and where do you see value? We’re seeing a lot of the money that used to go to the New York market. There’s more foreign money coming in with overseas clients that are