New Yorker of the Week

JanSat 2010 Filed in: New Yorker of the Week

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Michael Bhagwandin

Craft: Real Estate Agent
Lives: Chelsea
Why we think he’s cool: Doesn’t let the recession stop him.
Where to find him: http://citi-habitat
Interview by: José

Jose: You came from Florida almost two years ago. Was it real estate that brought you here?
Michael: No. Actually, I was in hospitality when I was in Florida. My old boss accepted a position as an assistant general manager at the Desmond Tutu Center in Chelsea and brought me with her to take the job. Unfortunately, this was when the economy went downhill and I ended up getting laid off.

J: So how did real estate happen?
M: It was something I was always interested in. I bought my first house when I was 19, living in Florida. It’s interesting, because I had told my parents a month before that I wanted to go to real estate school and get my license. It was something I put out to the universe, so when I got laid off, I wasn’t mad at all. Funny how that works.

J: It was still pretty ballsy to get into real estate at that time, don’t you think?
M: Yeah, but you know what? I knew it was something that I would be good at, because it was something that I enjoyed. Considering that I just got into the game, I’ve done pretty well.

J:  Do you work alone?
M: No. I work with my business partner, Brian Goldfarb, out of the City Habitat office near the Flatiron Building on 22nd Street. Brian has been great. He’s taken me under his wing and has given me a lot of guidance.

J:  Do you mostly do rentals? And where are most of your listings?
M: I do rentals, but I just got my first sales client through a referral from a client I’ve worked with, so that’s something I’m looking forward to. I’ve done deals on the Upper West Side, Hell’s Kitchen and I have a listing in the East Village, but most of my listings are in Chelsea. Because I live there, I’m really familiar with the real estate there and know what moves.

J: I used to live in Chelsea. How do you like the neighborhood?
M: I love it! There isn’t any other neighborhood I’d rather live in right now.

J: Well, you know, to live in Chelsea means to make sure you have your lipstick on before going to the deli. You can’t go out there looking busted!
M: [laughs] I know what you mean! And that’s what I love about it.

J: Have you ever shown a listing to a couple and thought, “They are never going to work once they live together.”
M: No, but you know what I have been getting? I’ve had clients who are in the middle of a bad relationship but want an apartment before they end it. I’ve done a lot of deals like that.

J: I remember back in ’02 when I worked in a restaurant in Chelsea, they had just built an apartment building across the street where the studios started at $2,000. I was shocked.
M: And what’s interesting is because of the economy, I’ve got studios for $1400. That has actually been what has generated business. With the economy being down right now the rents have gone down 20-25%. A lot of people have moved, either because they have lost their jobs or been downsized. It’s kind of opened up the rental market, so a lot of people from the boroughs have come into the city. Clients I’ve worked with from Queens and Brooklyn who were paying cheap rent can afford to live in the city again.

J: What’s in demand right now?
M:  One bedrooms. On the City Habitat website we get about 4 million hits a month, and the most in demand are one bedrooms, for sure.

J: Are people ever interested in places that are furnished?
M: Yeah, I actually had some clients from Egypt whom I showed apartments to in Midtown.

J: Wow. All the way from Egypt?
M: That was an interesting scenario. They were pregnant and wanted to have their baby in America so that the baby would be an American citizen.

J: What would you say is your ammo when trying to rent to clients? Do you use your charm? Do you flirt? What gets the job done?
M: [laughs] I think honesty. I tell people right off the bat to be honest and tell me exactly how they feel about each apartment. I let them know to be comfortable with me, because if I’m going to help them find something they’re going to love, I need to know what they’re looking for. Sometimes clients don’t want to tell you how they’re feeling, because they’re concerned it's going to hurt my feelings, which is silly. At the end of the day, honesty and your integrity are what’s most important.

J: What does your dream home look like?
M: This might sound crazy, but I LOVE my apartment that I have now. I live on 20th Street, which is the third best street in New York City, according to Time Out magazine. It’s a huge apartment with high ceilings and a great view of The General Theological Seminary.

J: Oh wow. Beautiful place.
M: It is. I wake up every day and think “Wow, I live in NYC. I have a beautiful view of greenery--trees and this beautiful garden.” It’s also a two-elevator building with a laundry. Everything I could possibly want. I’m extremely happy and grateful.

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How did Michael answer our Outsider questions?

1. List five things in your fridge.
M: Milk, peanut butter, yogurt, Cool Whip and fudgsicles.
2. What are you going to do differently this year?
M: Focus on getting in great shape.
3. What's your favorite NY icon? Person, place or thing.
M: The Empire State Building. I have a great view of it.
4. Which crowd would you avoid? Tourists in Times Square. shoppers on Canal Street, or New Yorkers during rush hour?
M: Times Square between 4:00 and 7:00 PM. It’s CRAZY.
5. Describe your ideal NY Date.
M: I had a great date where we walked all the way down the west side to the Statue of Liberty. We went through a street fair, then went out for dinner, walked around some more and ended it with a goodbye kiss at the train station. That was ideal.

Tags: Jose, new york