The Key to Winning: How To Work Smarter in Manhattan Real Estate

Manhattan's real estate scene is all about high stakes and rapid changes, where playing it smart is the key to winning big.

In this cutthroat environment, old-school buying and selling just doesn't cut it anymore. The real game-changer? Being operationally sharp. This is more than just fancy business talk; it makes or breaks success in a market that's as rewarding as it is tough.

Racquel Balkaran, a pro in the field, knows exactly what it takes to make it in Manhattan: "Manhattan real estate is a different beast," she shares. "Here, it's less about the properties we list and more about how we juggle everything from marketing to closing deals."

For Racquel, it's like being the maestro of a complex symphony. It's all about nailing the market, tuning into clients' needs, and consistently delivering top-notch service. 

She explains, “Every part needs to sync up perfectly, from the pitch to the final walkthrough."

Racquel loves the variety and challenges each day brings, saying, “I love that every day is different - team dynamics, dealing with various deals. I enjoy bringing new ideas, and working with my team is a big part of what makes my job fun.”

At Trove Partners, Racquel's made a big splash as their Director of Operations. She's got a knack for tech, overseeing legal requirements, planning strategically, and overseeing everything. 

“One of my proudest moments was setting up our team’s infrastructure,” she reveals. “Seeing us grow from the beginning to where we are now has been amazing.”

Before Trove, she was building her skills at CreateMe Technologies and as a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson. Racquel's background in Media Studies and her early career internships have shaped her into a standout leader with a deep understanding of New York's business world.

Racquel and her team deal with all sorts of clients, from celebrities to students. "Our team has sold properties from one million to over a hundred million dollars in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Hamptons.

In a field where face-to-face connections and showings are key, Racquel stresses how tech is changing the game: "We're using data analytics for smarter marketing and automated systems to keep the deals flowing," she explains. "Our team is young but savvy with data. We're all about giving our clients the scoop on the market and finding those hidden gem properties for them. Our processes are efficient and quick, and we work with the nimbleness of a startup.”

Her forward-thinking approach has kept her team ahead of the curve. Racquel adds, "We gather data to keep our clients informed. Our goal is to be proactive, not just react to the market.”

For her, operational excellence also means making every second count in Manhattan's high-demand world: "Efficiency is our mantra. We've fine-tuned our processes so every step, from listing to closing, is streamlined without cutting any corners."

At the heart of Racquel's strategy is a commitment to making clients happy: "Our clients are everything to us. We're all about meeting and even predicting their needs, customizing our service for each person."

Despite relying on tech, Racquel knows the real magic in real estate is the human touch: "Real estate is fundamentally about people. Technology helps us, but the personal connection really seals the deal."

Ian Slater, Founder of Trove Partners, has worked with Racquel for three years and can't praise her enough. 

He finds her reliable, consistent, and trustworthy, like no one he's ever hired: "Real estate is super stressful and fast-paced, and Racquel's work ethic is the best I’ve seen. She’s always on point, efficient, and takes pride in her work. She's totally invested in making our brand the best."

He admires Racquel's courage to speak up: “She once told me straight up that my way was inefficient and unsafe, and she jumped right in to fix it.”

Ian credits Racquel with significant changes in the company: “She's made our contracts fairer, got everything legally sorted, and revamped our systems. It’s been a game-changer for my career. She’s really stepped up as our operations director, always helping and guiding the younger agents, and I hardly ever hear about it.”

Together, they've navigated growth, hirings, firings, and the chaos of growing a small business. “Racquel's been more than just a director; she's been a trusted advisor. She's spot-on with her judgment, always knowing what to do,” Ian says.

In the intense, high-pressure world of Manhattan real estate, Racquel's approach is all about being agile and quickly adapting to changes and client needs. "Operational excellence is what makes a team succeed. It's how we turn big dreams into real wins."

But Racquel's insights go beyond just Manhattan. She believes operational excellence is a universal principle: "Whether it's a skyscraper in Manhattan or a suburbia complex, the basics of being operationally great are the same." This adaptability is what makes her approach so effective.