Blair Brandt – Next Step Realty NYC

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) How got involved with the show “Next Step Realty NYC?”

A) We have been for many years now building a really exciting quickly growing business in New York. We have a really interesting, up and coming youthful characters that are a big part of my non-TV cast for a long time. As far as the types of clients we were servicing and the way our apartment tours were unfolding as to how our office operates, we really just created something that was interesting and entertaining. For over a year, we had production companies approach us to bring the idea to TV. We didn’t really find the right fit until we met with Lincoln Square Productions who were in house at ABC and Disney, which I liked because I know that with ABC their relationships with the network are kind of important. They also seemed to have their stuff together and were passionate about the project. They had done a lot of research and had a very clear vision for it, which was aligned with us.

Q) Where does your passion for real estate come from?

A) That’s a good question. One thing is that when I was growing up I remember moving all the time. Until I was five I lived in New York City and then my family moved down to South Florida, where we lived for a few years. I went away for high school, but as long as I can remember we were moving a lot and kind of being a traveler. I think something about that has really engrained in me this idea of a constant, consistent home. That passion for it translated into a business. We have these kids relocating from all over the country who are unfamiliar with New York City who have achieved a lot. They are getting great job offers and are excited for their life in New York, but have no idea how to find an apartment. Our job is to not only make limbo tolerable, but pleasant and fun. I think that is how I got interested in the idea of real estate and real estate brokerage (finding people their home). We really provide a custom, concierge style apartment tour that gives you all the options to find the right one. The other way I got into it was that when I was graduating college I had a job locked in at an investment bank in New York City. The college I attended has “Beach Week,” which is right before graduation students head to Myrtle Beach for a week. While I was there, I got an email that my internship got cancelled. This was in 2006, when things were still not economically sound. When I found that out, I realized my hopes and dreams of being in finance were misled because people think by getting one those jobs you are guaranteed security. In times of a bad economy, you find out nothing that gives you security so you might as well pursue the things that you love. I went down to South Florida and stayed with my mother for a bit. Luckily, my first week there I went to a cocktail party and met a fantastic real estate broker looking for an assistant. So, I spent over a year learning about luxury real estate brokerage in Palm Beach, Florida.

Q)  From watching yourself on TV, have you learned anything about strategies or what you could change to better help find homes?

A) The truth is, the show films for six months of the year and it catches little tidbits that go on. But I observe our company at all times so whether I’m watching the show or I’m just looking through our offices. I have Founder’s Tours where I actually go on the apartment tour with the Next Step broker with their client to see how the tour is going and see how clients are reacting to our services and the marketplace. I think what I have learned from this show is you have to constantly be learning and observing what you are doing to improve upon it. I do that while watching and while the cameras are on as well. I think I’ve learned more about myself from watching the show than I have about the company’s operation. It’s hard to really dissect ways to improve the real estate stuff from watching the show because I see ten times more in real life than watching episodes as to what to improve. In terms of my own personality, it is very hard to be self aware and understand what kind of character you are than how other people perceive you. I have learned a lot about myself and the office’s perception of me. I’ve kind of had to become the “dad” of the group, in a way. When you take on that position, you kind of grow up really fast. I’m actually a really nice, fun guy. On the show though, in the office environment, I come off as very, very serious. It’s true, but there is also another side of me. I’ve learned more about myself and the difference between my office character and my out of office character. One thing I’d like to do is merge them more so people can get to know me better as a more well rounded person.

Q) What kind of feedback have you received from family and friends?

A) It’s been all over the place. I’ve had some people who have said like, “I can’t believe you let that guy talk to you that way without firing him,” or “I can’t believe you let that person get away with saying that about Margit.” I hear things like that and I also hear things like, “I’m so proud of you. I remember when you told me about the idea for Next Step Realty and now you have four offices, people working for you and a show on national cable.” So, there are different perspectives. I think, with anything, there are two sides with people who are lovers and supporters and people who are haters. There is a lot to learn from each of those groups and I have had both sides of feedback.

Q) What has been your favorite moment from filming “Next Step Realty NYC?”

A) It is one we haven’t seen it. It will air in episode six, which is coming on tonight. It was a scene where I go to look for apartments because my girlfriend and I were moving in together. We go to look at an apartment and I explain to her (which I hadn’t done earlier in our relationship) why the idea of “home” is so important to me and the values I place on that. It’s an honest scene. It’s a personal scene and you see me get to talk about my earlier life. Like I said in the question earlier, I talk about how the earlier components of my life set the stage for this company and for this show. As we are looking for this apartment, I let her in and I let the audience in as well. I am really happy to see this scene because mostly it has been me in the boardroom or chastising or employees that didn’t do a good job. Those are the types of scenes that the cameras gravitated towards when filming the show and I’m excited to get in the second half of the series like with episode six where you see a different side of me.

Q) Real estate can be a 24/7/365 job. How do you balance your personal and professional life?

A) That’s a great question. I would say that is the million dollar question for someone who is a) in real estate b) on TV and c) an entrepreneur because all of those things are a full time job. When you stop filming, you aren’t no longer “Blair from NYC.” You go out to dinner and someone recognizes you and says, “Hey! I love your show.” It’s like anyone who has a growing audience is a full time job. Also, as you mentioned, real estate is a full time job because clients are always thinking about their next move or a new home. Those conversations don’t stop. Then, being an entrepreneur is also a 24/7 job because I have twenty-nine people working for me and they all have questions, concerns and ideas. What I have really learned to do is take premeditated five or six day vacations throughout the year where I shut my phone off, I don’t check in and leave the company in the hands of my assistants. Delegation is really my answer to the question. I found great people who love the company and understand the way that I want to run it. In my absence, they will help me run it. When I am in the city and in the day-to-day of it, what I try to do is to make sure to get some exercise in. I know that some people think lunch breaks are for wussies, but I love taking a nice little lunch break and clearing my thoughts. Sometimes I take a notepad with me and write down some notes, just to get out of the office setting. So, I think it is just about taking breaks and not being totally attached to your phone 24/7. You have to put some limits on yourself. Luckily, if you find things you like to do outside of work, you have an incentive to put your phone down because there is something else you would rather be doing for a short amount of time.

Q) Where can fans go online to keep up with you?

A) I have a Facebook fanpage. On Twitter, I tweet a few times a day put little tidbits in there. I showcase my personal life on Instagram. All of my handles are @BlairBrandt. With the company, we view social media as a way to keep in touch with our fanbase and our audience – and most importantly our clients. We are constantly updating our website as well. I would just say @NextStepRealty for social media. We post on a daily basis to keep in touch with people.