This week, we shine the Executive Spotlight on Jared Antin, the newly appointed Executive Director of our East Side office and a Crain’s Rising Star in Real Estate. After a successful 15-year tenure at Elegran, Jared brings his deep industry expertise, passion for agent development, and a forward-thinking approach to Brown Harris Stevens. In the interview, Jared shares why he made the leap to BHS, his outlook on the current NYC market, the power of brand legacy, and what’s on his agenda for the first 100 days.
You joined Brown Harris Stevens this week after 15 years at Elegran, why did you decide BHS was best for your next chapter of your career?
A few reasons. Having spent most of my career at a privately held firm, I value the agility, trust, and alignment that comes with that structure. At BHS, I saw a company that leads with integrity, not just in brand, but in how it treats its people.
What sealed it for me was the agent-first culture. I believe we serve at the feet of our agents. Our job is to create space, structure, and support for them to thrive. I was also aligned with Bess and the firm’s position on marketplace transparency and Clear Cooperation. BHS stands for what’s right, even when it’s not easy, and that matters.
And of course, BHS’s legacy speaks for itself. When the opportunity arose to help steward its next chapter, I couldn’t pass it up. I’m grateful to be here and excited to partner with this incredible team.
How do you see the NYC market in general performing right now based on your recent agent experiences?
In a word: normal. And that feels… strange. I don’t think we’ve seen a truly balanced market since 2010–2011, before the post-recession boom years.
The market today is, as I’ve coined it, punishingly efficient. It’s a broker’s market, not skewed in favor of buyers or sellers. Correct pricing, sharp presentation, and the right composition are essential. Buyers are patient, savvy, and fearful of overpaying.
Zoom in, and you’ll see the luxury market is strong, thanks to cash buyers and some opportunistic foreign capital taking advantage of the weaker dollar. The mid-market, more rate-sensitive and reliant on financing, is moving more cautiously and weighing the rent-vs-buy tradeoff carefully.
You were heavily involved in training and coaching at your previous company, share with us your most important word of advice for an agent?
Be client-centric, not listing-centric. Too many agents begin by asking, “What are you looking for?” and race off to find matching inventory. But that’s reactive.
The real work starts with listening. Why is the client making a move? What are their goals? What do they value…and why? When you build trust first and establish a shared framework, you’re not just a salesperson. You’re a trusted advisor. That’s where the magic happens. And from there, you can together identify the criteria and suitable inventory.
You were instrumental in bringing the Forbes partnership to Elegran in the time that they had that, share with us the value of a brand especially one like a 153 year old legacy brand like BHS?
A great brand opens doors and buys you time to earn trust. It shapes how you’re received and perceived before you say a word.
When your name is associated with a legacy brand like BHS, people expect a certain level of quality, care, and credibility. That positive bias often creates the opportunity to demonstrate your value, whereas without it, that door may never open.
It’s a powerful advantage when paired with professionalism and substance.
Share with us what you would like to accomplish in your first 100 days of an executive at BHS?
First and foremost, I want to listen. I want to understand how things work, what’s valued, and where people see growth opportunities.
This firm has incredible talent. I want to meet with people, learn from them, and build relationships. From there, I’ll look for high-impact, low-lift initiatives to create early wins and add meaningful value.
You were a recent guest on the MoRE Network on Vince’s popular Talking New York Real Estate Podcast, what value do you see in that medium?
It’s a rare opportunity to speak with agents and consumers simultaneously.
So often, our messaging is siloed. Broker-speak or consumer-facing talk that misses the nuance. Podcasts bridge that gap. They enable us to elevate the conversation, educate the public, and help reshape the perception of what truly great agents do.
In this era of shifting rules and rising expectations, we have a real opportunity to show up differently —and more importantly —better.
Share something few know about you.
I’m an introverted extrovert. I enjoy connecting with people, whether it’s a strategy session, a coaching conversation, or just bouncing ideas around in the hallway. But I need quieter moments to recharge.
There’s this window right before I fall asleep, when I’m half-awake, half-dreaming, where everything goes quiet and the best ideas seem to surface.
In a business that moves fast and pulls you in a dozen directions, I’ve learned how important it is to step back sometimes. That quiet space is where I process, reset, and make sense of things. It helps me come back sharper, clearer, and more focused on what matters.
Share a photo that means a lot to you and share why.
This photo was taken in Maui. When I stood in this spot, it felt like I had stepped into a classic tropical desktop background: the ocean, a perfectly placed palm tree, and an endless blue sky. It was perfect. Serene, beautiful, and still.
It’s my “happy place”, a mental snapshot I come back to when I need to reset, refocus, and find clarity.
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