Where It All Started
I grew up in Queens, New York—a place where every block tells a different story. You could walk a few minutes and find yourself in a completely different world, surrounded by new languages, smells, and sights. One block might be lined with old brownstones, another filled with corner stores and family-run restaurants, and yet another buzzing with construction on the next big apartment building.
My parents were real estate investors, so from an early age I was learning to see more than just buildings. My mom had this knack for spotting a property that everyone else overlooked. She could see not just what it was, but what it could become. My dad was the one who made that vision real—he was all about the renovation and transformation. Watching them work taught me something important: the value of a property isn’t always obvious to everyone.
That lesson stuck with me. Even now, decades later, when I look at a property or a market, I’m not just looking at what’s in front of me. I’m reading between the lines.
The Streets Were My First Market Reports
Before I ever studied real estate formally, I learned to read the “market” in a way most people don’t. In Queens, the signs of change were everywhere if you knew what to look for. A new coffee shop opening in a long-vacant storefront? That was more than caffeine—it was a signal that the neighborhood was attracting a different crowd. Construction crews working weekends? That meant deadlines were tight and demand was high.
These weren’t numbers on a spreadsheet. They were living, breathing signals of change. I learned that the market speaks in its own language, and once you understand it, you can see opportunity almost anywhere.
When I moved into my real estate career in West Palm Beach, I realized that skill was transferable. Reading the streets of Queens wasn’t all that different from reading the streets of Florida—it was about paying attention to the little shifts before they turned into big headlines.
Opportunity Isn’t Always Obvious
In both life and real estate, the best opportunities aren’t always dressed up and ready for the spotlight. In Queens, my parents sometimes bought properties that others wouldn’t touch. Maybe the exterior was worn down or the layout was outdated. But they looked past the surface. They knew what a coat of paint, a smart renovation, and the right positioning could do.
I’ve carried that same mindset into my own work. When I walk into a property that looks a little tired, I see potential. I see a bigger kitchen where a wall could come down, or an outdoor space that could be transformed into a selling point. More importantly, I see how changes in the neighborhood—new businesses, better infrastructure, shifting demographics—can completely change the value of a property in just a few years.
The key is being able to connect the dots between where a property is today and where it could be tomorrow.
Patterns Are Everywhere
In real estate, people talk about “reading the market,” but for me, it’s about seeing patterns. In Queens, I noticed that certain areas would start to change when specific things happened—maybe a new transit stop was announced, or a big employer moved into the area. Those changes didn’t guarantee an instant boom, but they created a ripple effect.
In Florida, I use that same pattern recognition. When I see a new school being built, a big shopping center breaking ground, or an influx of young professionals moving in, I know the clock has started. Prices might not reflect it yet, but give it time, and they will.
What I learned in Queens was that by the time the headlines announce a “hot market,” the real opportunity has already passed for the early movers. You have to spot the signals before they become obvious to everyone else.
People Are the Real Market Indicators
One of the biggest lessons from my upbringing is that markets aren’t just made of properties—they’re made of people. In Queens, the neighborhood feel could shift just from the types of businesses opening, the languages you’d hear on the street, or even the way people dressed.
That’s something I pay close attention to in my work today. Numbers matter—sales data, inventory, price trends—but the human side of the market is just as important. When I see a neighborhood start attracting artists, entrepreneurs, or families, I know it’s going to evolve. The challenge is figuring out how fast and in what direction, so I can guide clients to make smart moves.
From Queens Streets to Florida Deals
People sometimes ask if growing up in a place as busy and diverse as Queens really prepared me for the Florida market. The answer is yes—because once you know how to read the signals, you can apply that anywhere.
In West Palm Beach, I’ve been able to help clients find properties in areas that are on the verge of growth. I’ve also helped investors see potential in places others dismissed. Those wins didn’t come from guesswork—they came from paying attention to the same kinds of patterns I first noticed as a kid walking down the streets of Queens.
The Map Is Always Changing
The thing about real estate is that it’s never static. Neighborhoods evolve, tastes shift, and opportunities come and go. What my upbringing gave me was the ability to treat the market like a map—one that’s always being redrawn. I’ve learned that if you keep your eyes open, trust your instincts, and respect the small signals, you can find opportunities in any city, at any time.
For me, reading the market isn’t about waiting for someone to point out the next big thing. It’s about finding it yourself, long before it’s obvious. That’s a skill I’ll always credit to those early years in Queens—and it’s one I use every single day in my work.