Halstead Property

Diane M. Ramirez
President
dramirez@halstead.com
(212) 381-3203

Sharon E. Michnay
Executive Director of Corporate Business Development
smichnay@halstead.com
(212) 381-6521

Luxury Redefined

With Halstead Property, finding the perfect home is a tailor-made experience

By Caleb Rocco

Halstead Property, LLC Has always dealt in luxury residences, but up until recently they have been known as a quiet company. In the past year, however, they have rebranded themselves to reflect their new focus on the luxury market.  Unlike Christie’s or Sotheby’s – companies who brought their brand identity to the real estate world – Halstead is creating a luxury brand from within the world of real estate. Apart from its innate familiarity with the business, one of the key advantages Halstead claims is its status as a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, a global network of real estate brokerages.  This vast real estate network closed more million-dollar plus property deals than any other single entity.  Thus it has always been one of the most significant forces in the luxury market, even though – until recently - it has not been vocal about this fact.

Last September, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World launched its luxury home marketing program, Luxury Portfolio.  Not only is Halstead the exclusive member of Luxury Portfolio in Manhattan, they are also charter members of the program, and have had an instrumental role in shaping the direction of the world-wide initiative.  Through its partnership with Luxury Portfolio, Halstead is now positioned to bring more to the table than any other New York based luxury real estate company.  Diane M. Ramirez, president of Halstead Property, notes that Halstead now offers services and resources that up to now has not been made available on the luxury market.  For example, luxuryportfolio.com – with its newsletter and wildly popular “luxury blog” – is much more than just a venue for listings.  The website is also available in five languages, and offers conversion rates for 22 currencies, a testament to the truly cosmopolitan character of Halstead and its multi-national affiliates. 

Perhaps the most important key to Halstead’s command of the luxury market is their depth of understanding about what luxury means today.  Knowing that luxury can’t be stereotyped and – in real estate – is no longer found only in the usual handful of locations, Halstead recognizes that the essence of luxury is a personal matter.  “Luxury is in the eye of the beholder,” says Sharon E. Michnay, Halstead’s director of corporate business development.  As such, Halstead has made efforts to focus on the individuality of each consumer.  They produce a beautifully crafted hard-cover marketing book – unique in the industry – that agents can tailor to the specific needs and interests of each client.  In addition, Halstead’s membership in a global real estate network means that they are able connect clients with affiliates in foreign markets, an invaluable resource when considering real estate abroad.  With 11 offices in New York, and innumerable sister offices networked in far-flung locales across the globe, Halstead seems extremely well positioned in its bid to set a new standard for luxury realty in New York City.

Thursday, March 01, 2007