I just can’t.  I cannot condone Fredrik’s behavior.  Unfortunately I also cannot argue with success.  I can however, not like his ways and means…The meeting that Michael called was the right thing to do.  We were shown a very ugly side of Fredrik and Michael was right, he was condescending.  I would go on to further say arrogant.  There is a way to treat people and interact with colleagues and what we saw tonight was not the right way.  The building needed action and Michael’s motives were pure in that he wanted to see if he could eventually work with Fredrik for the sake of sales.  We saw a positive change in Michael’s approach as he came out of his shell and challenged Fredrik. Unfortunately we saw a side of Fredrik we know exists.  Michael’s decision to pull out of the listing was surprising.  There is a lot of money and reputation at stake in the sale of this building.  He did make the right decision in the end because he was purely trying to think about the needs of his client above personal gain.  I think the developer will remember what happened here and possibly work with Michael again.  When Fredrik met with Zach to discuss the next steps and Michael’s departure, he again acted unprofessionally and had an air about him that was way too relaxed.  Bringing his lunch into the meeting or should I say sashaying into the meeting was wrong and unprofessional.  At the end of the day Zach has to sell units and will not care about broker dynamics.  Everyone should be working together for a common goal.  Fredrik was the wild card here but wild cards make royal flushes sometimes!  And a royal flush is the best hand at poker and Fredrik came out on top tonight.  His showing at 949 Park was done well.  He knew the apartment inside and out and informed his clients of all the correct and pertinent information.  One item that must have made the editing room floor was the process in showing the out of towners additional listings.  I am sure that Fredrik arranged to see additional apartments and did not just show 949.  In the real world, after learning and understanding your client’s needs, you at least show 3 spaces at a minimum to make sure the clients see what’s out there.  Another surprising fact was that as his clients left 949, Fredrik did not give them any marketing paraphernalia.  I always leave my clients with some type of material so when they are discussing things later, there is material to reference.  In the end Fredrik made the sale.  He negotiated really well, stood his ground and then made a great save when the buyers almost backed out.  In this business you have to be creative and Fredrik does it well.  As much as I may ramble on about his character and ethics, he gets the job done.  I will say though that if I had to make a deal with the devil it would be Fredrik I would call…

I was so happy that we did not have to witness Ryan on a date, looking in the mirror or being Ryan.  We watched him in action working deals.  Thank you Bravo!!  When Ryan received the call when he was at the gym, the next scene we saw was the showings.  Once again, editing was at work.  It never goes like that.  In order to be successful, you have to understand the needs of your client.  I am sure there were follow up discussions so Ryan could prepare and show apartments that met the client’s needs and expectations.  What we saw tonight with Nick and Penelope was something no one could have prepared for.  Their interactions were uncomfortable to watch.  They disagreed at every turn and to show a side of themselves to the world was rough.  I am not saying that doesn’t happen in real life but to openly disagree in front of the broker in that manner doesn’t happen that often.  The negativity and lack of imagination on the side of buyers happens a lot.  As brokers, we have to manage that and provide vision in the dark sometimes.  This business as well as life is filled with people that are brash and outspoken.  It becomes much more emotional when people are spending millions of dollars and buying a place for their family.  I was starting to think that Penelope subscribed to the Fredrik Eklund School of etiquette.  I think Ryan did a good job in managing the situation.  Ryan is in a tough spot with these clients but I am sure he will come out on top.

Michael’s opportunity on 11^th ave is fantastic.  A beautiful, standout building designed by a world famous architect, right up his alley.  As we saw the brokers open unfold, we witnessed how it should be done.  All too many times this season, as brokers showed up to open houses, things were not prepared.  Michael arrived early, made sure everything was being done right and arranged properly and was in command of his show.  That’s how it’s done boys! (Ryan & Fredrik)  The party was a success.  Michael worked the room flawlessly and everyone was having a good time.  It was a great atmosphere.  Utilizing the penthouse space and then bringing people a few floors below to the unit was a great plan.  I hope that when Fredrik watched tonight’s episode he realized that Michael is a way better ally than an opponent.  I loved when he said he was spending his money on the open house knowing that as he spent his nickels they would return as dimes.. Mazul tov!  We witnessed a side of Michael tonight that was knowledgeable and classy.  There is a definite difference in quality as opposed to quantity.  We were left hanging as to the outcome of the offer Michael received on an apartment.  It was a $2.5MM offer on a $3.5MM asking price.  Significantly lower.  He has his work cut out for him.  I think he will get it done!!!

As has become the norm, I will end tonight’s blog with this….

Life is short.  Make the most of every day.  Don’t sweat the small stuff.  Take nothing for granted.  Kiss your loved ones and go the extra mile to make sure you tell them you love them.  Money is nice but not necessary for true fulfillment or happiness.  Friends and family are important.  Don’t be so consumed with yourself or your career that you miss that dance recital or sports event for the children in your life.  If life has thrown you lemons, make lemonade.  The anxiety of a situation is normally far worse than the reality so take things day by day and even minute by minute if that works.  Eat that piece of cake if you want it, don’t over-deprive yourself of life’s little pleasures.  I hope you get the drift.  I say this tonight because of a tragedy that has occurred in the life of a business associate of mine.  A contractor that works for me in my real estate development business tragically lost his 19 year old son in a accident this past weekend.  While away at college, he fell 2 stories to his death.  I spoke to my colleague on Monday when he told me the news.  He is devastated.  I was so upset by this I turned my car around, went home and hugged and kissed my wife and children.  Tragedies happen all around us, just turn on the news.  We feel insulated from what we see and hear until it happens close to home.  Well it happened close to home for me this week and I will do my best to live by what I wrote tonight.  Thank you