Real estate in New York City hit highs in 2024, while Los Angeles is dealing with the aftermath of devastating wildfires in January, which destroyed thousands of homes and crippled communities. “The cost of the damage has been estimated at $30 billion,” says Lea Porter of the Beverly Hills Estates. “This has driven values down substantially on the Westside as buyers and sellers are concerned about obtaining proper fire insurance at a reasonable price, if they can get it at all.” Economic uncertainty has also impacted the market, but luxury real estate buyers, says the Agency’s Mauricio Umansky, “want value and quality, and they’re taking their time. In times like these, trusted relationships matter more than ever. It’s not about chasing volume — it’s about smart deals, real service and guiding clients through uncertainty with confidence.”
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Cindy Ambuehl
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Christie’s International Real Estate
Ambuehl, whose 2024 sales hit $315 million, specializes in off-market transactions, making her the go-to agent for high-profile celebrity clientele. Her $40 million Brentwood deal for Kendrick Lamar set a record-high price at $2,000 per-square-foot.
No slowing down in the ultra-luxury market: “High-net-worth individuals are still looking to place their money in tangible assets, and real estate — especially in prime areas like Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica and Brentwood — continues to be seen as an appreciating investment. We’re seeing more inventory as we do our best to help secure a place for our clients to call home,” she says.
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Josh Altman, Matt Altman, Heather Altman, Jacob Greene
Image Credit: Courtesy Images Douglas Elliman
Josh Altman, brother Matt Altman, Josh’s wife, Heather Altman, and Jacob Green, mentored by the brothers, form a formidable force, posting a 2024 sales volume of $1 billion-plus. The team has worked with such notables as Mindy Kailing, Jodie Turner Smith and LL Cool J, among other boldface names. Recent moves include an Orange County office, and an outpost in Phoenix.
Goodnight and good luck: In October, Josh and Heather announced their decision to leave Bravo’s hit series “Million Dollar Listing,” after 13 years. “We just felt the time was right,” Altman told People. “We’ve kind of been on the fence the last couple years about if we kept pushing through. It was a very tough decision, and it’s bittersweet for us.”
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Santiago Arana
Image Credit: Courtesy Images The Agency
Arana handled such high-profile listings as Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s $68 million mansion. Notable closings include 13233 Riviera Ranch Rd. in Brentwood, which sold for $20.5 million, and 8201 Bellgave Pl. in L.A., which went for $25.6 million. Among his roster of clients are such names as Lady Gaga, LeBron James, Larry David, Rick Caruso, Tom Barrack and Anthony Hopkins.
Up in the air: The economic turmoil right now “creates uncertainty for the consumer, and when people are uncertain, they hold off on making purchases, which leads us into a slower market,” he says.
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Jeff Biebuyck and Dana Olmes
Image Credit: Courtesy Images Frontgate Real Estate at Compass
Heavy-hitters in the exclusive gated community of Hidden Hills, Biebuyck and Olmes work with high-net-worth individuals, many with specializations in entertainment and sports (Will and Jada Smith, Bret Saberhagen). Their 2024 sales volume reached $206 million, pushing their lifetime total over $2 billion mark.
Futurecast: They’ve noticed how socioeconomic uncertainty has affected the market. “Coupled with the election year and stock market volatility, including tariff fears, the luxury market has essentially hit the pause button. Affluent homeowners are in a unique position where they can afford to wait, and many are holding off on making moves until they have a clearer sense of where the market is headed,” they said in a statement.
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Noble Black
Image Credit: SARA FOX Douglas Elliman N.Y.
Sales volume for Black and his partners reached almost $418 million in 2024. His most recent sky-high property is a $90 million, 96th floor penthouse with panoramic views atop 432 Park Ave. His notable, showbiz-related sales include the longtime Carnegie Hill Fifth Avenue penthouse owned by Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward (listed for $9.95 million) and writer Joan Didion’s Upper East Side pre-war co-op in Lennox Hill.
Easy move-in: “Buyers continue to favor turn-key properties that require little to no work. Branded residences — which not only need no renovations but also come fully furnished and backed by a lifestyle brand — remain hugely popular among affluent buyers,” he notes.
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Alexander Boriskin and Michael Lorber
Image Credit: Courtesy Images Douglas Elliman
Lorber and Boriskin have helped to shape the trajectory of luxury real estate in New York City and the Hamptons, brokering top deals such as 685 Fifth Ave. #15A ($22 million), 685 Fifth Ave. penthouse C ($21 million) and 182 Franklin St. ($19 million).
Market trends: “Today’s buyers are focused on quality buildings, which are just as important as the neighborhood. We’re seeing influential buyers gravitate toward Fifth and Park Avenue corridors, West Village and Tribeca — neighborhoods with architectural charm and proximity to the best of New York living,” they said in a statement. “All-cash deals continue to dominate, and buyers want homes that elevate their lifestyle without sacrificing comfort or convenience.”
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Leighton Candler
Image Credit: Courtesy Images The Corcoran Group
Candler’s lifetime sales have crested $2.2 billion, and in February, her listing of Julia Koch’s 740 Park Ave. duplex sold for $45 million, reportedly to hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin. Additionally, Candler, in partnership with Coldwell Banker and Savills, has the listing of Gordon Pointe in Naples, Fla., which as of February, was considered the country’s most expensive real estate listing.
What’s hot: “Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Greenwich Village and Tribeca continue to lead the pack. These neighborhoods strike the perfect balance between historic charm and modern luxury, which is exactly what high-profile buyers are looking for to ensure they acquire a blue-chip holding,” Candler says.
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Carrie Chiang
Image Credit: Courtesy Image The Corcoran Group
With more than $10 billion in sales, Chiang has counted both celebrities and captains of industry among her clients since arriving on the scene in 1988. Market turmoil doesn’t seem to worry her most influential buyers.
Location, location, location: “Many global high-net-worth buyers want to be in Midtown or the Upper East Side, and right now, I’m focused on closing deals. These areas are close to business and cultural centers, which means they’re in the center of the action,” says Chiang, whose client list include Barbra Streisand, Jim Carrey, Derek Jeter and Tamara Mellon.
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Steven Cohen
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Douglas Elliman
Cohen and his team not only nail down notable deals on high-end properties, but their embrace of social media has also created more visibility for the team and its listings — their YouTube video on the origin of iconic New York City stoops has more than 1.5 million views. Cohen is also actively involved with the Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation, conserving one of the largest Gilded Age mansions.
A quiet place: As for what today’s buyers are looking for, he says, “There’s been a quiet resurgence of the porte-cochere — the modern porte-cochére is all about invisibility. There is a greater need to have a transition from the energy of the street, especially in Manhattan, into a more serene and serviced home environment.”
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Chris Cortazzo
Image Credit: SERGIO GARCIA Compass, Malibu
An expert in his hometown Malibu’s real estate, Cortazzo’s sales numbers reflect the enclave’s top-of-market values. His lifetime sales volume is $10 billion, and his volume was $625 million in 2024 alone. He represented one of Southern California’s most iconic mid-century modern homes in 2024: the Wave House (designed Harry Gesner) overlooking the Pacific Ocean, which sold for $29.5 million.
Disaster’s impact: “The confluence of recent wildfires and the prevailing economic uncertainty has created a nuanced dynamic which has understandably led to localized shifts in inventory. However, home prices are beginning to stabilize due to the lack of inventory, whereas in other Westside markets, we’re seeing instances of property values declining.”
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Sandro Dazzan
Image Credit: Courtesy Image The Agency, Malibu
In 2024, Dazzan hit $235 million in sales, with notable transactions including the sale of 24186 Case Ct. ($61 million) and a current notable listing is 6153 Bonsall Drive at $24.9 million. “Following the Palisades fire, the Malibu real estate market has experienced a slight slowdown, which aligns with historical trends,” he says. “Typically, we see a four-to-six-month cooling period after major fire events, as buyers and sellers reassess. However, with the recent stretch of great weather, there’s been a noticeable increase in showing activity and buyer inquiries, suggesting early signs of recovery.”
Beach landing: “Although we’ve seen some shifts in demand and a cautious approach from certain buyers, the luxury market here in Malibu continues to attract serious interest, especially in desirable locations where inventory is limited.”
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Fredrik Eklund and John Gomes
Image Credit: Courtesy Images Douglas Elliman, N.Y.
With $4 billion in sales the last four years, Eklund and Gomes have much to celebrate in addition to their successful 20-year business partnership and expanded national presence. Major sales include a duplex apartment on the 107th and 108th floors of Central Park Tower (217 W 57th St.) that closed in late 2024 for more than $117 million.
Stay well: “Health is wealth these days, so we’re finding a tremendous interest in wellness amenities, such as cold plunges, infrared saunas, steam rooms, meditation rooms and more. Gone are the days where a gym was good enough,” they say in a statement.
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Drew Fenton
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Carolwood Estates
Fenton’s 2024 sales hit $750 million, while his career sales volume reached $8 billion-plus, with high-profile clients including Miranda Kerr and Evan Spiegel, Cher, Eva Chow and Nick Candy. Last year, he represented the four highest residential sales in Beverly Hills, while Carolwood celebrated its second year of operation with $3.2 billion sales volume and 104 transactions over $10 million.
Walk on the West side: “Demand for homes in Santa Monica, the Beverly Hills Flats and other neighborhoods that are walkable and centrally located have increased dramatically since the wildfires,” says Fenton. “Higher-end markets remain resilient, with recent stock market volatility making prime real estate very attractive.”
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Josh Flagg
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Compass
Flagg’s lifetime sales volume rose to $3.5 billion after a very busy 2024, and he has sold homes to various celebrities, including Adam Levine, Steve Aoki, Shonda Rhymes, Tom Ford, members of the Getty family and the DeBartolo family, and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” producer Gavin Polone. Flagg sits on the boards of several charities including the Los Angeles Jewish Home.
Property shifts: The tragic wildfires have greatly impacted the business in various ways, he notes. “The market immediately shifted and the prices of properties, for lease and sale, changed. Similarly to the onset of COVID, people started buying real estate during one of the biggest acts of gods.”
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Sally Forster Jones
Image Credit: Lauren Hurt Photography Forster Jones Intl. & Associates
Jones has closed more than 6,000 transactions, totaling $11 billion-plus in career sales, while building a top-performing team. Her 2024 sales volume reached $305 million, with notable clients including Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, and Minecraft creator Markus Persson.
Behavior change: “We’ve seen the leasing market surge in the aftermath, and properties that had been listed for months or even years have now sold. This is especially true for homes that are located as close to the burn areas as possible, as former residents seek to live close to their previous neighborhoods.”
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Cathy Franklin
Image Credit: Justin Aharoni The Corcoran Group
Franklin is a top tier, 30-year veteran, and for two consecutive years (2022 and 2023), she was named Corcoran’s top-producing agent nationwide. Her 2024 sales volume hit nearly $215 million while lifetime sales volume rose to approximately $6 billion.
Unique properties: “Buyers are seeking homes that offer key characteristics that are difficult — or impossible — to replicate. Residences that offer large rooms for entertaining, high ceilings, gracious floor plans and intricate craftsmanship are not always easy to find. Real estate in prime locations near the best parks, cultural institutions and restaurants remains coveted.”
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Tomer Fridman
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California
Fridman did $322 million in 2024 sales, and sold 60% of the Rosewood Residences Beverly Hills before the building was delivered, while setting the record for the most expensive condo sale of the year at Beverly West. Meanwhile, he handled deals for Nicolas Cage in Malibu and Leah Remini in Studio City, while listing Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner’s estate.
Landscape change: “The fires hyper-stimulated the real estate market. With the amount of families displaced, purchases went significantly over asking price, while cost and availability of fire insurance still remains a constant issue for residents.”
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Carl Gambino
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Gambino Group, Compass
With over $2 billion in career sales ($396 million in 2024), Gambino has continually broken records while representing big names in business, sports and entertainment. Gambino Group operates in six markets: New York, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, North Fork and the Hamptons.
Unstable market + environmental concerns trending: “We’re seeing buyers look for weather-resilient properties in all markets. Our clients view economic uncertainty as an opportunity, and we actually had one of our best first quarters ever,” he says.
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Ginger Glass
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Compass
If you’re looking for a property with a celebrity pedigree, Glass has two recent listings that might appeal to you: the Los Angeles home of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck and the manse of Mark Wahlberg, both of which have an asking price of $68 million. Licensed as a real estate agent and an attorney, Glass recorded more than $470 million in sales last year, pushing her lifetime total past $3.5 billion.
Trending amenity: “Buyers are asking for homes with usable theaters for family use on main floors only and not too big so they can use [them] without a commercial or basement feel.”
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Steve Gold
Image Credit: Courtesy Image The Corcoran Group, N.Y.
One of the stars of Netflix’s “Selling the City,” Gold’s career sales volume exceeds $30 billion, bolstered by a 2024 take of approximately $850 million. Along with Corcoran’s Deborah Kern, he reps the luxury condominium residences at One High Line (designed by architect Bjarke Ingels), where a penthouse unit closed for $47 million in December 2024.
Solid investment: “Any time there is ‘uncertainty’ in the global markets it does give some buyers pause. But real estate is the only tangible investment you can also live in and enjoy. Life doesn’t wait for the economy to be ‘perfect’ so clients — especially at the high-end — are making lifestyle-driven moves to fit their current situation,” he says.
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Zach Goldsmith
Image Credit: Courtesy Image The Agency
Goldsmith’s expertise in high-end and luxury properties has made him a showbiz favorite. Sales include a historic Hollywood Hills home sold to Lily-Rose Depp and a $23 million Beverly Hills compound redesigned by Commune Design. He is also bringing the former Jerry Weintraub estate back to market for $28 million following a remodel and is developing a 20,000-square-foot Brentwood estate in collaboration with architect Noah Walker, a project anticipated to be worth over $80 million.
Insurance policy: “There have been significant trends for buyers seeking refuge from ‘high fire’ zones and neighborhoods. For those who have the means, they are flocking to neighborhoods like the ‘flats’ of Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. Not just for safety but for insurance purposes, with many neighborhoods north of Sunset being unable to obtain significant fire insurance for the foreseeable future,” he says.
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Deborah Grubman
Image Credit: Courtesy Image The Corcoran Group
Grubman’s 2024 sales volume hit $154 million, with A-list clients including Hugh Jackman, Rupert Murdoch, Suzy Welch and David Geffen, Recently, her listing of Scott Rudin’s home at 22 Bank St. sold for $19.75 million.
Empire state of mind: “What’s great about real estate in New York is its variety. Each part of the city has its own allure that attracts buyers to that specific neighborhood. One of the things that set New York apart is that there truly is something for everyone,” she says.
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Jack Harris and Michael Fahimian
Image Credit: Courtesy Image The Beverly Hills Estates
Both agents demonstrated an early passion for real estate, starting in the biz at age 18. In 2024, they hit $215.5 million in sales, with the $62 million Collingwood Place leading their top transactions. Choice listings include 521 N. Canon Dr. ($31 million) and 545 Chalette Dr. ($26.95 million).
Easy peasy: “The fires have really spiked the market on the Westside, specifically Brentwood and Santa Monica. Most of the turnkey inventory on the market in those areas have sold due to fire victims needing a new home.”
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Frances Katzen
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Douglas Elliman
Katzen has sold out some of New York City’s most prized new development projects, including the Charles, 35XV, Chelsea Modern, 34 Greene St., 60 White and 64 East 1st. Consistently featured as an expert on national media outlets including NBC’s “Today,” she’s grossed $3.5 billion in total sales, with annual sales approaching $500 million.
Safe spaces: “Buyers are seeking properties that feel like sanctuaries — spaces that offer natural light, generous square footage, outdoor access and minimal need for upgrades,” she says. “There’s a clear shift toward move-in ready homes that support a more seamless, comfortable lifestyle.”
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Deborah Kern
Image Credit: Courtesy Image The Corcoran Group
In March, Kern represented the seller of New York City’s highest-priced sale of the year-to-date. The $82.5 million residence encompassed the entire 45th floor of 220 Central Park South. In 2024, Kern negotiated the sale of two units in the same building for $81.5 million. Current listings include a prestige penthouse at One High Line and a custom duplex at 224 Mulberry Street. Photog Annie Leibovitz and media mogul Byron Allen of Allen Media Group are two of her high-profile clients.
Busy times: “It’s simply too early to quantify any effects” of the uncertain economic times. “I am pleased to report that the market is still busy, and apartments are trading”
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Aaron Kirman
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Christie’s International Real Estate
Kirman specializes in historic homes, exemplified by two mid-century modern listings he handled last year: Ryan Murphy’s the Brown House, a Richard Neutra-designed home built in 1955, and famed architect Peter Koenig’s personal residence, known as Koenig No. 2. He also closed the $112 million sale of the Bel Air estate owned by George Ruan, co-founder of the coupon app Honey.
Fire threat no dealbreaker: “Ultimately, if a property is iconic, rare and priced right, the luxury buyer still moves,” says Kirman, who had $1.7 billion in sales last year. “Risk doesn’t override desire at this level; it just redirects it.”
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David Kramer
Image Credit: Marc & Tiffany Angeles David Kramer Group, Compass
Kramer closed big deals in West L.A.’s Brentwood neighborhood, including the sale of “Seinfeld” producer Andrew Scheinman’s home ($17 million) and Formula 1 heiress Petra Ecclestone’s sale of one home ($36 million) and the purchase of another ($30.5 million). He also sold and bought homes for D.J. Zedd in Encino for $17.125 million and $18.4 million, respectively, as well as repped him on the $18.35 million sale of a Benedict Canyon home to “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris.
Nesting instinct: “Buyers are gravitating toward warmer, more inviting interiors — homes that feel like a true sanctuary,” says Kramer, who has $1.7 billion-plus in lifetime sales.
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Kayla Lee
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Serhant.
Lee, who began in banking and finance, specializes in architecturally significant properties, and has played a pivotal role in the success of such New York developments as the Huron by Morris Adjmi, selling and closing on more than 120 units at Huron and racking up a yearly sales total of $289 million. Her clients include media and entertainment industry figures.
Luxe sells: “Even with all the noise in today’s economy, the luxury market is holding strong — but today’s buyers are more thoughtful and intentional. They’re focusing on the long-term; they’re looking for real, lasting value in established, prestigious locations. We are seeing a spike in all-cash deals because nobody wants to overpay due to high interest rates.”
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Jade Mills
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Coldwell Banker Realty
The discreet Mills works with many A-listers, hence her discretion and success with the denizens of the entertainment industry. Some notable 2024 sales include 11 Beverly Ridge, listed for $29.9 million, and 815 Cord Circle, which was listed for $28.5 million.
Residential resilience: Mills says that while she did a lot of short-term leases right away, “we have since seen many people now wanting to purchase, but we are feeling at this point most people impacted from the fire have found temporary housing. All in all, it has been a terrible tragedy, but we are all resilient and hopefully we are all working together to put this in the past.”
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Linda May
Image Credit: Nicholas Reid Carolwood Estates
Over the years, May has closed more than $4.5 billion in sales, repping notable properties such as the estate of the late Paramount chief Brad Grey ($70 million) and the onetime home of comedian Fanny Brice. Her $218 million worth of 2024 sales include “Cheers” co-creator James Burrows’ Bel Air estate ($21.5 million) and Castillo del Lago ($18.9 million), a Hollywood Hills home once owned by Madonna. She also repped the buyer in the $40 million purchase of a Bel Air estate designed by architect Richard Manion.
Uncertain economy equals opportunity: “Buyers who have been searching for the right home for a while are now seeing the chance to purchase at more strategic price points,”
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Cooper Mount
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Carolwood Estates
Mount repped the buyer in 2024’s highest on-market sale in Malibu, the $70 million purchase of the Edge, an estate in Scott Gillen’s ultra-exclusive Unvarnished collection of California coastline properties. All told, he closed $323 million in deals in 2024, bringing him to a lifetime total of $1 billion, with other notable transactions that include handling the buy-side of the $20.8 million purchase of late music lawyer Abe Somer’s home in the Bird Streets neighborhood of the Hollywood Hills.
Avoid triggering sticker shock: “Aspirational pricing is deterring buyers from transacting, but when there is a great home that is priced appropriately, transactions are still taking place,” he says.
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Clayton Orrigo and Stephen Ferrara
Image Credit: Courtesy Images Compass
Ranked as the No. 1 mega-team in New York City by RealTrends, the team closed $1.2 billion in 2024, marking its fourth consecutive year that it has reached over $1 billion annually. Notable transactions include 138-140 West 11th Street, in which they repped the buyer, for $72.5 million, making it the most expensive townhouse in downtown Manhattan’s history.
Move-in ready: “Buyers this year are prioritizing turnkey properties with larger bed counts, private outdoor space and premier locations in the city, particularly the westside downtown and prime blocks in Noho and the Village, where the views and lifestyle are unmatched,” said the pair in a statement.
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David Parnes and James Harris
Image Credit: Courtesy Images Carolwood Estates
Parnes and Harris handled $940 million in sales last year, bringing their lifetime total to $4 billion. The past year saw the duo rep both the buyer (Afterpay co-founder Nick Molnar) and the seller (singer Robbie Williams) in the $67.5 million sale of the Holmby Hills estate once owned by comedian Fanny Brice, the inspiration for the musical “Funny Girl,” and broker the $24.95 million sale of Rihanna’s penthouse condo, which marked the highest such transaction of 2024 in Century City
The ultra-luxury market remains resilient: “Buyers are more mindful of insurance availability and fire safety, but demand for prime locations hasn’t slowed,” says Harris. “It’s more about due diligence than deterrence.”
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Lea Porter
Image Credit: Courtesy Image The Beverly Hills Estates
Marquee deals by Porter include selling Gwyneth Paltrow’s $22 million Brentwood manse with guesthouse and repping the buyers of Jennifer Lopez’s $34 million Bel Air estate. Since 2021, Porter has averaged $150 million in annual sales. Among her current listings are the Tudor-style, former Harry Warner estate in Beverly Hills (listed at $34.9 million) and a mid-century modern built for comedian Groucho Marx in Trousdale Estates ($19.5 million).
On pause: “I have seen a lot of my clients and friends being unable to decide whether to rebuild or sell their vacant lots,” she says about the impact of L.A.’s January fires. “Most are just standing on the sidelines for the time being trying to determine what their next move should be or will be. This has caused a stagnation of all transactions for the Westside.”
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The Joyce Rey Team
Image Credit: Courtesy Images Coldwell Banker Realty
Rey repped and closed the highest lot sale in the history of the Beverly Hills Post Office — although the address remains confidential, the unique property went for nearly $75 million. Rey has guided the likes of Lionel Richie, Taylor Hackford and Helen Mirren, the Schwarzenegger family and Chris Pratt through the L.A. real estate jungle.
Demand on the rise: “As far as luxury real estate is concerned, the fires have increased buyer demand for both leases and sales in the neighborhoods near where the fires occurred as well as other prime neighborhoods,” Rey says about the January fires in L.A., while noting that economic uncertainty has had a negative effect on wealthy buyers.
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Ryan Serhant
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Serhant.
Serhant closed nearly $800 million in 2024, while running a production studio, releasing his third book, and starring in and producing the hit Netflix series “Owning Manhattan.” He also leads the marketing and sales for Mercedes-Benz Places Miami. Serhant also announced a $45 million equity funding round to further develop Serhant.’s proprietary AI workflow platform for real estate agents, S.MPLE.
Quality over quantity: “When markets are uncertain, we generally see a flight to quality, and that’s exactly what’s happening now,” he says.
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Marc Shevin, Hanna Shevin and Sara Shevin
Image Credit: Courtesy Images Douglas Elliman
Top purveyors of luxe real estate in Southern California’s exclusive Hidden Hills and Calabasas, the Shevin Team notes that local properties are getting a boost from the construction of the L.A. Rams’ practice facility in Woodland Hills, drawing players and coaches to the area that has already attracted the Kardashian-Jenners, and Jennifer Lopez. The 2024 sales volume of the team was $208 million, with transactions hitting above $20 million.
Cozy community: “The construction and sale of larger new homes in Hidden Hills, on the big private, acre-plus lots is drawing a diverse clientele to the area. … that want good schools, excellent security, and a low-key lifestyle,” they said in a statement.
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Jim St. André
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Compass
With 2024 total sales volume exceeding $250 million, St. André recently closed (with Peter Zaitzeff of Serhant) on 150 Charles St. at $60 million, the highest price achieved for a downtown apartment.
Bullish outlook: “The luxury real estate market has been off to a robust start in 2025, with record setting sales, strong sales volume and velocity. Despite tariff uncertainty and the potential for a global meltdown, luxury buyers will be undeterred and continue to absorb what little inventory remains at upwardly spiraling prices.”
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Tracy Tutor
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Compass
Tutor burnished her reputation on Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing,” and her reach on social media has expanded her profile and her take on luxury real estate marketing, reaching a global audience. Indeed, she serves as an ambassador for the Royal Atlantis development in Dubai and Costa Palmas development in Los Cabos. Tutor is also a representative of the West Hollywood Edition Hotel and Residences, designed by British architect John Pawson and created by hotelier Ian Schrager.
Double dipping: “We’ve seen a growing interest in dual-market ownership — especially between Los Angeles and tax-friendly states like Texas and Florida — as clients look to diversify their real estate portfolios while maintaining a footprint in L.A.”
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Mauricio Umansky
Image Credit: Courtesy Image The Agency
The Umansky Team earned recognition as the No. 2 team in L.A. by RealTrends. The team closed over $305 million in real estate transactions in 2024, including the penthouse at 8899 Beverly Blvd. — for which they are exclusive reps — for $24 million. The team is also the exclusive rep for the Four Seasons Private Residences.
Safe havens: “From the start, our priority was to protect and support our agents, clients and the broader community. We mobilized quickly, sharing real-time updates, sourcing housing options and raising funds for those who lost everything,” Umansky says. “I also joined several top agents in urging the city to prevent price gouging.”
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Branden Williams and Rayni Williams
Image Credit: Courtesy Images The Beverly Hills Estates
The Williamses find that their hyper-focused, geographically driven strategy has allowed them to thrive in an unpredictable market — volume of sales in 2024 was $1.3 billion.
Support system: In the wake of the January wildfires in Los Angeles, they have helped their clients navigate loss and find solutions to the devastation of losing a home. “Despite these challenges, the resilience and unity among Angelenos are evident, as the community comes together to rebuild and support one another during this difficult time,” they said in a statement.
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Peter Zaitzeff
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Serhant.
Zaitzeff closed $295 million in 2024 sales, earning a rep as the expert for architecturally significant properties, regularly transacting in iconic buildings like 520 West 28th St. by Zaha Hadid. Notable sales include 150 Charles, 9A at $60 million, and 150 Charles St. garage parking spot sales at $15 million total, with individual parking spaces selling for $450,000 each.
More opps: “Uncertain environments often result in increased opportunities in real estate, as high-end investors often look to the asset class for a less volatile/correlated experience vs. stocks or other publicly traded assets,” he says.
