We’ve watched rock star real estate teams for many years and love to learn the value of how they work together in such a competitive marketplace. At the scale that agents, Kyle Rosko and Marcy Braun operate at, it’s a simply dizzying level. They are part of the uber-collective, Eklund | Gomes Team at Douglas Elliman, which closed over $2 billion two years in a row — and they just listed a house in East Hampton for $60 million.
We had to learn more.
Kyle and Marcy, since you teamed up in 2019, you’ve achieved great success on the East End quickly becoming one of the top-producing teams at Elliman. How did you do from 2020 and 2021 (YTD)?
Kyle Rosko: Yes, we have an incredibly strong partnership, and are proud to say that we were named the #3 Team in the Hamptons by volume in 2020, as well as top-producers by transactions. We were also thrilled to be recognized as being within the top 2 percent of realtors at Douglas Elliman. We’ve just been taking that positive momentum and building on it coming through 2021, pushing ourselves to an even higher level especially on the listing side. 2021 has been a tremendous year for us.
You have recently become part of the Eklund | Gomes Team. Are you the Hamptons branch of the team?
KR: That’s right and we’re so grateful to be a part of this exceptionally dynamic and incredibly high-performing team. It’s a dream next step for me and Marcy as we continue to grow our business. We are the Eklund | Gomes Hamptons Team Leads here on the ground in the Hamptons, bringing our local expertise and roughly $250 million in listings.
Marcy Braun: We are so excited supporting Eklund | Gomes as they start a new chapter in the evolution of their brand and expand into the Hamptons market. It’s been such a natural fit for us.
Your portfolio is quite vast and in the very top of the Hamptons price ranges. In fact, you’ve just listed a property for $60M in East Hampton. Can you tell us about the property and why it’s worth that price?
KR: 51 West End Road is a magical place. The privacy and exclusivity it offers is unparalleled, and the rarity of the grand yard with gardens and a pool, all overlooking the ocean with no dune obstruction whatsoever, is extraordinary. I’m always particularly inspired by light and how it complements the living experience. The property enjoys both sunrises over the Atlantic and sunsets over Georgica Pond. It’s spectacular.
You have another property in your inventory for $59.995,000 in Wainscott. Can you tell us a little more about that beautiful property?
KR: 30 Mathews is an incredible opportunity to have the finest south facing perch on all of the coveted Georgica Pond. To have 14 acres with 827 feet of waterfront on Georgica Pond that’s sub-dividable into two separate waterfront parcels is as rare as it gets. The current estate as it sits leaves the secondary plot of property completely untouched and developable if you choose to subdivide it. When subdivided, the secondary parcel is just under seven acres and would be able to accommodate a 10,000 square-foot home pool house and tennis.
Can you tell us how the pandemic affected your business in 2020 and 2021. How did the team pivot?
MB: When covid hit we were selling at a tremendous pace, all day, every day and we have been since March 2020. We were always focused, but we suddenly had no time for air.
KR: We were able to push ourselves to a level where we could understand what we were capable of, far beyond what we thought previously. We were able to build even stronger relationships with everybody in the brokerage community and all other aspects of getting deals done efficiently and effectively. But most importantly it brought us together in a way that is imperative in towards having the synergy necessary to perform at the highest level.
Are you personally seeing a permanent migration to the East End from city folk?
MB: Yes, and for some buyers it’s become much more of a necessary purchase instead of a mere desire. People are holding on to their investment in a much stronger fashion than before. Some are selling and downsizing but still have the need to own out here.
How many years of experience do you now have in selling homes on the East End?
KR: I joined Douglas Elliman in 2014 in Manhattan in the Tribeca Office and Hamptons office as a dual agent. Since 2016 I have been primarily focused on the Hamptons luxury market with a special expertise in all waterfront front properties and new development.
MB: I have a long background in real estate but started out in the Hamptons market in 2011. I joined Douglas Elliman in 2018 and partnered with Kyle a year later.
How did you get started in the industry? Are you locals?
KR: I was born and raised in the Hamptons as part of a fourth generation Southampton family, so you could say I grew up with real estate in my blood. I learned a lot about this business assisting and observing my father, a builder, developer, and master carpenter in the Hamptons, as he built incredible East End estates from top to bottom. And then went on to study real estate finance in college to fine tune my investment knowledge.
MB: I began in real estate in the 1980s in Manhattan, where I accomplished a lot and then took a hiatus to raise my family. I moved out to the East End in 2007 and fell in love with the culture of the Hamptons. I soon started scoping out real estate until I could devote all my time to it in 2010-2011. I knew it would require my full attention.
Are there any homes that you’ve sold that you’re particularly proud of?
KR: I sold one of my very good friends homes last year for over their asking price and that felt really good. Honestly, with every house I list and every buyer I represent I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work through every detail to get a deal across the finish line.
MB: Actually, there are a lot. I take great pride and pleasure knowing that my buyers have gotten a fabulous investment and are happy with their home. I also take pride in walking each deal across the finish line, as most are inherently riddled with details that must be closely attended to from beginning to end.
What advice would you give sellers right now?
KR: Work with someone you trust and take their advice confidently. A good broker will be able to guide you not only in this particular time/sale but for a lifetime of real estate transactions.
MB: If you are thinking of selling, now is the time! Certainly, it’s the time to realize the most out of your investment. With so little available on the market, homes are simply at a premium, and for those that are already built and ready to move into there will be multiple offers.
What about buyers? Is there a new objective towards attracting buyers to the scale of homes that you sell?
KR: Attracting buyers at the highest level is all about the proper channels of exposure to get in front of people of that caliber of purchase. Coupled with the tremendous team at Douglas Elliman PR and Marketing, Eklund | Gomes is a group that gives us incredible exposure. Most importantly it is having a seamless relationship with all of the great brokers that work in our community that have clients for properties at this level. We work really hard as a dynamic group here to be as effective as possible for our clients and customers.
What are some trends you are seeing in homes that are now important but weren’t prior to the Covid-19 outbreak?
MB: To some, privacy and a large yard has always been an important factor, but we are seeing that now more so than ever. Of course, there is also now a need for extra space in the home to work as people realize the flexibility to work remotely, so homes with multiple work spaces are often taken into great consideration. We’re seeing that even in the rental market. Renters are choosing homes with more room for family members to hunker down with you if needed.
What marketing channels are you using to market your exclusives and to attract sellers these days?
KR: Integrating high-quality images and video experiences into social media and digital content has been extremely effective. And now being able to integrate into the Eklund | Gomes team’s connectivity across all the luxury markets, and into that social media reach as a collective of top tier agents is so powerful.
How do you see the market playing out in 2021?
KR: 2021 should prove to be one of the strongest years we’ve seen with a lot to look forward to from the new generation of buyers that has come into the market. A lot of the first-time buyers have found a deep appreciation for what living out East has to offer and that brings a lot of energy to the market here.
MB: 2021 has already been a tremendous year, even more so than 2020 if you can believe it. In 2022, there will be more homes purchased that are yet to be built and for those buyers who need to be in before summer, we’ll spend even more time educating them on the specific properties that are available to them.
What do you do for fun when you’re not working?
KR: I love to surf and have a deep connection to the water. You can often find me at Ditch Plains or one of the amazing local beaches. I’m also a photographer and enjoy chasing a good Hamptons sunrise / sunset. I also explore all the coastline on my paddleboard or beach bike finding all the secret places with the best light and meditation locations.
MB: I enjoy taking a walk to the beach or I try to jump on my SoulCycle bike. Lately, I’ve picked up needlepoint as a way to unwind. I try to spend time with my huge family, and of course I enjoy baking my famous Challah bread for those who wait for it!
You can reach Kyle Rosko at kyle.rosko@elliman.com and Marcy Braun at marcy.braun@elliman.com.
