Real Takk Podcast

Nick Ptak is a second-generation Phoenician — Sunnyslope High School, Arizona State University — and he's ranked in the top 2% of the more than 50,000 Realtors in the Phoenix market for several years running. Nick works across the Valley, from central Phoenix to Scottsdale to Gilbert. His niche: digging up off-market deals for buyers and investors, advising clients through the design and build of new construction, and delivering five-star, white-glove service at every price point. His philosophy is simple — anticipate problems before they happen and talk to your client every single day. Nick's a dad of three, married to Erica, who runs a marketing and branding agency for small businesses and realtors.    He's a die-hard Arizona sports fan and plays a lot of basketball and pickleball, and heads up the dad club at his kids' school.     Please give Nick a follow: Instagram @nativeazrealtor His sports podcast: Native AZ Sports Show Compass Website   Personal Website   Follow Me More:  Instagram LinkedIn X   

Today we're discussing NYC's newly implemented pied-à-terre tax on condominiums only.  We discussed co-ops last week, so they are the second-most-common inventory for NYC real estate buyers & owners.  The tax affects about 17,500 co-ops and condos that clear the city’s $1 million official-value line. Only about one-third to one-half of those are real second homes after you pull out people who actually live there. Call it maybe 6,000 to 8,500 apartments. A tiny slice of the city, but important information to know for buyers & owners of NYC.  Thank you, as always, for listening, and we will be sure to send more updates as they come!    Follow Me More:  Instagram LinkedIn X 

We're back on today's topic: the NYC Pied-à-terre tax, focusing purely on co-ops. The mathematics for co-ops is tricky & most definitely not what you think, or perhaps what the CITY thinks!   Follow Me More:  Instagram LinkedIn X 

Today on the show we’re joined by Reese Chase, Real Estate Advisor with Compass in South Florida.   Reese didn’t come up the traditional way. He got his start renovating investment properties—tearing into the bones of homes, figuring out what actually creates value, and learning firsthand what makes a property sell. That hands-on construction background still shapes how he works with clients today, whether he’s helping sellers maximize equity before listing or guiding buyers through both the purchase and potential rehab. Now based in the Broward County market, Reese brings deep local knowledge from Plantation to the coast, with a particular strength in investment properties, rehabs, and larger estate and acreage deals. He’s closed over $50 million in career sales and is known for combining that renovator’s eye with strong negotiation and a no-nonsense, service-first approach. When he’s not working deals, you’ll usually find him on the water—fishing both the east and west coasts of Florida. For Reese, boating and fishing aren’t just hobbies; they’re how he stays connected to the South Florida lifestyle he helps his clients live every day. We’re excited to dig into his path, the South Florida market, and what he’s seeing right now. Follow him on Instagram at reesechase.re Follow Me More:  Instagram LinkedIn X 

My special guest on this episode is none other than my friend who shares a name with one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time — but this is definitely not Tom Brady, the NFL legend. No touchdowns on the field here, but plenty in the investment sales game.   Tom Brady & I first met almost two decades ago at what was once known as Town Real Estate, here in the same office we’re in today on 5th Avenue & 17th Street. Fast forward to today: Tom was recently a Managing Director at BKREA (BK Real Estate Advisors), run by Bob Knakal, also a friend of the pod, and has since transitioned to Douglas Elliman Commercial.    With nearly two decades in the NYC commercial real estate trenches, Tom specializes in Manhattan’s mixed-use and multifamily investment sales. He’s been closing major deals, including the Friars Club, a historic elevator building spanning 15K square feet across six floors with 33 feet of frontage, offering stunning architecture and flexible potential for private club, hospitality, embassy, or luxury residential use. The club in its heyday boasted members including Johnny Carson, Jimmy Fallon, and Joan Rivers, and was known for its comedy roasts of showbiz legends.    From navigating interest rates and office recovery to spotting opportunities in an evolving market, Tom brings that street-level expertise and war stories you don’t want to miss.   Please give Tom a follow on IG @TVBNYC  

It’s officially the start of the summer season — and in true solo pod fashion, we’re kicking it off with a timely breakdown of the brand new NYC Pied-à-Terre Tax that just got enacted.   In this episode, I walk through exactly how the new surcharge works (Phase 1 vs. Phase 2), why the crazy-low DOF market value on high-end condos actually shields many owners from the tax in both phases, and what the switch to comparable sales in 2028 could mean in the long term.   Then we zoom out: the never-ending “tax the rich” playbook in NYC and beyond. I compare the actual tax landscape of 2021–2026 (post-COVID, Inflation Reduction Act, state cuts vs targeted hikes) against 2005–2010 (recession-era increases) at the federal, state, and major city levels. Property taxes, mansion taxes, transfer taxes, income surtaxes — who’s really raising what, and how much?   Follow me for more:  LinkedIn X Instagram YouTube  

Pleased to have my friend & industry veteran, Justin Rubinstein, founder of J. Rubinstein Homes, back on the pod. We jump on this quick episode to discuss the newly proposed pied-à-terre tax by Mayor Mamdani. We discuss the pros, cons, and likely pain points of this tax, as well as the political climate in our real estate industry.    I end the episode by reading the recently released letter from Vornado Realty Trust CEO Steve Roth, which he addressed at a recent REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York) conference.   Please check out Justin's updated website, along with his recent interview with our Founder & CEO, Rob Reffkin, here or here!   Follow my socials:  Instagram LinkedIn X  

Very excited to have Brandon Polakoff, Principal and Head of NYC Investment Sales at Avison Young, join us on this episode of the Real Takk Pod.  Based in the firm’s New York City office, Brandon leads a team of more than 30 professionals, guiding clients through the sale of multifamily, office, development, and retail assets across New York City and beyond.  Brandon joined Avison Young in 2018 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of the company’s youngest Principals. He’s been involved in approximately $5 billion in transactions and has consistently ranked as the top producer for Avison Young’s Tri-State Investment Sales group, and has earned multiple awards in the commercial field since.   Prior to joining Avison Young, Brandon worked in investment sales at Cushman & Wakefield (following its acquisition of Massey Knakal Realty Services), with earlier experience and internships at Silverstein Properties and Beacon Capital Partners. He brings over a decade of specialized experience, particularly in the multifamily sector, where he has helped build and scale Avison Young’s platform in the region. A highly regarded leader in commercial real estate, Brandon’s accolades include: Commercial Observer’s Power 100 list (2024 and 2025) Commercial Observer’s 30 Under 30 Crain’s New York Rising Stars and Notable Leaders in Real Estate GlobeSt’s 50 Under 40 and Aspiring Leaders Connect Media’s Next Generation Award And multiple “Ones to Watch” and Rising Stars honors from New York Real Estate Journal and Real Estate Weekly Brandon holds a BA in Economics from Trinity College, where he was a member of the lacrosse team and earned All-Academic and All-Sportsmanship honors.  Please follow Brandon on LinkedIn & Instagram, and check his listings on the company website.

I’m excited to bring Gabe Phillips onto The Real Takk Podcast. Gabe is the founder and CEO of Catalyst Power, a New York-based integrated energy company that’s helping mid-market commercial and industrial businesses across the Northeast decarbonize their operations without the burden of upfront costs. Gabe’s journey in energy began with trading electricity and gas at Sempra Energy Trading. He went on to found GP Energy Management, a full-service energy trading and risk management platform, which he successfully built and sold. From there, he launched Catalyst Power from the ground up, creating a true one-stop shop for building owners: retail electricity supply, cogeneration, on-site solar, battery storage, community solar, and EV charging infrastructure. The goal is simple but powerful — dramatically lower energy bills while shrinking the carbon footprint. Gabe was recently named one of Goldman Sachs’ Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs of 2025, and his expertise lands right at the intersection of commercial real estate, sustainability, and the evolving way New York buildings are powered. With Local Law 97 penalties now in full effect, this discussion is more relevant than ever for our audience of property owners and managers. Catalyst Power's Website Gabe's LinkedIn 

I am thrilled to have Ann Korchak, the Board President of the Small Property Owners of New York, or SPONY. What exactly is SPONY? They are a non-profit, all-volunteer advocacy and education organization founded in 1984. It represents small housing providers—primarily independent, family-owned landlords and multi-generational businesses in New York City (and, to some extent, statewide)—who own and manage smaller multifamily buildings (often with an average of around 11 units per member, many of whom live in or alongside their properties). In short, SPONY positions itself as the voice for the "little guy" in NYC's housing ecosystem: small-scale landlords who provide a significant portion of the city's rental stock but face disproportionate burdens from overregulation, high costs, and policies that favor larger entities or tenants over owners without adequate protections. Anna has become a powerful voice in Albany and at City Hall—testifying on issues like tax liens, good cause eviction, rent guidelines, and policies like COPA —always pushing for balanced, sustainable solutions that support both owners and tenants without driving small providers out of business. She's been featured in outlets like the New York Post, The Real Deal, the NYT, and at various industry events, as recently as 72 hours ago.  Please follow her organization on:  Spony's X Spony's Instagram SPONY's Website Ann's LinkedIn