Closed! NYC's Real Estate Podcast

On this episode of Closed!, recorded live at The Real Deal Forum, Lee sits down with YuhTyng Patka, partner at Adler & Stachenfeld LLP, and one of the leading real estate tax attorneys in the country, to pull back the curtain on one of the most important and least understood forces shaping New York City real estate: property taxes and tax incentives.

Tyng chairs her firm's New York City Real Estate Tax & Zoning Incentives Practice, its Climate Mobilization Act Task Force, and its PACE Financing Practice, and was recently named to Crain's 2026 Notable Women in Law. She works with owners and developers every day on tax certiorari proceedings, incentive programs, and the ever-evolving legislative landscape that determines whether a project pencils out or not.

In this conversation, Tyng breaks down how the property tax system actually works, why the 485x incentive has spawned a wave of 99-unit buildings across the city, and what developers are leaving on the table as a result. She also shares how she uncovered that the city had been misclassifying properties and misinterpreting its own law, winning significant refunds for her clients in the process.

Whether you are a developer, an owner, or a lawyer who wants to better understand the tax side of real estate, this one is not to be missed.

To learn more about Tyng and Adler & Stachenfeld, visit www.adstach.com or find her on LinkedIn. And as always, to learn more about Lee, Mike, and BFKP, visit bfkplaw.com
To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com.
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On this episode of Closed!, recorded live at The Real Deal Forum, Lee and Mike sit down with Bess Freedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens, one of the most prominent privately held real estate firms in the country, to discuss one of the most contested debates in residential real estate right now: private listing networks.

Bess brings decades of perspective to the conversation, from her early days as an assistant state's attorney and legal aid lawyer to leading one of New York's most storied brokerages. She breaks down exactly what private listing networks are, why she believes they hurt sellers and buyers alike, and why Brown Harris Stevens has chosen not to play the game despite having the network size to do so.

She also shares her thoughts on price discovery, fiduciary duty, the states already moving to outlaw the practice, and why she thinks the whole thing is, in her words, a bunch of malarkey.

If you work in residential real estate or are thinking about buying or selling a home, this one is essential listening.

To learn more about Brown Harris Stevens, visit bhsusa.com, and as always, to learn more about Lee, Mike, and BFKP, visit bfkplaw.com.
To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com.
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On this episode of Closed!, recorded live at The Real Deal Forum, Lee sits down with Erin Hosler, Director of Residential Hospitality at First Service Residential New York, to discuss what it looks like when world-class hospitality meets residential property management.

Erin brings over three decades of experience training service teams at some of the most recognized names in luxury hospitality, including The Ritz-Carlton, Soho House, the Langham, and more. Now, she's channeling that expertise into a first-of-its-kind training program at First Service, helping building teams across New York and beyond create meaningful, memorable experiences for residents.

From the Ritz-Carlton's three-step service philosophy to crafting "wow moments" for residents, Erin breaks down why the little things, not the amenities, are what truly define a building's culture and keep residents happy. She also shares how she tailors training to individual building brands, navigates established teams, and even customized a full program around a pop star moving into one of her buildings.

If you work in residential real estate, property management, or just love a great conversation about service and culture, this one is for you.

To learn more about Erin and First Service Residential, find her on LinkedIn @https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhosler/, and as always, to learn more about Lee, Mike, and BFKP, visit bfkplaw.com.
To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com.
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On this episode of Closed!, Lee Bergstein and Emily Ashe are joined by Peter Zaitzeff, Director of New Development Sales at SERHANT. With over $4.8 billion in career sales, Peter is a powerhouse in the New York City luxury market, recently co-brokering the record-breaking $60 million sale of a duplex at 150 Charles Street. Together, they explore the high-stakes world of elite real estate, from the strategic rebranding of iconic developments to the intimate, relationship-driven nature of ultra-luxury transactions.

The conversation also dives into the shifting landscape of real estate media, Peter’s transition to a public-facing role on "Owning Manhattan," and the critical importance of authenticity in building a modern brand.

If you love law, real estate, or New York City, then this is an episode for you.

To learn more about Peter Zaitzeff, visit: serhant.com or follow him on Instagram @zaitzeff

To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com.
To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com.
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On this episode of Closed!, Lee Bergstein is joined by Mark Levine, Principal at EBMG LLC, Accredited Property Management LLC, and Apex Management Group—one of New York City’s most active property managers, overseeing hundreds of co-op and condominium buildings across the city. Together, they break down one of the most frustrating and opaque parts of NYC real estate: the co-op board application process.

From incomplete applications and internal board dynamics to the real reasons deals get delayed or denied, Mark offers a behind-the-scenes look at how these decisions are actually made—and where things most often go wrong. The conversation also dives into the upcoming legislation imposing strict timelines on board approvals, what it means for buyers, sellers, and boards, and whether it will truly fix the system or just create new challenges.

Co-op approvals can make or break a deal—and they impact everyone involved. In this episode, Lee and Mark unpack the pain points, the pressure, and the potential reforms shaping the future of NYC real estate transactions.

If you love law, real estate, or New York City, then this is an episode for you.

To learn more about Mark Levine and his companies, visit: http://www.manageyourbuilding.com/ or ebmg.com.

To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
To find out more about Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit our website at bfkplaw.com.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.