As the late and much-respected Alice Rayner, longtime Beverly Hills manager for the Jon Douglas Company, wisely said: “If they’re beating on you on the way in, they’ll be beating on you on the way out.” I’ve been hearing a lot lately from agents dealing with toxic clients — not difficult ones, but abusive ones. You know the type: constantly critical, dismissive,

Perfection is a myth, and chasing it will only burn you out. Life happens. Schedules get messy. Planes get delayed. Sometimes you just have to roll with it. The key is not to let temporary chaos become your new normal.

The recent news of Compass acquiring Anywhere should be seen for what it truly is: great news for Douglas Elliman, our agents, and our clients. Why? Because it highlights what sets us apart and makes us stronger than ever—substance over scale. While our competitors build corporate giants with more than 350,000 agents, Douglas Elliman continues to focus on what top

In real estate—and in life—it’s tempting to bend the rules. Many justify it by saying, “Others are doing it.” Others fear losing a deal, a client, or a competitive edge. Some believe they won’t get caught or that it won’t matter. But just because others cut corners doesn’t make it right. A small lie here, an omission there, a shortcut—it’s

In real estate, doors are more than just hardware and hinges—they’re opportunities. Every day, life presents us with doors that close and doors that open. The challenge is recognizing which ones to walk through.

In my fifty-plus years in the real estate industry, I’ve learned that inconsistency and worry can be some of our biggest adversaries. Many times, we find ourselves caught up in the stress and anxiety of not just our own challenges, but also those of our clients. It’s easy to dwell on issues, ruminate over worst-case scenarios, or focus on losses