Boroughs & Burbs, the National Real Estate Conversation

In Season 4, Episode 132 of Boroughs & Burbs: The National Real Estate Conversation, hosts John Engel and Roberto Cabrera welcome Philip Gorrivan, author of Authentic Interiors, Rooms That Tell Stories, and DJ Carey, Editorial Director of C&G Media Group and Editor in Chief of CTC&G. They discuss how authentic design, narrative, and material choices shape the mood of a home and influence luxury buyer perception.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7XmW2375R4

Related Episodes
• Ep 133 – The Long Island Show with Maria Babaev, Enzo Morabito, Tom Tripodi & Peter Halpin
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk5Pe8scbcU

• Ep 154 – Decorate Like a Decorator with Meghan De Maria & Courtney Yanni
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1CqdPlgrSo

• Ep 99 – Kips Bay Decorator Show House with Sergio Mercado, Roric Tobin and more
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFvWcAzOV4I

• Ep 43 – Benjamin Moore’s Color Expert & Top Designers Talk Color Trends
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF4QVT3VbrY

• Ep 157 – Does the Kitchen Make the Home with Bob Bakes & Eric Tchorz
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nCZutyz2R0

Keywords
#interior #storytelling #luxury #design #CTC&G #Cottages&Gardens #authentic #interiors #design #narrative #materiality #color #strategy #highend #residential, #luxurybuyers

Hashtags
#InteriorStorytelling #LuxuryDesign #PhilipGorrivan #DJCarey #CTCG #CottagesAndGardens #AuthenticInteriors #DesignNarrative #ColorStrategy #HighEndResidential #BoroughsAndBurbs #JohnEngel #RobertoCabrera

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In this episode, Roberto broadcasts on location from Saint Barthélemy (St. Barths) with guest Douglas Foregger of WIMCO Real Estate to unpack what makes this French Caribbean island a perennial draw for travelers, buyers, and investors. We go beyond the postcards—talking how people really live and invest on St. Barths, what the island feels like across seasons, and how beaches like Gouverneur and Saline differ from the lively scene around Gustavia and St-Jean. From travel logistics (ferry vs. puddle jumpers and that wild short-runway approach) to beach clubs and day-to-day rhythms, Roberto and Doug paint a practical picture of island life drawn straight from the ground.

For those eyeing property or a long stay, Doug and Roberto discuss villa rentals and seasonality (e.g., low season options around the $5k/week mark and December weeks often around $15k/week, with two-week minimums over Christmas/New Year’s), plus the realities of permitting and building on a mountainous, highly regulated island. They touch on construction budgets and how indoor square footage understates the cost of generous outdoor living areas; Doug notes that serious builds can reach the four- to low-seven-figure range and that locals often prefer purchasing land with a permit in hand to avoid uncertainty. If you’re weighing when to go, where to stay, or whether to buy, this is your field guide to St. Barths—equal parts lifestyle and hard-nosed real estate.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp7aUUmN0OA. YouTube

Links & Social

• Guest: WIMCO Real Estate – https://www.wimcorealestate.com • Douglas Foregger (LinkedIn) – https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-foregger-054291b/

• Hosts: John Engel (IG) – https://www.instagram.com/jengel199/ • Roberto Cabrera (IG) – https://www.instagram.com/rcabrera1/ • John Engel (LinkedIn) – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jengel/ • Roberto Cabrera (LinkedIn) – https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-cabrera-4619845/

Related Episodes (international focus)

• “We’ll Always Have Paris” | Boroughs & Burbs Ep. 115. YouTube

• Navigating the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur) | Boroughs & Burbs Ep. 111. YouTube

• Exploring Portugal | Boroughs & Burbs Ep. 144. YouTube

• Dubai Real Estate | Boroughs & Burbs Ep. 161. YouTube

• Is Panama Really for Sale? | Boroughs & Burbs Ep. 170. YouTube

Keywords: #StBarths #realestate #SaintBarthélemy #villas #St-Barth #rentals #French #Caribbeanproperty #island #permitting #Gustavia #Gouverneur #Saline #WIMCO 

In this deep-dive on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), hosts John Engel and Roberto Cabrera sit down with Sheri Koones, David Melton, and Christine Osterwalder to unpack what’s really driving the ADU movement—and how homeowners, builders, and municipalities can get it right. We cover the policy backbone in California (why the state guarantees approval of at least one 800-sq-ft ADU with 4-ft side/rear setbacks, regardless of lot coverage and FAR), how owner-occupancy rules were removed statewide (and what that means for financing and operations), and the new opt-in pathway for separate ADU sales via condominium maps—plus where local adoption is actually happening.

From there, the panel gets practical: designing within 800 sq ft without feeling cramped (programming, daylighting, storage, and outdoor “rooms”); factory-built and panelized options to compress schedule and control cost; budget ranges and the line items that bust them (sitework, utilities, access, and permitting); and use cases—from multigenerational housing and caregiver suites to rental income and neighborhood infill. We also scan how other states are following California’s lead, where the bottlenecks still are (parking, height, and discretionary review), and how to position an ADU for long-term value instead of just short-term rent.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr4cwgY2-FA
Episode page: https://www.boroughsandburbs.com/e/boroughs-burbs-130-adus-the-perfect-housing-solution/

Links & Social
Guests:
• Sheri Koones — https://www.sherikoones.com/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-koones-1966a55/
• David Melton (ATL ADU CO) — http://atladuco.com • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-melton-61a0919/
• Christine Osterwalder (Unity Homes) — https://unityhomes.com/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christineosterwalder/

Hosts:
• John Engel — IG: https://www.instagram.com/jengel199/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jengel/
• Roberto Cabrera — IG: https://www.instagram.com/rcabrera1/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-cabrera-4619845/

Related Episodes:

• Boroughs & Burbs 131 — Luxurious St. Barths

• Boroughs & Burbs 115 — “We’ll Always Have Paris”

• Boroughs & Burbs 161 — Dubai

• Boroughs & Burbs 144 — Exploring Portugal

• Boroughs & Burbs 170 — Is Panama Really for Sale?

Keywords: #ADU #accessorydwellingunit #smallhomes #prefab #panelizedconstruction #800sqft #California #ADUlaw #owner-occupancy #condo-ization #multigenerationalhousing #rentalincome #UnityHomes #ATLADUCO #SheriKoones.

Staging isn’t just swapping pillows—it’s a strategy. In this episode, John Engel and Roberto Cabrera sit down with Lisa Hynes (Stage to Show) and Mike Lubin (Brown Harris Stevens) to break down what staging actually is, how to scope it, and where it reliably moves the needle. We cover how to decide which rooms to stage (and when to do the whole home), how to prioritize budget across furniture rental, art, accessories, paint/touch-ups, delivery and install, and how to measure effectiveness using days on market and list-to-sale outcomes. You’ll hear the psychology behind a powerful first impression (flow, focal points, color discipline, lighting, curb appeal), how to read a staging proposal (what should and shouldn’t be in it), and when staging isn’t the answer (and what to do instead). If you’re listing this season, this is your playbook for presentation that converts.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekgaN12UYFA
Episode page: https://www.boroughsandburbs.com/e/boroughs-burbs-129-real-estate-staging/

Links & Social
Guests:
• Mike Lubin — https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/mike-lubin  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikelubinnyc/
• Lisa Hynes (Stage to Show) — https://www.stagetoshow.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-a-hynes-rosenfeld-72b3669/

Hosts:
• John Engel — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jengel199/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jengel/
• Roberto Cabrera — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rcabrera1/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-cabrera-4619845/

Related Episodes (verified)

• Zen Home Design for Wellness & Luxury Living | Ep. 193

• Decorate Like a Decorator | Ep. 154

• Every Room Tells a Story (Philip Gorrivan & DJ Carey) | Ep. 132

• Kips Bay Decorator Show House | Ep. 99

• Why Designers, Architects & Builders Should Collaborate | Ep. 147

Keywords: #realestatestaging #homepresentation #stagingproposal #listingstrategy #buyerpsychology #daysonmarket #list-to-sale ratio #StagetoShow #BrownHarrisStevens

In this on-location episode from **Ft. Lauderdale, Florida—the global capital of yachting—**John Engel and Roberto Cabrera sit down with Julie Jones of Douglas Elliman and Bob Denison of Denison Yachting to explore the fascinating intersection between luxury yachts and luxury real estate.

We dig into the big questions: Are superyachts the next real estate investment class? Where do yacht ownership and property markets overlap? And when do the economics of ownership versus charter really make sense? Bob and Julie pull back the curtain on charter trends (what percentage of yachts are available and how often they’re booked), hot global markets for both luxury homes and yachts, and how buyers of trophy properties increasingly cross-shop mega-yachts as lifestyle investments.

If you’ve ever wondered how the superyacht lifestyle fits into the broader luxury market, this is your inside guide—straight from two of the top names in high-end brokerage.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd6q9OtBxuc
Episode page: https://www.boroughsandburbs.com/e/boroughs-burbs-128-luxury-boat-edition/

Links & Social
Guests:
• Julie Jones — Douglas Elliman: https://www.elliman.com/agent/julie-jones-betteridge • IG: https://www.instagram.com/juliejonesbetteridge/
• Bob Denison — Denison Yachting: https://www.denisonyachtsales.com/ • IG: https://www.instagram.com/denisonyachting/

Hosts:
• John Engel — IG: https://www.instagram.com/jengel199/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jengel/
• Roberto Cabrera — IG: https://www.instagram.com/rcabrera1/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-cabrera-4619845/

Related Episodes 

• Dubai Real Estate | Ep. 161

• Exploring Portugal | Ep. 144

• Is Panama Really for Sale? | Ep. 170

• Luxurious St. Barths | Ep. 131

Keywords:
#luxuryyachts #superyachts #yachtcharter #luxuryrealestate #DouglasElliman #DenisonYachting #FtLauderdale #luxurymarkets #yachtinvesting #boroughsandburbs

On this leap year edition of Boroughs & Burbs, John Engel and Roberto Cabrera are joined by Scott Durkin, President & CEO of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, for an exclusive conversation about the future of real estate and the strategic direction of one of the nation’s largest brokerages.

Scott shares candid insights on:

• How AI and technology are shaping brokerage operations and the client experience.

• The evolution of real estate teams and the shift from transactional to relationship-driven sales.

• Expansion markets and how Douglas Elliman is positioning itself nationally and internationally.

• The role of marketing and brand identity in a crowded marketplace.

• How client expectations are changing, and what strategies brokers need to adopt to deliver sustainable growth.

This is a must-listen for anyone curious about where the industry is headed, and how a top brokerage leader envisions the future.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ol9gPfWWgA
Episode page: https://www.boroughsandburbs.com/e/boroughs-burbs-127-scott-durkin-ceo-douglas-elliman/

Links & Social
Guest:
• Scott Durkin — Douglas Elliman Bio • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-durkin-53226313/

Hosts:
• John Engel — IG: https://www.instagram.com/jengel199/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jengel/
• Roberto Cabrera — IG: https://www.instagram.com/rcabrera1/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-cabrera-4619845/

Related Episodes (verified)

• Luxury Car Edition | Ep. 145

• Dubai Real Estate | Ep. 161

• Exploring Portugal | Ep. 144

• Is Panama Really for Sale? | Ep. 170

• Luxurious St. Barths | Ep. 131

Keywords:
#DouglasElliman #ScottDurkin #realestate #AI #marketing #brokeragetrends #realestateteams #luxurymarkets #boroughsandburbs

In this special episode of Boroughs & Burbs, John Engel and Roberto Cabrera explore the rise of West Palm Beach, Florida, as it transforms into “Wall Street South.” With major investment banks, hedge funds, and private equity firms setting up shop, the city is rapidly becoming a financial hub rivaling New York.

Our guests — Kelly Smallridge, President & CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, and Randi Binder, top agent with Douglas Elliman Palm Beach — share first-hand insights on:

• Why financial firms are choosing Palm Beach over other markets.

• How CityPlace and luxury developments like The Bristol have fueled a downtown revival.

• The impact of hedge fund migration on the local job market, economy, and real estate demand.

• How West Palm Beach competes with other growth centers while carving out its own identity.

• The future of “Wall Street South”, from upcoming projects to infrastructure and lifestyle.

This episode captures the momentum behind Palm Beach’s transformation into a global business and lifestyle destination.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbbNtsuRs20
Episode page: https://www.boroughsandburbs.com/e/boroughs-burbs-126-wall-street-south/

Links & Social
Guests:
• Kelly Smallridge — BDB Palm Beach • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-smallridge-30a7587/
• Randi Binder — Douglas Elliman Palm Beach • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randibinderrealtorfl/

Hosts:
• John Engel — IG: https://www.instagram.com/jengel199/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jengel/
• Roberto Cabrera — IG: https://www.instagram.com/rcabrera1/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-cabrera-4619845/

Related Episodes (verified)

• Luxury Car Edition | Ep. 145

• Dubai Real Estate | Ep. 161

• Exploring Portugal | Ep. 144

• Is Panama Really for Sale? | Ep. 170

• Luxurious St. Barths | Ep. 131

Keywords:
#WallStreetSouth #WestPalmBeach #financialhub #hedgefundmigration #CityPlace #PalmBeachRealEstate #DouglasElliman #BusinessDevelopmentBoard #luxurymarkets #boroughsandburbs

In this episode, John Engel and Roberto Cabrera are joined by Stephen Kliegerman and Jason Thomas of Brown Harris Stevens Development Marketing to dissect the Q4 2023 Manhattan New Development Market Report and uncover what’s really happening in NYC’s most watched market segment.

The conversation unpacks the key takeaways:

• Median PPSF rose 2.7% QoQ (but dipped 0.5% YoY), signaling demand for certain high-quality developments despite mixed economic signals.

• Median sales price climbed 1.9% QoQ and 7.8% YoY, underscoring sustained appetite for premium product.

• Sponsor sales fell 29.3% and total sales volume dropped 38.9%—indicating a cooling in transaction velocity, even as pricing holds.

• The Upper West Side captured 20.14% of all new development sales, while Midtown East surged in PPSF and pricing, and the Upper East Side saw notable softening.

• A headline transaction: a Central Park Tower residence closed at $18M ($5,374 PPSF), reinforcing the continued strength of Manhattan’s luxury tier.

Stephen and Jason go beyond the numbers—exploring what these shifts mean for developers, investors, and end users in 2024, and how the pipeline of new product could reshape Manhattan’s skyline.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9X9cTQZGVc
Episode page: https://www.boroughsandburbs.com/e/boroughs-burbs-125-new-development/

Links & Social
Guests:
• Stephen Kliegerman — Bio • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kliegerman-8180589
• Jason Thomas — BHS Development Marketing • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-thomas-05008b1b3/

Hosts:
• John Engel — IG: https://www.instagram.com/jengel199/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jengel/
• Roberto Cabrera — IG: https://www.instagram.com/rcabrera1/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-cabrera-4619845/

Related Episodes 

• Real Estate Staging | Ep. 129

• ADUs: The Perfect Housing Solution? | Ep. 130

Keywords:
#Manhattan #NYC #newdevelopment #CentralParkTower #UpperWestSide #UpperEastSide #MidtownEast #BrownHarrisStevens #realestatemarket #boroughsandburbs #DouglasElliman #JohnEngel #TheEngelTeam #BillionairesRow