Boroughs & Burbs, the National Real Estate Conversation

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

From Prime Central London to emerging “next” neighborhoods, hosts John Engel and Roberto Cabrera sit down with Laura Dam Villena (Partner & Head of Hyde Park Sales, Knight Frank) and Ed Hopkinson-Woolley (Senior Sales Negotiator, Knight Frank HQ) to map today’s London market—what each area offers, where value is shifting, and how the 2024 outlook is shaping up for buyers and sellers.

Expect a fast tour of London’s core geographies (Hyde Park/Bayswater, Marylebone, Notting Hill, Chiswick and beyond), a practical read on who’s buying and why, and clear, on-the-ground guidance on pricing, inventory, and the types of homes moving now. The conversation blends street-level nuance with macro context—interest-rate expectations, currency considerations for international buyers, and what Knight Frank’s teams are seeing across new-build and period stock.

Watch on YouTube: A Look at London | Boroughs & Burbs Ep. 124
Episode page: boroughsandburbs.com/e/boroughs-burbs-124-a-look-at-london-with-knight-frank

Links & Social
Guests:
• Laura Dam Villena — Knight Frank: https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/contact/people/laura-dam_villena-00000888 • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauradamvillena
• Ed Hopkinson-Woolley — Knight Frank: https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/contact/people/ed-hopkinson_woolley-00008780 • LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/edward-hopkinson-woolley-b57b0099

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)

• We’ll Always Have Paris | Ep. 115

• Navigating the French Riviera | Ep. 111

• Dubai Real Estate | Ep. 161

• Middle East Outbound Investing (with Knight Frank) | Ep. 174

• The Wealth Report 2024 (Knight Frank) | Ep. 138

Keywords:
#London #KnightFrank #PrimeCentralLondon #HydePark #Marylebone #NottingHill #Chiswick #luxuryrealestate #internationalbuyers #boroughsandburbs

Insurance markets across the U.S. — especially in coastal communities — are in flux. Rising premiums, retreating carriers, and shifting risk models are reshaping how homeowners and investors think about coverage. In this episode of Boroughs & Burbs, John Engel and Roberto Cabrera welcome two seasoned experts: Christopher Martens of AssuredPartners and Nicholas Phillips of Goosehead Insurance to unpack what’s really happening in the insurance world.

The conversation dives into the key challenges and solutions facing property owners today:

• 🏖️ Coastal coverage: From the Hamptons and Nantucket to Palm Beach and Hilton Head, what are the current realities of insuring properties in high-risk flood and hurricane zones? How do NFIP and private flood insurance compare, and what’s new in the reinsurance markets?

• 📈 Premium trends: Why are premiums climbing so quickly, and what can property owners do to mitigate the impact? Chris and Nick explain how insurers price risk differently for high-net-worth coastal estates vs. primary homes inland.

• 🔍 Policy details that matter: Deductibles, exclusions, and excess liability coverage—how to read your policy like a pro and avoid costly surprises when you need it most.

• 🌊 Evolving landscape: How climate modeling, state regulations, and carrier exits are reshaping availability of coverage, and what smart homeowners and investors should be doing now to prepare.

• 🛡️ Protecting portfolios: For multi-property owners and investors, strategies for aligning insurance with long-term investment goals and market shifts.

If you own property in coastal or high-risk regions, or advise clients who do, this episode is packed with practical guidance and insider knowledge to help you navigate today’s turbulent insurance waters.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE5D4yItB94
Episode page: https://www.boroughsandburbs.com/e/boroughs-burbs-123-commercial-insurance/

Links & Social
Guests:
• Christopher Martens (AssuredPartners) — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismartens-us/ • Email: Christopher.Martens@AssuredPartners.com
• Nicholas Phillips (Goosehead Insurance) — Agency page • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-phillips-12a2836/ • Email: nicholas.phillips@goosehead.com

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 Insurance & Risk in 2025 | Ep. 194 – Willis Gay (Howard & Gay Insurance) and Bernice Rodriguez (PURE Insurance) explore risk in high-net-worth real estate in response to rising climate costs and shifts in coverage.

The Changing Insurance Landscape for the High-Net-Worth Market | Ep. 113 – Brendan O’Brien (Rand Insurance), Frank DiGrande (PURE Insurance), and Joe Rossi (Joe Flood Insurance) share tailored coverage strategies for luxury clients.

Uninsurable Florida | Ep. 92 – A hard look at how fraud, severe weather, and market collapse are pushing parts of Florida toward ineligibility for private insurance.

Large Luxury Renovation Projects | Ep. 190 – Explores how renovation teams coordinate with insurers on risk, liability, and coverage during complex large-scale renovations.

Home Inspections in New York & Connecticut | Ep. 192 – While focused on inspections, this episode highlights how inspection outcomes influence property insurance considerations and underwriting.

Keywords:
#insurance #coastalcoverage #AssuredPartners #GooseheadInsurance #highnetworth #floodinsurance #propertyinsurance #realestaterisk #luxuryhomes #boroughsandburbs