MDLNY brokers face the risk of reality TV

From left: Luis Ortiz, Ryan Serhant and Fredrik Eklund
From left: Luis Ortiz, Ryan Serhant and Fredrik Eklund

The reality of “Million Dollar Listing New York” is that TV and high-profile real estate deals aren’t perfect partners, the New York Times reported.

Fredrik Eklund of Douglas Elliman and Ryan Serhant of Nest Seekers International, two cast members of the Bravo TV reality show, which returns to the air Wednesday, saw their fortunes skyrocket after appearing on camera.

The gross commissions of Eklund’s team, for example, nearly doubled, to $5.27 million. Serhant moved from a Midtown office above a burger joint to his own spot in Tribeca, and went from one assistant to 12, as The Real Deal reported.

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“They could pay us nothing and we would probably still do it because the advertising is something you can’t buy,” Serhant told the newspaper.

On the downside, Elliman’s Michael Lorber exited the show after the first season because it didn’t boost his business. He told the newspaper that the scenes of him waking up in the morning – filmed in the afternoon – and wearing winter clothing in the summer were “so stupid.” Keller Williams NYC broker Luis Ortiz replaced Lorber.

The real estate featured this season includes a $50 million development, a $20 million apartment and one home with a panoramic view described as a “panty dropper.” [NYT] — Mark Maurer