Venturing out from the Serhant team, Joshua Golan builds his own brand at Compass

To understand how much the real estate industry has come to value superstar brokers, one need only look at the bounty of resources that Compass Real Estate recently showered on Joshua Golan.

Golan is a former member of the dream team of brokers assembled by Ryan Serhant, the Realtor-turned-TV star, while he was still at Nest Seekers. During Serhant’s climb to the top, Golan served as managing director of his Brooklyn office, and led that team as it evolved into the top-ranked sales team in New York City.

Serhant, star of the Bravo cable show “Million Dollar Listing New York,” recently described Golan as a “great broker and friend” who led “my Brooklyn team to great success.” But in September, when Serhant departed Nest Seekers to start his own brokerage, Golan was approached by Compass with an attractive offer to join their team. As Golan began to weigh his options, he recognized that two tectonic shifts had occurred:

1) The time to emerge from Serhant’s shadow had arrived.

“I didn’t see enough value in Nest Seekers without the Serhant name to convince me to stay,” Golan said. “I also wanted to build my own brand. That’s a tough task while working with another big name.”

2) Most of the market power in the brokerage business had come to rest with agents.

Now Golan is in the midst of an expansion and hiring campaign. If he is successful at finding the kind of talent he seeks, he estimates that by the close of 2021, his team will number 15.

“We have a lot of business on the horizon, so team and execution are paramount,” Golan added. “Our agents play a big role in attracting new business, referrals and happy clients.”

To work with Golan, candidates must possess skills, interests and a vision of the future that align with the team’s core values which are experience, integrity and teamwork. The real estate business has changed, and skill sets must reflect those changes. “We are looking for people who appreciate innovation and understand how technology can be an added value in today’s market.”

“I’m excited to see him lead his own team,” Serhant said. “If there was ever a time to grow and expand, 2020 is the year to do it.”

Born in Israel, Golan moved to New York with his family at the age of 10. An entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for helping potential homeowners complete the biggest purchase of their lives led him to his first real estate job when he was just 20. In a career spanning over two decades, Golan has closed more than 1,000 transactions, totaling over $1 billion.

In those early days, he worked with a Brooklyn developer while studying engineering and architecture at Queens College. He then spent time operating his own brokerage and investment company, focusing on buying, renovating and selling distressed properties.

All that experience has supplied Golan with a keen understanding of the market from all sides, according to Adam Sadel, managing director of the Golan Team. “Josh is incredibly knowledgeable, and his experience is a tremendous asset to our team.” Sadel said.

Because of Golan’s long history with developers, he’s especially attuned to the needs of investors. Golan possesses a solid-gold rolodex, one that links him to his network of the top contractors, lenders, and attorneys — all the people who can streamline the process.

Golan also has a portfolio of off-market properties for those who are interested in designing a custom-built home: “With my background in development and network of professionals, we can assist clients from acquisitions to layouts to finishes in order to get the best ROI.”

Some of his recent listings in Brooklyn, such as 586 Quincy Street, 173 Woodruff and 173 Concord, reflect what Golan says is a growing trend, as New Yorkers continue to adapt to the reality of working and learning from home.

“We’re seeing changes in layouts based on consumer demand,” he says. “So, where clients once looked for a large living room or dining room, now they are asking for separate home offices and private outdoor spaces. In condos, people are opting for shared workspaces instead of large recreation rooms.”  Upcoming Brooklyn developments 228 Quincy Street in Bed-Stuy and Schaefer Street in Bushwick will manifest that consumer demand.

As for the general health of the market, Golan is optimistic. “Looking ahead, I’m confident that most of the Covid inventory will have sold by the end of the first quarter 2021, and we’ll be back on solid ground by Spring.”

To explore the team and listings click here.