Under the helm of founder and CEO Tae Moon, Koriny has done $400 million in transactions since 2020. Built with a focus on wealthy overseas buyers angling to enter New York City’s real estate market, the firm combines specialized service with international connections and decades of real estate experience to give clients a bespoke brokerage experience. We spoke to Moon about the one-stop, cross-border service Koriny provides and how the agency is expanding its reach across the United States and around the world.
Building a niche in NYC
Before founding Koriny, Moon operated a traditional real estate brokerage firm for 15 years. During that time, he developed a deep understanding of the complex challenges foreign buyers face when investing in U.S. real estate, ranging from cultural and language barriers to legal and financial hurdles.
These insights led him to launch Koriny in 2017, an online-first brand created to bridge the gap between overseas clients and the New York City real estate market. Tailored to address the needs of global investors and buyers, Koriny acts as a trust partner throughout the transaction process.
“There are 1.5 million agents and 100,000 brokerages in the country,” says Moon, citing National Association of Realtors figures. “I thought it’d be better to target a specific segment, rather than doing just the entire market. We started with Korean-speaking buyers.”
The niche approach proved successful. Moon has converted interest into deals at some of the city’s hottest new construction properties.
“Last year alone, we did over $100 million in transactions sold and in contract,” says Moon. These include 20 of 100 units in contract at Rabina’s supertall tower at 520 Fifth Avenue, making Koriny the top brokerage representing the buyer side for the luxury condo building.
“Koriny was an early champion of 520 Fifth, and consistently brought qualified purchasers who were enthusiastic about making 520 their home,” says Josh Rabina, President and CEO of Rabina. “Our team has been continuously impressed by Moon’s professionalism and steadfast commitment to working with agents and clients to close deals.”
Koriny has also sold four units at Extell Development Company’s Central Park Tower, 15 at the firm’s Brooklyn Point, and 10 so far at GFI Development’s One11 Residences at Thompson Central Park.
“Developers know the Koriny brand,” says Moon. “They know our name, so we’re getting a lot of calls.”
East Meets West
Koriny’s 20 New York-based agents often broker deals for families purchasing a home for a college-bound child moving to the city from overseas. Those same buyers frequently return after graduation to sell, reinvest or purchase a second home.
With deep expertise in the cross-border process, Koriny serves far beyond the initial search. The firm partners with South Korean banks, investment firms and insurance companies to assist with financing, legal filings and cross-border transactions.
“There are a lot of factors in cross-border deals that involve not only language barriers and cultural differences, but laws and taxation, securing a loan, and questions over who’s going to manage the property. It’s an entire process,” Moon says. “We know the process very well, and we’ve been doing these international deals for a long, long time.”
When funds are transferred from South Korea, Koriny manages regulatory compliance, including required filings, with support from a network of trusted attorneys and accountants.
“We advise on whether to buy as an individual or through an entity,” says Moon. “It’s a full-service consultation.”
“Outstanding professionalism”
“On a whole, working with Tae has been a pleasure,” says Douglas Elliman’s Maria Mainieri, director of sales for One11 Residences, who praised Moon’s “outstanding professionalism.”
“The follow-up and attentiveness to each and every buyer he represents is how every agent should carry themselves,” she says.
Backed by the company’s track record and the trust Moon has earned among players in the New York market, Koriny has expanded to 16 states. The brokerage now partners with top local agents in markets like Boston and San Francisco and is expanding its reach among Chinese- and Spanish-speaking buyers.
“Trust is a huge part of the entire process, and our clients do know they can trust us,” he says. “Guided by the trust we have built over the years, we are steadfast in our commitment to continuous progress. Our mission is to eliminate the barriers faced by international buyers and to provide exceptional, client-focused service at every stage of the real estate journey.”
To reach Koriny, visit the brokerage website.