
Awards
Press
Forbes: Five Questions Your Real Estate Agent Legally Cannot Answer
Robb Report: How Real Estate Will Radically Change in the New Decade
OffTheMrkt.com - New Listing Alert: The perfect pied-a-terre
Chicago Tribune: The Year in Real Estate
Business Insider: A top-20 Manhattan broker who sold 4 apartments in the middle of the pandemic takes us inside his daily routine, from 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Lux Exposé: These NYC Rental listings are not to be missed
ABC News: New York real estate market sees steep rise in listings after state's reopening
ABC13: NY real estate market sees steep rise in listings after state's reopening
MSNMoney: NY real estate market sees steep rise in listings after states reopening
ABC News Radio: New York real estate market sees steep rise in listings
ABC News 11: NY real estate market sees steep rise in listings after state's reopening
StreetEasy: Everything You Need to Know About Virtual Co-op Board Interviews
New York Times: How Will Hudson Yards Survive the Pandemic?
In the Covid-19 Era, Small Buildings Have Big Appeal
The Real Estate Collapse of 2020
The 8 Best Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Home
12 New Year’s Resolutions Every Renter Should Have
The 'Biden bump': How real estate may benefit from a Biden presidency, and how it may not
The Art of Pricing Your NYC Home to Sell
Specialties
Michael J. Franco is a Manhattan luxury real estate broker, the founder of the Michael J. Franco Team at Compass and a former trusts and estates attorney. The Wall Street Journal and RealTrends rank him number 13 in Manhattan and number 100 in the United States. In more than 20 years across brokerage, law and investment, he has represented more than 1,500 buyers and sellers and closed more than $1.5 billion in residential real estate.
Michael's practice covers Manhattan co-ops, condominiums, luxury residences, townhouses and new development, along with estate sales, trust sales and probate transactions. He is known for complex deals involving inherited property and fiduciary responsibilities, where the legal and tax details decide what a seller nets and how smoothly a sale closes.
Before real estate, Michael earned his law degree with honors and an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law. He practiced tax and real estate law, advised high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients and founded his own law practice before moving full-time into residential brokerage. That training shows in how he handles co-op board approvals, pricing strategy and negotiation.
Today Michael leads a team that closes about 65 transactions a year and averages about $150 million in annual sales volume. He has earned more than 90 five-star Google reviews and works closely with attorneys, accountants, fiduciaries, wealth advisors, managing agents and co-op board members across New York City. His clients range from first-time buyers to luxury sellers, estate fiduciaries and families planning a generational transfer of wealth.
Which Manhattan neighborhoods does Michael J. Franco cover?
Michael J. Franco's primary markets are the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Greenwich Village, West Village, Chelsea, Gramercy Park, Lincoln Square and Flatiron.
Does Michael J. Franco handle estate and probate sales?
Yes. As a former trusts and estates attorney, Michael J. Franco represents executors, trustees and heirs selling inherited Manhattan property, including trust sales and probate transactions.
Is Michael J. Franco an attorney?
Michael J. Franco is a former attorney who earned his law degree with honors and an LL.M. in Taxation from NYU School of Law. Today he works as a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker at Compass.
"Michael J. Franco helped us sell our apartment in Upper East Manhattan. Michael is the most knowledgeable, honest, and hardworking realtors we have ever worked with. He is always available to answer questions and offer sound service. He has made our selling a pleasant experience. I highly recommend him to all potential real estate buyers and sellers."
Max S., Buyer and Seller
"Michael has sold two apartments for us and helped us buy one property and two rentals while we were in a transition – with an overall value of more than $11 million. Each transaction has held its own difficult issues and with Michael and his team, we could not have been in better hands."
J. Hall, Buyer and Seller
"We have used Michael J. Franco for purchases, sales, and rentals of our investment properties. He has always done an amazing job for us, and is a true professional. He is incredibly responsive and knowledgeable about the market – he's the person you want negotiating on your behalf. I highly recommend him for all your real estate needs in New York City."
B. Morris, Buyer and Seller
"We hired Michael to help us sell our 2-BR coop in Gramercy, prior to our retirement and in anticipation of a move out of town. Our retirement was about 4 months away and no closing could occur prior to then. Amazingly, prior to the public listing, Michael found a buyer for whom our apartment met all their criteria. Even more amazingly, Michael and his team at Compass were able to facilitate the perfect deal for both the buyer and us. The closing process could not have been more smooth. We highly recommend Michael and his team."
Stuart B., Seller, Google review
"Michael Franco at Compass deserves 10 stars as he gets 5 stars in selling our apt and another 5 for finding our new apartment. He's truly the best real estate agent in Manhattan market. ... Ultimately all worked out and closed with approval from a very difficult coop board."
Benny L., Buyer and Seller, Google review
"He is one of the best real estate agents I have ever worked with, demonstrating unparalleled market insight and knowledge. ... Michael is professional, honest, knowledgeable, and genuinely kind. His extensive experience made us incredibly lucky to have him represent our unit."
Donna C., Seller, Google review
"We selected Michael as our RE agent based on his stellar reputation in our building. Michael and his team professionally handled every aspect from listing to closing. He was always available to answer questions and concerns and that makes him the best real estate agent in Manhattan in our minds!"
Patti P., Seller, Google review
"Michael is the ultimate professional. He will communicate clearly and effectively. Whether it be a rental or a closing he will get it done. Luxury real estate is where he thrives. Townhouses, condos, apartments he can do it all. If you are looking to buy, rent or sell he and his team have got you covered."
Nicholas D., Google review
"Michael was incredibly easy to communicate with and made the entire apartment search process feel seamless. He was thorough, attentive, and made sure every box was checked when it came to finding the right place for us. He truly went above and beyond throughout the entire process, and we couldn't have been happier with his help!"
Stella J., Buyer, Google review
Michael J. Franco’s Listings
Michael J. Franco’s Transactions

$13,000,000
- 4
- Bedrooms
- 4
- Bathrooms
15 Hudson Yards, PH87A
Hudson Yards

$9,950,000
- 3
- Bedrooms
- 3
- Bathrooms
25 Columbus Cir, Unit 58/59A
Upper West Side

$8,025,000
30 E 10th St, Unit 12NS
Greenwich Village

$8,025,000
- 3
- Bedrooms
- 2
- Bathrooms
30 E 10th St, Unit PH
Greenwich Village

$25,000
- 3
- Bedrooms
- 4
- Bathrooms
- 2,991
- Square Feet
36 Bleecker Street, Unit 4A
NoHo

$12,250
- 2
- Bedrooms
- 3
- Bathrooms
- 1,779
- Square Feet
100 Barclay Street, Unit 17H
TriBeCa






















































