WHAT MAKES A GOOD REAL ESTATE SHOWING?

Emotional intelligence is a good starter! The phrase emotional intelligence, or EQ, is used quite a bit these days in various settings — but in real estate, it’s absolutely critical (if you’re looking for success). EQ is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions while recognizing and responding appropriately to the emotions of others. It’s what allows people to connect authentically, communicate effectively, and navigate stressful or high-stakes moments with grace.

In real estate, those skills are everything if one truly wants to advance in the profession. Buying or selling a home is rarely a purely rational transaction — it’s deeply emotional. People aren’t just moving money; they’re moving their lives. Emotions can run high, and sometimes those emotions bleed into the behavior of the other broker or the attorneys. Being attuned to those feelings — and responding with empathy and patience to everyone involved — can mean the difference between a deal that collapses and one that closes with joy on both sides. After all, that’s truly what everyone wants at the end of the day, isn’t it?

Over the years, I’ve found that emotional intelligence can transform the entire process. All too often, I encounter brokers who turn the conversation toward something distracting — or toward themselves — rather than the client. I’m confident it’s not intentional, but it happens. I’ve also observed the true pros who enjoy tremendous success, and they tend to say less until they have something of true value to add.

Like most people, buyers and sellers are focused on themselves during this stressful and expensive process — as they should be! They might not want to know that the listing agent lived in the building 20 years ago or where they currently reside. And unless they ask, they also might not want to know how many children or pets have lived in the apartment being shown. Perhaps the buyer is averse to pets or children. Perhaps they just lost a pet.

When a broker listens carefully, senses when to step in or when to give space, and communicates calmly amid tension, it creates trust. And trust is the real currency in residential real estate. This applies whether you’re representing the buyer or the seller.

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of attending a certification course with Phil M. Jones, the brilliant author and speaker behind Exactly What to Say. It was an intense three days, and I maintained full focus throughout. His philosophy centers on the idea that small shifts in language can make a massive difference in how we connect, influence, and inspire action — especially in conversations that matter most. His teachings radiate emotional intelligence, and he himself exudes both high IQ and EQ.

As brokers, we spend much of our day talking — but talking isn’t the same as communicating. Phil’s approach reminded me that the best communicators aren’t the ones who speak the most; they’re the ones who listen best and speak with purpose.

One of his key lessons is deceptively simple: stop making the conversation about yourself. When we fill the air with stories about what we’ve done, who we know, or how much we understand, we may feel like we’re establishing credibility — but what the other person often hears is noise. In contrast, when we shift the focus back to them — their goals, their needs, their anxieties — the dynamic transforms. Suddenly, we’re not selling; we’re solving.

In residential real estate, this principle is golden. Every client has their own story — a “why” behind their move. Maybe they’re upsizing for a growing family, downsizing after an empty nest, or relocating after a life change. Our job isn’t to impress them with our résumé; it’s to uncover what matters most to them and tailor every word, every showing, and every recommendation around that understanding.

For me, the greatest takeaway was this: in a business built on relationships, the right words — delivered with sincerity and care — can make all the difference between being heard and being remembered.

In a city as fast-moving and dynamic as New York, emotional intelligence becomes a quiet superpower. Let’s face it, we’re dealing with some seriously intelligent people in NYC. It isn’t called the “city of finalists” for nothing! Because of that — and because I truly enjoy the process — I’ll continue to hone my EQ skills. It’s not only great for business, but also for life. It allows me to help not only my clients but everyone around me through life’s biggest transactions and transitions.

Have an emotionally intelligent weekend!

Best,

Michael

Question of the Day

Are you a Fall foliage fan?

Click to hear more!

Local News

The Largest Monet Exhibit In A Quarter Century Opens This Weekend In NYC — And It’s A “Radiant But Underexplored” Experience

"Monet and Venice" consists of the city's "magnificent churches and mysterious palaces, all conjured in prismatic touches of paint, dissolve in the shimmering atmosphere."

A landmark collaboration between the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco and the Brooklyn Museum, this record-breaking exhibition showcases over 100 works, books, and rare pieces, making it the largest Monet exhibit in NY in 25+ years.

Highlights include 19 original paintings by Monet, such as Brooklyn’s own Palazzo Ducale (1920). These luminous Venice works—his last publicly shown pieces in 1912—capture the city’s churches and palaces dissolving into shimmering light and atmosphere.

✨ A rare chance to immerse yourself in the dreamlike world of Monet’s later career.

🗓️ October 11, 2025 – February 1, 2026 📍 Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn 💰 $30 adults | $21 students & seniors

More Info: CLICK HERE

Anime is getting the immersive experience treatment at NYC's Mercer Labs this fall

The new installation features the world of "ONE PIECE."

✨ An immersive ONE PIECE exhibition is now open at Mercer Labs, Museum of Art and Technology in Lower Manhattan through November 30. The 11-room installation, created with Toei Animation, lets fans ⚓step into the anime’s Land of Wano Arc with mirror-filled rooms, LED light battles, floral cave designs, and iconic scenes featuring Luffy and the Straw Hat Crew. Mercer Labs aims to blend art, technology, and anime culture for a sensory experience. Tickets cost $55 (adults) and $50 (kids/seniors), with visits lasting 60–90 minutes.

More Info: CLICK HERE

31 Amazing Things To Do In NYC This Weekend: Oct. 10th – 12th

Good news, New Yorkers—fall has arrived, and our list of things to do this weekend in NYC will make the most of crisp days and cozy nights.

🔎Searching for the best things to do this weekend in NYC? We have you covered.

Saturdays and Sundays are precious real estate, and you wouldn’t want to waste your time with subpar events. Fortunately for you, we found the most exciting activities the city has to offer, from pop-ups and shows to new bites and can’t-miss exhibits.

🍂Now that fall — the best season of the year — has arrived, you’ll want to take full advantage of all the offerings. Ready to dive in? ✨

More Info: CLICK HERE

Featured Listing

561 Broadway, Unit 8A

2-Bedroom | 3-Bathroom | Co-op

Maintenance: $6,426/mo.

Offered at: $5,250,000

Welcome to Residence 8A at the iconic Little Singer Building, a 1904 Beaux-Arts masterpiece reimagined for modern living in the heart of SoHo. Every inch of this one-of-a-kind loft has been meticulously transformed by Studio Todd Raymond, resulting in an extraordinary home that balances luxurious comfort with dramatic architectural presence.

From the moment you enter, a sweeping floor-to-ceiling terrazzo expanse sets a glamorous tone, carrying seamlessly into the secondary bedroom, bath, powder room, and laundry. At the opposite end, an extraordinary 50-foot wall of double paned French doors outfitted with custom polished nickel cremone hardware opens onto a gracious terrace crowned with intricate wrought-iron detailing. The eastern views soar over SoHo’s rooftops, evoking a distinctly European sensibility in the midst of downtown Manhattan’s most vibrant neighborhood.

The open-plan layout is designed for both lavish entertaining and serene everyday living. The chef’s kitchen is anchored by a cascading island in Grigio Collemendina marble and is outfitted with a Pitt cooktop, Gaggenau refrigerator, dual Miele dishwashers, and dual Wolf ovens. For flexibility, the entire kitchen can be concealed behind custom bifold doors and oak enclosures, transforming seamlessly from culinary workspace to elegant entertaining backdrop. Adjacent, the media room creates a comfortable, connected environment, while a corner dining area with classic SoHo views accommodates ten with ease.

The formal living area stretches across the eastern expanse of the loft providing the perfect setting for grand entertaining. A sophisticated black granite and lacquer-clad bar completes the grand entertaining expanse.

Architectural secrets abound—concealed storage, custom raised paneling, art rails, and integrated millwork maximize both utility and aesthetic refinement. Throughout, solid oak flooring extends beyond the Terrazzo. For your comfort and convenience is complemented by Savant smart-home system controls lighting, hidden speakers, and window treatments. The central AC system even emits the scent of your choice.

The private quarters are a masterclass in design. The primary suite is introduced by a mirrored door that cleverly disappears into the walls, creating a fluid boundary between public and private realms. Inside, upholstered suede walls imbue warmth, while a custom-outfitted dressing room in solid oak millwork accommodates the most extensive wardrobes and accessory collections. The spa-like bath is clad in floor-to-ceiling travertine and features dual vanities, a luxurious shower with dual shower heads, heated floors, and towel bars for a five-star experience.

A rare opportunity to live in a piece of New York history, 561 Broadway—affectionately known as the Little Singer Building—is an intimate cooperative recognized for its cast-iron detailing, lacy strip balconies, and restored façade that remains one of SoHo’s most admired landmarks. With its prime location, residents enjoy immediate access to world-class shopping, fine dining, galleries, and the best of Downtown Manhattan, from Greenwich Village to Tribeca.

Residence 8A is not just a home, but a work of art—sophisticated, storied, and utterly unique.

See listing website: CLI CK HERE

More Listings

Michael J. Franco

Lic. Assoc. R.E. Broker

M: 917.817.4122

mfranco@compass.com

Office: 646-982-0353

Compass is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. All Coming Soon listings in NYC are simultaneously syndicated to the REBNY RLS. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.