October 1st 2012
Mann Report Residential
Since its inception in 1896 as Albert B. Ashforth, Warburg Realty Partnership has evolved into one of the most influential, independently-owned residential brokerages in New York. Frederick Warburg Peters, the current president acquired the firm in 1991 with a group of eight shareholders, and renamed it in 2003. The 1991 acquisition represented the first example in the New York market of top-earning agents becoming owners of, and profit sharing participants in, a residential real estate company. While the name and branding have changed since then, the same core values remain at the heart of the firm’s success. Through strong leadership and extraordinary client service, Warburg has become renowned for its extraordinary service combined with cutting-edge technology in marketing and media that keeps it at the forefront of the highly competitive residential industry.
Over the past two decades, Frederick has expanded the company from 60 to 150 agents, geographically well-situated throughout the city. He leads the firm’s strategic initiatives, while keeping his finger on the pulse of the marketplace, making him a more valuable resource to his agents. His daily involvement ensures that Warburg’s core philosophy as a trusted advisor forging strong relationships between its professionals and the customers and communities they serve is consistently fulfilled, and that the firm’s position as an independently owned major player in the New York City marketplace is maintained.
Frederick is the main contributor to Warburg’s Blog, and one of the most quoted experts in the Manhattan residential real estate industry. His dedication is further evidenced through his involvement on The Real Estate Board of New York’s (REBNY) Board of Directors – Residential Division; as a member of REBNY’s Board of Governors; and as the Vice President for Residential Brokerage on REBNY’s Executive Committee. He has been twice honored by this professional organization, once with the prestigious Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian Award which recognizes meritorious service to the community by a REBNY member; and also as a recipient of REBNY’s 1996 Henry Forster Award, given for a lifetime of achievement and contribution in the residential industry.
As an industry thought leader, his weekly blogs on real estate topics and quarterly market reports have become must-reads for those who want to be up-to-date with the all of the trends and challenges that face consumers in this evolving marketplace. As Warburg remains one of the city’s few privately owned firms, all of the firm’s brokers are in direct and regular contact with Frederick and his management team, providing its clients with a level of expertise unrivaled by many of its peers.
As part of its effort to remain in the vanguard of technology and marketing savvy leaders, Warburg is constantly implementing new approaches to buying and selling New York residential real estate. The efforts range from providing sellers with 24/7 access to personalized marketing programs to track activity and results to implementing regular website upgrades to warburgrealty.com to increase searchability and information. The firm’s commitment to offering the best technology options available explains why warburgrealty.com regularly averages over eight million hits a month, with more than 90,000 hits to the Warburg Blog alone. The website is complemented by Warburg’s dynamic presence on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, iPhone search application in partnership with AroundMe, and authoritative contributions by many agents to the blogosphere, further distinguishing the company at the forefront of tech-savvy real estate agencies.
In addition, the firm also has expanded its branding presence as part of the cast of the extremely popular HGTV show, Selling New York, where their expertise in the market, creativity and successful deal making are regularly on display.
Warburg’s extraordinary success has been made possible through the deal-making prowess of the firm’s agents and the support of the firm’s eight shareholders. The shareholders consist of Jane Bayard, Jane Andrews, Bonnie Chajet, Lisa Deslauriers, Wendy Greenbaum, Ronnie Lane, Linda Reiner and Judith Thorn.
As head of Warburg’s thriving 969 Madison Avenue office, Jane Bayard’s impact on the firm’s success has been tremendous. An industry professional for 40 years, she was a top-producing broker, selling in most every major building on the Upper East Side, before transitioning into a management role. She is integral to the performance of her agents, who benefit from her proven insight, guidance and unparalleled command of the market that helps optimize the level of customer service and results. She has also received many accolades including the prestigious Henry Forster Award from The Real Estate Board of New York.
Another long-time industry power broker is Jane Andrews, who began her real estate career over 30-years ago and came to Warburg’s predecessor company in 1985. Jane has built a reputation for down to earth approach, negotiating finesse and insightful perspective to the cooperative board process. These traits are invaluable to her clients, colleagues and the firm as a whole, where she regularly ranks among the top selling brokers.
At the top of the firm’s producer pyramid are Bonnie Chajet and Ronnie Lane, who have worked at Warburg since 1986 and as partners together for the past 40 years, making them the longest partnership in New York City’s residential real estate market. Their in-depth market knowledge, humor and humility have made them a well-known presence in the industry and a vital part of the company.
Successful partnerships are a theme among Warburg’s Realty shareholders, and another fruitful pairing is Lisa Deslauriers and Linda Reiner. For 17 years, Linda and Lisa have regularly been among the firm’s top selling agents. Known for their ethical standards, these two have built a successful practice known for its high-profile clientele which they have built exclusively on a referral basis.
Wendy Greenbaum is highly admired for her disciplined deal making skills and no nonsense approach. Her reputation as a trusted advisor and market-savvy, are instrumental to her success.
Rounding out the partnership is Judith Thorn, who has worked with the company since 1986. Consistently one of its top selling brokers, she sells all over Manhattan but is particularly well-known for her knowledge and sales in the Gramercy Park and Greenwich Village areas, where she has had many record-breaking sales.
Always looking ahead, the firm will be launching a new branding campaign and just announced the opening of a new state of the art corporate headquarters on Madison Avenue. Warburg always remains committed to staying true to the core philosophy of integrity, courtesy, market knowledge, and the professionalism of its agents.
