Broker's Angle

In this episode of Brokers Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Michael Davis, a seasoned New York City real estate broker at Compass, to discuss his unique career trajectory, insights into the commercial and residential markets, and the systems that have fueled his long-term success. Michael shares an optimistic outlook for both residential and commercial markets heading into 2026, noting increased activity, more reasonable landlord pricing, and rising competition, all reinforcing his belief that New York City remains an electrifying place to do business.

In this episode of Broker's Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Jacob Wolkenfeld, Managing Director at Norman Bobrow & Co., to discuss his journey and approach to commercial real estate. Starting as an intern at 21, Jacob built his business from scratch through cold outreach, persistence, and what he calls “mental fortitude.” He shares how focusing solely on tenant representation allows him to align completely with clients’ interests and how consistent activity, strong follow-up systems, and long hours have fueled his success. Jacob discusses the current strength of Manhattan’s office market and the importance of conviction and resilience for new brokers.

In this episode of Brokers Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Alex Turboff, Executive Vice President and Head of Food & Beverage at Mona. With more than two decades of experience in restaurant real estate, Alex shares insights on the unique challenges of New York’s F&B market, from rising construction costs and liquor license delays to the critical role of due diligence in site selection.

In this episode of Broker's Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Gabe Marans, Vice Chairman at Savills and the #2 ranked CRE voice on social media. Gabe shares how he went from cold calls at 6 AM to building a 10,000-contact database, and how LinkedIn video and zagging when others zig helped scale his business.

In this episode of Broker’s Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Richard Plehn who shares how market insight, client-first thinking, and a Socratic approach have shaped his success over decades in New York City's commercial real estate. Tune in to hear why data is the new differentiator and what it really takes to make a smart deal in today’s market.

In this episode of Brokers Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Kirill Azovtsev, whose story is a compelling tale of perseverance, adaptability, and success against the odds. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Kirill arrived in the U.S. on a tennis scholarship, barely speaking English and with no prior exposure to American culture or business. What began as a leap of faith into an unfamiliar country eventually turned into a thriving career in New York City, one of the world’s most competitive real estate markets.

In this episode, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Elliot Zelinger to talk about how a psychology major pivoted into commercial real estate and never looked back. From old-school canvassing to modern deal-making, Elliot shares nearly 20 years of insights, trends shaping the market, and how relationships have fueled his success.

In this episode of Brokers Angle, Hal Coopersmith sits down with Beth Rosen to discuss the art of preparation and how in-depth research and understanding of the market can add value to clients in the competitive retail space. From Madison Avenue's evolution to the challenges of finding the perfect retail space, Beth shares valuable insights on staying ahead of trends and the human side of real estate.