Of all the series about real estate, this is my favorite. It's a combination of big deal details and the personalities behind them.
Buyers and sellers of real estate in New York City are demanding. Those who transact prime real estate are, of course, very successful business people or those who have inherited fortunes. You might say they are spoiled, but they expect deference, superior service and, above all else, results. They usually get what they demand because they have the leverage in negotiations. Real estate brokers and agents who cater to them must possess a unique set of qualities.
Among the qualities needed for high rolling in real estate are a thick skin, a quick mind, an ability to think outside the box (creativity), a healthy ego, and the ability to schmooze. Empathy doesn't hurt either.
This show features a cast of real estate agents who earn top commissions for dealing with the rich and the famous and for selling their multi-million dollar listings.
The appeal of the series comes from its focus on luxury properties, including the details of their appointments---from the vast expanses of marble to the twenty-foot ceilings. From the custom features like pools or a 24-hour doorman. If you have walked around the City and wondered what was behind the doors of those posh addresses that line Central Park, this show is for you.
Over the last eight seasons, MDLNY has focused on the businesses of a handful of agents, and has shown their behind-the-scenes machinations, both business and personal. The two main "characters" have been Frederik, a sometimes churlish and petulant Swedish-born gay man, and Ryan, a heterosexual go-getter who is not a metrosexual.
The show's focus on its main "actors" makes it a primer for those who would enter the world of luxury real estate. These agents possess certain traits in common, like the ability to make fun of themselves and to take large risks. They are nearly monomaniacal in their pursuit of the big deals. They display a childishness at times that can be endearing or annoying. They take things personally, which makes them determined to avoid past mistakes. And they have their geographical areas of expertise, though they all have a wealth of knowledge about NYC in general.
In the course of the show, we have seen them marry and have children, changing their perceptions of life and softening some hard edges of their personalities. Would I like them if I met them? I don't know, but I enjoy watching them negotiate the pitfalls of business transactions (like zoning restrictions or buyers who are never satisfied) and personal interactions (like spouses who deserve attention and consideration).
