Chris & John
- Mar 16, 2021
- 3 min read

Ep 132: The Power of Leveraging Your Network with Esther Reizes-Lowenbein

As the saying goes, “it's all about who you know,” and leveraging your existing network is without a doubt the most powerful tool you have at your disposal, especially if you are just starting out in real estate. Today’s guest is Esther Reizes-Lowenbein, a former speech language pathologist who made the shift into full-time real estate in 2018. She is an entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist that is heavily involved in commercial real estate nationwide and in the residential real estate market in Rockland County, NY. In this episode, Esther shares a bit about her transition from realtor to investor and how she has achieved success with such a broad focus by being more matchmaker than specialist. Tuning in, you’ll hear her advice for leveraging your network, dealing with buyers and sellers directly, and associating yourself with an experienced name, as well as why you should be a passive investor before you’re an active one. Tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

Esther introduces herself and shares a bit about her background.
Hear about Esther’s transition from speech pathologist to residential real estate agent.
From selling properties to becoming an investor herself; how Esther made that shift.
How being a writer has assisted her in her transition from realtor to investor.
Why industrial real estate is so appealing right now, especially since the start of COVID.
Achieving success when her focus is so broad by being more matchmaker than specialist.
How being a matchmaker serves Esther as an investor by leveraging her network.
Some tips for growing and maintaining your network: show commitment and be honest.
Why Esther prefers dealing with buyers or sellers directly; too many hands in the pot.
Learn how she discerns which deals are worth spending her energy on.
The value of associating yourself with an experienced name if you are just starting out.
Active versus passive investments and why Esther believes it’s best to go passive first.
What she looks for in a partners, sponsors, or people to bring into her network: transparency and a proven track record.
Esther’s tips for having conversations about raising capital, starting with close contacts.
How she positions herself when selling a deal rather than buying it, based on a set of very specific criteria.
How she represents the seller’s side of a transaction when she herself is a potential buyer.
Esther reflects on why people are buying in New York City: spare capital and willing to hold.
Find out more about the problem with squatting in New York City.

Tweetables:

“I connect people, I connect properties, I’m out there, I’m networking. I feel like I’m more of a matchmaker than a specialist. I don’t wan’t to specialize in one area, I feel like I can do it all.” — Esther Reizes-Lowenbein [0:12:18]

“My key to success is that I’m committed, I’m transparent, and I’m very honest.” — Esther Reizes-Lowenbein [0:14:36]

“The number one thing that people care for – besides the obvious, the location and the returns – is the information about the sponsor. They want to know if the sponsor is honest, transparent, and they want the sponsor to provide everything upfront.” — Esther Reizes-Lowenbein [0:29:38]