Michael Shvo Real Estate

Michael Shvo

Michael Shvo grew up in a small town in Israel, and arrived in New York City in 1996 with about $3,000 and just one bag of luggage. Having not a clue what he would do in the “Big Apple,” he started his business life by managing a fleet of taxis. While searching for his own place to live he realized that real estate could be a great career for him and exceedingly profitable as well.

In 1998 Shvo began to work for Douglas Elliman, the well-known real estate agency. He showed a drive rarely seen, showing upwards of 40 rental apartments each day to clients. Michael Shvo was always the first person in the office each morning, and because no one else was there he took all the calls from their clients. In just one year at Elliman Michael Shvo was giving training seminars for new agents coming to work for Elliman. He was the perfect example and role model for the trainees as someone who arrived at Elliman with no experience and fewer contacts, and through sheer hard work and drive could succeed fantastically.

At the height of the real estate boom in the mid-2000s, the image of this marketing sector changed drastically. Traditionally real-estate agents were stereotyped as suburban matrons that would more likely be driving an SUV than a Mercedes. Glamour has not been part of the job description- that is until recently.

In a city like New York, where it is possible to sell five 1 million dollar condominiums by parking outside the construction site and peering at the hole in the ground where the apartments will one day exist through a hole in the fence, big bucks breeds respect, admiration and a glamorous aura. One of these people that changed that perception was Michael Shvo.

Shvo, who began his company, which bears his name, in 2004, is young, talented and driven.  He was even asked to star in his own reality TV show, (an offer he turned down so he could devote himself to his company.)

The state of real estate acquired a new image in the mid-2000s, and much of the credit for that can go to Michael Shvo.

In the following video real estate marketer Michael Shvo discusses risk, return, and theory in the real estate market. Michael Shvo appeared on Cityscape TV in Dubai, where he spends two weeks each month, splitting his time between the Emirate and New York City.

Middle Eastern countries, such as Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are all now in expansion mode as high oil prices and a desire by rulers to invest in their country’s infrastructure

Michael Shvo Invests in Abu Dhabi

combine to create an atmosphere of growth and improvement.

Michael Shvo, the President and CEO of the real estate marketing firm called SHVO explained why the risks in these locations are small.

“If the governments are putting money into the markets, then we can all put money in because the governments are not going to let the markets collapse,” says Michael Shvo.

While Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are experiencing rapid growth and increased investment, Dubai is struggling. After a period of growth and excitement the property market in Dubai collapses when demand and lack of credit dealt a “one-two” punch to the market.

This has not prevented foreign investors from putting their money into neighboring countries with better prospects and potential for growth. Up-scale property  marketers such as Michael Shvo, who has an office in Dubai and New York, is especially excited by the prospects for real estate in Abu Dhabi.

After Michael Shvo’s meteoric rise in the New York City real estate world during his six years as an agent for Douglas Elliman, he began his own firm, The Shvo Group, in 2004. The opening page of Michael Shvo’s web site displays in bold, white letters on a dramatically black background “Shvo: New York London.” Visitors to the site are brought into the world of super luxurious,  exclusive New York and international real estate. Go visit and dare to dream.