Business

Growth Through Opportunity: How George Hamboussi Jr. Thrived in New York Real-Estate Law

Published

4 years ago

April 29, 2021

George Hamboussi Jr. never thought he would get into real-estate law. Coming from a family in the real estate business, the young lawyer decided that when he graduated from the University of Buffalo, he would set his sights on corporate law instead. This is what he landed his first job in, and that was the plan for his first year out of school.

However, being the helpful son that he was, he began assisting his father whenever his real estate business required a lawyer. He came to his father’s aid enough that people began asking him if he was in real estate himself. He always said no, but it just kind of snowballed from there. Soon, Hamboussi Jr. quit his job to start his own law firm, and this is where he truly began embracing the world of real estate law.

George Hamboussi Jr. knows how hard it is to make it in New York City. As a small business owner and a representative of landlords through hard times like COVID-19, he knows well that failure is more than possible in the big city. Thankfully for Hamboussi Jr., he entered New York at the perfect time.

It was around fifteen years ago that Brooklyn’s Chinatown boomed, and around fifteen years ago that Hamboussi Jr. opened his first office. The young lawyer decided to lean into this happenstance, at a time when Chinese Americans and other Asian Americans were purchasing and renting around this neighborhood. He introduced himself to the community, presented himself and his business. He was featured on SinoVision, a Chinese-language television network based in Manhattan, and promoted on loop. It was around this time that he also began representing a builder of condominium units in the area, which helped put him on the map even further as a real estate lawyer.

This all put Hamboussi Jr. in a fantastic position during one of the worst economic crises in American history. While the recession of the aughts was hitting New York City and the country as a whole incredibly hard, Hamboussi Jr. was opening a second office in Manhattan, larger space in the heart of the city’s business district.

His firm’s expansion only increased. A third office came on the suggestion of some real estate brokers, who came to them with a proposition: if Hamboussi Jr. and his team could represent them regarding purchasers who spoke Spanish or Asian languages, the office would be provided in their package. Since Hamboussi Jr. surrounded himself with employees who speak Mandarin, Cantonese, or Fujianese, and since he himself speaks fluent Spanish, this was a deal that was possible for his firm to uphold. Suddenly, Hamboussi Jr. gained yet another location, and he found himself going from office to office each day, serving more and more clients as the years progressed.

“Even without thinking about growing,” Hamboussi Jr. explained with a laugh,” it just happened through opportunity.” His law offices became so bustling with clients and employees alike, that he began working from home each Thursday as a way to escape from the bustle of everything.

Hamboussi Jr.’s story represents well the key to growth: putting oneself out there, and letting the contacts you develop to guide your business to success. Business owners must advertise themselves in the best way possible, and integrate themselves into the communities they serve. Hamboussi Jr. got where he is because he was fantastic at positioning his services. It only took a small amount of force, but that single push helped start a snowball effect, where word-of-mouth and results-driven business helped propel him to lengths he never thought possible.

To contact George Hamboussi Jr., email ghjrlaw@gmail.com or call his office at (718) 439-4512.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.