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By: Howard Jay Meyer
Mother, real estate broker, ex-“Real Housewives of New York” star, author, editor, and former model Kelly Bensimon never considered selling luxury real estate to be her second act. Instead, she has enjoyed the many career moves life has presented and brought her unique lens to each one. Bensimon is a broker with Douglas Elliman where she runs the Kelly Killoren Bensimon Team. She holds real estate licenses in numerous states and has even expanded into Europe. During the COVID-19 pandemic she sold an apartment at 150 Charles Street in the West Village for $42 million. As Bensimon wrote at the time on Instagram: “I will never forget where I started in this business. Im so humbled by those who have believed in me.” She has represented numerous buyers and sellers in multiple deals since.
In an exclusive interview with the Jewish Voice, Bensimon said that people take her seriously because she takes herself seriously. Bensimon will do whatever it takes to help buyers find their ideal property, whether it’s an investment or a forever home. Her varied background and jobs have helped her help others. She has been successful in multiple fields. “My clients have seen me through various iterations in my life,” Bensimon says. They trust her ability to transact and to understand strong aesthetic.
Bensimon first entered the real estate field nearly seven years ago. For those who are seeking to pivot to real estate from another field, Bensimon offers the following advice: “Real estate is a really difficult business; it’s not fun, it’s not what you see on TV. It’s not high ponytails and fancy cars. [It’s] hard work.” Get your license; be a referral agent so you can make money referring clients, Bensimon advises. You must be serious about this field, she says. Real estate isn’t about personalities; it’s about transactions. Get to know property values and client demands.
Bensimon’s media background has helped her a lot, but it is her experience in publishing that has informed her real estate sales. She gets things done, whether it’s showing apartments on a Sunday night or ensuring a property is cleaned up. Real estate is a strenuous business; this is not life in the fast lane, Bensimon says.
How does Bensimon find inner peace despite the stresses and needs of her job? Bensimon finds inner peace because, as she puts it: “I’m a genuinely good person. I don’t take my business home with me.” Bensimon works in the best interests of her clients ensuring they get the best deal possible. It helps to also work with “masters of the universe,” the best people across the board. This can involve partnering with a broker in Malibu or the Hamptons. “I’m not afraid of change or the economic climate; I know what my clients want, and I get it for them,” she says.
Whether it was in publishing or on television, Bensimon has worked with a myriad of people in multiple capacities. She’s not afraid of getting her hands dirty but is also not afraid to delegate. Oftentimes, people fear giving up responsibility; they think that team members won’t get the job done. However, Bensimon works with the “best of the best” and is not afraid that somebody won’t do a good job. Bensimon trusts the people she works with, and they trust her in turn. She takes her job seriously and makes sure it’s a job done well. The main criteria are to be responsible and respectful.
At Douglas Elliman, Bensimon has made over $100 million in sales. It’s not about how great you are, she says; it’s about trust. “If clients don’t trust you, you’re never going to have a business.”
As a real estate agent, Bensimon is required to take real estate continuing education courses (CE’s). “You’re constantly learning,” she says. Working in different states helps Bensimon stay informed of nationwide trends as well as changes in the law. She also reads the Wall Street Journal every day.
When looking into what charities to support, Bensimon has been guided by what organizations will affect the industries she’s in. She also supports the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, whose goal is to preserve fashionable costumes and accessories. This is something Bensimon became passionate about during her modeling days.
On television, Bensimon realized she could use her platform to help fellow New Yorkers overcome food insecurity. Bensimon sits on the Directors Council for Food Bank for NYC. She teaches her children to fight to end hunger as well.
“I don’t think of [my charity work] as giving back,” offers Bensimon. “I think of it as how I lead my life.” She works with the best people and supports the best causes.
While Bensimon doesn’t look as real estate as her next chapter, she is always open to doing more for the community, is open to what’s presented to her and exploring multiple layers. Whether it’s publishing, media or real estate, Bensimon is excited to be a strong value added to whomever she is working with. “I think it’s super important to have a healthy balance of your work life, your family life, your spiritual life and your philanthropic life,” Bensimon states. This is something she takes very seriously. As a New Yorker, she is constantly making decisions that can affect the people from the various pages that make the book of her life. And the story is still being written.
