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Buying her first home with her husband in Sag Harbor ignited Nicole’s interest in real estate. Over ten years ago she became a licensed real estate agent under her husband’s brokerage company Luxury Living International Real Estate. She honed her skills and became a successful buyer’s agent as well as a real estate developer. Meeting new people and helping clients find the right house to call home is her passion. Her client dedication and love of helping others are what motivate her most. With a design and merchandising background, Nicole has a natural appreciation for interior design and architecture. She often consults and helps her clients stage their homes for sale. Recently she and her husband Zachary joined forces with Douglas Elliman in Bridgehampton. Raised on Long Island, Nicole and her husband reside between New York City and the Hamptons.
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1. How and when did you first realize you wanted to work in your current industry?
Fourteen years ago my now husband and I purchased our first “fixer upper.” That was it—I was hooked.
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2. What is your biggest career highlight to date?
In real estate sales, my biggest highlights have been becoming friends with my clients and continuing those relationships long after the deal has been done. In development, my favorite was the design and build of a home in Sag Harbor. That project really allowed my husband and I to join creative forces and the end result was, simply, a beautiful home.
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3. Any celebrity clients or memorable stories related to your business that you want to share?
Many years ago, my husband and I worked with an independent film producer and allowed him to shoot scenes at our East Hampton house. The film starred Molly Shannon and Mark Feuerstein. Later that year, the film went on to win awards at the Hamptons Film Festival. That same year, we worked to find Prince a very “under the radar” house to stay in while performing at the Ross School.
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4. How would you describe your personal style?
During the day I am really a jeans and T-shirt girl. But I have to admit, I love to glam it up for a good party.
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5. What is a typical day in your life like?
Mornings start early with COFFEE and e-mails. Before lunch I usually meet up with my husband (and business partner) on a job site. Several times a week, I like to view open houses to see newly listed properties. I find that my real estate clients are as busy as I am and we usually don’t speak until after dinner. It’s relatively full day.
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6. What are three never-miss events on your calendar?
I always attend the Hampton Classic horse show to close out the summer season. One event I never miss is my annual holiday party. It is held in December at my East Hampton home. It’s a black tie event and its theme changes every year. Another annual celebration that we don’t usually miss is NYE celebrated in the Hamptons with our best friends from London. We only see them for six weeks each summer and two weeks between Christmas and the New Year. So this has become an annual tradition.
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7. What are your three favorite locations in the city you reside in?
I reside between NYC and the Hamptons. In the city, I love to walk the reservoir in Central Park. I also go to the Met—it is literally three blocks for my apartment. I love the entire village of Sag Harbor. However, one of my favorite places to be would be on my sail boat. It affords me a view of Bay Street in one direction and the sunset in the other.
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8. What are your three favorite restaurants?
The Grill in East Hampton, Le Bilboquet in Sag Harbor, and T-Bar in NYC.
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9. What about your three favorite bars?
I am not really a bar girl. However, in the summer I love to sit at Le Bilboquet’s bar for a sunset cocktail or American Hotel for a weekend Bloody Mary.
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10. What has been your best New York moment?
This is so cliché, but my best NYC moment has to be my wedding. We got married at the Boat House in Central Park.
What about the worst? Thankfully, I don’t think that has happened…yet.
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11. Name your go-to:
- Outfit: Jeans and a pair of wedges (boots or sandals)
- Fragrance: Bond’s Lexington Avenue
- Movie: Midnight in Paris
- Book: Hmmm too many to count. I am currently finishing Jack Arbor’s Russian Assassin Series
- TV show: I love “FIXER UPPER.” I could binge watch it all day.
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12. Name your favorite vacation spot, and the hotel you stay at while there. What makes these spots special?
Anywhere in Italy. I love Rome, it’s both old and new. Hotel De Russie is hard to beat. The inner courtyard is amazing!
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13. What are your three most played songs?
I am a huge jazz fan. I listen to anything Diana Krall.
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14. What are three items you couldn’t live without?
My cell phone, lip balm, morning coffee.
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15. If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
My father-in-law, Carl Tunick. He passed away before I met my husband. Everyone who knew him seems to have adored him. I would have loved the opportunity to meet my husband’s hero.
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16. What is something people might not know about you?
I would love to have lived in the 1920s. I think it was such an elegant time. Such a great time for art, music, and literature.
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17. When did you feel like you had “made it” professionally?
I always feel accomplished when I get referrals. I don’t ever think I will feel as if I have “made it.” It’s not my nature to settle. I always push myself.
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18. Do you have any advice for those aspiring to work in your industry?
Be honest and work hard.
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19. What changes do you think your industry will undergo in the next 5-10 years?
As we continue to become more and more digital, we will be able to reach clients that were previously not on our radar. Real estate is already global but technology continues to widen the net and that will continue to open new doors and opportunities. The business model for real estate sales and development will continue to evolve. It will be important to embrace technology and keep up with it!
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20. Is there anything else you’d like to share, discuss or promote?
I am excited to list my newest build for sale this month. It is a transitional home just outside of Sag Harbor village. My husband and I put a tremendous amount of creative energy into this project. It is quite unique. Other than that I think 20 self-reflecting questions are enough self- promotion for one day! 😉
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Images Courtesy of Nicole Garone Tunick and Zachary Tunick
