The Owning New York Team
Our dynamic team allows Owning New York to serve a wide variety of clients across the city. We value excellence in customer service while attending to all the details that matter, whether you are buying, selling, renting or seeking an investment property. We start with a consultation so we can learn about your goals, criteria and time frame. Should you be a first time NYC home buyer or seller, we wll provide you with all the information you need so that you know all the steps involved in the process, which is really a journey. We are happy to guide and support you as you make your next transition!
Hank Orenstein
As a native New Yorker and former full-time tour guide, I have cultivated a tremendous amount of knowledge about NYC history and culture and our unique neighborhoods and communities. By sharing what I have learned, my goal is to ensure that you find the right fit for your lifestyle.
After establishing myself as a top-selling agent, I founded Owning New York LLC (ONY) in 2015 as New York City’s first company to offer real estate and lifestyle tours. ONY is based at the prestigious Corcoran Group Real Estate in the heart of Manhattan.
I love real estate in large part due to the great diversity of people I get to work with, ranging from CEO’s and banking and finance executives, to United Nations staff, educators, attorneys, retirees and people in the arts, entertainment and non-profit industries.
My eclectic background includes work as a Homeless Shelter Director; advocate for abused and neglected children; professional tour guide and fine art photographer.
I have a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a B.A in English, and have served on the faculty of Columbia University, Fordham, the New School and the City University of New York. I have been a cooperative apartment owner since 1988; served on the Board of Directors for 12 years and was President for three years.
I find that all my past occupations and roles contribute positively to my real estate transactions over the past 11 years and have made me uniquely prepared to adapt to a variety of buyer and seller requirements and styles and to changing scenarios. I am also a certified negotiation specialist and since March 2023 have been a real estate educator, teaching classes on NYC history and neighborhoods to real estate professionals.
Nicole Christie
Nicole Christie brings fifteen years of combined buying, sales, management, marketing, and communications experience to the New York real estate industry. She is fueled by passion and determination which feeds into a firm commitment to excellence in every undertaking. As a savvy negotiator and a detail-oriented person, Nicole will always place a high priority upon the needs and concerns of her clients as she walks them through every step of their transaction.
Prior to her transition into real estate, Nicole served as Head of Communications (North America) for one of the world’s largest fashion retailers. She was one of the first fifty people hired to lead the company’s expansion within the US. Nicole promptly displayed her business aptitude and dedication to hard work by taking on several company roles and rising in the ranks. During her tenure she also advised the company on the selection of many of its prime commercial locations in New York City.
Nicole loves meeting and getting to know new people, exploring New York, and investigating a wide-range of distinctive properties. She thrives in challenging situations and is adept at managing complicated issues. Educating buyers and sellers on the real estate process, and ensuring that their respective goals are met, will always be Nicole’s top priority. She values the process of fostering a happy, trusted, and lasting relationship with her clients, and is eager to help them buy their dream property or sell their current one when they are ready to move on.
Nicole is a Brooklyn native, Harlem homeowner and proud former graduate of both Stuyvesant High School and Columbia University. Growing up in Brooklyn and living in Manhattan has nurtured her love for real estate, and has made her an invaluable resource for friends, family, visitors and colleagues.
Nicole is a world traveler—but also enjoys what she likes to call “a lifelong love affair with New York.” When she is not poring over real estate articles or admiring the great architecture of the city, she enjoys trying new cuisines, taking dance classes, cheering on the NY Mets and Giants, attending the theater with her best friend (her mom), and following all things fashion and design-related.
Julius Leonard
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​Julius Leonard is a dedicated real estate agent who specializes in sales and rentals. His focus is the Upper West Side, however he serves clients throughout Manhattan and is willing to help them find homes in any of the NYC boroughs. Julius has lived in the city for over 12 years, first in Washington Heights, then Hamilton Heights, and currently, the Upper West Side.
In addition to his extensive knowledge of neighborhoods and offerings, he is an excellent listener and thorough researcher of locations and properties to find the best fit for his clients’ needs. People also love working with Julius because of his extremely friendly, outgoing nature, approachable personality, honest approach, and above-and-beyond service. He is fully invested in each client and their unique situation, and in delivering the results they well deserve.
Born in Orlando, Julius was raised in the British Virgin Islands and spent time traveling after college. He honed his eye for design and his fine taste working in fashion as a model and for visual merchandisers. Outside of real estate, Julius is slowly learning French, and does lots of athletic activities like running, biking, hiking and swimming. He additionally enjoys going to the beach, cooking, and learning new cultures.
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