Get to Know the Broker: Marlene Hamad of Platinum Forbes Global Properties – Commercial Observer
Marlene Hamad was going to make it in New York City come hell or high water. She was a fresh-faced 22-year-old college graduate pursuing a dream.
At first, that dream looked like a career as a certified public accountant, but her past experience in the real estate industry never left her mind, so she set out to build a career as a top residential broker.
But it wasn’t enough to be a local legend — for Hamad, now 27, only a global reach would do. And that’s exactly what she built: a global residential practice that includes New York and Dubai, as well as other international markets. Hamad is a frequent traveler who loves experiencing new cultures, meeting people from around the world and, inevitably, turning almost any conversation into one about real estate.
Commercial Observer caught up with Hamad in September for a series called “Get to Know the Broker,” where we connect with residential brokers to learn more about what makes them tick.
This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Commercial Observer: What has been the biggest deal of your career?
Marlene Hamad: I don’t think I’ve done my biggest deal yet. I’ve been fortunate to work on some incredible transactions and with clients across New York, Dubai and other international markets, but I’m still very much building. Ask me this question again next year!
What’s your career Everest?
Building a truly global real estate advisory business. I want to be the person clients call whether they’re buying a townhouse in Manhattan, a residence in London, or looking at an opportunity in Dubai. Ultimately, I want to build a business and reputation that transcends any single market.
Who has been your biggest influence?
My dad, without question. He taught me the value of hard work, resilience and never expecting anything to be handed to you. From a young age, I watched the sacrifices he made for our family, and it shaped the way I approach both life and business.
He taught me to be independent, to keep going when things get difficult and to always remember where I came from. A lot of the drive I have today comes from wanting to build a legacy on his behalf.
What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I moved to New York City at 22, just five months after graduating with my undergraduate degree. I studied accounting and initially planned to pursue the CPA route, but quickly realized it wasn’t what I wanted to do.
In a way, though, real estate had been in the background much earlier. When I was 10 years old, I listed my dad’s apartment online for him because he didn’t know how to use technology. Then, at 16, once I was able to drive, I started hosting open houses, which gave me my first real exposure to the business.
When I finally made the move to New York, I was broke, didn’t know anyone in the city, and had no Plan B. I knew it was a risky decision, but I took the chance and built my career completely from scratch. Oftentimes people see where you are now without realizing just how far away the starting point was.
What’s your go-to takeout order?
Sweetgreen’s chicken caesar salad wrap. After a long day of work, sometimes I barely have time to eat, and somehow it always arrives incredibly fast. It’s become my reliable go-to when my schedule is nonstop.
What TV show are you currently binging?
I’m not much of a binge watcher because I rarely have time to finish an entire season. But when I do watch TV, I naturally gravitate toward real estate shows like “Owning Manhattan.” I guess even in my downtime, I can’t completely turn off real estate.
What is your silliest pet peeve?
When the elevator stops at every single floor like it’s suddenly gone local. And slow walkers, especially in New York.
What’s on your Spotify playlist?
A little bit of everything. My playlist can go from The Weeknd to Future to EsDeeKid to 2000s Tamer Hosny. It really just depends on my mood.
Who is your favorite architect and interior designer?
Christina Halatsis of Halatsis Architect and Akasya Yasaroglu of Akasya Design. I love Christina’s ability to balance beautiful architecture with the technical side of actually bringing a project to life, and Akasya has an incredible eye for interiors that feel elevated and luxurious without feeling overdone.
I’ve always appreciated designers who understand that a beautiful space still has to feel livable.
What’s your most entertaining deal story?
During a scheduled showing, my clients and I got stuck in an elevator between floors and we couldn’t get the doors open on the correct floor. The only way out ended up being through Neil Diamond’s apartment, so we literally had to exit the elevator through his home to get out. It was one of those only-in-New York real estate moments and definitely a showing I’ll never forget.
If you’d like to be featured in our Get to Know the Broker Spotlight, please email Amanda Schiavo at aschiavo@commercialobserver.com.
