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What It's Like To Be One Of Luxury Real Estate's Highest Rollers At Age 27

Tal Alexander Doha
Tal Alexander Doha

TalAlexander/Instagram

The Alexanders on a trip to Doha, the capital of Qatar, after they sold New York City's most expensive townhouse to the nation.

Check out the Instagram feed of 27-year-old real estate mogul Tal Alexander, and you'll see him and his brother Oren throwing up peace signs on camels in Doha, Qatar.

That's the nation they recently represented in the sale of a $100 million townhouse , the most expensive ever sold in New York City.

Scoot over to 26-year-old Oren's feed, and you'll find the Alexanders — who co-founded The Alexander Team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate two years ago — out to lunch on the slopes of Aspen, Colo., while The A Team's feed includes photos of their multimillion-dollar listings in Manhattan and Miami.

"On Instagram, we've sold two properties in the last six weeks just based on brokers following us," Tal told Business Insider.

The brothers' social-media savvy is a major shift from traditional real estate sales tactics. After they sold the most expensive mansion in Miami for $47 million in 2012, they tried to capitalize on the news by spending $20,000 on ads in in-flight magazines for business and first-class travelers. They didn't get a single phone call.

Oren Alexander 25 Columbus Circle
Oren Alexander 25 Columbus Circle

OrenAlexander/Instagram

Oren Alexander lounging in a property at 25 Columbus Circle in Manhattan.

Social media has become a major marketing platform for the Alexanders, whose current listings include a $95 million apartment on the Upper East Side, a $58.5 million estate in the Hamptons, and a $49 million mansion in swanky Alpine, N.J.

They have personal and business accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, with a combined following of about 25,000. Just as important as the exposure is the tone it sets for the brothers: They have fun doing their work.

"It has to be fun," Tal said. "These homes are some of the biggest transactions our buyers will ever make, especially if they're accumulating multiple properties and have a lot of their portfolio in real estate. It takes the edge off if it's fun. We can make it fun."

The Alexander philosophy has always been about selling a lifestyle, not just a property. In an interview last year, Oren told Business Insider he meets many of his wealthy clients — whom he likes to call friends — by living like they do. That means spending New Year's in St. Barts, going to the clubs they frequent, and even dressing like them.

Oren Alexander Upper East Side Townhouse
Oren Alexander Upper East Side Townhouse

OrenAlexander/Instagram

Oren and Tal Alexander in a townhouse on the Upper East Side.

They try to be well versed in the things their clients care about, said Tal, including art, planes, yachts, cars, and, of course, real estate. It helps that the Alexanders grew up in the world of luxury real estate. Their father, Shlomi Alexander, is a major developer in South Florida.

So far their strategy is paying off. Since selling the Qatar townhouse, they've fetched the highest prices per square foot for non-penthouse units at 102 Prince St. and Time Warner Center in New York City.

The brothers have a serious work ethic and are eager to build their team, often meeting with other brokers who can give them the scoop on properties that are not publicly listed.

On a typical workday, Tal said he gets to the gym in his suit and tie by 7:15 a.m. After a workout, he walks to Balthazar, a power-breakfast spot, for meetings with developers, clients, branding and creative directors, or his brother.

Oren Alexander Flight to Miami
Oren Alexander Flight to Miami

OrenAlexander/Instagram

Oren and Tal Alexander with other members of The A Team on a private flight to Miami.

Tal gets to the office at 42nd and Madison by 9 for meetings with his seven-person team. Most brokers have cubicles, but they have a private office with walls covered in news coverage of their sales and pictures of their high-profile clients, including Middle Eastern royalty and tycoons.

Then it's off to lunch for more meetings at Hatsuhana, a Midtown sushi joint, followed by showings through the afternoon. Every night, the brothers have dinner reservations to woo a new or existing client.

"Depending on the profile of the client, there may be a night on the town after that," Tal said.

The Alexanders should be looking at a lot of nights out on the town. They plan to expand their business to Aspen and farther into the Middle East.



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