Luxury Real Estate for sale in Bordeaux was represented at the prestigious Plaza Hotel in New York by Maxwell-Baynes. As we gathered in New York for the annual Christie’s International Real Estate owners’ conference Karin Maxwell and Michael Baynes were amongst the most experienced and well respected names in global luxury real estate. It is always an intense few days but the personal relationships and training that is imparted inspires all that attend and allows Maxwell-Baynes to showcase the Bordeaux luxury real estate that it represents across the South West of France.
Where Personal Relationships Take Center Stage, Surrounded by Art and Elegance
The event allows real estate leaders to network and exchange information, clients and ideas but above all it is a time to develop trust and personal relationships in elegant and comfortable environments including the Christie’s Auction house at the New York Rockefeller Centre that was showcasing some art classics but also some more humorous contemporary pieces in its display windows.
There are always surprises and announcements at the global owners conference, however this year was of particular interest to Karin and Michael as they were able to spend extended time with Gavin Swartzman who is the new President of Christie’s International Real Estate.
Gavin is a giant in the world of luxury real estate and brings to the Christie’s International Real Estate family a background that is tailor made for the next season of growth and international expansion since the Compass acquisition of CIRE at the end of last year. For the past eleven years Gavin was the CEO of Peerage Realty Partners based in Toronto, Canada but operating across North America.
As Karin and Michael spoke with him it was clear that he is a man of humility, a leader ready to listen and learn despite his remarkable career in the luxury real estate industry. He asked about Bordeaux and the luxury real estate markets of the South West of France including the vineyard markets of Vineyards-Bordeaux.
Gavin’s style of leadership is very personal – he prefers to be in front of people face to face and to build relationship. Given the size of the CIRE affiliation with over a hundred markets around the world it was even more surprising when Gavin said that his goal is to visit each of the luxury real estate markets served by CIRE. Karin and Michael were quick to invite him to Bordeaux where we hope to see him in the coming months. As a mark of distinction Gavin prefers to refer to agents as “trusted advisors” and he sees management as inclusive; a partnership with leaders and team members having dual responsibilities rather than a dynamic with a boss that has all of the responsibility. One of the words that Gavin likes to use is “alignment” which was music to the ears of Karin and Michael who have made this value a hallmark of their leadership at Maxwell-Baynes. Gavin believes that with alignment teams evolve to having extraordinary performance. It is good to know that Maxwell-Baynes is aligned on the subject of alignment with the next President of Christie’s International Real Estate.
