Returning to NYC after college, Michelle began her career in the Fashion Industry as clothing designer for various middle market firms. With her entrepreneur spirit and a need for fine quality ready wear, she created her own clothing line. With the growth and success of her young firm, Harper’s Bazaar Magazine named Michelle one of New York’s up and coming “Young Fashion Designers”. Her designs were frequently featured in W Magazine, Woman’s Wear Daily, as well as other publications. With a looming recession and increasingly high cost to manufacture locally, Michelle was forced to shut down her fashion business.

In the late 1980’s, Michelle’s real estate career developed as an integral part of numerous Cooperative and Condominium conversions throughout Manhattan. Starting as a sales agent with a development company, Michelle quickly moved into the role of Director of Sales and was responsible for marketing and selling hundreds of apartments. In addition, she became the in house project Marketing Director and model apartment designer.

In 1995, Michelle formed a successful business partnership, Barshay Brokerage RE Group LLC. Over the years, she has guided the company in becoming a prominent NYC full service boutique real estate company. Her firm’s growth has been predicated by Michelle’s knowledge, integrity, trustworthiness and personal service. Besides being known in the industry as a specialist with various residential buildings, Michelle offers her clients a unique, creative and powerful assemblage of assets in accomplishing their real estate goals.

One of Michelle’s exceptional skills is her ability to create a showcase by staging an apartment to sell. Whether you desire to create a buyer’s vision from your personal possessions, create a handsome empty palate or a complete stage presence; Michelle’s timeless design service will prepare your home with appreciation of the buyer’s viewpoint.

Raising a family in Manhattan, Michelle’s involvement in the fabric of NYC life, has led her to become engaged in various local organizations. Presently, her involvement as a docent and historical guide at The Merchant’s House Museum (one of only 117 interior & exterior landmarks in NYC recognized as a National Historic Landmark one of only 2,400) is one of her more gratifying endeavors.

In addition, Michelle is a member of the Roof Raiser Curatorial Brigade, which is part of The Historic House Trust of NYC. The brigade is a pure hand-on involvement, in helping to maintain historic landmarked properties throughout NYC. Also, as a long standing resident of Greenwich Village, Michelle continues to be an active member of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation.

Michelle will carefully listen to your real estate objectives and with her strong work ethic; honest advice and consummate level of customer service deliver the results you want.

Testimonials

“It is my pleasure to highly recommend Michelle Barshay of Barshay Brokerage. The apartment needed a complete cosmetic restoration in order to be sold. Michelle took care of every detail of the restoration from the planning stages, to picking out every electrical outlet, doorknob and, more importantly, always being available to meet with contractors and repairmen. Michelle single-handedly transformed the apartment. Professional photographers showed it to its best advantage and her marketing skills were excellent. Michelle is extremely savvy, professional, knowledgeable, energetic, honest and a pleasure to work with. There were no problems for which Michelle and her partner Benjamin did not have a solution. There were no requests made of Michelle that were not acceded to, no matter how inconvenient or difficult. It was a pleasure to work with her.”

MG

“Michelle Barshay was awesome throughout the whole process of helping us buy an apartment in NYC. We were very happy and lucky to find her to complete the apartment purchase from start to finish. She was on top of all issues that arose and most importantly she was very communicative in informing us of each step that was being taken in getting our offer in as well as the processing of our loan. We highly recommend Michelle for the excellent service and positive experience.”

FC

“I have enlisted Barshay Brokerage when I rented my apartment in 2003 and in 2015. Michelle was extremely knowledgeable, professional and also took a personal interest. She gave me invaluable advise of the steps I needed to take to complete the process such as how to update and renovate the apartment, listing the apartment, and most important; securing a good tenant. Michelle was able to navigate the complicated Board approval process and get this done with no intervention on my part. As a result, I have an excellent tenant that is very happy and pays his rent on time. One last note, Michelle also negotiated additional requests that came from the tenant and myself. Again, Michelle was able to work out successful arrangements between the tenant and myself. I would highly recommend Michelle’s services to all who are looking to rent or buy a property.”

AM

“Michelle Barshay is a fantastic realtor. I have used her 3 times over the years. She has extensive knowledge, excellent negotiating skills, and a real understanding of co-op boards and the board approval process. I recommend her to all who are in need of a great realtor!”

SC

“Michelle was very knowledgeable with the building, management and policies. She helped with a thorough review of the tenants financial ability prior to recommending them as a tenant and took great care processing the board package. Her attention to detail, her quick and efficient actions as well as her clear communications all made the successful process very smooth.”

AB

“I have worked with Michelle Barshay for over 15 years, and I gladly recommend her to other landlords in NY. I manage a small rental building in Chelsea, and Michelle has rented a variety of apartments for me over the years. She always does a thorough market analysis and makes solid suggestions regarding realistic prices. She has a good sense of who would make a good tenant or buyer, and that has been really helpful to me in the past — she has steered me away from potential tenants who she felt might have some negative issues, in favor of others who worked out really well. Plus, she’s an easy person to be around, which is a real benefit!”

SW