Crissy Moran

Crissy Moran is not your typical New York City realtor. She specializes in unique properties such as artist lofts, dungeons, and former prisons. When she isn’t seeing to it that her clients are satisfied with the service they receive, Moran is actively pursuing new projects. She is driven by a curiosity about different cultures, histories, and lifestyles, which she hopes to incorporate into her next realty endeavor.

A Different Perspective

“I like to look at real estate from a different perspective,” explains Moran. “I find that it offers a unique perspective, something that you can’t really get from the usual angle. You can use it to show clients a side of New York they might not have seen before.”

Moran’s background is in graphic design, and she drew upon her expertise in creating flyers and websites for her businesses. She also worked as a copywriter for a marketing agency, pitching stories to magazines and bloggers.

New York City Is A Mecca For Real Estate

Moran first got involved in real estate in 2011, when she helped her cousin sell a co-op apartment in the city. At the time, she was working as a freelance graphic designer, and had no real background in sales or real estate. She quickly learned on the job, and in the following years, she would go on to assist other realtors in the city in sales and acquisitions. She credits her in-house training in real estate as giving her the confidence to tackle any situation, and says she always strives to provide the best possible service to her clients.

“I like to think of myself as more of an entrepreneur than a realtor, since I come from a family that’s been in the real estate business for generations,” says Moran. “I love being able to create something from the ground up. You can be certain that regardless of what situation you’re in, whether you’re buying or selling a property, I’m going to do my best to get you the best value in the most professional manner possible.”

A Passion For History

A keen interest in history also drives Moran. Her great-grandfather was an immigrant from Ireland, and he built a realty company in the city after arriving from Ireland in the early 1900s. One of his main properties was the five-story brick walk-up building at 150 West 12th Street, which he called “The Casa” and converted into a luxurious co-op in 1942. The building still boasts its original co-op apartment, which was the setting for Elia Kazan’s 1952 film, Woman of the Year. It is now a co-op with retail space on the first floor.

Kazan’s character, Joan Alexander, lived in the building with her husband, Charlie, played by Henry Fonda. The Alexander’s were a young, upper-middle-class couple, and are shown buying furniture and planning their future in the film. Their domestic bliss is juxtaposed against the backdrop of the looming World War II, and the couple’s passionate debate about Roosevelt’s New Deal resonates with audiences much more than 70 years later. The scene was shot entirely on location, and the couple were married realtors who worked at the same firm as Moran’s great-grandfather. They remained friends and coworkers even after their respective marriages crumbled, and Joan remarried in the 1950s, living in the city until her death in 2005.

“I grew up with stories of women in my family falling in love with men in uniform, and how they would often move to London or other English cities to be with their sweethearts,” says Moran. “I have always been interested in the way people lived and the way they expressed themselves, and how real estate has changed over the years. I love old buildings that have been around for centuries, and have incredible stories to tell. Even when I was a little girl, I would listen to my parents talk about the different properties they had, and how much they appreciated the stories behind them.”

The Creative Process

Creating unique artwork for her business has always been a part of Moran’s routine. While working as a freelance designer, she created flyers and websites for several realty firms in the city. She eventually started her own agency, specializing in artist lofts, where she can show off her creative side. She also takes on large-scale commissions, such as the web banners for Mayor Bill de Blasio’s 2014 campaign.

“When I have downtime, I love to paint or draw, or even write something creative,” she says. “It helps me clear my head, and lets me switch gears from working so much. Plus, it’s a great way to advertise to my clients!”

Going The Extra Mile

It is common practice for realtors to advertise in the yellow pages, but not all of them will be willing to go that extra mile to satisfy a customer. That’s where Moran steps in. She strongly believes in going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that her clients are completely satisfied with the service they receive, and will refer them to others if something goes wrong. She also encourages customers to contact her directly, rather than using an answering service or going through a third party.

“I want my clients to feel like they can’t find a better match for themselves, and that I have gone the extra mile to give them everything they need,” she says. “Even if it’s just a matter of following up with a phone call or sending a simple email to make sure everything is okay, I will do my best to make sure my clients are completely content.”

A Storied History

Moran’s family knows the value of keeping their history alive, and she takes great pride in following in their footsteps. One of the perks of being a realtor is getting to dive into the history of your chosen field. You can learn a lot about houses and property by looking into the archives, where old newspapers and magazines are stored and available for perusal by the public. While working at a realty firm, she would often get to take out boxes of old information, which she would later sift through, putting the properties on her client list into context, and explaining the many quirks and intricacies that come with old buildings. Some of her favorite finds are old maps and illustrations that show how the city and its real estate have evolved over the years.

A City As Unique As Its Residents

Moran has always had an affinity for New York City, and she says its unique culture and lifestyle inspire her day-to-day work, as well as her future endeavors. She sees herself as part of a collective, eclectic group of people who work together creating a rich culture and environment in the city. She feels fortunate to have access to such a wonderful city, and is looking forward to the opportunities it presents.