Edna Mashaal Realty, an independent Great Neck Plaza-based firm with about 50 agents, found itself competing with large firms like Douglas Elliman, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s and a host of others.
Ultimately though, Edna Mashaal and her firm took home an award at the Long Island Business News Real Estate Awards for being the top residential broker by volume, producing $98.879 million.
“I’m competing with offices of over 300 per office,” Edna Mashaal, who founded her firm in 2002, said in an interview at the event. “And I don’t believe it myself.”
Lise Ansellem, an assistant to Edna Mashaal and a real estate agent with her firm, said this win is something unheard of.
“It’s the first time in the history of real estate that something like this happened, that a small office can compete with the biggest firms,” Ansellem said.
Real estate agents that work with Mashaal attributed the success to her work ethic, professionalism and her trustworthiness. They also highlighted her love of real estate, people and her team.
Rosalyn Provda, who has worked with Mashaal for roughly a decade and described her as a mentor, said in her 12 years in business, she never met a broker like Mashaal.
“We come into the office, she’s always happy, she loves every one of us, and I’ve never met any broker that gives of herself like Edna,” Provda said. “24 hours a day you can call her. She’s incredible and she has time for everyone else.”
“We more than thrive, because she’s always there for you,” Provda added.
Yelena Doljansky, who has worked with Mashaal for at least seven years, described her as a mentor fostering a positive work environment.
“She’s wonderful. She inspires you to do,” Doljansky said. “It’s such a wonderful atmosphere. I used to work with a different company, but I would never change for anything else.”
Mashaal, meanwhile, attributed the success to a number of things, including ethics, honestly, love of what she does and a “great team behind me.” She also thanked her husband, family and neighborhood in Great Neck for supporting her.
Ultimately, Mashaal said she plans to stay in Great Neck – the place where she raised her family – for a long time.
“I have been approached by many corporate offices,” Mashaal said, “but I think I’m happy being the local boutique office in Great Neck and to give personal attention to my homeowners and my buyers.”
