Scott Harris stands as one of New York City’s most accomplished real estate professionals, with a career spanning over two decades and nearly $2 billion in residential property sales. His journey from a young professional with sales experience to the founder of his own brokerage firm, Magnetic, exemplifies the dedication, strategic vision, and client-focused approach that has made him a leader in one of the world’s most competitive real estate markets.
The Journey to Real Estate Success
Born and raised in New Orleans, where he attended The Isidore Newman School, Scott Harris later earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania. His path to real estate wasn’t direct – before entering the industry, Harris gained valuable experience in the entertainment sector as an artist manager and exclusive booking agent. From 1997 to 2002, he worked at Pretty Polly Productions, handling concert production, talent buying for college campuses and radio stations, and artist development for bands like The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Dropkick Murphys, and others.
This entertainment background proved invaluable, as it exposed him to a diverse, international client base and prepared him for the fast-paced, real-time nature of New York City’s real estate market. Harris entered the real estate industry in early 2003, encouraged by his stepmother who recognized his potential in the field.
His real estate career began at Citi Habitats from 2002 to 2004, where he focused on high-end rental representation and residential sales. He then moved to The Corcoran Group from January 2005 to March 2007, working with buyers and sellers of top-end real estate and advising on investments and multi-family residential properties.
Building a Legacy at Brown Harris Stevens
The most significant chapter of Harris’s career began in March 2007 when he joined Brown Harris Stevens (BHS) as an Associate Broker, a position he would hold for 18 years until January 2025. During this time, he founded the Harris Residential Team, establishing himself as one of the firm’s leading agents and consistently ranking among the top 0.02% of Realtors nationwide.
His success at BHS was remarkable. In 2023 alone, Harris was credited with a total of $168,414,000 in New York City residential real estate sales, rentals, and out-of-market referrals that were closed or in contract. That year, he closed more than $105,000,000 in New York City residential properties, handled 56 total transaction sides (28 as the seller’s exclusive listing agent and 28 representing buyers), and closed 16 transactions above Manhattan’s fourth quarter average sale price of $2,015,401.
The fourth quarter of 2023 was particularly impressive, with Harris and his team closing a total volume of $20,752,290 and securing newly signed contracts totaling $50,000,000. In 2024, despite challenging market conditions that caused some agents to question their future in the industry, Harris’s team closed more than $150 million in deals.
The Magnetic Method and Client-Focused Approach
Throughout his career, Harris developed what he calls “The Magnetic Method,” a proprietary system designed to bring buyers and sellers together effectively. This approach focuses on creating unique branding campaigns and multi-faceted marketing strategies for home sellers, resulting in matches with homebuyers that exceed expectations.
Harris’s philosophy centers on “People First” and “Visionary Brokerage,” helping clients uncover what’s next in their lives and securing opportunities in cooperative apartments, landmarked townhouses, and condominiums. His approach combines proven market expertise with timely research, deep listening, creative problem-solving, and exceptional customer service.
This client-centered strategy has earned Harris features in international publications and contributed to a business based largely on referrals. His targeted campaigns have resulted in exposure on social media, television, and in domestic and international publications.
Launching Magnetic: A New Chapter
In January 2025, Harris embarked on a new venture, founding Magnetic, an independent real estate agency. The decision to launch his own firm came after careful consideration about where he could most add value, his team’s recent successes, and how his team differentiates itself in client service.
Harris was also inspired by a book project targeted at homebuyers, which made him realize that having his own platform would serve as a “bullhorn” for his message to buyers. His new brokerage is powered by Side, a white-label firm chosen for its sophisticated back-end systems, track record of partnering with other top companies, and commitment to accountability and best practices in an industry facing increased scrutiny.
Magnetic launched with Harris and agents from his former eight-person team at BHS, the Harris Residential Team. The firm is designed to bring buyers and sellers together using The Magnetic Method, the system Harris developed over nearly two decades that has helped thousands of clients find their dream outcomes.
Market Insights and Future Outlook
Harris maintains a pulse on the New York City real estate market, offering valuable insights to clients and industry observers. Following his successful 2023, he noted that “Money on the sidelines is moving into the real estate market as buyers recognize the value of real estate at its current pricing. Buyers will remain in control of the market, but more of them will be competing for these opportunities.”
He predicts that “Negotiability in the resale market will be property-by-property and neighborhood to neighborhood,” and confidently forecasts that unrenovated homes will continue to sell 10-15% — and in some cases 20% — below comparable renovated listings.
Beyond Real Estate: Personal Life and Interests
Despite his demanding career, Harris maintains a balanced personal life. He resides with his wife and three children on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. An avid marathon runner and crossword enthusiast, Harris demonstrates the same dedication to his personal interests as he does to his professional endeavors.
His commitment to family played a role in the evolution of his business. When he and his wife were expecting their second child, Harris realized he needed to bring on an assistant to maintain work-life balance and avoid missing time with his children. This necessity eventually led to the development of his team structure, though he candidly admits he made management mistakes along the way, including “burning out” his first assistant due to poor delegation skills.
Educational Contributions and Industry Leadership
Harris has expanded his influence beyond transactions by sharing his knowledge and experiences with others in the industry. He has embarked on writing a book titled “The Pursuit of Home” and started a podcast with the same name, inspired by his people-first approach to real estate.
In interviews and speaking engagements, Harris offers valuable advice to new real estate agents, emphasizing consistency, knowing one’s value as a sales professional, and the importance of effective marketing strategies. His insights on team building, hiring operational support, and marketing management provide a roadmap for other agents looking to scale their businesses.
Recognition and Industry Standing
Harris’s accomplishments have earned him significant recognition in the industry. The Wall Street Journal/RealTrends The Thousand list ranked him as the No. 30 broker in New York City and one of the top 250 agents in the country by sales volume during his time at BHS. His team, the Harris Residential Team, was recognized among the top teams in New York City and ranked #191 among all agent teams in the nation in sales volume.
His New York real estate license (number 30HA0973548, expiring February 2, 2027) is registered under the name HARRIS SCOTT, and he holds certifications as a New York Residential Specialist and Certified Negotiation Expert from the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY).
A Legacy of Excellence and Innovation
Scott Harris’s rise to prominence in New York City’s real estate market represents more than just impressive sales figures. It demonstrates the power of combining industry knowledge with genuine care for clients, innovative marketing approaches, and adaptability to changing market conditions.
From his early days in the entertainment industry to founding Magnetic in 2025, Harris has consistently evolved his approach while maintaining his core values of exceptional service and client advocacy. His development of The Magnetic Method and his willingness to share his expertise through writing, podcasting, and mentoring reflect his commitment to elevating the entire profession.
As Harris continues to build Magnetic and expand his influence in the New York City real estate market, his journey offers valuable lessons for both established professionals and newcomers to the industry. His success story illustrates that in real estate, as in many fields, long-term achievement comes from balancing business acumen with authentic human connection, continuous learning, and the courage to forge new paths when opportunities arise.
With his proven track record, innovative methods, and forward-thinking approach, Scott Harris has firmly established himself not just as a successful broker, but as a true leader in New York City real estate, whose influence will likely continue to shape the industry for years to come.
Final Thoughts
Scott Harris’s remarkable journey from entertainment industry professional to real estate powerhouse shows us that success comes from genuine care for clients and innovative approaches. His founding of Magnetic in 2025 marks an exciting new chapter in his career. For more insights on real estate leaders and market trends, visit thisolderhouse, where we bring you the stories behind the most influential figures in property markets across America.
