J.B. Andreassi is a thriving real estate agent, co-principal of residential luxury development company Andreassi Development, and featured on the docuseries Selling the Hamptons. He sat down with BBH’s Myles Christian to talk about his unique career path, trends in the real estate market, and how he maintains his personal brand while working in the family business.
1. From the NHL to HBO – you’ve had a unique and fascinating career path. How did you get where you are today?
My first love in this world (besides the love I have for my family) was, and still is, sports. I was fortunate and blessed enough to play football at Dartmouth. Following graduation, I decided to pursue a role in professional sports business, as a marketing and sponsorship sales associate with the National Hockey League.
After an incredible four years with the NHL, I yearned for a role where I had more control over my own destiny. I joined Related Companies, one of the largest, most respected real estate development firms in the world.
Two years later, I decided to leverage my experiences, resources, and network and join my father’s building company in the Hamptons. My job was to modernize an already well-respected development company while also selling the Hamptons home-owning dream. I became a Real Estate broker and co-principal in our building company – selling, buying, and developing properties in one of the most sought-after, and unique markets in the world.
Shortly after joining Nest Seekers International brokerage group in 2019, I was approached to star in a Netflix show called Million Dollar Beach House. My family was cautious and didn’t like the idea at first. I also had no experience in front of a camera!
But I said yes, and it was one of the best decisions of my life. The show rebranded as Selling the Hamptons and now airs on MAX (formerly HBO).
2. What are some trends in the real estate market? Are you seeing any shifts around first-time homeownership?
Like the stock market, the real estate world is constantly changing. It is directly impacted by the health of the economy, politics, and global events. Some markets are less vulnerable to the elements when there is a concentration of lots to do – such as Manhattan, the Hamptons, and South Florida.