Real Estate
Melanie is quoted in:
for her real estate insights on market trends, listing strategies, apartment hunting, negotiating and investing.
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Melanie Siben is New York’s first female Master Certified Negotiation Expert (MCNE). Paradoxically, this no-nonsense NY negotiator has taught Mindful Meditation to more than 3,000 students over the last 10 years.
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As one client put it: “From the start, Melanie was an incredibly calming, soothing and loving presence. She listened intently to what we wanted, needed, and could afford. We chose the second apartment she showed to us. She negotiated an amazing [deal] in a wonderful building and we are not only happy but very grateful. She held our hands from beginning to end. She even helped us unpack! Melanie Siben is the complete package and will always go the extra mile. BEST. REALTOR. EVER!” - Susi Romney (Fifth Avenue at 62nd)
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At 18, Melanie was one of New York's youngest real estate agents. She is originally from Bay Shore, New York, but has lived and worked in Japan, Europe and Guam as a model, student, and journalist.
She has explored property in more than 80 countries, including many in Africa during her six-month solo backpacking and photo safari journey. Manhattan has been Melanie’s home for more than 20 years.
Prior to her return to real estate two years ago, Melanie was a TV news reporter (see below) and founder of America's first anti-child trafficking organization (see below).
She is conversationally proficient in French and Spanish and moderately proficient in Japanese and Italian. Currently, she studies Mandarin.
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Melanie is proudly licensed with R New York, LLC, the fastest-growing real estate brokerage in NYC with 660 agents.
Broadcast Journalism
Organizing
Melanie's Background in:
"A month after my 18th birthday, I got my real estate license. Soon after, I began driving clients around Long Island areas that I never knew existed. I still remember my first deal. It was a mile from the ocean. I found a newly-married couple their first home... a charming $800 rental above the local florist (Pathey Gardens in West Islip). Both the couple and the property owners were so happy. That experience had a profound effect on me.
Residential real estate involves people and their emotions. We real estate agents need to be sensitive, listen, and take a holistic approach. My clients know I genuinely care about their needs and will ultimately negotiate for them the best possible deal.
Commercial real estate is more about numbers, but no one wants to be treated like a robot. Everyone craves trust and compassion. This is why I am passionate about BOTH areas of real estate and committed to always putting my clients' needs ahead of my own."
Nonprofit / Charity
Who is Melanie?
Melanie's Annual White Party in Central Park
Many of Melanie's parties draw attention to a serious cause: child trafficking
(more on the Charity page)
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Accomplishments Include:
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One of Long Island's youngest real estate agents (at 18) in the 1980s
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Closed her first real estate transaction while serving as president of her senior class of 550
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Designed her own academic major to become the first Public Relations graduate from her university
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Graduated with honors from Washington University
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Modeled in Japan for several national campaigns
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Created and sold a teaching/translation business in Asia
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Represented the Long Island Rotary organization in Japan
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Taught basic Japanese to American Rotary participants
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Reported TV & radio news locally, nationally and globally (CNN, CBS, News 12, The Auto Report)
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Landed her first TV assignment after an interview conducted entirely in Japanese
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Created America's first anti-child trafficking organization in 2000
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Encouraged Mayor Bloomberg to increase NYC's efforts to combat human trafficking
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Founded one of the oldest and largest unpaid, nonprofit internship programs in America. Almost 400 graduate and undergraduate student leaders have participated so far
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Finding her 6th Annual White Party in Central Park featured in The New York Times, May 2012 on the society page by the late, great Bill Cunningham
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Taught meditation, mindfulness, Thai massage, and hot stone massage to 3000 students over a 10-year period
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Explored real estate in more than 80 countries
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Backpacked solo in Africa for more than 6 months
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Became a part-time professional underwater photographer
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Placed 2nd in a national shark-shootout photo competition in the Bahamas (despite her fear of sharks)
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Held two photography exhibits in Manhattan
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Voted into The Explorers Club in 2006
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Honored by Network for Peace in 2011 for her commitment to eradicating child slavery
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Ran the NYC Midnight Run 8 months after a major surgery
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Highly conversational in French and Spanish
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Mildly conversational in Japanese and Italian
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Currently learning Mandarin
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Establishing long-lasting relationships with family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, clients and interns
Melanie with interns Xi, Sarah, James, and Cidney