Harder than Harvard.

Getting into nursery school in NYC was harder than Harvard. Here’s what it taught me about real estate.

Seven spots. Hundreds of applications.

That’s what it took to get my daughter into one West Village nursery school. I had no idea that Manhattan nursery admissions would make Harvard look easy. As a young mother, I was unprepared. My only reference was Catholic school, where “admissions” meant showing up on Sunday with an envelope. I didn’t realize how complex applications, legacy spots, and politics could be.

When I visited St. Luke’s in the West Village, I knew instantly it was right. The arched entry, tucked-away garden, and calm atmosphere didn’t feel like Manhattan at all. It reminded me of something I see in real estate: sometimes, you walk into a place and just know it’s home. The right decision doesn’t always show up on paper—it shows up in your gut.

What I didn’t realize then was how competitive schools like St. Luke’s really were. That year, only seven spots existed for families without connections. Later, when my son applied, he benefited from being a “legacy.” But when he was diagnosed with dyslexia, I found myself at a crossroads.

A trusted school psychologist gave me clear advice: if Stephen Gaynor, the top school in New York for children with learning differences, offered a spot, I needed to accept immediately. No waiting. No second chances. I trusted his counsel, and my son thrived. Today, he’s studying for the LSATs, a reminder that intuition paired with expert guidance changes everything.

In New York, you rarely get the luxury of time. In real estate, there’s a saying: time kills all deals. The same was true in choosing schools. Hesitation could cost opportunities. My gut became my greatest tool, but it was sharpest when paired with the right advisors.

The real estate market, like the school system, can feel overwhelming. Options are endless, competition fierce, and the process intimidating. But if you ask better questions and surround yourself with trusted guidance, the real question becomes: where will you thrive?

I’ve walked into apartments with clients who felt instantly at home, and just as quickly walked out of others that looked perfect on paper but felt wrong. The right home isn’t about chasing perfection, it’s about that undeniable moment when you know: this is it.

Your gut will always guide you. But when the stakes are high, it helps to have a trusted sounding board, someone who makes sure what feels right also makes sense.

Looking at the NYC market? Let’s connect. Sometimes the first conversation is the spark that leads you to where you truly belong.