Netflix Debuts ‘Million Dollar Beach House,’ The Latest In Reality Real Estate Television

Million Dollar Beach House, the latest Netflix

NFLX
offering in the world of reality real estate shows, debuts today. From Beverly Hills to the Hamptons, glimpses into multimillion-dollar homes and the people who sell them have become hot properties.  

Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles boosted the careers of Los Angeles brokers James Harris and David Parnes, principals at The Agency in Beverly Hills. When I spoke with Parnes last year, he confided that the show “most definitely raised our profile in the Los Angeles real estate community and beyond. This has most certainly helped grow our business.” Netflix’s three-season, binge-worthy Selling Sunset has garnered major ink this season thanks to the trauma-drama happening in real-time among the cast.

Million Dollar Beach House, with six unscripted episodes, checks the box for reality real estate TV. According to Netflix hype, “The competition is fierce—and the drama is undeniable—as a group of young and hungry agents try to seal the deal on luxury listings in the Hamptons.” Cameras follow five brokers/agents from New York-based Nest Seekers International a well-known luxury brokerage firm. “The cameras and crew really are like flies on the wall once you get used to them,” says cast member Noel Roberts.

President CEO of Nest Seekers International Eddie Shapiro provides some insider perspective: “The world of luxury real estate fascinates people. It’s soothing to see expansive and grand properties in beautiful places like The Hamptons.”

According to Shapiro, Million Dollar Beach House was three years in the making. “No one had showcased the Hamptons and we have been active there for 15 years.” Shapiro, an executive producer on the show, worked with DIGA Studios developing Million Dollar Beach House. “Netflix picked it up a year and a half ago. It is the true depiction of five brokers and two designers office living and breathing the Hamptons experience. This is truly what happens and it’s not just about people selling real estate in The Hamptons,” Shapiro said.

“This business in this place is not just glamorous. It’s very challenging and viewers will see that,” Shapiro explains. “The show will help us as we continue to expand our global brand through this project,” he adds. Four men and one woman are cast members.

Peggy Zabakolas a broker and an attorney has ten years in the business. She made appearances on Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing New York. Working out of Nest Seekers New York office, Zabakolas continually referred clients to brokers in the Hamptons. She eventually moved there, commuting to New York when necessary. “Eddie approached me about being on the show. My prime motivator in saying yes is the show is an amazing platform to build my brand,” Zabakolas explains, adding that filming is “both fun and stressful. While you are filming you still must schedule in your work and clients. There are different personalities on the show, and you have to learn that also.”

Noel Roberts moved to the Hamptons in 2016 and got his real estate license. He works with spec developers finding deals, securing the financing, and then listing these multimillion-dollar properties. Robert’s key motivator to do the show: “It gave me a chance to show my financial expertise and increase my exposure.” Roberts got tips on facing the cameras from his twin brother, an actor. “He told me to remember I’m just a nice guy who loves real estate.”