Ravi Kantha is redefining luxury real estate in New York City. As the founder of The Kantha Team at SERHANT, he brings sharp expertise and unmatched passion to the market. With over $2 billion in real estate sales, he stands among the most trusted names in the industry. From iconic Manhattan listings to Brooklyn brownstones, his team delivers excellence every step of the way. Formerly a top-ranked attorney, Ravi now leads one of NYC’s most respected real estate groups. His success story is built on discipline, service, and relentless drive. Now, with Owning Manhattan Season 2 on deck for Netflix, Ravi’s influence is expanding even further.
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Beverly Hills Magazine: Hi, Ravi. It’s great to have you on the show! Congratulations on your well earned success. Let’s start from the beginning—what inspired your transition from law into luxury real estate?
Ravi Kantha: Thank you! Honestly, I didn’t enjoy being a lawyer. I couldn’t see myself at a desk 12–14 hours a day, six or seven days a week, with little control over my time or direction. It was a turning point when I realized I didn’t want a career in law. After discussions with my wife, Katie, and watching Million Dollar Listing, I explored real estate. Conversations with my father-in-law, who was in insurance sales, and my wife’s aunt, a successful Brooklyn broker, solidified my decision. My father-in-law pointed out that if I didn’t like what I was selling, no one would buy it, and my aunt advised joining a team to learn the business. That led me to luxury residential brokerage, focusing on townhouses and brownstones in Brooklyn Heights.
Beverly Hills Magazine: That’s a bold leap! How did you build the Kantha Team into one of New York’s most successful townhouse brokerage teams, and how big is the team now?
Ravi Kantha: For years, it was me expanding my business, gaining listings, and hiring support as needed. We grew in leaps every few years, increasing market share. Joining Surhant was a reset—we restructured with clear divisions of labor, delegating tasks to specialists. I recruited experienced brokers to avoid being stretched thin and ensure quality service. The team now has brokers, a director of operations, an executive assistant, a social media director, and marketing staff. We focus on mutual value—helping team members grow their business while leveraging their skills, like art expertise or charm, to match clients’ personalities using data and AI for better outcomes.
Beverly Hills Magazine: That’s a smart strategy. What defines a luxury property in New York City in 2025?
Ravi Kantha: Luxury is relative, but statistically, it starts around $4 million in Manhattan and $2 million in Brooklyn. For the true luxury market, I’d say $6–10 million and up, with ultra-luxury at $20 million plus. We’ve built a reputation for deep market knowledge and effective reach into these buyer pools, ensuring we serve clients by knowing more about these markets than anyone else and using that information efficiently.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Positioning as the market expert is key. How do you balance working with high-net-worth clients while maintaining personal connection and trust?
Ravi Kantha: I delegate non-essential tasks to specialized team members—like marketing, operations, or social media—so I can focus on client relationships. My director of operations, with me for nine years, and others handle tasks like overseeing photography, which I no longer spend hours on. Clients want brokers who are efficient and effective, not just available. If a broker has too much time, they may not be closing enough deals. We show value by doing more than our competition, multiplying our impact through trusted team members who work autonomously.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Delegation is powerful. What’s the most unique or surprising request you’ve received from a luxury buyer or seller?
Ravi Kantha: A luxury buyer was concerned about headlights shining into a property at night due to its location. At 9:30 p.m., I drove my car around the block four times to ensure no lights entered the house. It was practical but unusual, and it paid off—they moved forward with the deal and are happy with the home.
Beverly Hills Magazine: That’s dedication! For listings over $50 million, what marketing strategy is required, and is it always the same?
Ravi Kantha: We have a baseline, but tailor each listing. For $50 million properties, we target ultra-high-net-worth individuals globally, not local upgraders. We research past buyers of similar assets, industries thriving, and potential billionaires looking to upgrade. This involves investing in contact information, analyzing data, and leveraging Surhant’s tech and AI to reach the right audience. Strategies vary by location, price, and property condition, ensuring we find buyers wherever they are—Europe, Asia, or elsewhere.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Buyer profiling is brilliant. Can you walk us through preparing a $20 million-plus property for the market?
Ravi Kantha: We aim to showcase the property’s best features. For renovated listings, we prioritize dramatic video over photography, as video dominates—people share more videos than photos now, especially on Instagram. Surhant Studios provides film studio-quality videography, and we consult them on what shows best on camera. We decide if the listing needs privacy for celebrities or ultra-high-net-worth clients or a broader approach for market feedback. Pricing is fluid in this market, so we collaborate with trusted brokers early for pricing insights, ensuring informed decisions when we go public.
Beverly Hills Magazine: How do you see Brooklyn’s luxury market evolving over the next five to ten years?
Ravi Kantha: Brooklyn is carving its own identity, becoming a primary destination rather than an alternative. Many have spent $15–20 million on homes, including renovations, especially in neighborhoods like Brooklyn Heights, now likened to the West Village. The buyer pool is shifting to ultra-high-net-worth individuals, celebrities, and C-suite executives choosing Brooklyn over anywhere else. Neighborhoods like Cobble Hill and Williamsburg are among New York’s best, driven by lifestyle, commute, and work-from-home trends, with price points continuing to rise.
Beverly Hills Magazine: And what about Manhattan’s luxury market?
Ravi Kantha: Manhattan remains iconic, the global image of New York City. Despite Brooklyn’s rise, Manhattan’s prime, globally desired real estate will never fade. Its appeal draws tourists and buyers alike, making it a fun and dynamic market to work in, as everyone knows something about New York City.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Ravi, thank you so much for sharing your expert market insights with us and a little bit about your success journey. It’s been an honor and a pleasure, and we wish you endless, boundless success.
Ravi Kantha: Thank you so much, it’s been a pleasure!
Ravi Kantha’s journey is a masterclass in professionalism and vision. He continues to lead with integrity and purpose. His firm delivers an elite real estate experience powered by detail and trust. As the market evolves, Ravi sets the standard for luxury real estate in New York. Through The Kantha Team, he empowers clients to find lasting value and meaningful investments. In the world of high-end property, few names inspire more confidence than Ravi Kantha. Contact him to begin your real estate journey today.