For the Sarkis team and its team leader, George Sarkis, finding humanity in the real estate world is an essential ingredient for success. “Each customer receives a highly personalized experience, supported by scalable systems and processes,” said Sarkis. “This balance allows us to provide boutique-level service with the efficiency and consistency of a top-performing team.”
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The Sarkis team serves “every market across Massachusetts” and offers “depth, network and expertise to deliver at any price.” By reviewing data and market trends each week, they stay ahead of price, inventory and buyer behavior. “We don’t just know what’s happening,” Sarkis said. “We understand why this happens and use that insight to strategically guide our customers.”
Find out how this team is breaking records year after year and setting a new standard for excellence across their state.
Name: George Sarkis
Title: CEO and co-founder of The Sarkis Team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Experience: 8 years in real estate
Location: Boston, MA
Team name: The Sarkis Team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Rankings:
- #2 team at Douglas Elliman in the entire country
- No. 1 Douglas Elliman team in Massachusetts
- Real 2025 Trends Verified: The Thousand (No. 1 Massachusetts team, No. 1 at-large Massachusetts team and No. 17 U.S. team)
- Top 10 sales three years in a row
- Top 5 sales in Massachusetts history
Team size: Team of 20 with six executive team members and 17 agents
Transaction sides: 1,671 transactions
Sales volume: Nearly $2 billion since 2018
Awards: Pinnacle Award and New Development Award, Douglas Elliman
What do you wish more people knew about working in the real estate industry?
Most people see the success stories, the closings, the luxury offerings, the celebrations. What they don’t see is the human side of real estate, the conversations, the relationships and the trust that takes years to build.
Real estate isn’t just about selling houses; it’s about connecting with people. The officers who really succeed understand that this is a personal matter. It’s about showing up, listening, providing guidance and adding value, even if a deal isn’t immediately on the table.
Too often the focus is on transactions and the next sale. But the real magic happens when you value relationships over commissions. Pick up the phone. Have a sincere conversation. Checking in, sharing advice or just being there for someone. This is how trust is built, and trust is the basis for a sustainable company.
Social media is a powerful tool, but it cannot replace real human connection. The basis of real estate has always been and always will be people. Ultimately, customers won’t remember anything about a post you made; they remember how you made them feel.
What is something you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
If there’s one thing I wish I knew when I started in real estate, it’s not to get so caught up in immediate results. Early in my career I was focused on the next deal and the next yes. If someone said they weren’t ready to sell yet, I would just move on without realizing the importance of nurturing that relationship over time.
Looking back, developers, builders and clients who initially worked with other real estate agents were opportunities that I sometimes overlooked. Instead of staying present and showing genuine interest, I assumed there was no way forward. What I have learned is that circumstances change. Agents move, deals fall through, and people remember who consistently showed up for them.
Real estate is a long game. Success comes from cultivating relationships, providing value, following up and staying consistent. You can’t force results; they grow over time through trust, perseverance, and genuine connection.
It’s like boiling water. You don’t see it happen as soon as you turn on the heating. It takes patience, consistency and attention. The same goes for building a sustainable career in this industry. Focus on relationships, not just immediate results, and success will follow.
Tell us about an epic failure you experienced as a team leader
I don’t really consider it a failure, but one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since starting my team was hiring the wrong people and not doing enough due diligence early on.
When you’re building something, it’s easy to think that growth means adding more people, but that’s not true. You don’t need an army to grow; you need the right people in the right seats on the bus.
Early on, I brought in agents who were strong producers, but did not align with our vision, values or culture. They could sell, but they weren’t suitable for what we were trying to build. That experience taught me that skill alone is not enough.
Mindset, character and alignment with the team’s mission are even more important.
Ultimately, a team is only as strong as the people who are part of it. Hiring the wrong people was painful at the time, but it became one of the most important lessons I learned as a leader. It forced me to slow down, be intentional, and focus on building a culture, not just a schedule.
What is your best tip for newly formed teams?
If I had to give one piece of advice to new or growing real estate teams, it would be this: don’t grow too fast.
Take the time to hire the right people, not just anyone with a permit. Have a clear vision, business plan and identity before expanding. Know what your brand stands for, what your mission is and where you want the team to go. Build your systems and processes early because they will help you scale successfully later.
Too many teams try to grow before they are ready. Real growth doesn’t come from adding more people; it comes from laying the right foundation.
Another important tip is not to start a team if you are not yet ready to lead. Once you build a team, you are no longer just an agent. You are a coach, mentor and culture setter. That means you are willing to help others grow, guide them, and have the patience to help them find their way.
In short: build slowly, build smart and build purposefully. Long-lasting teams are built on vision, structure and leadership, not speed.
What makes a good leader?
A good leader is someone who is not afraid to be vulnerable, to be real and to lead with heart and credibility. You can’t just talk. You have to walk the walk. In the real estate industry, this means backing up what you teach with real experience. Too many people try to lead without ever doing the work themselves. True leadership comes from experience, not ego.
A good leader deserves support by being authentic and patient, by recognizing that everyone is different. Every person has their own strengths, weaknesses and motivations. The best leaders take the time to identify those strengths and help people realize their potential.
Leadership is not about control. It’s about creating opportunities. Great leaders take risks with people. They give them space to learn, fail and evolve. They invest time and energy in coaching and training the people around them.
Most importantly, good leaders never stop learning. They understand that perfection does not exist, but improvement does. The best leaders remain students and continually look for ways to improve. That mentality sharpens their own skills and inspires everyone around them to keep growing.
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