Ely Blog

In Season 4, Episode 4 of the Work Hard, Play Hard & Give Back podcast, host Mike Litzner sits down with top-producing agent Tom Nails from the Coldwell Banker American Homes Hicksville office to explore how 25 years of hyper-local focus, system-driven consistency, and third-generation industry heritage built his standing as "Mr. Salisbury".

Third-Generation Real Estate Heritage and Levittown Construction History

Real estate runs deep in Tom Nails' bloodline, tracing back to his grandfather Frank LaRosa, who established LaRosa Realty in 1951. Growing up around job sites and learning fundamental work habits while repairing post-World War II housing inventory gave Nails a practical understanding of Long Island residential construction.

Reflecting on the roughly 8,500 homes across Salisbury—where over 50% are classic Levitt-style builds—Nails highlights how understanding local architectural nuances and municipal permit histories protects clients during property transfers. That foundational knowledge enables him to navigate property searches, town approvals, and structural additions smoothly.

"It takes 10 years to become an overnight success. The business isn't complicated; the hard thing about this business is being consistent." — Tom Nails

Building the "Mr. Salisbury" Brand and Involving the Next Generation

Operating from the Coldwell Banker American Homes Hicksville office, Nails systematically captured market share across Westbury and Salisbury by treating community engagement like a local popularity contest. What began as organic PTA involvement alongside his wife Melissa evolved into a recognized local brand that captures more than 10% of local market transactions.

To keep his marketing modern, Nails embraced video content and social media by featuring his daughters, Sophia and Olivia. This multi-generational approach connects with home buyers across print, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok while preparing his daughters to potentially carry the family practice into its fourth generation.

Community Philanthropy and Local Giving Back

For Nails, giving back locally is fundamental to operating a real estate practice on Long Island. Every October, his team hosts an annual food drive for Island Harvest at the Salisbury Tavern, gathering over 1,200 pounds of food for regional families in need.

Additionally, as an alumnus of Clarke High School, Nails established the Nails Family Scholarship. Each June, the initiative grants financial awards to graduating male and female student-athletes, reinforcing a commitment to support local youth and community development.

"My grandfather always used to say, 'Do what you can, be a good person, and stay true to who you are.' If you stay disciplined every day, good things are going to happen." — Tom Nails

Planning Your Next Long Island Real Estate Move

Whether buying a home near major parkways like The LIE or preparing a property for sale in Central Nassau, working with a dedicated advisor ensures a smooth transaction.

Sellers interested in reviewing their home's market value can generate a preliminary evaluation using the CB Estimate Home Valuation tool. Prospective buyers looking to analyze community data or relocation options across Long Island can utilize the CB MoveMeter application. To connect with experienced real estate professionals across our regional offices, visit the Coldwell Banker American Homes Agent Directory or explore our main CBAM Homes Blog Index.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Tom Nails build his market identity as "Mr. Salisbury"?

Tom Nails built his "Mr. Salisbury" brand through decades of hyper-local community presence, active involvement in PTA and Little League, and multi-channel marketing across Salisbury and Westbury. Over 25 years of consistent service established him as the dominant real estate specialist in the neighborhood.

What advice does Tom Nails offer new real estate agents entering the Long Island market?

Tom advises new agents to align with experienced mentors, establish strict daily discipline over fleeting motivation, and implement repeatable systems. He emphasizes that long-term career growth comes from commitment to consistent execution rather than seeking quick results.

What community and charitable initiatives does the Nails family support locally?

Tom and his family organize an annual October food drive benefiting Island Harvest and fund the Nails Family Scholarship at Clarke High School. The scholarship awards financial grants to graduating student-athletes each June.

What should technology actually do for a real estate agent? For Coldwell Banker American Homes Chief Technology Officer Chris Manteria, the answer is simple: make the agent's job easier so they can focus on client relationships and selling homes. In a recent interview with Franklin Stoehr of Delta Media Group, Chris shared how technology, open APIs, structured coaching, and a family-first culture have powered the brokerage's growth into New York State's #1 Coldwell Banker franchise supporting over 1,000 agents.

From Video Production to Chief Technology Officer

Chris Manteria's path to becoming CTO was far from conventional. Coming from a background in video post-production, computer hardware/software sales, and running an ISP in the early days of the web, Chris brought a deep technical foundation when he earned his real estate license during an economic downturn in the early 2000s.

After working as a full-time agent and managing a branch office, Chris transitioned into the CTO role five years ago during a landmark acquisition that expanded the brokerage overnight from 600 to nearly 1,200 agents. That blend of hands-on sales experience and technical expertise shaped his approach to software: technology must serve the agent, not complicate their day.

"The best technology is the one that works without you knowing why it works or how it works. You just know it works. It almost looks like it isn't even there." — Chris Manteria

Building a Stable Base for Brokerage Growth

When Chris joined the leadership team, the company was running basic in-office servers—a common bottleneck for growing brokerages. Recognizing that long-term expansion required stability, leadership moved operations to Google Cloud, AccountTech (Darwin), and DeltaNET, creating an ecosystem connected by open APIs.

This open architecture allowed Coldwell Banker American Homes to automate backend operations and seamlessly onboard both individual recruits and entire office acquisitions, such as the recent addition of Vesian & Walsh in Long Beach. Today, when a new agent joins, data entered once automatically sets up their email, creates their DeltaNET dashboard, configures SkySlope transaction management, and triggers automated onboarding sequences.

To support this growth, owners Tom Gallagher and Mike Litzner built a comprehensive corporate infrastructure so managers and agents aren't left handling administrative burdens alone:

• Executive Leadership: Dedicated CFO, CEO/COO, and Regional VPs focused on operational scale and recruiting.
• In-House Marketing Team: Led by Marketing Director Joey Djemal and our Social Media Director to handle branding and digital collateral.
• Full-Time Coaching Director: Industry veteran Deborah Asher leads structured training 2–3 times a week.

One Central Hub: The JET Platform

A central pillar of the brokerage's technology strategy is JET . Built on DeltaNET, JET serves as a single-sign-on intranet where agents access their CRM, client contacts, marketing resources, education, and transaction tools in one place.

Rather than overwhelming agents with dozens of competing software options, the company curates best-in-class platforms for every category.

"I want my agents thinking about selling houses... Our agents are supposed to be out there making money for themselves and the company. It's a partnership. We provide the support; they go out and sell." — Chris Manteria

Practical AI & The "Human in the Middle"

Artificial intelligence is front and center on the JET platform. Coldwell Banker American Homes introduces agents to AI through practical, pre-configured Google Gemini "Gems" designed for daily workflow improvements:

• Virtual Staging Guardrails: Pre-built prompts that ensure proper compliance disclosures on enhanced property imagery.
• Listing Copywriters: Tools to help agents draft compelling property descriptions faster.
• Internal NotebookLM FAQ Gem: An on-demand assistant trained on company procedures to answer late-night agent questions.

However, Chris stresses that AI is an assistant, not a replacement for professional real estate advisors. Because New York features strict Fair Housing regulations, local municipal overlays (such as specific occupancy laws in Long Beach), and nuanced market valuations, human review is mandatory.

"The agents who learn to use AI are going to be the ones with longevity," Chris noted. "But clients remember personal attention, local expertise, and empathy—things AI will never replicate."

Organized Around "The Core 4"

Technology is only one part of the support system at Coldwell Banker American Homes. The company's agent development model is structured around four core pillars:

Giving Back to New York Communities

A key aspect of the brokerage's culture is its non-profit organization, Heart of American Homes. Rather than sending charitable funds to national corporate accounts, the foundation keeps 100% of donations local—distributing nearly $150,000 annually to community members and causes suggested directly by agents.

Agents can contribute a portion of their commission checks directly from closing payouts, and Coldwell Banker American Homes matches those contributions up to a designated amount.

What Should Agents Look for in a Brokerage?

When asked how he talks to agents considering other brokerages, Chris explained that conversations start by looking past shiny promotional offers or short-term split promises.

Instead, the discussion begins with a straightforward question: "What do you believe you're going to get somewhere else that you're missing today?"

Sustainable career growth comes down to whether a brokerage offers the coaching, infrastructure, and tools to help an agent increase overall production. When production increases, higher income and split tiers naturally follow.

Final Advice: "Keep Learning"

To wrap up the 45-minute discussion, Chris left viewers with a final thought on navigating real estate industry shifts, market changes, and evolving technology:

"Keep learning... Get out of your head that you're not technical. Stop telling yourself what you aren't. Ask yourself, 'What if I learned just a little bit today?' Learning prompt engineering and how to communicate effectively with tools will be key." — Chris Manteria

Top Dix Hills real estate agent Ron Starantino leverages Wall Street trading background, Hollywood motorcycle consulting experience, and extreme competitive discipline to secure top-dollar results for home sellers across Long Island. In Season 4, Episode 1 of the Work Hard, Play Hard and Give Back podcast, broker owner Mike Litner interviews Starantino on his unique career trajectory, high-stakes negotiation strategies, and passion for community involvement.

From Wall Street Floor Trading to Hollywood Sets

Before becoming an award-winning agent at Coldwell Banker American Homes, Ron Starantino navigated the high-stakes trading floors of Lower Manhattan. As a principal at 14 Wall Street holding level-three market-making trading privileges, Starantino handled immense financial volume during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Following his career in finance, Starantino transitioned into high-end motorcycle customization and celebrity brand management. He served as vice president for major lifestyle brands and build teams, working alongside iconic figures like Gene Simmons of KISS, Nickelback, and Orange County Choppers.

His work eventually led him to Los Angeles, where he spent 11 years on Hollywood production sets. He served as both a cast member and technical motorcycle consultant on hit television series, including Sons of Anarchy.

"I'm a salesman at heart. I have no problem asking for money... I find out the 'why', which is more important sometimes than the 'how' or the 'what'. If you tell me your family lives two doors down, you're not losing a house over a couple of dollars. That's where I can keep going back to get my seller their dream price."

Applying Fearless Negotiation to Dix Hills & Long Island Listings

Starentino notes that his diverse background taught him to never back down during complex real estate transactions. Rather than settling for initial offers, he relentlessly advocates for his listing clients by identifying buyer motivations and pushing for maximum valuation.

Whether navigating competitive multi-offer bidding wars in gated Dix Hills communities or listing properties near the Northern State Parkway, Starantino emphasizes that price advocacy separates average agents from top producers. His proactive communication prevents deals from falling apart during contract periods or inspection phases.

Host Mike Litner emphasizes that home sellers frequently make the mistake of shopping purely by commission rates rather than agent skill. An agent with superior negotiation capabilities routinely secures thousands of dollars above the asking price, far outweighing minor fee differences.

Hyper-Local Reach: From Manhattan to Montauk

While rooted in the Coldwell Banker American Homes Dix Hills Office, Starantino's footprint spans all of Long Island. He operates seamlessly across diverse regional markets, from co-ops and multi-family units in Queens to luxury coastal properties in Montauk.

Navigating major thoroughfares like the LIE, the Northern State, and the Southern State allows him to keep a direct pulse on multi-county inventory listed through OneKey MLS. He treats every property with extreme detail, whether it is a starter home in Ronkonkoma or an estate on the North Shore.

Competitive Athletic Discipline and Local Business Leadership

Long before entering real estate, Starantino achieved elite athletic success as Mr. Long Island in 1990 and an East Coast bodybuilding champion. Training alongside Mr. America Tom Terwilliger taught him that consistent daily work yields long-term success.

That same work ethic propelled his leadership in local business networking. Taking over a struggling local BNI chapter, Starantino applied structured discipline to grow the group from 26 members to 115 members.

Under his seven-year tenure as president, the chapter became the only Platinum BNI chapter in the world, generating over $10.3 million in verified closed business for local mom-and-pop vendors in a single year. This community impact earned him the "Man of the Year" honor at the Power Move Gala.

"What do you do when you get to the top? You reach down and you pull others up. Anything good that's ever happened to me has been through trying to help somebody else."

Philanthropy and Veteran Advocacy

Giving back forms an essential pillar of Starantino's daily life and business philosophy. Through personal connections made on production sets with Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, Starantino became a dedicated ambassador for the Boot Campaign.

This national veteran organization directs proceeds directly toward housing, medical care, and wellness support for returning military service members. Starantino regularly sports signature military combat boots during public appearances to raise awareness and funds for combat veterans and military families.

In addition to national military support, he stays actively involved in local Long Island initiatives. He frequently organizes charity motorcycle rides and supports food distribution programs through Long Island Cares.

Planning Your Next Long Island Real Estate Move

Whether you are planning to sell a home on the South Shore or searching for luxury properties across Suffolk and Nassau counties, partnering with an experienced negotiator is critical. Coldwell Banker American Homes provides industry-leading tools to help home sellers evaluate their equity and assist buyers in planning their next move.

Sellers can discover their property's market value using the official CB Estimate Valuation Tool. Buyers planning a relocation across towns can utilize the interactive MoveMeter Tool to evaluate cost-of-living metrics.

Episode FAQ

How does Ron Starantino's background on Wall Street help Long Island home sellers?

Ron Starantino spent years as a level three market-making trader at 14 Wall Street. This fast-paced trading floor background instilled a fearless negotiation style where he focuses on identifying buyer motivations to secure maximum price points for his property listings.

What geographic areas does Ron Starantino cover across Long Island?

Ron Starantino operates under the rule of serving clients "from Manhattan to Montauk". Based in the Dix Hills office, he regularly represents residential properties, co-ops, and multi-family homes spanning Queens, the North Shore, the South Shore, and the East End.

Why is local business networking and community involvement critical to real estate success?

As former president of Long Island's largest BNI chapter, Ron Starantino helped generate over $10 million in local business transactions annually by adopting a "givers gain" mindset. Building strong local business relationships creates a reliable network that supports clients and strengthens neighborhood economies.

Supporting Our Neighbors When It Matters Most

Mike Litzer and I have been business partners for 38 years, and our commitment to the New York community has always been at the core of what we do. While working with organizations like Kiwanis and local Chambers of Commerce, we noticed a critical gap: families facing immediate, unexpected crises often had nowhere to turn for rapid assistance.

Whether it is covering insurance co-pays, securing equipment not covered by providers, or helping a family find housing immediately after a fire, these are "now" situations that cannot wait for a month-long approval process. This realization led us to establish the Heart of American Homes Foundation, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to filling those exact needs across Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens.

The Zero-Overhead Model: Every Dollar Counts

We believe that when you give back, your contribution should go directly to those in need. That is why we are incredibly proud of our zero-overhead model. I work for free, our board works for free, and our legal and accounting teams—surrounded by good, charitable people like Ted Rosenthal and Peter Mancuso—provided their services pro bono to ensure every cent is utilized effectively.

This allows 100% of the funds raised to stay within our local communities. When you work with a knowledgeable and skilled agent from Coldwell Banker American Homes, you are working with a professional who likely contributes to this cause out of every single commission check.

Rapid Response for Urgent Needs

Crisis doesn't follow a schedule. If we receive a request for assistance today, our committee of five typically reviews and votes on it by tomorrow. We understand that a family displaced by a fire needs a hotel deposit immediately, not weeks from now.

Pro Tip: Community support is about more than just financial aid. It is about expertise and time. Our foundation often pairs financial grants for materials with the volunteer labor of our talented network to solve problems like building wheelchair ramps for returning neighbors.

Fundraising for a Brighter Future

To date, we have raised over $750,000 and assisted with over 250 different situations. Our agents are the heartbeat of this effort, constantly asking, "What family are we adopting this year?" From our "Night at the Races" events to Super Bowl boxes and comedy nights, our fundraisers allow the community to come together for a common goal.

We prioritize the privacy of those we help, as many are going through the most difficult moments of their lives. Whether it is supporting a grandmother raising four grandchildren alone or helping a single mother with unexpected funeral expenses, we are here to provide strength and grace during the transaction and beyond.

How You Can Get Involved

If you would like to support our mission or if you are a member of the community in need of assistance, there are multiple pathways to connect with us. You can visit any of our 20 local offices or use the resources below to learn more about our impact and tools.

• Make a Donation: Visit our website and look for the "Heart of American Homes" donate button.
• Calculate Your Move: If you are planning a transition, use our Move Meter to compare locations and make an informed decision.

Success in our communities is never accidental; it is the result of intentional planning and unwavering support. We invite you to join us—whether through your time or your contributions—to help us continue guiding our neighbors home. For a professional evaluation of your current property, please visit our valuation tool.