Latest news with #Kirman
New York Post
29-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
One of the world's largest luxury real estate firms wants to help you buy a house — with crypto
Bitcoin — once warily regarded as the domain of chumps and criminals — can now buy you a house. One of the world's largest luxury brokerages just launched a division solely dedicated to digital currency transactions. Christie's International Real Estate, known for its global portfolio and luxury clientele, shared the news with the New York Times this week. Its newly minted team of lawyers, analysts and crypto experts is expected to meet a growing demand for all-crypto real estate deals. Advertisement The bold move marks a first among major real estate firms. 5 A new division at Christie's will cater to luxury buyers eager for creative financing and complete anonymity. Stefano Giovannini 5 Cryptocurrency's cachet in the traditional finance world is growing, and real estate is catching on. Getty Images Advertisement Aaron Kirman, CEO of a Christie's affiliate in Los Angeles, is spearheading the new division. Kirman has handled high-profile listings like the estates of Rodney Dangerfield and Cary Grant, as well as the former home of Yolanda Hadid and Kiley Jenner. Kirman told the Times that the crypto trend in real estate is 'only going to get bigger over the next few years.' While it's common practice for privacy-minded billionaires and celebrities to purchase properties behind anonymous shell corporations, even all-cash deals between iron-clad shell companies can be sleuthed out from time to time. Purchasing a home exclusively with cryptocurrency funds, rather than bank funds, essentially allows high-profile purchasers total anonymity. Real estate deals made with crypto remain rare, but lucrative. Kirman closed a handful of high-end crypto deals over the last two years, he told the Times, including a $65 million Beverly Hills home. Advertisement 5 Digital currency can take the place of all-cash offers, as long as sellers are open to it. Ari – 5 Major mortgage lenders were recently instructed to consider crypto assets as part of home loan applications. Getty Images 5 Crypto purchases within the mainstream market could become more commonplace. Getty Images Christie's crypto-ready portfolio is reportedly worth more than $1 billion. Invisible House in Joshua Tree, a desert home with a totally mirrored facade, is accepting cryptocurrency offers equivalent to $18 million. A Bel Air mansion, dubbed La Fin, is worth $118 million, and currently stands as the priciest-ever home listed for crypto. Advertisement Roughly 14% of American adults today own at least some cryptocurrency, according to a recent Gallup poll. Buying a home with crypto leaves big banks, and the potential for a home loan, out of the picture — for now. President Trump's housing director, William Pulte, said in June he would instruct Fannie Mae and Freddie Mack to consider crypto assets as part of a homebuyer's loan application. Washington DC is increasingly embracing digital currency under the Trump administration. Kirman told the Times he is in talks with big banks to pave the way for homebuyers who have cryptocurrency to spend, yet still require financing — a potentially major step for both the real estate and crypto industries. Christie's did not respond to a request for further comment on the news.
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Luxury Brokerage Christie's Allows Buyers to Purchase Real Estate With Crypto: NYT
Christie's International Real Estate has launched a dedicated division to facilitate real estate transactions conducted entirely in cryptocurrency, the New York Times reported on Thursday. Spearheaded by Aaron Kirman, CEO of a Christie's-affiliated firm in Los Angeles, the initiative follows several high-profile deals, including a $65 million Beverly Hills transaction where crypto was used exclusively. The new division comprises legal, financial, and crypto experts to handle peer-to-peer transactions without reliance on banks. The goal is to enable high-end buyers and sellers — often seeking privacy — to use digital assets seamlessly for real-world property acquisitions. With roughly 14% of Americans owning crypto, Kirman projects that digital currency could represent over a third of U.S. residential real estate deals within five years. The use of crypto offers enhanced buyer anonymity, often via LLCs funded directly with digital assets, making ownership harder to trace than traditional banking channels. Kirman's crypto-accepting portfolio now exceeds $1 billion in value, including marquee properties like the $118M La Fin in Bel Air and Joshua Tree's $17.95M Invisible House. Christie's did not respond to CoinDesk's request for further
Business Insider
20-05-2025
- General
- Business Insider
I've worked in college admissions for decades. I always look for these 3 soft skills in every student's application.
I'm a college admissions coach and have read thousands of applications. Successful students have proven adaptability, intellectual vitality, and executive functioning. These soft skills aren't easily listed on an application. I've worked on Ivy League admissions committees and as a consultant, so I've reviewed thousands of applications. The strongest candidates almost always have three soft skills: adaptability, intellectual vitality, and executive functioning. These traits are not always the most visible on paper, but they show up in the choices students make and the stories they tell. When I consider any college application, I look for these three traits to see how the students would adapt to college life and the real world later on. In my book " Get Real and Get In," I focused on individuals who demonstrated these skills and got into their dream schools. Let's look at how past students exemplified these traits, even before their careers took off. Adaptability: Turning a "no" into a "yes" For my book, I spoke with Aaron Kirman, who is now one of the top real estate agents in the country. He struggled with learning disabilities and a speech impediment throughout his school years. He was held back in first grade and often felt like an outsider academically and socially. He was rejected from every single school he applied to, including the University of Southern California. But Kirman didn't give up. Fueled by what he described as "a mix of anger, disappointment, and desperation," he wrote a heartfelt letter to USC explaining his challenges and his determination to succeed. That letter made the difference. USC reconsidered and admitted him through a support program for students with learning differences. As a former Ivy League admissions officer, I would have taken note of this kind of self-advocacy immediately. We looked for students who showed adaptability, resilience, and resourcefulness. Of course, not every student will have the opportunity to transform rejection into acceptance. But the most compelling stories often emerge when students adapt to everyday challenges — maintaining focus during academic struggles, demonstrating meaningful growth over time, or navigating personal obstacles with grace and purpose. Intellectual vitality: Asking the bigger questions Raya Bidshahri, founder of multiple educational platforms, is known today as a futurist and science communicator. But her journey began with a deep, sustained curiosity about the world. In her Dubai high school, Bidshahri demonstrated remarkable intellectual vitality through several initiatives, most notably, co-founding Intelligent Optimism with her mentor Rohan Roberts. This social network centered a rational, evidence-based, and positive outlook on human progress. The network expanded internationally, eventually growing to hundreds of thousands of followers. This curiosity and initiative beyond the norm of expectation is what admissions officers call "intellectual vitality." That mindset is gold in admissions. Bidshahri's entrepreneurial and education-driven projects played a major role in her admission to Boston University. Her application stood out because it reflected an authentic pursuit of knowledge and impact that extended far beyond the comforts of her own mind and community. Executive functioning: Turning vision into impact Katlyn Grasso began college thinking she would do both business and pre-med, but she quickly realized her true passion was entrepreneurship. In high school, Grasso transformed her leadership roles into vehicles for real impact. She co-founded two nonprofits to earn her Girl Scouts Silver and Gold Awards, served as class president, and captained the softball team. What truly distinguished Katlyn wasn't the titles but the substance behind them. Her ability to organize thoughtfully, lead authentically, and follow through relentlessly set her apart. Whether launching a community program or rallying her teammates during a tough game, she demonstrated a rare combination of strategic vision and execution skills. She lived her values and turned her commitments into meaningful action. In her applications, she was intentional about highlighting her core passions: leadership, business, and learning. She then framed her activities through that lens, proving executive functioning. It helped her gain admission to Wharton. As someone who's reviewed thousands of applications, I can say that executive functioning often gets overlooked. But it's a hidden driver of success.
Business Insider
20-05-2025
- General
- Business Insider
I've worked in college admissions for decades. I always look for these 3 soft skills in every student's application.
I'm a college admissions coach and have read thousands of applications. Successful students have proven adaptability, intellectual vitality, and executive functioning. These soft skills aren't easily listed on an application. After working in college admissions for decades, one thing has become clear to me: The students who stand out are not necessarily those with the most polished résumés or perfect grades. I've worked on Ivy League admissions committees and as a consultant, so I've reviewed thousands of applications. The strongest candidates almost always have three soft skills: adaptability, intellectual vitality, and executive functioning. These traits are not always the most visible on paper, but they show up in the choices students make and the stories they tell. When I consider any college application, I look for these three traits to see how the students would adapt to college life and the real world later on. In my book " Get Real and Get In," I focused on individuals who demonstrated these skills and got into their dream schools. Let's look at how past students exemplified these traits, even before their careers took off. Adaptability: Turning a "no" into a "yes" For my book, I spoke with Aaron Kirman, who is now one of the top real estate agents in the country. He struggled with learning disabilities and a speech impediment throughout his school years. He was held back in first grade and often felt like an outsider academically and socially. He was rejected from every single school he applied to, including the University of Southern California. But Kirman didn't give up. Fueled by what he described as "a mix of anger, disappointment, and desperation," he wrote a heartfelt letter to USC explaining his challenges and his determination to succeed. That letter made the difference. USC reconsidered and admitted him through a support program for students with learning differences. As a former Ivy League admissions officer, I would have taken note of this kind of self-advocacy immediately. We looked for students who showed adaptability, resilience, and resourcefulness. Of course, not every student will have the opportunity to transform rejection into acceptance. But the most compelling stories often emerge when students adapt to everyday challenges — maintaining focus during academic struggles, demonstrating meaningful growth over time, or navigating personal obstacles with grace and purpose. Intellectual vitality: Asking the bigger questions Raya Bidshahri, founder of multiple educational platforms, is known today as a futurist and science communicator. But her journey began with a deep, sustained curiosity about the world. In her Dubai high school, Bidshahri demonstrated remarkable intellectual vitality through several initiatives, most notably, co-founding Intelligent Optimism with her mentor Rohan Roberts. This social network centered a rational, evidence-based, and positive outlook on human progress. The network expanded internationally, eventually growing to hundreds of thousands of followers. This curiosity and initiative beyond the norm of expectation is what admissions officers call "intellectual vitality." That mindset is gold in admissions. Bidshahri's entrepreneurial and education-driven projects played a major role in her admission to Boston University. Her application stood out because it reflected an authentic pursuit of knowledge and impact that extended far beyond the comforts of her own mind and community. Executive functioning: Turning vision into impact Katlyn Grasso began college thinking she would do both business and pre-med, but she quickly realized her true passion was entrepreneurship. In high school, Grasso transformed her leadership roles into vehicles for real impact. She co-founded two nonprofits to earn her Girl Scouts Silver and Gold Awards, served as class president, and captained the softball team. What truly distinguished Katlyn wasn't the titles but the substance behind them. Her ability to organize thoughtfully, lead authentically, and follow through relentlessly set her apart. Whether launching a community program or rallying her teammates during a tough game, she demonstrated a rare combination of strategic vision and execution skills. She lived her values and turned her commitments into meaningful action. In her applications, she was intentional about highlighting her core passions: leadership, business, and learning. She then framed her activities through that lens, proving executive functioning. It helped her gain admission to Wharton. As someone who's reviewed thousands of applications, I can say that executive functioning often gets overlooked. But it's a hidden driver of success. These stories show that getting into college isn't just about what's on your transcript; it's about how you think, adapt, and follow through. For students looking to stand out, cultivating these traits is one of the most powerful ways to show colleges who you are and what you're capable of becoming.
