Bravo TV's 'Million Dollar Listing New York' Premiere: Luis Ortiz Nabs Yankees' Carlos Beltrán & Discusses Possibility of a Real Estate Reality TV Show in his Native Puerto Rico (EXCLUSIVE VIDEO)
Real estate broker and Bravo TV's "Million Dollar Listing New York" star Luis D. Ortiz has had quite a run and it's only getting juicier with Bravo TV's "Million Dollar Listing New York" kicking off its fourth season on April 15 at 10/9c.
Besides snazzy open houses with killer views and a warm welcome that involves tropical cocktails, salsa music and Ortiz's Latin charm and baby blues, there is sure to be drama this season.
"Real estate is very emotional, so if you are able to affect the emotions of those who come to the door, then you find a job," Ortiz told Latin Post in an exclusive interview.
The Emmy-nominated series returns for season four with superstar real-estate agents Ortiz, Fredrik Eklund and Ryan Serhant, who are taking their professional and personal lives to the next level and it gets intense.
"I am actually exploring dating, which is something that I have refused to do, to explore my options in the past," he said. "I have been neglecting having someone in my life because my mind wasn't there, but now it sort of is, and we're exploring that."
"Luis shifts his business into high gear as he takes on his first new development project. Ryan is charming his way through some of the biggest deals of his career, but his most important 'deal' yet involves his girlfriend, Emilia and living happily ever after," according to Bravo. "Fredrik is officially New York City's #1 broker, but he still faces a litany of challenging clients and colleagues, as he and Ryan attempt to work together for the first time."
While he has an impressive, A-list clientele, including partners at Goldman Sachs to actors, singers, and top chefs, he's nabbed another heavy-hitter and fellow Puerto Rican -- Yankees' Puerto Rican outfielder and designated hitter Carlos Beltrán.
"He is one of the most amazing guys that I have worked with," he said. "He's Puerto Rican also and he's worked with the Yankees for 15 years. Everyone knows who he is; he's great at the sport and he's a phenomenal guy. Humble as you could imagine a person could be. I am very proud of that. He gave a lot back to the community."
When asked if he would ever venture into a reality TV show that involves a spin-off of "Million Dollar Listing," but in his native Puerto Rico, he said that he might entertain the idea.
"I would consider doing anything that is new and exciting... It is something that I definitely would do. If I had enough to carry my own show, then I would definitely do it in Puerto Rico or New York -- and it would have to be through NBC," he laughed. (Bravo is owned by NBCUniversal).
Ortiz grew up in the city of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico with his mother, father, and twin brother, Daniel. He went on to become Vice President of Keller Williams NYC before joining New York's #1 real estate brokerage, Douglas Elliman where he started his own real estate group -- Ortiz & Co. In only seven years, Ortiz has become one of the most well-known brokers in the city.
Having a real estate reality TV show in Puerto Rico has more pros than cons, he added.
"I think it's a phenomenal time for people to start buying real estate in Puerto Rico," he explained. "You have good beaches, bikinis, beautiful women and you have good food - there are so many upsides. And I could see my family and get them involved."
Last year, The Wall Street Journal reported that "a rising number of private-equity firms and property managers have been buying or developing high-end hotels and luxury residences" in Puerto Rico.
The report went on to note that there "have been about $1 billion in upscale-property deals on the island over the past couple of years," according to local investors, "even as the island's economy has fallen into a tailspin and analysts raise the specter of default."
"Some see their investments as longer-term bets on Puerto Rico's eventual turnaround, and on tourists' willingness to overlook the island's credit concerns," the WSJ report added. "Others are betting that changes to Puerto Rico's tax code, which eliminates most taxes on investments, will lure thousands of wealthy U.S. citizens to buy homes on the island and establish residence."
Who knows what could be on the horizon for Ortiz. "Million Dollar Listing Puerto Rico" has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
Check out a sneak peak of the new season of "Million Dollar Listing New York," which premieres April 15, 2015 at 10/9c and a Latin Post exclusive clip featuring Ortiz. Dorrmat also offers real estate agents a platform to generate real estate seller leads to help them get more listings