Saltaire’s very own Larson Realty, which has been serving Fire Island since the early 1990s, will no longer be owned and operated by Ken and RoseAnn Larson. Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty (DGSIR) is acquiring the sales and rentals agency. The Larsons, longtime Saltaire residents, are switching gears to enjoy their retirement after being a staple of the community real estate scene for so long. However, Daniel Gale has big plans for the newest acquisition, including a particular employee, the Larsons’ son, Nathaniel.
Nathaniel Larson grew up in Saltaire as a full-time resident and followed in his parents’ footsteps by becoming a real estate agent. Since 2017, he has been working with Daniel Gale, and he credits his professional success to being raised by two of Fire Island’s most prominent agents.
“Growing up as the son of realtors on Fire Island sparked my love of homes, architecture, and unique and exclusive real estate from a young age,” Larson said. “Working alongside my dad, who was also a renowned builder for many years, I quickly picked up on his meticulous eye and attention to detail that I carry with me in my career now.”
Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty is located on Long Island and serves the New York metropolitan area. The company has 29 sales offices, nearly 950 real estate advisors, and a global network of 26,000 associates in 83 countries and territories. The firm doesn’t focus solely on sales but also rentals. Daniel Gale founded the company in 1922, and as evidenced by its newest acquisition, it continues to grow.
Daniel Gale’s plan with the acquisition is to run its new Fire Island office out of its Bay Shore office location. There, they will put together a team of agents who are knowledgeable and passionate about Fire Island and its real estate market. Who better to be directly involved in that team than the Saltaire kid himself?
“I am going to continue to do real estate both on Fire Island and the mainland, but I plan to be heavily involved with the Fire Island side of things; I am appreciative of every opportunity to participate in a transaction on Fire Island,” Larson enthused.
While this is a new development, it’s been a thought for the Larson family for some time now.
“Ever since I joined DGSIR in 2017, I dreamed that one day it might be a possibility to merge the two companies,” Larson said. “When the opportunity arose to open up a conversation with our CEO, Dierde O’Connell, and Bay Shore/Hamptons manager, Kalen Raynor, about a possible acquisition, my parents and I were thrilled that this dream could become a reality.”
The partnership with Larson Realty is also a huge boon for Daniel Gale, and Larson has made it his personal mission to help spread the news. He believes it will only better the company, and those seeking its services.
“The goal of this merger is to break down the barriers between the local boutique firms and luxury global agencies, further proving that DGSIR is not only about price point but also about a level of service provided by its agents,” Larson explained. “We intend to give homeowners and clients that small-shop feel while at the same time accessing the reach of a company with worldwide capabilities, top-notch marketing, and an ever-expanding network of contacts.”
While Larson no longer lives on Fire Island full-time, he and his wife seize every opportunity to return. He now resides in Babylon Village, where he can stay close to both the Fire Island and South Shore real estate markets. Although it’s a vision that the entire Larson family shares, one might expect a sense of sadness regarding the end of the independently owned family company after more than 30 years. However, Nathaniel does not believe that is quite the case here.
“I wouldn’t say ‘sadness,’ but ‘pride and gratitude.’ My parents worked so hard to build Larson Realty over the last 30 years, and I could not think of a better way to honor their legacy than through this acquisition with DGSIR,” Larson gushed. “In my mind, it is the best of both worlds — I get to do what I love on the Island that I grew up on, keep the Larson name alive, and continue to work under one of the most prestigious names in real estate. I am so looking forward to seeing DGSIR blossom on Fire Island.”
