Meet the Broker

Marcy Braun of Douglas Elliman

With a decades long career shaped by relationships, intuition, and an enduring love for place, Marcy Braun of Douglas Elliman has become a trusted presence in Hamptons real estate. In this Meet the Broker conversation, she reflects on the experiences, instincts, and personal moments that continue to guide her work.

What originally pulled you into real estate, and what keeps you excited about it today?
I began my career in the 1980s working in rentals in New York City, when success was built almost entirely on trust, relationships, and truly knowing your market. I later became Vice President of Rentals for Gilbert Charles Beylen, overseeing multiple related company new developments across Manhattan. 

What pulled me into real estate—and still excites me today—is helping people navigate deeply personal, life-changing decisions. After raising my five children in Great Neck, I relocated to the Hamptons which became my new area of expertise. Touring properties here never feels routine, and even after decades in the business, I still feel incredibly inspired and grateful to do what I love.

What’s a deal or moment in your career that really stuck with you, for better or worse?
There is one Hamptons moment early in my career that has always stayed with me. I was touring with a client who was initially just searching for a short-term rental when I pointed to the neighboring house and said, almost instinctively, “That’s the house you’re going to buy one day.” They looked at me like I was crazy, but I knew it checked every box they had described. A year later, I negotiated a creative rent-to-buy arrangement on that very home. Within a month of moving in, they decided to purchase it. To this day, they still can’t believe I “knew” before they did.

Another deal involved first-time Hamptons buyers who thought East Hampton was their only option. Instead of narrowing their search, I focused on their lifestyle priorities and showed them a home in Southampton that met all of their needs. They moved on it immediately and realized that was where they were meant to be.

Those moments remind me how powerful deep listening, experience, and intuition can be in this business.

When you walk into a home for the first time, what’s the first thing you instinctively notice?
The first thing I notice is how the home feels. Before square footage or finishes, I pay attention to light, energy, and flow. I instinctively imagine how someone would live there—where they’d gather and whether the space feels welcoming.

Then I look at the bones: ceiling heights, proportions, and layout. In the Hamptons, light, privacy, and the relationship between indoor and outdoor living are essential. When a house has that combination of feeling, function, flow, and property size, you know it right away.

Real estate can be intense. How do you unplug or spend your free time when you’re off the clock?
When I can step away, I love spending time with my children and grandchildren and enjoying the Hamptons beyond work—trying new restaurants, going on beach walks, shopping and enjoying all seasonal farm markets. For me, balance isn’t about fully switching off; it’s about being present where I am.

Baking is also a huge outlet for me—my challah 

has become something of a signature. Every June, I source the best local strawberries and make jam using a dear friend’s recipe in her memory. You’ll also find me many mornings at SoulCycle in Bridgehampton. It keeps me focused and energized. 

What do you think clients are most surprised to learn about you once you start working together?
Clients are often surprised by how intuitive and hands-on I am. They’re also surprised by how proactive I am behind the scenes, anticipating opportunities and finding creative solutions. Most of all, they’re surprised by how much I care.

I approach real estate as a relationship, not a transaction. Long after a deal closes, I’m still there. That level of commitment is what ultimately sets the experience apart.