The sun’s rays crack through the window blinds and the family dog barks in excitement for the day. The familiar cry of BEEP BEEP BEEP and within a second THUD hits the off button. The aroma of fresh coffee beans in the morning, threatening shouts of “Time to wake up” shakes the home, mayonnaise slamming into dry pieces of toast, kids running to the car, and the oh so familiar traffic jam of cross island starts off his morning.

Upon entering his Dodge Durango you see stacks of invoices from different buildings, letters addressed to Mr.Vincent Lo, bags of screws, box of tools and keys to buildings littered throughout his car. But just enough space to fit his morning cup of coffee to start his day. The job of a property manager/broker is to oversee the day-to-day building’s operation. While the job of a broker is to sell clients part of the building’s empty space. His place of work is generally rolling down the highway from one building to the other. But if you’re lucky enough to fit into his schedule you might be able to hear his pitch.

“Our company is the managing agent for the property, we have full knowledge of the building, we have full financial information of the building, we are more than well qualified to market and sell within the building, we have a good support staff, we are a part of the multiple listing service, and we keep a list of potential buyers of the past and future.” – Vincent Lo

Growing up in the lower east side of Manhattan, he learned to work hard at a young age. At the early age of thirteen/fourteen he started working at his parent’s restaurant business. He worked from the front of counter to the back of the kitchen. At a young age he already knew the hustle necessary to make a buck.

“Establishing ones reputation takes time and hard work. Back then because there barely was internet I would have to scrounge through the newspapers, and call to find listings of apartments for sale. Trying to co-broke a deal with a broker and make some money. Back when I started I would easily spend up to nine thousand dollars on advertisement space. While now-a-days you can just as easily save that money and post up advertisements on craigslist for free.”

Census.gov shows that the median family income in Queens runs about $64,371. While a majority of families are making $50,000 to $74,000 at 18.2%. What is quite shocking is that families that make $200,000 or more make up 5.1% of Queens. Which could be a reason for so many immigrants in Queens. People are probably moving to United States with money to grow a business or to purchase land and resell it later. Due to a heavy influx of money coming from overseas and China. United States Customs and Border Protection has limited the amount to ten thousand dollars. You are allowed to bring and take up to ten thousand dollars from and to United States at any given time with the need to fill out a “Report of International Transportation of Currency and Monetary Instruments Form.”

Queens has been getting a lot of publicity this past year and according to the Lonely Planet, one of the world’s most successful travel publishers. They have named Queens, New York as number one tourist destination of 2015. Although Queens known for its sports arenas like, the Arthur Ash stadium where the U.S. Open plays, Citi Field where the Mets play. Not only that but Queens is also known for it’s museums like, the Moving Picture Museum, MOMA P.S. 1, the Queens Museum, and food. Queens is built upon the shoulders of immigrants around the world. Some coming from Italy, some coming from Philippines, some coming from Mexico, some coming from Korea, some coming from China. Queens and New York has become a melting pot of the 21st century. In the light of all this positive feedback, there are negative impacts to the people who live in Queens. As stated by MNS, Queens rental Market Report, average rent throughout Queens has increased 2.12% from $2,104.13 in July 2015. A steady trend like that would lead most to view affordable housing as a way to escape the increase of rent in Queens.

Gentrification of New York City really depends on people’s perspective on things. You can either think “Rising real estate prices is doing good for New York City?” or “Are you hurting these people who do not qualify affordable housing.” Pushing them out and end up having the government pay for subsidies and so forth. It really depends on how you see it, whether the glass is half full or half empty.