GNY Episode 167 | The Truth About Buying, Selling & Building a Real Estate Business in CNY ft. Ben Gray
In this episode of Good New York, host Noah Chrysler sits down with Ben Gray — local Central New York real estate professional and founder of Sold in CNY — for a candid, in-depth conversation about what it really takes to buy a home in today’s market, how to build a thriving real estate team, and the systems every agent (and entrepreneur) needs to succeed.
Ben brings over 15 years of experience in the real estate industry, has coached hundreds of agents across the country, and is part of one of the fastest-growing real estate organizations in the nation — Place, backed by a $100 million Goldman Sachs investment. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer trying to navigate a tough market, a real estate agent looking to level up your business, or someone curious about joining a high-performing local team, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical advice.
Ben walks us through why the CNY market is so competitive right now, how to find the right agent and lender, what the full home-buying process actually looks like from pre-approval to closing, and why most real estate agents fail to turn their license into a real business. He also shares what he looks for when recruiting agents to his team, the perks of joining Sold in CNY, and why he believes that a business is only as strong as its systems.
This is one of those conversations that’s equal parts education, motivation, and real talk — exactly what Good New York is all about.
Chapters:
0:00 – Welcome & Introducing Ben Gray
0:20 – Ben’s Experience Working with Good New York
1:49 – Sold in CNY: What the Show Is & Who It’s For
4:10 – Growing a Real Estate Team & Ben’s Goals
4:29 – Ben’s Journey: From Solo Agent to Team Builder (2017–2019)
6:37 – What New Agents Struggle With Most
6:56 – Building Business Systems: Attract, Convert, Deliver, Scale
12:38 – Recruiting: What Ben Looks for in an Agent
14:09 – Perks of Joining the Sold in CNY Team
15:13 – First-Time Home Buying in Today’s Market
19:14 – Choosing the Right Lender: Heart of a Teacher
20:42 – The Full Closing Process Explained
21:58 – The Biggest Struggle for Home Buyers (& How to Overcome It)
23:48 – How to Connect with Ben Gray
🏠 Connect with Ben Gray & Sold in CNY:
👉 www.soldincny.com
📺 More from Good New York:
👉 www.goodnewsyork.com
🎙️ This episode is brought to you by Ads on the Go — the team helping local businesses grow with smart, targeted digital advertising. If you’re ready to get your brand in front of the right audience, visit them at 👉 www.getadsonthego.com
🎬 Production by ClickStream Studios
👉 www.ClickStreamStudios.com
Good New York is a podcast and video series celebrating the people, businesses, and stories shaping Central New York. New episodes drop regularly — subscribe so you never miss one.
