Real Estate

Mahar Real Estate, founded in August of 2024 and based in Hudson City Centre in Hudson, NY, is operating with the polish and purpose of a well-established firm. After years in the industry, founder Daniel “Dan” Mahar launched the company to offer a grounded, client-focused experience rooted in local knowledge. 

“Too many brokerages have become what I call ‘showroom brokerages,’ with fancy offices and glossy listings in the window, but no one actually inside,” Dan says. “Selling real estate is not like selling a showroom car. You cannot park a house in a window and expect it to speak for itself. You need to know the people, the block, the stories, and the setting.” 

That mindset is shaped by Dan’s own roots. Born and raised in Claverack, NY, a graduate of Taconic Hills and later Pace University, he brings a mix of local insight and life experience from comedy to hospitality to business that gives him an edge. “I came back home with big ideas and a work ethic I do not shut off,” he says. “I know the streets that flood, the views that sell, and the contractor who will actually call you back. Mahar Real Estate is not built on gimmicks or trends. It is built on trust, hustle, and a deep understanding of what makes the Hudson Valley special.”

Championing growth and brand recognition

As of July 9, Mahar Real Estate was ranked in the top 20 percent (57th out of 277) of brokerages in the Hudson Valley/Catskill Region and in the top 22 percent (116th out of 523) of brokerages in the Capital Region, with just over $7.5 million in closed volume. 

Mahar Real Estate’s pending sales have exceeded $5 million, bringing the company to roughly $12 million just midway through the year. Future business has extended into 2027, with Mahar Real Estate securing a multi-town development and future hotel project located just outside of Hudson, NY. While these numbers are impressive and reflect the work ethic of the team at Mahar Real Estate, for Mahar, growth isn’t just based around sales and numbers.  

“We’ve built brand recognition from the ground up. People see the ‘M’ signs, they follow our listings, and they reach out directly. Our office at Hudson City Centre has become a true working hub – clients come in, attorneys walk over, lenders, title companies and tradespeople stop by,” he shares. “I wanted to build something real, rooted, and local. Something where the lights were on, the doors were open, and the agents were working. We’re earning trust, and that’s the foundation for everything else.” 

A strong team with ties to the Hudson Valley

When Mahar first started Mahar Real Estate, he was a one-man show. After getting the agency off the ground, he began cultivating his team. Everyone on the Mahar Real Estate team brings more than just a license to the table – they bring real-world experience and deep ties to the Hudson Valley. 

Erin Shepherd has been licensed for five years and is the go-to for families and first-time buyers in the Hudson Valley and Capital Region. She’s currently ranked 398th out of 3,000 agents in the Capital Region, which places her in the 13th percentile. 

Charlie Brassard – dubbed “Commercial Charlie” by the team at Mahar Real Estate – initially trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, and applies his culinary expertise to specialize in business properties. Putting his well-known fried chicken on display, he successfully brought the community together with a fundraiser for the Columbia County Recovery Kitchen. 

Carrie Dandrige blends hospitality, staging, and short-term rental expertise with three years of experience. Nick Legname has 15 years of experience in residential construction, giving buyers a builder’s perspective. Michelle Camacho is known for her local knowledge and direct, empathetic approach. Art Frick brings his tech and project management background, plus firsthand experience renovating his own home, to the real estate world. 

“We don’t play dress up. We work, answer calls, show up early, and stay late. We’re not outsourcing the soul of the business. If we don’t know the answer, we will find it,” Mahar says. “Our focus is on the locals – first-time buyers, working families, and business owners trying to get a foothold. While some firms chase luxury, our goal is to include everyone. Some people only buy or sell one house during their entire lives, and it’s a serious transaction. You can’t enter something like that untrained. That’s not just a marketing strategy, it’s a mission.” 

Running a sustainable brokerage in 2026

Mahar believes that the world of real estate is moving past the “era of filters and facades.” Thanks to the Internet, buyers and sellers are not only more skeptical than ever before, but also more informed. 

“What they want now is reliability – someone who knows what they’re doing, where they’re doing it, and why they’re doing it,” he explains. “Our goal is to continue to serve our community and show up for the people who live here.”

Mahar Real Estate does have plans to expand in the near future – they aim to operate from Poughkeepsie to Saratoga on both sides of the Hudson River and as far east as Massachusetts – but they don’t want to expand at the cost of diverting from their primary purpose, which is serving the local community. For Mahar, sustainability isn’t about scaling endlessly, but about staying relevant, respected, and real.

“We’ll do that by continuing to invest in people, not just marketing. The more we help locals stay local and build long-term trust, the more we future-proof our business,” he explains. “We’re not trying to be everywhere. We’re trying to be right here, in our community, for the long haul.” •

To learn more about Mahar Real Estate, visit their website maharrealestate.com, contact them via email d.mahar@maharrealestate.comor via phone at (518) 249-7402, follow them on Instagram @maharrealestateny, or visit them at 1 Hudson City Centre, STE 304C, Hudson, NY.