Main Street Business

“My process is all about prioritizing action before reaction, adaptability over ego, and clarity over speed. By defining my own success, I’m able to adjust as conditions change, rather than be structured to fight against them,” explains Daniel “Dan” Mahar, a Columbia County native and the founder of Mahar Real Estate.

Growing up in Columbia County has not only shaped his business, but also who he is as a person. He graduated from Pace University with a degree in philosophy and religious studies. After performing as a stand-up comedian and working as a senior fitness specialist, he discovered that real estate was his true calling. While it may be an unconventional path, Mahar says that all of his roles share a common thread – people. His degree taught him to “think deeply and pivot when necessary,” stand-up comedy sharpened his wit and allowed him to connect with people from all walks of life, and his work as a fitness specialist encouraged him to build trust and guide his clients toward their goals – all of which have proven to be incredibly useful skills in real estate.

“Long before I opened Mahar Real Estate, I spent years studying how the most successful people on the planet operate. When I was able to dissect how they got to where they are, I took what worked for me and turned it into a repeatable process,” he shares. “I paid attention to patterns: discipline over urgency, patience over pressure, and structure over chaos. I’ve also learned through mentorship and experience that the difference between success and failure is usually discipline.”

Showing up for the community

Buying or selling a house is no easy feat, and Mahar understands that. Helping clients through one of the most major life transitions is not something that he takes lightly. “Our focus is on the locals – first-time buyers, working families, and business owners trying to get a foothold. 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.” 

Indeed, for Mahar it’s always been about the community, both at work and in his personal life. In 2025, Mahar Real Estate participated in Hudson’s Pride Parade, the 25th Annual Ghostly Gallop, a 5k race to benefit the Hudson Area Library, City of Hudson’s Winter Walk Celebration, and the Festival of Wreaths. Outside of work, Mahar is a sponsor of the Saratoga Auto Museum in Saratoga Springs, NY, and created a scholarship for students at his alma mater, Taconic Hills Central School District.

When it comes down to it, it’s about showing up for your community,” he says. “I don’t separate my personal beliefs from my professional life. If I’m visible here, I believe I should contribute here. If I’m going to build a team in my own name, I’m responsible for protecting the culture as much as the clients.”

New office space and continued growth

Since launching Mahar Real Estate in August of 2024, the company has seen unprecedented growth. The reason that Mahar Real Estate is centrally located in Columbia County is two-fold. For one, Mahar grew up in Columbia County and loves the area. Also, being located in Columbia County allows Mahar Real Estate to serve the eight surrounding counties: Dutchess, Columbia, Ulster, Greene, Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Saratoga.

Appropriate for the start of 2026, Mahar Real Estate has also recently moved offices. The company transitioned to a larger office space on the first floor of Hudson City Centre, which not only gives the team more space to work, but also gives Mahar Real Estate the opportunity to invite the community in, host fundraisers, and bring vendors, business partners, and other real estate professionals in to collaborate.

Although both he and Mahar Real Estate as a whole continue to grow and change, Mahar’s philosophy remains the same. “The vision hasn’t changed, but the players have. I rely on knowing that I don’t know. By that I mean there have been some people, tactics, and strategies that I’ve used that worked, while some didn’t. But I’m always willing to try and always looking to meet new people,” he shares. “The vision is to help my community through real estate, and ultimately, to bring people together.” • 

Mahar Real Estate is located at One Hudson City Centre, Suite 104, Hudson, NY.

For more information, visit their website maharrealestate.com and keep up with them on Instagram @maharrealestateny.