Newport Beach, CA (October 10, 2022): Forbes Global Properties, a curated consumer marketplace of luxury homes and an invitation-only membership network of top real estate firms, is proud to welcome luxury residential specialists EQTY to its prestigious ranks. The exclusive Forbes Global Properties representative of California’s Orange County and Greater Palm Springs Desert communities, EQTY combines one of the country’s top-performing residential real estate teams and results-driven leaders with industry-leading technology and proprietary data to deliver unparalleled client-centered service.
Established in 2022, EQTY was founded and is led by Chairman Mike S. Shapiro, Agent Tara Shapiro, and President and Chief Financial Officer Karen Weinberg.
Mike brings a wealth of experience to EQTY as an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, speaker, corporate coach, and Forbes book author whose results-oriented methods help individuals and organizations alike leverage insights for stellar results. His acclaimed system is based on skills he developed as a market maker and trader with the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, where he learned to use information to predict behaviors, leverage opportunities and achieve game-changing results. He parlayed his method into the real estate industry in 2008 when he purchased a nearly bankrupt firm in coastal Orange County and grew it into one of the world’s largest Sotheby’s International Realty brokerages, with 1,200 agents and annual sales exceeding US $7 billion. Mike is a frequent and featured industry speaker, most recently appearing at the National Association of Realtors’ iOi Summit discussing the inherent correlation between real estate and Wall Street. He is also a co-founder and managing director with Plunk, a Seattle-based real estate, financial services technology startup.
Recognized in 2021 as the #1 Individual Agent in Newport Beach, #21 Individual Agent in California, and #54 Individual Agent in the U.S. by volume by Real Trends, Tara skillfully brings together buyers and sellers of distinguished properties throughout Orange County. Her name is synonymous with coastal Newport Beach luxury real estate, and clients appreciate her educated perspective on the nuances of buying and selling within this unique market.
Drawing from a successful career that has delved into financial, consumer goods, entertainment, technology, and residential real estate, Karen has a proven track record of positively disrupting industries, streamlining operations, and maximizing profits. Alongside Mike, Karen put her operational, branding, marketing, analytical skills, and financial savvy to work and was responsible for the growth and success of a revitalized coastal Orange County brokerage, increasing annual sales from US $200 million to more than US $7 billion.
The exclusive worldwide residential real estate partner of Forbes, Forbes Global Properties provides branding and marketing services to the world’s premier property firms and is now represented by more than 12,600 agents across 19 countries in approximately 400 locations. EQTY joins this network of top brokerages with proven records of success in luxury property sales and exceptional client service.
“It is my privilege to welcome EQTY to our global community of respected luxury property experts,” said Michael Jalbert, CEO of Forbes Global Properties. “Mike, Tara, and Karen have assembled a dynamic team of local experts in these prized Californian luxury markets, whose intimate market knowledge and data-backed approach will be appreciated by our audience of global luxury home buyers.”
As a member of this exclusive network, EQTY will benefit from Forbes’ engaged audience of more than 140 million to connect, inspire, and inform affluent potential homebuyers and sellers about the finest properties for sale. Homes will be presented across Forbes and Forbes Global Properties print, digital, and social media channels with expert commentary, timely market data, and top-tier editorial. EQTY’s prime residential listings will also be showcased on forbesglobalproperties.com, a curated collection of high-value homes for sale worldwide.
About EQTY
When clients choose EQTY, they gain access to one of the country’s top-performing residential real estate teams, powered by dynamic and industry-leading algorithms, proprietary data, and the unparalleled recognition and impact of the Forbes Global Properties brand. For sellers, this means empowered pricing decisions backed by a marketing strategy tailored to each property, reaching buyers throughout the Forbes Global Properties worldwide network and maximizing results. EQTY’s buyers equally benefit from the team’s data-driven insight and market experience to help determine the right purchase price, so that they can move forward with confidence.
About Forbes Global Properties
Established and led by the world’s foremost independent luxury residential brokers and industry veterans, Forbes Global Properties is a curated consumer marketplace that connects discerning buyers directly to the world’s finest homes and the elite agents that represent them. Established in 2020, the invitation-only network spans more than 400 locations and comprises approximately 12,600 property experts across the U.S., Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Europe. For more information, visit
forbesglobalproperties.com.
