SYRACUSE — January was a memorable month for local realtor David Manzano, Jr. The Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors honored him as the group’s Realtor of the Year during its annual meeting held Jan. 19. He then helped launch MyTown Realty, LLC, a firm that focuses on residential real estate. It operates in a 10,000-square-foot […]
SYRACUSE — January was a memorable month for local realtor David Manzano, Jr.
The Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors honored him as the group’s Realtor of the Year during its annual meeting held Jan. 19.
He then helped launch MyTown Realty, LLC, a firm that focuses on residential real estate. It operates in a 10,000-square-foot space inside the Icon Tower at 344 S. Warren St. in downtown Syracuse.
Manzano helped start the business after spending nearly seven years working for his father, David Manzano, Sr., at Hunt Real Estate ERA in Camillus.
Manzano, Jr. has equal ownership in MyTown Realty along with Grazi Zazzara, Jr., who also serves as president of the Icon Companies, a commercial real-estate firm also located in the Icon Tower at
344 S. Warren St.
“It’s just something I’ve always known I wanted to do, and with Grazi and myself, with the relationship we’ve nurtured over 10 years, it was the perfect fit to make that happen,” says Manzano. He spoke with CNYBJ on Feb. 9.
Both men equally contributed funding to launch the firm, but Manzano declined to disclose the amount of money invested. Besides the owners, the firm doesn’t currently have any employees but is looking to hire an administrator and manager. MyTown Realty also currently has three agents who are classified as independent contractors.
Becoming business partners
Manzano and Zazzara have known each other since their days working together at Pyramid Brokerage Company in Syracuse.
“We started the same day in 2007. We hit it off,” says Manzano.
Zazzara’s current firm, Icon Companies, focuses solely on commercial real estate, but he’s had clients ask about help with residential real estate. He’d tell them he wouldn’t be much help because commercial and residential real estate “are so different.”
“I couldn’t properly advise you. I wouldn’t be able to guide you in the right direction,” Zazzara says, paraphrasing how he would answer inquiring clients.
He’s also had to turn away agents seeking work in the residential sector. In 2017, Zazzara decided to pursue a separate firm focused on residential real estate. He sought advice from Manzano on the licensing process, and as the conversation continued, the friendship would evolve into a business partnership.
“I said Dave … I know it’s your dream to start your own company. Why don’t we just join forces and do it now,” says Zazzara, recalling his conversations with Manzano.
Manzano gave it some thought and figured it might be the right opportunity to co-own his own business.
“I made the decision the day after Christmas,” he adds.
MyTown Realty has a three-tiered plan for growth, says Manzano. First, he wants to grow the Syracuse office to have 30 agents. Second, he would like to open two additional locations in Camillus and Manlius.
“At some point in time, I’m going to have to become more of a regional manager and put a manager in place for this branch so that I can be free for more expansion and more training,” says Manzano.
The plan also has a third phase, but Manzano didn’t want to disclose details on that yet.
When asked if MyTown will be focused solely on Central New York, Manzano says, “We can go anywhere in New York [state] being licensed for New York.”
