Southern belle who always outfoxes the market.

Few Manhattan brokers are as well-respected as Barbara S. Fox, who has been an integral member of the residential real estate community for over 25 years.

The North Carolina native, whose melodious accent is nearly as prominent as the day she arrived in New York, has established a network of colleagues, clients and friends that span worldwide. She founded her eponymous boutique firm in 1989, during a real estate recession, and against all odds, made it work with her signature enthusiasm and grit.

An outspoken advocate for the industry, Fox is a founding member of the Residential Committee of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), which has become a powerful voice for brokers here.

In addition, she continues to devote her time, knowledge and experience to teaching generations of brokers through REBNY's continuing education courses. The brokers at Fox Residential Group, many of whom have been with the firm since its earliest beginnings, share her philosophy and commitment to the highest standards. Collectively, they are recognized for their savvy in the industry and unique ability to work with their peers.

"I've hand-picked every one of the brokers at my firm," said Fox. "Some come with less experience than others, but all have the skills that are right for this business. There is a genuine collegiality in our firm. Each person has to fit into the group, as well as bring something special to the table. To varying degrees, all of our brokers have an innate understanding of human psychology, excellent negotiating skills, strong financial experience, and a true love of New York City."

In typical Barbara Fox fashion, she has chosen to expand the firm, having recently hired five new agents at a time when condominium and cooperative sales have begun to slow.

But this is the same Barbara Fox who decided--after graduating from Boston University and working a year at Doubleday publishing--to become a residential broker in the mid-1970's notwithstanding a market slowdown at the time.

She landed a position at the elite firm of Whitbread Nolan, Inc., where she honed her skills, making her way through the down market. In 1980, she went to the brand new firm, Stribling & Associates, as a vice president. Her next opportunity was to head up a three-person residential division for Cross & Brown, the once prominent commercial brokerage. By the time she left Cross & Brown Residentials, Inc., the tiny division had grown to 60 brokers.

And then in 1989, she founded Fox Residential Group. Typically, the year she started her firm the real estate market was in a decline--and she prevailed again.

"I created Fox Residential Group when it was the right time for me, not the market," added Fox. "I wanted a small, closely held boutique firm that would specialize in upscale cooperative and condominium apartments and townhouses on the upper East and West Sides of Manhattan.

"Our original sales staff consisted of four experienced brokers. By 1992, the firm moved into larger quarters and grew to 25 brokers with an administrative staff of five. Today, we have an elite core of 40 brokers, but we've expanded our territory with specialists that cover a wider swath of Manhattan, stretching from Battery Park City to Harlem. We are still a tight-knit group that works together well. I'm still able to oversee every deal that is done in the office."

Ten years ago, Fox initiated a rental and corporate relocation services division, directed by Soozy Katzen, an experienced rental and relocation specialist. Last year, she joined with real estate sales and marketing veteran, Reba Miller, for Fox-Miller Marketing Services. The team is responsible for marketing a prestigious new condominium project on Park Avenue between 83rd and 84th streets, known as 985 Park. Within its first four months on the market, the Fox-Miller team sold 60% of the condominium duplex and triplex homes from floor plans, starting at $5.1 million.

Success seems to define Barbara Fox's path. Ignoring conventional wisdom, she entered the industry during a down market, started her company in a recession and is selling luxury properties despite any market trends.

In a world where Manhattan's elite brokerage firms have exploded with literally thousands of agents scrambling for a bite out of the apple, Fox Residential Group a maintains solid core of quality brokers with a stellar client base and a reputation as one of the finest boutique firms.

Setting the tone for her firm and its representatives, Barbara Fox epitomizes style, integrity, and professionalism, but always with a dash of North Carolina grace.

BY PATRICIA WARBURG CLIFF

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR

OF EUROPEAN SALES, CORCORAN GROUP