Daniel M. Berger: The Real Estate Agent Who Actually Wrote the Book

Written by:

Heather Hook

Date:

24 Mar 2026

KeyCrew Studio

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Most agents say they have a book in them. Daniel Berger sat down and wrote one.

Adventures of a Real Estate Broker: And Other Stories is a 14-chapter collection of true stories from Berger’s decade-plus career selling homes across New York and Connecticut. It is available now on Amazon in print and digital formats. There are no scripts, no step-by-step selling frameworks, and – true to Berger’s style – no preachiness. Just stories. Real ones.

“Everyone tells me they have crazy stories,” said Berger, who owns and operates RE/MAX Prestige Properties out of White Plains. “Every agent does. The difference is I actually wrote them down.”

The book was a multi-year project that began as recorded interviews. Berger connected with Bailey Herman, a college student at the time and the girlfriend of his son, who wanted to become a writer and had a free summer ahead of her. Starting in the spring of 2024, Berger and Herman would get on calls, she would record them, and then she would transcribe and shape each chapter in his voice. By the time Herman graduated the following May, the book was written.

Then an AI-assisted editor nearly derailed it.

“AI messed up the book in a bad way,” Berger said. “Good formatting, bad writing.” His wife Elyse – an attorney with a sharp editorial eye who has known Berger for more than 40 years – stepped in as the real editor, merging the original Bailey Herman drafts with what was salvageable and producing something Berger is genuinely proud of. The back cover testimonials include a blurb from his 22-year-old son: “I hate real estate, but this book is actually good.” Berger considers that high praise.

The book was launched at a backyard book launch party at the Berger home. 150 guests. 2 bartenders. A catered barbecue. And Berger, signing copies of his book the entire time. Guests who appeared in the stories were there too, walking around reading their own chapters.

The stories range from the comic to the deeply human. One chapter involves a 94-year-old man with no family, evicted from his apartment, who had been living in a hotel for three years. Berger went to court on his behalf, helped him find senior housing, and quite often can be seen driving 45 minutes to Connecticut to drop off groceries for him at his new residence. Another chapter, which Berger describes simply as involving skulls, pornography, and guns, speaks to the kind of unpredictable situations a broker encounters when people open their doors.

“Real estate is more about people than houses,” Berger said. “You’re in the middle of the biggest moments of people’s lives. Sometimes they need a lot more than a listing agreement.”

The physical book – full color, 170 pages – is now something Berger brings to listing appointments. He autographs a copy and writes a personal message for each client. It is, by any measure, a more memorable leave-behind than a glossy market report.

Adventures of a Real Estate Broker is available on Amazon. Berger also hosts a weekly podcast of the same name on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Disclosure: Individuals or companies mentioned may have a commercial relationship with KeyCrew.