We are small on purpose, and we intend to stay that way.

We are small on purpose, and we intend to stay that way.

We are small on purpose, and we intend to stay that way.

We are a small advisory firm. We act for buyers, and occasionally for owners, on houses that rarely reach the open market. One advisor stays with you from the first conversation to the handover of the keys.

See the listings

A brick colonial house behind iron railings, framed by autumn leaves

Belvedere began in 2006, when two of us left a large agency because we disagreed with how it worked. The volume model rewards listings and campaigns. It does not reward telling a buyer that the house they have fallen for is the wrong one.

An entrance hall with a sweeping staircase and a patterned rug
A columned porch with rocking chairs looking onto a lawn

Twenty years on we are still deliberately small: six markets, an advisor living in each, and a register that rarely runs past a dozen houses. That is not modesty. It is the only way the work stays any good.

Twenty years, six markets, and a register we have kept short.

Twenty years, six markets, and a register we have kept short.

Twenty years, six markets, and a register we have kept short.

2006

Two of us leave

Belvedere opens above a bookshop in Sag Harbor with one mandate, no register, and the view that the volume model was broken.

2006

Two of us leave

Belvedere opens above a bookshop in Sag Harbor with one mandate, no register, and the view that the volume model was broken.

2006

Two of us leave

Belvedere opens above a bookshop in Sag Harbor with one mandate, no register, and the view that the volume model was broken.

2011

The register begins

We start keeping a short written register instead of a portal feed. It has never run past fourteen houses at a time.

2011

The register begins

We start keeping a short written register instead of a portal feed. It has never run past fourteen houses at a time.

2011

The register begins

We start keeping a short written register instead of a portal feed. It has never run past fourteen houses at a time.

2016

An advisor in each market

Rather than open offices, we ask advisors to live where they sell. Napa is first. Aspen follows the year after.

2016

An advisor in each market

Rather than open offices, we ask advisors to live where they sell. Napa is first. Aspen follows the year after.

2016

An advisor in each market

Rather than open offices, we ask advisors to live where they sell. Napa is first. Aspen follows the year after.

2020

Mostly off-market

For the first time, more than half of what we conclude in a year is never advertised anywhere at all.

2020

Mostly off-market

For the first time, more than half of what we conclude in a year is never advertised anywhere at all.

2020

Mostly off-market

For the first time, more than half of what we conclude in a year is never advertised anywhere at all.

2026

Unchanged in method

Six markets, six advisors, and the same short register. The firm has stayed this size on purpose.

2026

Unchanged in method

Six markets, six advisors, and the same short register. The firm has stayed this size on purpose.

2026

Unchanged in method

Six markets, six advisors, and the same short register. The firm has stayed this size on purpose.

What we are for, and what we will not do.

What we are for, and what we will not do.

What we are for, and what we will not do.

01

Mission

To represent a small number of exceptional houses properly one advisor to a client, complete discretion, and the patience to wait for the right house rather than the available one.

02

Vision

To remain the firm that owners come to when a sale must stay quiet, and buyers come to when they would rather be told the truth than be sold to.

Five things we will not trade away for a faster sale.

Five things we will not trade away for a faster sale.

Five things we will not trade away for a faster sale.

01

Discretion

Your search stays private. We never advertise a house an owner has asked us to keep quiet, and we do not discuss clients with anyone.

01

Discretion

Your search stays private. We never advertise a house an owner has asked us to keep quiet, and we do not discuss clients with anyone.

02

Local knowledge

We live in the markets we sell. What we know about a lane, a school run or the light in winter does not come from a database.

02

Local knowledge

We live in the markets we sell. What we know about a lane, a school run or the light in winter does not come from a database.

03

One advisor

The advisor who first shows you a house is the one who sees the sale through. Nothing is handed along halfway.

03

One advisor

The advisor who first shows you a house is the one who sees the sale through. Nothing is handed along halfway.

04

Patience

We would rather you waited eight months for the right house than bought the available one in six weeks.

04

Patience

We would rather you waited eight months for the right house than bought the available one in six weeks.

05

Candour

If a house is wrong for you we will say so plainly, including on the occasions when saying so costs us the sale.

05

Candour

If a house is wrong for you we will say so plainly, including on the occasions when saying so costs us the sale.

TEAM

The people you will actually deal with

An advisor lives in each market we cover, and one of them stays with you from the first call to the keys.

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James Carter

Founder & Managing Broker

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Hugh Bennett

Luxury Property Advisor

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Daniel Brooks

Property Advisor

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Edward Collins

Waterfront Property Specialist

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Mateo Martinez

Residential Real Estate Agent

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