In Manhattan’s luxury real estate arena, where $50 million penthouses change hands over cocktails at The Plaza and developers race to claim the next record-breaking height, most agents blend into the marble-and-glass backdrop. Talia doesn’t.
She’s the one who remembers that her tech mogul client collects vintage Hermès scarves, not just their closing timeline. The one who walks potential buyers through a Tribeca loft at golden hour because she knows how the light hits the exposed brick just right. While others pitch square footage and subway proximity, Talia curates experiences—connecting a young family with their forever home in Brooklyn Heights, or matching a hedge fund executive with a Central Park West co-op that feels like their private sanctuary above the city’s pulse.
In a world of rapid-fire transactions and commission chasing, she builds something rarer: trust that spans generations, relationships that outlast market cycles, and a reputation that whispers rather than shouts—because the best referrals always do.
Talia Mckinney doesn’t just unlock front doors—she opens new chapters.
Her path to this pinnacle wasn’t carved by legacy connections or shortcuts. It was earned through intention, intuition, and the courage to break the mold.
She grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a town more known for its Amish heritage than for high-rise ambitions. Raised by a single mother—“the strongest woman I know,” Talia says—she was taught early that life doesn’t hand you opportunities; you create them.
Her mother’s quiet strength and bold independence became the blueprint for the life Talia would build.
“I’ve never been someone who wanted to follow a traditional path. I crave purpose, connection, and growth.”
Talia Mckinney
After earning a degree in Communications and PR, and running track at college level, Talia followed a winding path that ultimately brought her to New York. There, she found her calling—not just in sales, but in the art of helping people find where they truly belong.
A chance encounter with Ryan Serhant eight years ago would prove pivotal. She joined his team and never looked back. Today, she stands as one of its most dynamic forces—respected not only for her results, but for her ethos.
“I love what I do,” she says, “but it’s not just about square footage and contracts. It’s about people. About listening to their why, guiding them through one of the biggest decisions of their lives, and making sure they feel seen and supported every step of the way.”
That emotional intelligence has become her signature. In an industry sometimes perceived as transactional, Talia brings transformation.
Her record speaks for itself—a $31.5 million penthouse sale overlooking Central Park is among her milestones—but it’s the unseen wins that matter more: first-time buyers who feel empowered, families starting new chapters, young agents finding their footing because she chose to mentor rather than compete.
Still, the climb has not been without friction. Balancing the growth of her own business while building and leading a team challenged her to evolve quickly.
“I had to let go of control. To delegate. To trust others to rise. That shift—from individual success to shared success—was a turning point for me.”
Talia Mckinney
And she knows the toll this career can take. Real estate, especially in New York, is a 24/7 heartbeat. So Talia makes space for balance. She volunteers as a running guide for a visually impaired athlete, tethering herself both physically and emotionally to the art of moving forward together.
She carves out time to travel, recharge, stay active. “Balance isn’t about perfection,” she reflects. “It’s about knowing when to lean in, and when to pull back.”
Her story is still unfolding, but the legacy she’s shaping is already clear. She wants to be remembered not just for the homes she helped people buy—but for the confidence she helped them build, the careers she supported, the trust she never took for granted.
“I want my legacy to be that I opened doors—literally and figuratively—for others. That I led with kindness. And that I showed people what’s possible when you choose courage over comfort.”
Talia Mckinney
To those dreaming of doing something different—of stepping outside the expected path—Talia offers this: “Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Just start. Clarity comes through action. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to show up.”
In the city of ambition, Talia Mckinney stands apart—not for being the loudest voice in the room, but for being the most authentic. And in her world, that’s the rarest luxury of all.
Instagram: @taliamckinney
LinkedIn: @Talia McKinney
