Fredrik Eklund holds an estimated net worth of $40 million, generated primarily through elite luxury real estate sales, high-end residential development marketing, and a long-running television career. As the co-founder of the powerhouse Eklund|Gomes Team, he has helped close billions in property transactions across New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.
Beyond his high-profile career on Bravo's Million Dollar Listing New York, Eklund built a diversified financial portfolio spanning proptech investments, global speaking engagements, bestselling authorship, and luxury second-home co-ownership ventures. Understanding how he accumulated this wealth requires looking past the television persona and examining his actual business ecosystem.
Early Entrepreneurial Roots and Global Finance
Long before selling multi-million-dollar penthouses in Manhattan, Eklund was building companies. Born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1977, to economist Klas Eklund, he briefly attended the Stockholm School of Economics before dropping out to launch an internet startup called Humany. By age 23, he was managing a tech firm with dozens of employees.
He subsequently worked in traditional finance and investment banking for SEB across Stockholm, London, Singapore, and Tokyo. This international finance background gave him a firm grasp of quantitative analysis, risk management, and capital structuring. When the dot-com bubble shifted market dynamics, he explored alternative media and music production ventures before relocating to New York City, where he pivoted permanently into residential real estate. For another look on this development, see the recent coverage from Reuters Business.
The Rise of the Eklund|Gomes Real Estate Empire
Eklund entered the New York real estate market with zero local connections or prior property experience. Working relentless hours, he closed over $50 million in sales during his first year alone, earning rookie recognition and setting an aggressive trajectory.
- The Core Partnership: In 2010, he partnered with John Gomes to establish what would become the Eklund|Gomes Team, scaling operations rapidly under major brokerages.
- Sales Volume Milestones: The team has achieved over $10 billion in cumulative closed residential sales, marketing marquee new developments across the United States.
- Geographic Expansion: What started as a dominant Manhattan brokerage operation expanded strategically into Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Miami, Texas, and other primary luxury corridors.
His high-energy marketing style, signature high-kick, and direct negotiation tactics turned him into a magnet for ultra-high-net-worth buyers, developers, and celebrity clientele.
Television, Books, and Media Ventures
Television magnified Eklund's brand equity. He starred in nine seasons of Bravo's Million Dollar Listing New York, establishing himself as a central figure in the franchise until his departure. Rather than just collecting a standard television salary, he leveraged the platform to build an international referral network for his brokerage business.
He also authored The Sell: The Secrets of Selling Anything to Anyone, which landed on The New York Times Best Seller list. The book codified his personal sales philosophy, transforming his proprietary deal-making framework into a secondary revenue stream through global keynote speaking tours.
Proptech, Partnerships, and Investments
Eklund didn't limit his income to traditional brokerage commissions. He has actively invested in real estate technology and luxury lifestyle brands.
- Proptech Ventures: He co-founded Real Messenger, a proptech platform designed to connect agents and buyers globally through video-first feeds, eventually celebrating a public listing milestone on NASDAQ.
- Strategic Partnerships: He partnered with co-ownership platforms like Pacaso to market luxury second homes across international destinations.
- Consumer Brands: He launched High-Kick, an international rosé and wine label distributed across multiple countries.
Real Estate Portfolio and Personal Assets
A significant portion of personal wealth for top-tier brokers is tied up in personal property investments. Eklund and his husband, artist Derek Kaplan, have bought, renovated, and sold high-end residential properties in prime markets.
After years of living in Manhattan and a countryside estate in Roxbury, Connecticut, the family relocated to the West Coast, acquiring luxury residential holdings in Beverly Hills. They have similarly expanded their footprint into Florida's coastal luxury markets, balancing primary residential assets with income-producing real estate holdings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fredrik Eklund's primary source of income?
While television and book sales raised his public profile, the bulk of his $40 million net worth stems from real estate commissions generated by the Eklund|Gomes Team, alongside development marketing fees, proptech investments, and brand partnerships.
Is Fredrik Eklund still on Million Dollar Listing?
No. After starring in nine seasons of Million Dollar Listing New York, Eklund officially announced his departure from the Bravo franchise to focus entirely on expanding his brokerage operations, real estate tech ventures, and family.
How much does the Eklund|Gomes Team sell annually?
The team routinely handles billions of dollars in residential real estate transactions across multiple states, positioning them as one of the highest-producing luxury real estate groups in the United States.
Where does Fredrik Eklund live now?
Eklund splits his time between primary residences and properties in major luxury hubs including Los Angeles, Miami, and New York, following years of operating primarily out of Manhattan.
