Fredrik Eklund Shakes Up Real Estate: No College Degree Needed to Succeed

Million Dollar Listing Star Fredrik Eklund Shakes Up Real Estate Industry with Unconventional Advice In a bold move that's generating buzz among Gen Z, real estate mogul Fredrik Eklund has declared that a college degree is not necessary to succeed in the industry. The star of Bravo's "Million Dollar Listing" and co-founder of Douglas Elliman's New York City brokerage, Eklund has built a reputation for closing massive deals – over $15 billion in property sales – without the traditional four-year degree. "I don't think you can learn everything you need to know about real estate in a classroom," Eklund said in an interview. "You've gotta be out on the streets, getting your hands dirty, and learning from experience." Eklund's unconventional approach has sparked debate among industry insiders, with some praising his willingness to challenge traditional norms while others express concern that his advice may lead young people astray. "Fredrik is a brilliant salesman, but he's also a product of his time," said one rival real estate agent. "He's made it work for him, but I'm not sure it would be the same for everyone else." Eklund's success story began in Sweden, where he started selling properties at 23 and quickly built a reputation as a top performer. He later moved to New York City, where he co-founded Douglas Elliman's NYC brokerage and became one of the city's top-selling agents. While Eklund acknowledges that a college degree can provide valuable skills and knowledge, he insists that it's not the only path to success in real estate. "There are so many things you can't learn in a classroom," he said. "You need to be willing to take risks, adapt quickly, and build relationships with people." Eklund's advice has resonated with some young people who feel stifled by traditional expectations. "I'm not saying I don't want to go to college, but it's nice to know that there are other options," said Emily Chen, a high school student interested in pursuing a career in real estate. As the debate continues, Eklund remains committed to his unconventional approach. With over $15 billion in property sales under his belt, he's proven that his method works – at least for him. Whether it will work for others remains to be seen. Background: Fredrik Eklund has been a fixture on Bravo's "Million Dollar Listing" since 2010 and has built a reputation as one of the top-selling agents in New York City. He co-founded Douglas Elliman's NYC brokerage and has closed over $15 billion in property sales. Industry Impact: Eklund's comments have sparked debate among industry insiders, with some praising his willingness to challenge traditional norms while others express concern that his advice may lead young people astray. Next Developments: As the real estate market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Eklund's unconventional approach plays out. Will more young people follow in his footsteps and forgo college in pursuit of a career in real estate? Only time will tell. *Reporting by Fortune.*