For more than 18 years, Weld Realty poured skill and relentless passion into matching creative, artistic individuals and families with the unique houses that they could truly feel at home in. And like all good things, this September, Weld Realty came to its natural end when Sabrina Weld Feldman, and her longtime partners, Laura Weintraub and Maiken Nielsen, announced that their journey together with Weld was complete.
Weld sought success through helping their communities flourish. “We put our resources, skills, and talents where our heart is: Art. Culture. Local business. Local farms. Diversity. Sustainability,” Sabrina Weld Feldman said. “Our approach to real estate included support and enrichment of elements that make Rockland County a place we love to live.” One of the main projects Weld supported through the years was Nyack Sketch Log, which makes this farewell column a bittersweet and heartfelt occasion.
Weld came to be when Sabrina, a professional artist who received her BFA from Alfred University and worked in NYC building props, puppets, walk around figures and costumes for big name brands and window displays, found an interest in real estate. She decided to pursue her real estate license, but wasn’t satisfied with the pushy sales approach and culture that she experienced during some of her formative experiences in the field.
In 2004, when Sabrina’s dad suddenly passed away in January, and her husband was in a near fatal motorcycle accident in June, Sabrina’s real estate journey came to a sudden stop while she tended to her recovering husband and grieving heart.
But by 2005 she was ready to begin again and decided to start her own company. Naming the company Weld (her maiden name), after her late father Jim Weld, and taking on a tree logo – she weaved her love of family and nature into the very origin of her new business. Their lime green tree logo beautifully translated their ethos which was equal parts down to earth, connected to natural elements, and classic style. A natural innovator with strong entrepreneurial tendencies, and a talent for hospitality, she fed her dream of a more collaborative environment for agents that would make it possible to juggle life’s all too often competing needs, while also providing a better experience to their clients.
Over the next 18 years, Weld took on many wonderful agents and admins – artists, teachers, designers, photographers, and other creatives, who might not have felt at home at other agencies, yet understood and embraced Weld’s model of service, community, and collaboration. The Weld team was also a leader in creating, curating, and capturing the kind of visuals that made their innovative approach to house matchmaking a joyful, inspired experience for both sellers and buyers.
Maiken Nielsen joined Sabrina as one of the first Weld agents in 2005. An antiques restorer with a Masters in Decorative Arts from the Fashion Institute of Technology, who had in depth knowledge and a love of old houses, and was also a Waldorf teacher. She was a natural fit for the company and the business.
In 2010, Laura Weintraub arrived, bringing her extensive history as a builder and interior designer. Originally trained at Parsons School of Design in Graphic Design, Laura founded MLW Homes – a successful renovation, new construction, and home staging business. She was also working as an Interior Designer and decorator for some of Nyack’s finest homes. She also quickly became one of Weld’s top agents. In May of 2012 both Maiken and Laura became part owners of Weld Realty.
In 2023, it had become clear to Sabrina that after almost two decades leading and creating the successful agency that was Weld Realty, it was time to return to her attention full time to artistic pursuits as well as her own renovation project which includes the transformation of a historic barn into an art studio.
When Sabrina announced her decision to step down as head broker of Weld, the three owners discussed it and Laura and Maiken took the matter to heart but ultimately decided, that it wasn’t in the stars for them to continue Weld without Sabrina.
The decision was made final, and the Weld office was closed by November. Maiken and Laura continue to offer their unique and effective approach to real estate to the community via Ellis Sotheby’s in Nyack, along with other excellent Weld agents Leigh Tripathi, Cathy Hotaling, Maria Miele, Dylann Tripathi, Andrea Gordon, Sarah Weintraub, Nell Galvin, Kirstin Young and will continue to work together in the spirit of Weld.
The spirit of Weld will continue on in other agencies throughout the region, with the many former agents who will continue the great work they started and through the community organizations and initiatives that we were honored to support.
See below for a list of the wonderful local agencies all of the Weld Agents have moved to:
Here is a list of many of the former Weld agents, and where they have moved:
Maiken Nielsen – Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty, Nyack
Laura Weintraub – Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty, Nyack
Leigh Tripathi – Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty, Nyack
Cathy Hotaling – Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty, Nyack
Kirstin Young – Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty, Nyack
Maria Miele – Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty, Nyack
Andrea Gordon – Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty, Nyack
Dylann Tripathi – Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty, Nyack
Sarah Weintraub – Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty, Nyack
Nell Galvin – Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty, Nyack
Karen Deitrich – Ally Realty, Beacon
Lisanne Saavedra – Legacy Dwellings, Mount Vernon
Meng Li-Buxton – Legacy Dwellings, Mount Vernon
Donna Hall – Legacy Dwellings, Mount Vernon
Carmen Nemeth – Legacy Dwellings, Mount Vernon
James Sklar – Howard Hannah Rand Realty, Nyack
Jackie Hackett – Howard Hanna Rand Realty, Nyack
Follow Sabrina on Instagram @sabweld
An activist, artist and writer, Bill Batson lives in Nyack, NY. Nyack Sketch Log: “Weld Realty” 2023 Bill Batson billbatsonarts.com to see more.
