In the world of New York City real estate, The Schaffer Cella Team brings a new standard of service excellence.
With 20 years of combined experience and over $125M in sales transactions, Lauren Schaffer and Heather Cella deliver extensive market knowledge, unwavering work ethic, and utmost commitment to each and every client they serve. They understand that every buyer and seller has unique needs, and therefore take an intentional & curated approach to each transaction.
With a proven sales record across Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, The Schaffer Cella Team is your trusted strategic advisor on all things process, positioning, pricing, and negotiation, and delivers a white glove approach to the ever-evolving market landscape. The team looks forward to helping you reach your real estate goals.
The Team's Areas of Expertise
Licensed in the great state of New York, The Schaffer Cella Team proudly offers their professional support in the following areas (and beyond):
- Buying, Selling, Renting, Leasing – in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens – across all building types and at every price point
- Condos, Co-ops, Townhomes (Single Family + Multi Family)
- Primary Homes, Pied-a-terres, Investment Properties
- Broker referrals across the tri-state area and countrywide
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Lauren is a natural entrepreneur, bringing high energy and a positive spirit to everything she does. She is known amongst her peers as a masterful connector, project manager, and problem solver, always thinking 10 steps ahead and streamlining the customer experience along the way. This innate drive, coupled with a keen eye for style and a love of people, is what fuels her passion for luxury real estate sales in New York City.
Lauren’s real estate business spans across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens where she enthusiastically partners with her clients to buy, sell, and rent homes. Her knowledge of New York City’s complex and evolving real estate market is extensive. Above all else, Lauren brings a warmth and ease to the process that makes those around her feel comfortable in any high-stress scenario.
Lauren is a proud graduate of Vanderbilt University. Prior to real estate, she kick-started her career as an HR Manager within the niche start-up markets. She worked in fast-paced industries such as entertainment, digital media, and technology, where she built “people programs” aimed at maximizing employee potential. No matter the task at hand, her primary goals remained the same: put the client’s needs first, identify creative solutions to difficult problems, and build trusted relationships through action. Lauren proudly brings the same client-centric approach to her work in real estate.
In her spare time, Lauren loves attending Broadway shows, biking around the city with her husband, relaxing at her family’s cabin in New Hampshire, and taking her miniature schnauzer on long romantic walks. As a Chicago native, Lauren always knew she was destined to call New York City her home, but that doesn’t stop her from showcasing a healthy dose of Midwestern charm along the way!
Heather is a native New Yorker and seasoned real estate veteran, with almost 9 years of experience under her belt. With a proven track record representing buyers, sellers, and renters across Manhattan and Brooklyn, she is consistently known for her “no challenge is too small” attitude, humility, and positive work ethic. She prides herself in her commitment to her clients, extensive knowledge of the market, and her ability to cultivate long term relationships.
Heather is notoriously known for her positive attitude and considers herself an eternal optimist and creative problem solver, both qualities that are critical to ensuring a stress-free real estate transaction. As every client is unique, Heather takes a customized and curated approach to each and every single transaction, and services a diverse range of clientele. Whether you are a first time home buyer navigating the complexities of the condo and co-op market, seasoned investor exploring new construction opportunities, or seller looking for a smooth transition, consider her your strategic partner for a seamless, stress-free real estate experience.
Prior to real estate, Heather worked in Corporate America for several years, which has allowed her to apply a unique standard of customer service and professionalism in an incredibly nuanced and competitive market. She previously worked in Human Resources at a private wealth management firm for several years, and also worked in the fast paced tech start up sector prior to shifting her career to real estate. Heather has also worked for a family business in the camping industry, which has served thousands of children from NYC from the Upper East Side and Upper West Side for years. Therefore, she brings a special perspective to the industry and is intimately aware of the needs of parents and children living in Manhattan.
When she is not selling real estate, she is an avid health and wellness advocate (healthy treats are her specialty!) animal lover, a-cappella music aficionado, and enjoys spending time in her current neighborhood of Murray Hill with her husband, John (whom she met through real estate!).
Rae has specialized in high-level sales for the past eight years. Her trajectory first began with recruiting new students at Cedarville University and rapidly evolved to working in luxury real estate in NYC since 2017.
In college, she quickly worked her way up through the ranks while fulfilling a role within the admissions team and by her senior year, was the Lead Assistant Admissions Counselor leading a team of over thirty students in recruitment. Working with high school students and their families on one of their largest financial investments made her transition to the world of real estate feel seamless and the next logical step.
Rae came to New York City immediately upon graduation to join an Inside Sales Team at a boutique luxury residential real estate firm and quickly proved to be one of the top producers. Rae developed efficient methods for the team to create a better client and agent experience, all while pursuing her own career as an agent. After several years in the real estate industry, Rae has navigated through a multitude of different New York City real estate markets demonstrating her pliancy and creativity to help each individual client achieve their goal.
Rae is thrilled to offer her expertise and help you reach your real estate goals!
Will Apicella

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
(Licensed as William Giovanni Apicella)
will.apicella@theagencyre.com
862.812.7893
Growing up in and around New York City, Will Apicella brings a local perspective and knowledge of the city’s dynamic real estate market. He grew up in the world of New York City tourism and hospitality, where he learned how to communicate, listen, and perform in fast-paced environments. Combining that upbringing with longtime experience as a New York renter himself, Will understands how daunting the process can be. He strives to make the home finding process quick, cogent, and fun!
Will has had a wide range of experience: he’s worked in high-end furniture design, wine sales, hospitality, and even dog walking. For many years he was the lead bartender/mixologist at Azalea, a popular theater district restaurant. There he learned if you can handle a Saturday night working solo behind a Midtown bar, you can handle anything. In addition, Will is a consummate classical actor—he is a member of Actor’s Equity Association and has performed at many domestic and international venues (highlights including Hartford Stage Company and the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh).
Coming from a bilingual household, Will speaks fluent English and Italian along with some basic Spanish. He loves to travel, having visited 24 countries and 3 continents. Will’s dual citizenship (American and Italian) allowed him to earn his degree from the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, validated by King’s College, London. When he’s not darting around the city on a Citi Bike, Will calls Brooklyn home, where he lives in Prospect Lefferts Gardens.
Closed Transactions
SALES
RENTALS
Testimonials
Heather helped me find a rental when I first relocated to NYC and we maintained contact afterwards (she's so friendly and personable!). She recently helped me find my dream condo, taking into account a complicated set of requirements (like public schooling, location, building age, tight budget). Her endless knowledge of the NYC market is a huge asset when you begin your search for renting or buying. I think of her more as a friend than anything else. She was my trusted advisor during the entire process. Her connections within the industry means that anyone that has the pleasure of working with her gets a full on, experienced team, ranging from legal contacts to reputable bankers. Having this team in place made me feel like I had a safety net of people with my best interests in mind. I couldn't be happier with Heather, and I will always think of her as part of this huge house buying milestone. Absolutely phenomenal.Rupa V.
I wanted to pass along to you our sincere appreciation for Rae McKee and her excellent customer service with us this past summer. We were very unfamiliar with NYC real estate, and needed a place quickly for our daughter who interned this summer in NYC. Thankfully, we found Rae! Rae was helpful from the first phone call to the final verification of receiving our security deposit. She went above and beyond in communicating with us via email, cell, and text. She responded within moments to all of our questions or concerns, and her follow-up was extraordinary. We couldn't be more appreciative of her kindness and assistance to us. If we ever need a place in New York City again, the first phone call we make will be to Rae!Karen + Don R.
The Schaffer Cella Team was incredible to work with. They understood my needs, were highly responsive, and pulled out all the stops for me. They helped negotiate not only a good buying price, but also helped keep us on track, pulling in connections and additional resources when the seller dropped several times.Joseph D.
As a first time home buyer I was nervous, anxious and needed guidance. Lauren Schaffer is exactly who you'd want in your corner when buying your 1st, 2nd or 10th home. She is kind, patient, understanding and incredibly knowledgeable. I always felt she had my best interests at heart. She is always responsive, no matter what time of the day it is. What started as a client/agent relationship quickly turned into a friendship. She was an absolute pleasure to work with. Highly recommended!Rael K.
Can’t recommend Heather Cella highly enough, especially for first time home buyers! Heather was available 24/7 and went above and beyond to help me throughout the process. Buying in New York City can be a stressful venture, and she helped navigate the process with ease and a smile on her face the entire time. To top it off, I have one of the most beautiful apartments in Noho, and I couldn't be more thrilled! She’s the absolute best in the business!Julia K.
I couldn't be more elated with my experience with The Schaffer Cella Team. This was my second time working with agents in NYC. Heather Cella and Lauren Schaffer went above and beyond my expectations and did so with such impeccable grace. While traveling the pressured situations and the convoluted paths of the real estate world, they were able to navigate the turbulence without batting an eyelash. They are honest, straight-forward, reliable, and knowledgeable. While working with The Schaffer Cella Team, I never felt pressured and that is a priceless feeling in the world of real estate. I'm looking forward to utilizing Heather and her team for all of my future needs.Amber B.
Words cannot describe how kind and helpful Lauren Schaffer was during my search for a home in NYC. She is always full of energy, which made house hunting delightful and fun. Even in the most stressful times, Lauren was full of positive energy and helped me every step of the way. She acknowledged my needs and fulfilled everything that I was looking for. I highly recommend Lauren!! She's a gem.Ria P.
I had the pleasure of working with Heather when purchasing my Tribeca co-op in early 2019. As a first-time home buyer, I had no idea what to expect while navigating the NYC home market. Heather guided me through the process in a professional and helpful manner and never made me feel uncomfortable or stupid for not knowing how things worked. When we first met, I was unsure if I actually wanted to purchase a home and Heather never made me feel pressured or like she was trying to close a sale and move on to the next client. She listened to my concerns, gave me thoughtful advice, and always reminded me that I was under no obligation to do anything I didn't feel comfortable with (she always said "if you decide to move forward", not WHEN you decide to move forward). She put together an incredibly thorough board package and helped us to navigate our tricky co-op interview in a small building. After we closed, she went above and beyond helping us to find a tenant for our rental (which was a lease break) even though she was under no obligation to do so. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking to purchase a home in New York. She is an absolute gem!Learose M.
From all the real estate agents I've ever worked with, Rae McKee is THE very best one! No-one is as understanding, accommodating and responsive as she is. Her comprehensive, transparent, client-oriented approach leaves no chance to competition. The amount of effort Rae put in finding a suitable apartment for me, making me feel welcome, and patiently responding to my numerous questions throughout the process, is way above my expectations. I couldn't recommend Rae highly enough!Tetiana K.
Heather is by far one of the best agents/brokers in the industry. Her wealth of knowledge of the NYC real estate market is further enhanced by her amazing personality - a combination of which made our home buying experience much more pleasurable. As a first time NYC homebuyer and someone who is known to question everything and everyone, I felt completely comfortable with Heather as our agent. At no time did I ever question her ability to negotiate a fair price and to represent our best interest. She is truly an asset to Triplemint and the industry as a whole.Andrea C.
My husband passed away in December 2018. Shortly thereafter I decided to sell our condo and leave NYC, not yet knowing the pandemic was about to change all of our lives. I had originally connected with Heather Nicole Cella in 2016 in anticipation of moving out of the city into our country house in PA, and after getting to know her, I truly could not imagine working with any other broker for the sale of my home. Heather, and the entire Schaffer Cella Team was invaluable in guiding me through the process; they understood the emotional and strategic complications I faced and provided intelligent, competent and level headed direction to accomplish my goal: To Sell our Condo at the Highest Purchase Price in the Shortest Amount of Time! We had several challenges with our home, and The Schaffer Cella Team handled each one with the utmost creativity, tenacity and grace at every step of the way. In fact, we ended up with not 1, but 3 buyers who ALL wanted to purchase the apartment. Despite some of the challenges at bay, they were able to successfully incite urgency with all parties - so that we could land a signed contract within just 2 months on the market. If you are looking to sell or buy, I have no doubt that The Schaffer Cella Team will be the right strategic partners for you!Barbara M.
I wanted to send you a written thank you for your assistance in finding my NYC condo. Having been involved in real estate for 36 years and having lived in the city for three years, I have met and viewed many apartments with many agents and firms. When I decided to look for a condo to purchase, I tried many people but found the attitude to be a "big deal," - "if you don’t buy this someone else will." When I met you, I was impressed by the fact that you immediately wanted to know what I was looking for i.e. an investment, a second home, short or long term ownership and most importantly where in Manhattan I wanted to be. Throughout the whole process of looking and finding my condo, you were attentive and learned my likes and dislikes for style and type of building quickly. I am so happy in my new condo and can only say I would highly recommend you to anyone I know who is looking for a quality realtor to find a home. Thanks again!Steve R.
In the complex and often challenging world of New York real estate, Heather Cella provided an island of intelligent, insightful, tasteful calm for our apartment search. Heather was infinitely patient through several near-misses, always reassuring and supportive in dealing with the emotional roller coaster that finding the right coop or condo can be. She always found new listings, frequently before they went on the market, and was always up on the latest information that matched our highly customized needs. We looked in a variety of New York neighborhoods and price ranges, and we would not hesitate to recommend Heather to anyone searching for a home in any neighborhood or virtually any price point in the New York area.Dan B.
Lauren Schaffer was so great guiding us through purchasing our first home! At every step, she made a process that initially felt like a total mystery very smooth and easy. We had no idea what we wanted and Lauren skillfully zeroed in on what was important to us, allowing us to focus our search. She was enthusiastic and perfectly happy to tromp all over with us in the snow — somehow it was always snowing when we met. Lauren was also instrumental in helping us decide, asking us our thoughts about each place and helping us to achieve clarity about each house. It was great to feel like we had someone in our corner looking out for our best interests. Additionally, once we chose our fantastic new home, Lauren knew wonderful professionals to help us get across the finish line. We even managed to edge out an offer that came in before ours, entirely because of her fantastic advice. We feel so lucky that a friend recommended her to us and we will be recommending her to our friends in the future!Cortney N. and Thomas L.
Heather Cella is in a class of her own. She is the most caring, smart and terrific broker a client could ask for, and a fierce negotiator that does not let a detail pass by!Heather B.
Right off the bat, great! Rae is a great listener and honed in on my key likes/dislikes with every apt we saw. I always felt like she had my best interest in mind. She had a sense of urgency within all of our communication ensuring all of my q's or concerns were addressed. Eased my mind so much knowing she was negotiating on my behalf and open to what I had to say as well, so there was always a nice balance throughout the search. I never felt forced in any directions, so she is clearly very patient. Just a truly positive experience.Carla T.
Lauren Schaffer is excellent! She understood our vision and helped us every step of the way in buying our co-op. She listened to our ideas, immediately started the search and brokered a close in only a few months. The process was quite involved and she handled it with complete professionalism. She was attentive to our requests and guided us through the very tedious process of board approval. We’d recommend Lauren to anyone looking for a realtor!Matt and Liz K.
Ms Cella is truly an extraordinary agent. Her approach encapsulates all that one would want in a broker - trustworthy, efficient, effective, diligent, calm, kind and with a good sense of humor no matter what comes and how small or big the real estate deal. She is constantly on top of every detail. My purchase was particularly complicated with it becoming an estate sale part way through, an aggressive seller’s firm, and gas and electric problems discovered along the way. Ms. Cella ensured the deal proceeded with my full protections in place, for a good price and to a successful purchase, all accomplished during the challenging COVID shut downs. She regularly checked in behind the scenes ensuring each component (inspection, mortgage, legal, coop board application process) was going smoothly and well managed. She is a guide through the whole process, and an expert sounding board - you can tell she is truly invested in helping her clients find the right homes. I plan to work with her for future sales and purchases. Even my current post-purchase successful renovation, in my beautiful new apartment, is a direct result of her referrals and suggestions. I recommend Ms. Cella for any buyer or seller looking to work with an exemplary real estate agent and an ethical extraordinary person.Alexandra B.
Rae is incredibly energetic, thorough, proactive, patient, and an all around great person to work with. As first time homebuyers, we had a lot of questions on the process which Rae was able to guide us. There were also some sticky situations with a property we liked which she was able to help navigate and ultimately sign the contract. She also made great referrals (mortgage bankers/lawyers), and because of her proactiveness we were able to push things through and close on time. Rae was present whenever we needed her, even after closing. She is someone you can absolutely trust! We can't say enough great things about her - Rae's willingness and dedication to the job is something special. We look forward to recommending her to our friends and she'll definitely be our broker on our next home purchase!Mei Z.
We found Lauren Schaffer on Streeteasy as we were looking for a buyer's agent who could help us choose between neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Lauren was a pleasure to work with from the start. She had a clear plan to help us see different units in each neighborhood--including off-market listings--and guided us to narrow down the list of units we liked. When we found our apartment, she worked closely with us to get an accepted offer on Christmas Eve. Lauren helpfully guided us as first-time buyers to navigate the co-op process by being super organized and always radiating positive energy even when facing COVID-related delays. We would love to work with her again and recommend her without reservation.Tiffany Z. and Geoffrey W.
Heather Cella knows her stuff! In addition to being incredibly market-savvy, Heather is reliable, efficient, super friendly and easy to work with. Added bonus - I needed referrals for multiple services: attorney, CPA, movers, packers, repair & cleaners. Not only did Heather know of such folks, every referral was spot on! Thank you, Heather!Rick G.
Lauren Schaffer completely understood us and what we were looking for. She did not waste any time finding us a diamond in the rough and advising us on the best strategy to get what we wanted. While incredibly knowledgeable, she knows when to reach out to an expert to jump in and has all the right contacts. Lauren went above and beyond and handled a very difficult seller and broker. She is talented at finessing any situation to keep things moving forward! We will gladly recommend her to others in need in the future.Claire B. and Eloi F.
Lauren was great in helping us purchase our new condo. As first time homebuyers, it was a stressful and confusing time for me and my wife, and Lauren was great at helping us navigate those turbulent waters. She set us up with a great team around us, was constantly there during any points of stress/confusion, and her positive energy was just what we needed to get through this!Andrew and Melanie G.
Outstanding!! What else can I say. Referred by a friend who was just as satisfied. Rae McKee is a winner.Chris M.
Lauren was friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and our satisfaction was her #1 priority. She was great! She showed us a great selection of apartments, helped with negotiating, and was there to help even after the deal was closed.Travis O. and Brandon R.
Rae was essential to our home buying process. As first time homebuyers we had many questions and concerns and Rae was there every step of the way. We really would not be in our new home without her help and guidance. We would recommend her to anyone looking for a new home.Jasmine H.
We could not have found a better realtor than Lauren! First, she is a careful listener when it comes to her clients' needs and wants, which makes her remarkably effective when selecting a touring schedule. We had been searching for an apartment for over six months. In one day with Lauren, we found the one that was perfect for us concerning budget, space, lifestyle, and transportation. She organized our visits to give us a spectrum of possibilities, which was essential for us to make an informed decision and to reaffirm the characteristics we wanted our next home to have. Lauren was there for us at every step of the process and defended our interests with the landlord throughout. Nothing is a problem for her, and she will be available to you at all times. Not only is Lauren a great professional but personally is also a delight and simply smart. She made apartment hunting fun. We are not planning on moving anytime soon, and if we did, we are confident that we would work with no one else but Lauren. We love our new apartment and neighborhood, which we wouldn't have visited if it were not for her in the first place.Guillermo Z.

Lauren and Heather share their knowledge and experience in the fascinating world of New York City real estate in their ongoing video series, Bright Lights in the Big City! New episodes drop on Instagram and YouTube biannually.
Press
Custom-Built Colonial Boasts Every Amenity Inside and Out in Short Hills, N.J.
Jersey Digs • Jul 21, 2021
This Apartment in New York’s West Village Has Exposed Beams, Bricks, and a Bookcase with a Ladder
Apartment Therapy • Mar 11, 2021
SARTORIALISTINGS: Brokers Weekly asks: What do you wear to show apartments?
Real Estate Weekly • Oct 31, 2019
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Short Hills, NJ 07078
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YOU DESERVE MORE
Real estate should be frictionless and empowering. With pre-market access, personalized service, and smarter results, The Schaffer Cella Team and The Agency deliver the experience you need – and deserve.
OUR ADVANTAGE
The Agency anticipates and capitalizes on future market activity, and matches prospective buyers, sellers, and renters.
INCREASED ACCESS
Make better real estate decisions by accessing our inventory of pre-market properties.
1,112 Properties researched26 Properties matched
4 Showings
1 Offer
Accepted Offer: $1.99M
Search Days: 14
Meet Ben, a Brooklyn-based Investor.
Ben was looking for a building that he could rent out, but was frustrated with the limited inventory on the market.
When Ben moved from another brokerage to The Agency, he saw a difference immediately. In just 14 days we identified and presented 26 quality pre-market properties. After viewing 6 properties with The Agency team, Ben purchased the first building he was shown as it perfectly matched his criteria. We negotiated his offer from the seller’s original asking price of $2.15M to $1.99M.
“I had a fantastic experience with The Agency. They found just what I wanted, for just the right price. Best of all, I barely did any legwork. Thank you The Agency!”
SMARTER RESULTS
Use data and predictive analytics to anticipate the market and deliver your best match.
16,941 Member profiles analyzed770 Total profile matches
25 Introductions
7 Showings
1 Offer
Accepted Offer: $2.55M
Days On Market: 13
Meet Kelly, an Opportunistic Marketer.
Hoping to find the most qualified buyers, Kelly turned to The Agency to sell her home.
Kelly, a published author and marketing executive, was selling her home at a time when the demand for Upper West Side apartments with outdoor space exceeded the supply.
We used our pre-marketing strategy to capitalize on the pent-up demand. Seven pre-launch showings and a full first open house led to a bidding war between numerous parties. The apartment was sold for $2,550,000, a price record for the building and $355,000 above the asking price. Needless to say, Kelly was delighted by the results.