The Architects of Trust: Scott Hustis & Mark Jovanovic on Discretion, Strategy, and Manhattan Luxury

In Manhattan’s ultra-luxury market, Scott Hustis and Mark Jovanovic stand less as brokers and more as trusted advisors. Their partnership, now in its third decade, is grounded not in similarity but in complement. The two are a masterclass in how finance meets finesse and strategy meets detail. It is a model defined by discretion, precision, and a relentless focus on the client. We invite you into Compass Luxury’s conversation with the founders of Paradigm Advisory as they share the principles that guide their work and a rare property highlights their approach at its finest.

What first drew each of you into the world of real estate, and how have your backgrounds shaped the way you approach the business today?

Mark was first drawn into real estate through his family’s involvement as investors in real estate and then his personal frustration with the brokers buying his own apartment in New York in the early 2000s. It inspired him to strive to deliver a higher standard of professionalism for clients. 

Meanwhile, Scott Hustis entered the industry after the post 9/11 recession shifted his path away from investment banking; with a finance degree from Virginia Tech, he brought an analytical, data driven approach to the business. Together, with their distinct backgrounds, Jovanovic’s firsthand perspective as a client and Hustis’s financial expertise, shaped a model that emphasized rigorous analysis, transparency, and client first service, setting them apart as luxury advisors rather than just brokers.

When you come together on a project, what distinguishes your partnership from others in the industry? As co-brokers, how do you ensure your individual strengths don’t just coexist but elevate the experience for clients and listings alike?

What sets them apart is that they don’t just share a business, they bring different strengths and skill sets to every project. Scott leans into strategy, big picture market positioning, and relationship building, while Mark is hyper focused on detail, design, and analytics. Their clients benefit from both perspectives seamlessly woven together. The duo has been working together for over 20 years and that foundation makes them incredibly efficient and aligned, which directly translates to a smoother experience for their clients.

Real estate is often an individual sport disguised as a team sport. Their partnership flips that, Hustis and Jovanovic truly collaborate every step of the way. Their clients feel the difference immediately, because they’re not hiring just one agent; they’re getting the duo’s combined horsepower, plus the full strength of their fully-staffed team who help them run seamlessly.

“At the end of the day, our partnership isn’t about us, it’s about our clients. We built a system where one of us is always available, always thinking ahead, always anticipating the next move.”

That consistency and reliability are what set Hustis and Jovanovic’s partnership apart.

High net worth clients expect not only discretion but also assurance. How do you cultivate the kind of trust that allows clients to lean on you for such significant decisions?

The duo agrees that trust is built through consistency, transparency, and discretion. High net worth clients need to know that their goals are our only focus, and they protect that fiercely. Over two decades of navigating complex transactions has taught the team that discretion isn’t just about privacy, it’s about delivering without compromise.

Trust comes from showing up the same way, every time, telling their clients what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear, and Paradigm Advisory backs up that confidence with results and learning and getting better from each situation. At this level, discretion is expected, but the real differentiator is making clients feel that they will protect their interests. 

This residence between 65th and 66th is remarkable in its own right. What qualities first struck you about it, and how do you describe its place in the Manhattan market?

Set on one of Manhattan’s best kept secrets, the Jones Wood Garden, the first thing that struck them was the garden itself. It’s invisible from the street, and the moment you step into it, you forget you’re on the Upper East Side. Built around 1920, the private Jones Wood Garden sanctuary was created to breathe new life into 12 civil war era brownstones along East 65th and 66th streets, making it a feature that simply cannot be replicated in New York and placing the home in a category of its own. Combine that with nearly 6,000 square feet of fully renovated space, six levels, soaring ceilings, an incredible light filled parlor it truly checks every box.

A private garden is such a rare offering in this neighborhood. How do you see this feature transforming the way someone might live in the space?

The Jones Wood Garden is such a rare and special offering, and it completely changes the way someone lives there. Instead of the usual street views and limited outdoor access, you step into a private sanctuary, unlike anything else in Manhattan. It means morning coffee in the garden, dinners outside that feel miles away from the city, and the kind of calm and balance you don’t often find in New York. And because it’s private, shared only by a handful of homeowners, you get not just beauty, but privacy.

With interiors staged by Vesta, the property carries a gallery-like refinement. What role do you believe presentation plays in shaping a buyer’s emotional response?

Presentation is everything when it comes to shaping a buyer’s emotional connection to a home. This residence, previously listed without success, now shines thanks to their comprehensive approach: thoughtful repairs, fresh painting, and expert staging.

Hustis and Jovanovic partnered with Vesta, renowned for transforming spaces into aspirational living environments. Their team brings a gallery-like refinement that doesn’t just showcase the home, it allows buyers to truly feel its potential and imagine themselves living there. Staging is one of the most powerful tools to elevate perception, spark emotion, and drive results. A well staged home doesn’t just look better, it feels better.

Looking forward, what excites you most about collaborating together in the Manhattan ultra luxury market?

What excites us most is the way our partnership elevates every aspect of the luxury market. In Manhattan’s luxury market, where every property is exceptional and every client has unique expectations, collaborating allows us to create outcomes that neither of us could achieve alone.

Our team synergy doesn’t just make the process more efficient; it amplifies creativity, ensures nothing is overlooked, and allows us to consistently exceed expectations. That dynamic is what makes this work not just rewarding, but genuinely exciting.