There’s a growing conversation happening across corporate America about what happens when high-achieving professionals are forced – or choose – to start over in their 50s. Bill Melnick lived it. And what he found on the other side has become both a personal success story and a lens through which to understand one of the most dynamic luxury real estate markets in the Northeast.
After 26 years as Chief Merchandising Officer at Ralph Lauren, Melnick transitioned into residential real estate in Connecticut’s Litchfield County in 2019 – joining Elyse Harney Real Estate and quickly discovering that the skills he’d spent decades honing translated far better than expected.
“A lot of my friends were going through the same thing,” he says. “Especially those who had been working for corporations. Some went back into the industry, some didn’t. But what I found was that you really need to think outside the box.” Melnick’s ability to present, influence, and connect – second nature in a global fashion house – became competitive advantages in a market where relationships drive results. His established New York City network was, as he describes it, “fresh to the market.” Second-home buyers from the city, in particular, responded to an agent who had just come from their world.
The timing of his entry, while nerve-wracking at the time, proved fortuitous. COVID transformed Litchfield County from a well-kept secret into a destination. Properties stagnant on the market for years sold quickly. Rental inventory vanished in weeks. And prices climbed – up approximately 30% from pre-pandemic levels – with the luxury segment accelerating beyond all expectations. “The secret is out,” Melnick says simply.
The drivers behind today’s luxury demand are multifaceted. Private schools – including Hotchkiss, nationally ranked among the top boarding schools in the country – are pulling families from New York City and as far as California. Last year, wildfires on the West Coast sent a wave of affluent buyers eastward, with Melnick personally closing three transactions for California clients, many drawn by the area’s schools and its proximity to Manhattan. “For a lot of them, it was a moment in time,” he acknowledges. “The panic from the fires. But the schools continue to bring people in regardless.”
At the very top of the market, Melnick’s track record speaks for itself. His sale of tennis legend Ivan Lendl’s 400-plus-acre estate in Cornwall remains the highest recorded sale in the county. Handling trophy properties, he explains, requires a fundamentally different approach: amplified media placement, proactive outreach to brokers in adjacent markets, and personal introductions through a network most agents simply don’t have access to. “It’s often about who you know,” he says. “And that’s where our experience and relationships can really help.”
As spring 2026 approaches, Melnick sees strong momentum continuing, particularly in the $1.5 to $2.5 million range. Views, pools, and move-in ready homes command premiums. Sellers who prepare early – lining up outdoor photography in peak season, well ahead of a listing date – gain a meaningful edge. And for anyone considering a bold career pivot, Melnick’s reinvention offers a more personal lesson: the skills you’ve spent a lifetime building rarely go to waste. They just find new terrain.
Bill Melnick is a luxury real estate specialist with Elyse Harney Real Estate, focused on high-end residential sales in Connecticut’s Litchfield County. Learn more at harneyrealestate.com.