The Scott Varley Team is excited to welcome Chelsea Barraco as the leader of our new commercial division, Dark Horse Commercial. With experience spanning from New York to Arizona, Chelsea brings a bold and unconventional perspective to the Capital Region’s commercial real estate market.
From Residential Roots to Commercial Success
Chelsea began her real estate career in 2015 on a residential team at Keller Williams before discovering her passion for sales. A move to Arizona in 2019 opened the door to commercial real estate, where she gained invaluable experience selling multifamily properties and working across all asset classes.
Reflecting on that time, Chelsea shared:
“Commercial real estate is so different—the financing, the deal structures, the challenges—it never gets boring.”
Returning Home to New York
A native New Yorker, Chelsea returned home to serve a need she saw in the Capital Region: a commercial broker dedicated to small businesses and nonprofits.
“I love New York, I want to see this region thrive and flourish and I believe there’s tons of potential here,” she said. “When Scott offered me the Commercial Director position, I couldn’t turn it down. Scott’s a household name, revered in the industry, and someone I know I can learn from.”
The Vision Behind Dark Horse Commercial
Inspired by her love of horses, Chelsea named the division Dark Horse Commercial—a nod to the underdog and the unconventional path to success.
“A Dark Horse is defined as ‘a candidate or competitor about whom little is known but who unexpectedly wins or succeeds.’ I identify with that description. Daring to be different is a good thing.”
Why It Matters for the Capital Region
Chelsea sees tremendous potential in upstate New York. From industry growth and state funding for revitalization to Saratoga’s rising recognition as a destination city, the opportunities are vast.
“We’re getting lots of grants and state funding to bring revitalization to beautiful old buildings and to demo blights and eyesores that have been impeding communities from their potential,” she explained. “I think we are going to see more housing in the upstate region overall as these new industries bring employment.”
A Relationship-Driven Approach
Much like her connection with horses, Chelsea believes in building trust over time.
“Horses are very intuitive, they read energy, and their trust is earned over time,” she said. “Applying that logic to people—that relationships are built over the long term with time and trust—goes hand in hand with a successful long-term real estate career.”
Through Dark Horse Commercial, Chelsea hopes to not only make deals but also make a difference—supporting causes like animal rescue, equine-assisted therapy, mental health, and child welfare.
