In an inspiring career shift, Brown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman transitioned from law to real estate, emerging as one of the top women in the industry. In a recent interview with Real Estate News, Freedman discussed her journey, her mentor Barbara Corcoran, and more.
"Being able to communicate with someone, to demonstrate your professionalism and ethics and do something all on your own," she said. "I loved that. And I loved that I was having to navigate peoples' expectations and communicating with them." - Bess Freedman, Brown Harris Stevens CEO
As the CEO of Brown Harris Stevens, Freedman is at the helm of one of the world's premier privately held real estate companies, with more than 2,300 agents across New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Florida. She was also recognized as one of the top 10 most powerful women in real estate in the 2024 SP 200 ranking of industry leaders.
In the article, Freedman discussed the changing tides of the industry, particularly in the wake of the recent NAR lawsuit settlement.
"You want things to be transparent and not opaque," Freedman said. "There is more of that, and we embrace it. It's going to provide more discussion about who gets paid, and how you want things to be transparent. You want a trusted professional. When you're buying a home or selling it, typically, it's your biggest asset. So more discussion is a good thing." - Bess Freedman