Brown Harris Stevens
Bess Freedman
Chief Executive Officer
Licensed Real Estate Broker
bfreedman@bhsusa.com
212-906-9234
Follow Bess
Chief Executive Officer
Licensed Real Estate Broker
bfreedman@bhsusa.com
212-906-9234
Follow Bess
As Chief Executive Officer, Bess is not only a real estate leader, but also a champion of social change, philanthropy, and building a culture-first brokerage for agents, staff, and clients.
1998
Bess gained membership to the Florida, Washington, D.C. and Maryland Bar, and worked in New York pro hac vice
2003
Present Active member of the Real Estate Board of New York; elected to Executive Commitee in 2017
2018
First Ever CEO of Brown Harris Stevens
2019
Ranked in Most Powerful Women in U.S. Real Estate Swanepoel 200
2020
Named to "Top Trailblazers in US Real Estate" by RIS Media
2021
Received REBNY's Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian Award
Why are you passionate about real estate?
I have always been passionate about helping people and real estate is an industry devoted to guiding people through one of the biggest decisions of their lives. Buying or selling a home is a highly emotional experience with unexpected twists and turns - but the end result is worth it. There is nothing more gratifying than turning someone's dreams into reality.
What is your approach to client service that you try and instill in BHS Agents?
Real estate is not a one-size-fits-all process. Every person, every home, and every journey is unique. Regardless of price or location, we treat everyone with the utmost professionalism anchored in proprietary insights, vast market knowledge, and access to the best technology and marketing platforms in the industry. Our agents are true resources for our clients before, during, and well beyond the transaction.
What differentiates BHS?
Brown Harris Stevens is a legacy firm with a nearly 150 year history that is unrivaled, but the real BHS difference is the level of service, knowledge, and integrity that we offer. While we have set numerous price records over the years, for us luxury is much more than just price; it's about our relationships. Even with all of the advances in tech and marketing, the most important thing is how we treat others because that is what is remembered. This will never change.
As Chief Executive Officer, Bess Freedman oversees Brown Harris Stevens' 50+ offices and more than 2,300 agents across New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Florida.
Under her leadership, Brown Harris Stevens has grown into one of the largest and most successful privately held real estate companies in the United States with the highest average sales price per agent in the country.
Named CEO in 2018, Bess draws upon her law background and passion for helping people to drive change within Brown Harris Stevens and the larger real estate industry. Bess declared Juneteenth a company-wide holiday a year before it was fully recognized by the Federal Government. She was the first head of a major NYC-based brokerage to make Election Day a paid day off, and partnered with the Human Rights Campaign's Business Coalition for the Equality Act in support of legislation protecting rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
She is an active member of the Real Estate Board of New York Board of Governors. An advocate for social change through her work with several organizations, she was the recipient of REBNY's Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian Award in 2021 for outstanding service to the community. She is on the Board of The Bridge, an organization focused on the needs of homeless and housing-insecure, and an advocate for Sanctuary for Families. Bess also supports the mentorship program at YJP (Young Jewish Professionals), the Leadership Now Project — a corporate initiative to protect democracy - and the Kalief Browder Foundation.
Before entering real estate, Bess practiced law as an Assistant State's Attorney in Montgomery County, Maryland, and worked at Legal Aid as an attorney fighting for the rights of underserved youth in NYC. She is a member of the Florida, Washington, D.C. and Maryland Bar, and worked in New York pro hac vice.
Bess is the proud mother of a son who attends boarding school in Connecticut and a daughter who is currently in her third year at the Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. In her spare time, Bess enjoys family and friends, music, reading, knitting, weekends in Rhinebeck, N.Y., and regular meetings with her Mahjong group. She is fluent in Spanish.
Bess Freedman also serves, under Section 440 of the Real Property Law, as Broker and supervises the 445 Park Avenue office(s).
The New York Daily News - 6/12/2024
War of words breaks out at NYC Council hearing on broker-fee bill
Read MoreCNBC - 5/22/2024
Here’s how higher state taxes on the wealthy could affect interstate migration trends
Read MoreCNBC - 4/29/2024
Brown Harris Stevens’ CEO Bess Freedman talks the benefits of renting vs. buying
Read MoreWashington Post - 4/25/2024
Buying and selling a home will change soon. Here’s what you need to know.
Read MoreMaarketwatch - 4/20/2024
Home Sales Get Hammered by Mortgage Rates but One Region is Holding Up
Read MoreCNBC - 3/25/2024
Brown Harris Stevens CEO: The housing market has done ‘incredibly well’ considering all headwinds
Read MoreNBC News - 2/25/2024
Welcome to the housing market’s ‘new normal’ — 7% mortgage rates and all
Read MoreCNBC - 2/20/2024
Brown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman talks pockets of value in the housing market
Read MoreNew York Times - 1/19/2024
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/realestate/housing-market-buying-renting.html
Read MoreMansion Global - 1/1/2024
The Final Week of 2023 Was a Slow One for Manhattan’s Luxury Real Estate Market
Read MoreOff the Mrkt - 12/8/2023
Brown Harris Stevens Unveils MORE Network: A New Era in Real Estate Storytelling
Read MoreNBC News - 11/3/2023
Homebuyers and sellers face an uncertain wait for billion-dollar verdict to hit their wallets
Read MoreBrick Underground - 10/12/2023
Fewer deals and high prices: Brooklyn's sales market doesn't make a lot of sense
Read MoreCNBC - 9/18/2023
When mortgage rates start to fall housing prices will follow: Brown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman
Read MoreABC News - 8/23/2023
Slow housing market may not heat up anytime soon, analysts say: 'The party is over'
Read MoreCNN - 8/20/2023
As mortgage rates soar over 7%, an unaffordable housing market is becoming even more expensive
Read MoreUS News and World Report - 8/8/2023
Beat the Heat: Listing Your Home in August Is Actually a Great Idea
Read MoreRIS Media - 7/13/2023
IN THE NEWS: CEO & LEADERSHIP EXCHANGE PANELIST BESS FREEDMAN BULLISH ON THE FUTURE
Read MoreUS News and World Report - 6/28/2023
Is the US getting too expensive to live in? Many Americans worry about economy, inflation
Read MoreCNN - 5/30/2023
Debt ceiling drama has created uncertainty in the housing market, real estate CEO says
Read MoreCNBC - 5/18/2023
Now might be a good time to buy due to rising rent prices, says Brown Harris Stevens CEO Freedman
Read MoreMarket Watch - 5/8/2023
Potential home buyers are more optimistic on housing market for one big reason, Fannie Mae says
Read MoreCNBC - 3/22/2023
There isn’t enough home inventory and demand is really high, says Brown Harris Stevens CEO
Read MoreCNBC - 2/24/2023
People still believe in the home buying process, says Brown Harris Stevens’ CEO Bess Freedman
Read MoreMansion Global - 1/1/2023
Real Estate Markets Set to Normalize in 2023 After Nearly Three Years of the Pandemic Boom
Read MoreJames Lane Post - 8/10/2022
Bess Freedman, Brown Harris Stevens’ CEO: The Leader We All Need
Read MoreThe Real Deal - 6/29/2022
Brokerage execs condemn SCOTUS ruling, pledge to cover abortion costs
Read MoreNY Daily News - 6/7/2022
Jeremy, yesterday today and tomorrow: Troubled boys and men and guns
Read MoreThe Real Deal - 5/19/2022
Top resi execs talk brand building, tech and politics at TRD NYC event
Read MoreCNBC - 5/19/2022
Reality TV shows based on real estate are ‘horrible’ for the industry, says brokerage CEO
Read MoreCheddar - 3/10/2022
Bess Freedman Talks Impact of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine on Real Estate, Interest Rates, and More
Read MoreNew York Post - 12/30/2021
Record lows, highs and monster sales make 2021 NYC’s wildest year yet
Read MoreThe Real Deal - 12/29/2021
NYC home sales slowdown coming in 2022, Brown Harris Stevens CEO says
Read MoreFox News - 12/29/2021
Real estate expert on surging home prices: Demand is there, people want to buy
Read MoreCNBC - 12/16/2021
Home buying going to be like roaring 20s in 2022, says Bess Freedman after rising omicron threat
Read MoreMansion Global - 10/5/2021
Manhattan Homes Recorded the Busiest Third Quarter in at Least Three Decades
Read MoreRIS Media - 9/22/2021
NYC Real Estate Icons Shed Light on One of the Darkest Days in U.S. History
Read MoreReal Estate In-Depth - 8/19/2021
Five Questions With Bess Freedman, CEO, Brown Harris Stevens
Read MoreFox News - 7/15/2021
Brown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman provides insights on the real estate market
Read MoreCNBC - 5/21/2021
Bess Freedman on CNBC "Squawk Box": NYC Poised to Return - Post-Covid Real Estate
Read MoreCNBC - 2/9/2021
Bess Freedman featured on CNBC ‘Squawk on the Street’ 2/9/21"The Comeback in NYC Real Estate"
Read MoreAll information is from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, prior sale or withdrawal without notice. No representation is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate and all descriptive information should be confirmed by customer. All rights to content, photographs and graphics are reserved to Brown Harris Stevens. Customer should consult with its counsel regarding all closing and tax costs. Broker represents the seller/owner on Broker's own exclusives, except if another agent of Broker represents the buyer/tenant, in which case Broker will be a dual agent, in Connecticut, or , in New York State and New Jersey, a dual agent with designated or disclosed agents representing seller/owner and buyer/tenant. Broker represents the buyer/tenant when showing the exclusives of other real estate firms. In Florida, Broker acts as a Transaction Broker with all sellers and buyers, unless a different form of agency has been established in writing. If you are looking to purchase or rent housing, are using a screen reader, and are having problems using this website, please call 1-833-312-0654 for assistance. Broker actively supports Fair Housing and Equal Housing Opportunities. BHS has adopted the attached policy statement - Prior to showing a homebuyer a property or providing services: (1) BHS does not require identification from a prospective homebuyer, (2) BHS may require a written agreement from a homebuyer before showing properties; and (3) BHS does not require a pre-approval for a mortgage loan in order to show a homebuyer properties. However, based upon the requirements of the seller, the building in which the properties is located, or others, some or all of the foregoing items may be required. Listing information for certain New York City properties provided courtesy of the Real Estate Board of New York's Residential Listing Service (the "RLS"). The information contained in this listing has not been verified by the RLS and should be verified by the consumer. The listing information provided here is for the consumer's personal, non-commercial use. Retransmission, redistribution or copying of this listing information is strictly prohibited except in connection with a consumer's consideration of the purchase and/or sale of an individual property. This listing information is not verified for authenticity or accuracy and is not guaranteed and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. 2024 The Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., all rights reserved. RLS Data display by Brown Harris Stevens. Powered by Terra Holdings.
