Bess Freedman

Chief Executive Officer
Licensed Real Estate Broker
bfreedman@bhsusa.com
212-906-9234

Bess Freedman

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.

Bess' Accolades

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.

Careers Tech Video

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).

Bess in the Press

CNBC - 11/18/2024

Bess Breaks Down Post-Election Housing Market with CNBC

Read More

Brick Underground - 6/12/2024

Sparks fly at fiery City Council hearing on broker fee bill

Read More

The New York Daily News - 6/12/2024

War of words breaks out at NYC Council hearing on broker-fee bill

Read More

Politico - 6/12/2024

New York City’s unique broker fee practices under fire

Read More

6sqft - 6/12/2024

What to know about the NYC broker fee bil

Read More

The Real Deal - 6/12/2024

Brokers Descend on City Hall to Fight the FARE Act

Read More

CNBC - 5/22/2024

Here’s how higher state taxes on the wealthy could affect interstate migration trends

Read More

CNBC - 4/29/2024

Brown Harris Stevens’ CEO Bess Freedman talks the benefits of renting vs. buying

Read More

Washington Post - 4/25/2024

Buying and selling a home will change soon. Here’s what you need to know.

Read More

AM New York - 4/21/2024

Op-ed | Behind the hype, you still want a real estate agent

Read More

Maarketwatch - 4/20/2024

Home Sales Get Hammered by Mortgage Rates but One Region is Holding Up

Read More

CNBC - 3/25/2024

Brown Harris Stevens CEO: The housing market has done ‘incredibly well’ considering all headwinds

Read More

CNBC - 3/21/2024

True State of the Housing Market

Read More

CNBC - 3/13/2024

Overall Challenge in Housing is a Lack of Inventory Says Bess Freedman

Read More

NBC News - 2/25/2024

Welcome to the housing market’s ‘new normal’ — 7% mortgage rates and all

Read More

CNBC - 2/20/2024

Brown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman talks pockets of value in the housing market

Read More

RIS Media - 2/1/2024

RIS Media Newsmaker 2024

Read More

New York Times - 1/19/2024

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/realestate/housing-market-buying-renting.html

Read More

Inman News - 1/18/2024

2024 Inman Power Players

Read More

CBS News - 1/17/2024

How Far Will Mortgage Rates Fall in 2024?

Read More

The Real Deal - 1/4/2024

What Slump? Manhattan's Luxury Market Did Well in 2023

Read More

Mansion Global - 1/1/2024

The Final Week of 2023 Was a Slow One for Manhattan’s Luxury Real Estate Market

Read More

The Real Deal - 12/15/2023

Real estate players react to Fed’s forecast

Read More

City and State NY - 12/11/2023

The 2023 Responsible 100

Read More

Off the Mrkt - 12/8/2023

Brown Harris Stevens Unveils MORE Network: A New Era in Real Estate Storytelling

Read More

NBC News - 11/3/2023

Homebuyers and sellers face an uncertain wait for billion-dollar verdict to hit their wallets

Read More

The Real Deal - 11/2/2023

Brokerage heads react to NAR’s guilty verdic

Read More

CBS News - 10/17/2023

When will home prices go down? Expert forecasts vary

Read More

Brick Underground - 10/12/2023

Fewer deals and high prices: Brooklyn's sales market doesn't make a lot of sense

Read More

Fox Business - 10/6/2023

Mortgages Approach 8%

Read More

CNBC - 9/18/2023

When mortgage rates start to fall housing prices will follow: Brown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman

Read More

ABC News - 8/23/2023

Slow housing market may not heat up anytime soon, analysts say: 'The party is over'

Read More

CNN - 8/20/2023

As mortgage rates soar over 7%, an unaffordable housing market is becoming even more expensive

Read More

Bloomberg TV - 8/17/2023

BHS CEO Bess Freedman Sees Sluggish Housing Market

Read More

Bloomberg - 8/17/2023

NYC Kicks Off Plan to Rezone Midtown, Turn Offices to Houses

Read More

CNBC - 8/10/2023

Manhattan Monthly Rent Prices Hit New Record

Read More

US News and World Report - 8/8/2023

Beat the Heat: Listing Your Home in August Is Actually a Great Idea

Read More

RIS Media - 7/13/2023

IN THE NEWS: CEO & LEADERSHIP EXCHANGE PANELIST BESS FREEDMAN BULLISH ON THE FUTURE

Read More

Robb Report - 7/7/2023

More Homebuyers in Manhattan Are Paying in Cash, a New Report Says

Read More

Mansion Global - 7/6/2023

A Record Share of Manhattan Home Buyers Are Paying All Cash

Read More

US News and World Report - 6/28/2023

Is the US getting too expensive to live in? Many Americans worry about economy, inflation

Read More

CNBC - 6/27/2023

Brown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman on the health of the housing market

Read More

Found NY - 6/27/2023

Power Lunches and Secret Doors

Read More

Bloomberg TV - 6/16/2023

National Market Outlook

Read More

CNBC - 6/6/2023

Are Renter's in the Driver's Seat?

Read More

RIS Media - 6/2/2023

THE POWER BROKER INTERVIEW: BESS FREEDMAN

Read More

CNN - 5/30/2023

Debt ceiling drama has created uncertainty in the housing market, real estate CEO says

Read More

CNBC - 5/18/2023

Now might be a good time to buy due to rising rent prices, says Brown Harris Stevens CEO Freedman

Read More

Kiplinger - 5/13/2023

Buyers More Confident Home Prices Will Go Down, New Survey Finds

Read More

US News and World Report - 5/10/2023

6 Ways to Promote Your Mental Health at Home

Read More

Market Watch - 5/8/2023

Potential home buyers are more optimistic on housing market for one big reason, Fannie Mae says

Read More

Market Watch - 5/5/2023

The Party's Over, But This Real Estate CEO Believes It Will Recover

Read More

Money - 5/4/2023

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s Controversial New Mortgage Fee, Explained

Read More

CNBC - 5/4/2023

The State of Commercial Real Estate

Read More

Barron's Live - 5/3/2023

Has the Real Estate Market Hit a Bottom?

Read More

Bloomberg - 5/2/2023

Where to Invest in Real Estate Right Now

Read More

US News and World Report - 4/19/2023

The Tough Talk Sellers Need About Their Home's Value

Read More

The Purist - 4/14/2023

Lighting The Way

Read More

Politics NY - 3/29/2023

Power Players in Residential Real Estate

Read More

CNBC - 3/22/2023

There isn’t enough home inventory and demand is really high, says Brown Harris Stevens CEO

Read More

RIS Media - 3/20/2023

WHERE DO BANK BUSTS LEAVE REAL ESTATE TECH INVESTMENT?

Read More

US News and World Report - 3/15/2023

Is Now A Good Time to Sell or Rent My House?

Read More

Inman - 2/28/2023

How to brand yourself when you're broke (Hint: Think Bergdorf’s)

Read More

CNBC - 2/24/2023

People still believe in the home buying process, says Brown Harris Stevens’ CEO Bess Freedman

Read More

Inman - 2/9/2023

Bess Freedman on 150 Years

Read More

Mansion Global - 1/1/2023

Real Estate Markets Set to Normalize in 2023 After Nearly Three Years of the Pandemic Boom

Read More

CNBC - 12/8/2022

Manhattan renters face sticker shock with average rent at $5,200

Read More

The Real Deal - 8/29/2022

The State of The Luxe Market with Bess Freedman

Read More

Fox News - 8/25/2022

Bess Talks Housing and Mortgages on Fox Business

Read More

Bloomberg - 8/24/2022

Housing Boom Has 'Left the Building': Brown Harris CEO

Read More

James Lane Post - 8/10/2022

Bess Freedman, Brown Harris Stevens’ CEO: The Leader We All Need

Read More

CNN - 7/21/2022

Bess Freedman featured on CNN Discussing US Home Prices at All-Time High

Read More

New York Times - 7/12/2022

What’s Up With the Crazy Housing Market?

Read More

Bloomberg - 7/6/2022

Manhattan Home Prices Hit a Record While Sales Frenzy Winds Down

Read More

The Real Deal - 6/29/2022

Brokerage execs condemn SCOTUS ruling, pledge to cover abortion costs

Read More

Inman - 6/28/2022

The real estate companies offering support in the wake of Roe v. Wade

Read More

NY Daily News - 6/7/2022

Jeremy, yesterday today and tomorrow: Troubled boys and men and guns

Read More

The Real Deal - 5/19/2022

Top resi execs talk brand building, tech and politics at TRD NYC event

Read More

CNBC - 5/19/2022

Reality TV shows based on real estate are ‘horrible’ for the industry, says brokerage CEO

Read More

Bloomberg - 4/13/2022

The NYC Housing Market Is Booming, Freedman Says

Read More

Bloomberg - 4/13/2022

Bess Freedman interviewed on Bloomberg TV

Read More

Inman - 3/21/2022

Bess Freedman says the millennial homebuyer has arrived

Read More

Cheddar - 3/10/2022

Bess Freedman Talks Impact of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine on Real Estate, Interest Rates, and More

Read More

Cheddar - 3/9/2022

Mortgage Applications Increase as Rates Drop for First Time in 3 Months

Read More

New Thinking Online - 2/11/2022

Bear or Bull as Long as the Market Keeps Moving

Read More

Bloomberg - 1/4/2022

Manhattan’s Revival Spurs Record Fourth Quarter for Home Sales

Read More

New York Post - 12/30/2021

Record lows, highs and monster sales make 2021 NYC’s wildest year yet

Read More

The Real Deal - 12/29/2021

NYC home sales slowdown coming in 2022, Brown Harris Stevens CEO says

Read More

Fox News - 12/29/2021

Real estate expert on surging home prices: Demand is there, people want to buy

Read More

Fox News - 12/29/2021

2022 Housing Predictions

Read More

Bloomberg - 12/28/2021

CEO Bess Freedman Discusses NYC's Best Real Estate Year Ever

Read More

MSN - 12/28/2021

NYC Home Sales to Slow on Supply Gap, Brown Harris Stevens CEO Says

Read More

CNBC - 12/16/2021

Home buying going to be like roaring 20s in 2022, says Bess Freedman after rising omicron threat

Read More

CNBC - 12/16/2021

CEO Bess Freedman Talks 2022 Housing Predictions

Read More

New Thinking Online - 12/1/2021

The Craft of Real Estate During Covid and Beyond

Read More

Bloomberg - 11/16/2021

Condo Sales Are Soaring All Over Manhattan—Except Midtown

Read More

Fox News - 10/26/2021

Bess Freedman on Fox Business

Read More

Bloomberg - 10/8/2021

Bess Freedman Sees 'Monumental' Comeback in NYC Real Estate

Read More

Bloomberg - 10/7/2021

Bess Freedman featured on Bloomberg TV, "Bloomberg Markets"

Read More

Mansion Global - 10/5/2021

Manhattan Homes Recorded the Busiest Third Quarter in at Least Three Decades

Read More

RIS Media - 9/22/2021

NYC Real Estate Icons Shed Light on One of the Darkest Days in U.S. History

Read More

Fox News - 9/22/2021

Existing home sales drop as inventory dwindles

Read More

CNBC - 8/27/2021

Here what inflation looks like in the rental market

Read More

Bloomberg - 8/27/2021

Brown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman featured on Bloomberg Markets

Read More

Real Estate In-Depth - 8/19/2021

Five Questions With Bess Freedman, CEO, Brown Harris Stevens

Read More

CNBC - 8/2/2021

Manhattan and NYC are back big time, says Brown Harris Stevens CEO

Read More

Bloomberg - 7/26/2021

NYC Real Estate Still a Buyer's Market, Brown Harris CEO Says

Read More

The Real Deal - 7/21/2021

Watch Bess Freedman’s Master Class

Read More

Fox News - 7/15/2021

US housing market is on ‘good trajectory’: Real estate expert

Read More

Fox News - 7/15/2021

Brown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman provides insights on the real estate market

Read More

CNBC - 6/22/2021

BHS CEO Bess Freedman on CNBC's Squawk on the Street

Read More

CNBC - 5/21/2021

Bess Freedman on CNBC "Squawk Box": NYC Poised to Return - Post-Covid Real Estate

Read More

NBC Open House - 5/17/2021

The State of New York City Real Estate

Read More

Fox News - 4/2/2021

Bess Freedman featured on Fox Business with Neil Cavuto

Read More

CNBC - 2/9/2021

Bess Freedman featured on CNBC ‘Squawk on the Street’ 2/9/21"The Comeback in NYC Real Estate"

Read More

Connect with Bess

For security purposes please type 4602 below.