Dear fellow real estate agents,

Sadly (but not surprisingly), StreetEasy has recently tightened its grip on NYC real estate in a few very concerning ways:

  • Zillow/StreetEasy Gets Second NYC Brokerage License It has not been reported at all, but Zillow/StreetEasy quietly obtained a second brokerage license in NYC, this time under “Zillow Listing Services Inc”.  The first was under “Zillow Inc”.  Now they have a total of 3 licensed agents in NYC spread across two brokerages (up from 1 licensed agent earlier this year).

The noose tightens. But there’s more.

The noose tightens. But there’s more.

The noose tightens.  But there’s more.

Some of you have just given up.  StreetEasy is too powerful, you say, and that is where 90% of your leads come from.

But some of you have NOT given up. I know because I hear from so many of you.

Unfortunately, the pandemic has taken its toll on many struggling small potential StreetEasy competitors.  This makes StreetEasy even more powerful.

Thankfully, Leasebreak is one of the few smaller firms still holding up. Why? We have always made a huge bet on brokers being an integral part of the real estate process (fyi: Click to learn more about Leasebreak’s Broker Lead Program).

But Leasebreak is a niche (#1 in shorter term rentals less than 12 months).

So why not do this on a much larger scale! 

Enter Frele. I strongly believe we can apply these same “broker-friendly” principles to Frele, a new site focused more on standard 12 month rentals (and eventually sales).

But I need your help because my ideas will strongly involve YOU.  Unlike many other real estate websites that are trying to find ways to go AROUND brokers, I believe in doubling down on working WITH brokers.

Let’s face it. StreetEasy doesn’t really understand NYC real estate like you and I do. They never have.  They also clearly don’t recognize the extraordinary value that real estate agents bring to the table.

I am in the process of building something cool at Frele with a special emphasis on brokers.  If you want to come along with me on this journey and be the first to get new features, have input, make suggestions, etc. text “Frele” to 917-540-8825.

I strongly believe in collaboration, transparency, and adding value.

Phil Horigan, Founder:
Leasebreak#1 in shorter term rentals and pioneered the Special Lead Program a great way for agents to get rental exclusives and work with rentersFrēlēA new free and transparent real estate marketplace.  Text “Frele” to 917-540-8825 and be part of the journey!
Author

Philip Horigan is the founder of Leasebreak.com - a leading marketplace for rentals in NYC, founded in 2013. He launched Frēlē - a more comprehensive NYC rental marketplace - in May 2018 with a 4 point pledge (www.frele.com/pledge). Phil has been a New York City real estate agent for 14 years working for some of the top firms in the city. He became an independent broker in early 2017 so that he can focus more on his entrepreneurial endeavors. Phil believes strongly in building businesses in an ethical and transparent way.

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