At Brown Harris Stevens, we’ve long prided ourselves on being steady and consistent — qualities that resonate even more in times of uncertainty. In a recent conversation with Inman, our CEO Bess Freedman shared her perspective on the market, the importance of rebuilding trust in real estate, the ongoing debate around private listings, and what lies ahead for BHS in 2026.
Stability in an Uncertain Market
BHS has always thought of itself as “the steady tortoise,” and that philosophy continues to guide our approach. As Bess explained:
“We’ve always been sort of slow and steady, like the tortoise and the hare.”
That measured pace is one reason so many agents and teams have joined our firm in recent months. While the market has shown strong activity in both buying and selling, Bess noted that affordability concerns and a softening job market are creating caution. Still, she remains optimistic:
“We’ve been through bad markets before — post-COVID, the global financial crisis, 9/11 — you name it, we’ve been through so many different challenges — and people continue to buy and sell. So we’ll be there to help them through that process regardless of whether it’s a bull or a bear market.”
Restoring Trust with Consumers
One of Bess’s top priorities is addressing what she calls a “trust crisis” in the industry.
“Only 20 percent of consumers trust real estate agents … We need to rebuild trust in the consumers with us.”
For BHS, that means doubling down on relationships rather than transactions.
“It’s not a transactional [business], it’s highly relational. Our agents are a trusted source for people during the most difficult times … and that’s what we try to focus on here.”
On Private Listings
The industry’s debate over private or “quiet” listings continues to make headlines. At Brown Harris Stevens, we’ve always supported seller choice — while remaining committed to fairness and transparency.
“We’ve been doing that forever, and we still do that … But it’s rare; it’s the exception to the rule. Compass has made it their rule. And I think it puts a lot of people at a disadvantage still.”
Bess made clear that keeping listings off the open market risks limiting both visibility and value for sellers:
“If it’s not out there in the entire real estate world, you want to get the highest price by the most qualified [buyer] in real time. You could be missing out on that person that didn’t see it.”
Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
With a redesigned website, new leadership, and thoughtful integration of technology, BHS is preparing for an exciting 2026.
“We’re trying to evolve and maintain our core values, but still bringing into play all the things that matter, like AI.”
The firm also looks forward to celebrating the year ahead with our entire team in January, reflecting on our collective successes while planning for continued growth.
Bess expressed confidence that, with the right balance of Fed policy and market conditions, 2026 has the potential to be a strong year for housing. But regardless of the economic cycle, BHS will remain focused on what we’ve always done best: guiding our clients with expertise, integrity, and care.
Read Bess Freedman’s full interview with Inman here
Leave a Reply