Agent Perspectives: Why Transparency Is Essential in NYC Real Estate

In New York City, 1 in 3 sellers who list their home privately experience seller's remorse, according to StreetEasy® research conducted in March 2025 by The Harris Poll. Meanwhile, 91% of buyers believe they should be able to access all listings for free.

Transparency in real estate not only cultivates a more equitable marketplace for everyone, but also empowers agents to better serve their clients and grow their businesses. We spoke with some high-performing NYC agents who are also StreetEasy Experts, from team leads at large brokerages to founders of boutique firms, about how an open marketplace benefits agents, buyers, and sellers. Here's what they had to say.

5 reasons NYC agents are embracing real estate transparency

While closed listing networks may offer the appearance of exclusivity, most agents agree that open access is ultimately better for everyone. Here's why:

1. Transparency creates a healthier real estate market

Open access allows the market, not a select few, to determine value and pricing by enabling all buyers to see what's available and make informed decisions.

Trina Cooper, a StreetEasy Agent Advisory Board (AAB) member who leads The Cooper Team at Corcoran, says making all listings available to everyone is the bedrock of healthy competition.

"The truth is, the market can only work if you open the doors wide," she says. "A seasoned agent should be able to price correctly - but it's the market that ultimately decides the value. When a property is listed publicly and professionally, it reaches all potential buyers, not just a curated few. That competition is what drives stronger offers and, often, bidding wars."

2. It levels the playing field across brokerages

Making all listings publicly available gives smaller brokerages a chance to compete on equal footing. It ensures agents don't have to jump through hoops just to show their clients all the homes available to buy.

"Transparency levels the playing field and allows boutique firms to compete on what matters most: service, trust, and local expertise," says Nikolay Afanasyev, also an AAB member and founder of CITY SPHERE, a boutique brokerage. "It builds credibility across the entire industry. Think of it like hospitality - some of the best experiences come from well-run boutique hotels that prioritize care and attention."

3. It fosters trust with clients

It's no coincidence that agents who prioritize transparency with their clients often build long-term relationships and generate repeat business.

"I've had clients who trusted me to guide them through their first purchase, later their sale, and eventually the purchase of their next home," says Sarah Silva, an agent with Brown Harris Stevens and an AAB member. "That kind of trust only comes when people feel informed and never blindsided. I believe my job is to present all the information clearly and honestly so they can make decisions with confidence."

4. It ensures sellers get maximum exposure

In Afanasyev's experience, most sellers want three things: getting the best price, selling quickly, and avoiding hassle.

"The more buyers and brokers we reach, the more competition we create - and that directly drives results," he says. "Maximum exposure means more showings, more offers, and ultimately, higher chances for a smoother and more successful transaction for the seller."

Cooper agrees, adding that while closed listing networks might feel more controlled, they often mean sellers leave money on the table.

"If you want your seller to achieve the best possible outcome, you need full exposure, clean data, and informed buyers who've had the opportunity to see it," she says. "That's how top dollar is achieved."

5. Consumers expect open access

Simply put, buyers expect free and open access to listings.

"In today’s day and age, keeping your home off the open market rarely ever works," says Marco Druzetich, who specializes in luxury real estate with Douglas Elliman. "We always end up selling when marketing online, because at the end of the day, 95% of our business comes from sharing listings widely. Transparency helps the seller get a fair price, and the buyer not to overpay."

What agents can do to promote transparency

Here's the advice many high-performing NYC agents shared with StreetEasy on putting these principles into practice.

Build transparency into every area of your business

Take every opportunity to ensure clients have all the information they need to make informed decisions - from knowing what listings are available to commission structure to what to expect during the buying and selling process.

"Very early in my career, I read about the 80/20 principle and realized that the most successful agents weren't necessarily the most aggressive - they were the most client-focused," says Silva. "Transparency isn't just good ethics; it's good business."

Educate clients on the benefits of an open marketplace

"We are not gatekeepers. Our role is to be advocates and advisors for our clients," Silva says.

Consider discussing with your clients the benefits of maximum exposure for their listings, especially when sellers come to you with questions about how to market their home. You can walk them through how open access maximizes their chances of selling faster and getting the highest offer.

If a seller still prefers to keep their listing completely private due to personal or safety concerns, you can explain what exactly that would look like and the impact it may have on their home sale. To help ensure informed decision-making, we also recommend having the seller sign a waiver outlining this choice and its potential implications.

How agents use StreetEasy to maximize exposure

Another effective way to embrace transparency is by marketing your listings on StreetEasy. We believe all consumers deserve fair access to every available listing in the marketplace, which is why we've introduced StreetEasy's listing access standards.

By ensuring equal access to listings, our platform attracts motivated buyers while maximizing reach for sellers and their agents.

"StreetEasy has been an empowering and powerful tool in promoting transparency in the NYC market," says Silva. "Many buyers and sellers don't know where to begin, and StreetEasy meets them where they are, often as their first step in the process. It connects them with experienced, vetted brokers and encourages them not to go it alone."

Cooper agrees, adding that listing with StreetEasy has allowed her to reach active and engaged buyers - many of whom don't have agents yet.

"I've received inquiries from highly qualified, motivated buyers within hours of launching a listing, thanks to [StreetEasy's] reach and user trust," she says.

To take full advantage of StreetEasy's audience reach, consider advertising with Featured Listings or connecting directly with interested buyers and sellers through our Experts program. Learn more about how StreetEasy is upholding fair and open access in the NYC marketplace through our listing access standards.