finalv2 henckelsstreeteasy
LEADING BY EXAMPLE: STRIBLING & ASSOCIATES VICE CHAIRMAN KIRK HENCKELS PULLS $40 MILLION IN EXCLUSIVE LISTINGS FROM STREETEASY
With permission from sellers, Henckels hopes to set new precedent for industry ______________________________________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEW YORK, NY – March 20, 2017 – Kirk Henckels, Vice Chairman of Stribling & Associates, and the Director of Stribling Private Brokerage – a division focused on marketing properties valued $5 million and up – has pulled $40 million of his listings from the Streeteasy website with the blessing of his clients. The move comes in response to Streeteasy's controversial new "premier agent feature" which allows agents not affiliated with exclusive properties to be contacted by prospective buyers. "Streeteasy's new tool allowing agents, who have nothing to do with the properties that I work tirelessly to market and promote, to appear alongside these exclusives, is misleading. I feel this feature not only misrepresents my business, but also, does a tremendous disservice to my clients through a pay-to-play scheme that undermines the industry knowledge of agents everywhere," said Henckels. Henckels notes that although Streeteasy is a popular online browsing tool for potential buyers and offers vast exposure for listings, the website's premier agent tool sets a dangerous new standard by enabling outside real estate professionals to pay to appear as if they have an affiliation with the properties. Henckels and his clients made a joint decision to remove their listings from the Streeteasy site in the interest of superior marketing and discretion for the properties.
Henckels has the full support of Stribling & Associates President Elizabeth Ann Stribling-Kivlan, who hopes his bold move will inspire other agents to have open discussions with their clients on the subject.
"Streeteasy is trying to make this feature seem like it's better for the consumer because it instantly connects them with a so-called buyer's broker when in fact this is egregious false advertising," said Stribling-Kivlan. "Prospective buyers who click on a website button to learn more about the property are expecting to get the listing agent, or at the very least, an agent with
some knowledge of the property – not someone who simply paid to have their name, contact information, and photo appear alongside a home they have absolutely nothing to do with."
While Stribling & Associates will not make any sweeping mandate for agents to remove their listings from Streeteasy, the firm hopes that Henckels' actions will provide a blueprint for other agents who are grappling with the ethical issues surrounding the new Streeteasy feature.
Henckels added, "I want to stress that I removed my listings from Streeteasy only with the express consent of my clients who are fully aware of the problems this feature can cause. I fully support buyers seeking their own representation but in this case, it's not what one does, but how it's done – and Streeteasy is doing it all wrong. There are many other ways to bring attention to properties. I see this as an opportunity to get more creative –and for the real estate industry to unite against platforms that are seemingly trying to bite the hand that feeds them." About Stribling:
Stribling & Associates, Ltd. is a premier residential real estate firm with over 300 agents throughout three locations in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn. As one of the most renowned brokerages in New York, Stribling uses its respected expertise in the current market to provide individualized services to both buyers,sellers. Stribling agents specialize in the sale of luxury townhouses and cooperative and condominium apartments. The company’s philosophy is based on professional, personalized services coupled with exceptional knowledge of key residential market trends. Stribling Private Brokerage specializes in the discreet marketing of properties over $5 million and commands a prominent market share in that sector of Manhattan residential real estate. Stribling Marketing Associates, one of NYC’s most successful development marketing firms, specializes in consulting, marketing and sales of new developments and conversions.
With permission from sellers, Henckels hopes to set new precedent for industry ______________________________________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEW YORK, NY – March 20, 2017 – Kirk Henckels, Vice Chairman of Stribling & Associates, and the Director of Stribling Private Brokerage – a division focused on marketing properties valued $5 million and up – has pulled $40 million of his listings from the Streeteasy website with the blessing of his clients. The move comes in response to Streeteasy's controversial new "premier agent feature" which allows agents not affiliated with exclusive properties to be contacted by prospective buyers. "Streeteasy's new tool allowing agents, who have nothing to do with the properties that I work tirelessly to market and promote, to appear alongside these exclusives, is misleading. I feel this feature not only misrepresents my business, but also, does a tremendous disservice to my clients through a pay-to-play scheme that undermines the industry knowledge of agents everywhere," said Henckels. Henckels notes that although Streeteasy is a popular online browsing tool for potential buyers and offers vast exposure for listings, the website's premier agent tool sets a dangerous new standard by enabling outside real estate professionals to pay to appear as if they have an affiliation with the properties. Henckels and his clients made a joint decision to remove their listings from the Streeteasy site in the interest of superior marketing and discretion for the properties.
Henckels has the full support of Stribling & Associates President Elizabeth Ann Stribling-Kivlan, who hopes his bold move will inspire other agents to have open discussions with their clients on the subject.
"Streeteasy is trying to make this feature seem like it's better for the consumer because it instantly connects them with a so-called buyer's broker when in fact this is egregious false advertising," said Stribling-Kivlan. "Prospective buyers who click on a website button to learn more about the property are expecting to get the listing agent, or at the very least, an agent with
some knowledge of the property – not someone who simply paid to have their name, contact information, and photo appear alongside a home they have absolutely nothing to do with."
While Stribling & Associates will not make any sweeping mandate for agents to remove their listings from Streeteasy, the firm hopes that Henckels' actions will provide a blueprint for other agents who are grappling with the ethical issues surrounding the new Streeteasy feature.
Henckels added, "I want to stress that I removed my listings from Streeteasy only with the express consent of my clients who are fully aware of the problems this feature can cause. I fully support buyers seeking their own representation but in this case, it's not what one does, but how it's done – and Streeteasy is doing it all wrong. There are many other ways to bring attention to properties. I see this as an opportunity to get more creative –and for the real estate industry to unite against platforms that are seemingly trying to bite the hand that feeds them." About Stribling:
Stribling & Associates, Ltd. is a premier residential real estate firm with over 300 agents throughout three locations in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn. As one of the most renowned brokerages in New York, Stribling uses its respected expertise in the current market to provide individualized services to both buyers,sellers. Stribling agents specialize in the sale of luxury townhouses and cooperative and condominium apartments. The company’s philosophy is based on professional, personalized services coupled with exceptional knowledge of key residential market trends. Stribling Private Brokerage specializes in the discreet marketing of properties over $5 million and commands a prominent market share in that sector of Manhattan residential real estate. Stribling Marketing Associates, one of NYC’s most successful development marketing firms, specializes in consulting, marketing and sales of new developments and conversions.
