Maya, 29
Product designer · moved to Harlem
“I saw it on a Tuesday. By Friday I had keys, and I never met a broker.”
Saved $4,680 in broker feesSee New York homes before anyone else.
Owners list with us before the apartment is empty. Verified renters get days with it before it goes public. No broker fees. No ghost listings.
New Yorkers are already in line. Spots open in waves, Harlem first.
HarlemAstoriaBushwickPark SlopeCrown HeightsWilliamsburgWashington HeightsRidgewoodBed-StuyLong Island CitySunnysideGreenpointHarlemAstoriaBushwickPark SlopeCrown HeightsWilliamsburgWashington HeightsRidgewoodBed-StuyLong Island CitySunnysideGreenpoint
Why we exist
In New York, the best apartments go to whoever hears first. For years that was the broker's friend, the super's cousin, the person refreshing at 6 AM. Now it's you.
How it works
Your head start, in three steps.
01
Get verified once
ID, income and credit, checked in a few minutes. Owners see that you qualify, never your documents.
02
See homes first
Owners list before the apartment is empty. You get days with it before it goes public.
03
Apply in one tap
No forms, no broker, no chasing. You're first in line the moment you tap.
Meet the New Yorkers
Built for the people
who make this city.
Illustrative stories of the renters and owners firsthand is built for.
Victor, 66
Owns a six-unit walk-up · Hamilton Heights
“My building, my rules. I picked from nine verified applicants and kept the month's rent I used to hand over.”
Leased in 4 days
Jordan & Amara
Roommates · Astoria
“We combined incomes in the app and applied as one. First in line, first approved.”
Approved in 22 hours
Daniel, 34
Moved from Chicago · Bushwick
“No credit history in New York, no problem. I added a guarantor in minutes and kept my spot.”
Chicago to keys in 9 daysThe old way vs. firsthand
Same city. Different odds.
The old wayfirsthand
When you see itThe day it goes public, with 400 othersDays before it goes public
Getting approvedSame documents, every applicationVerified once, apply in one tap
What it costsUp to $20 per application plus a broker fee$0 to apply, $0 broker fees
Is it realGhost listings and bait-and-switchEvery owner checked against city records
Hearing backSilenceA decision in about a day
Trust, built in
Safe by design.
Verified owners
ID and deed matched to NYC property records before a home goes live.
Private by default
Owners see that you qualify. Never your pay stubs or account numbers.
Fair housing first
Vouchers count as income. No criminal checks. Only money and timing are shown.
Honest pricing
Free for renters. Checks cost what they cost us, never more.
For owners and managers
Keep the month's rent you used to give away.
List before it's empty. Only verified renters apply. $299 flat, and the first 50 owners list free forever, up to 5 units.
Claim a founding spot
Where we open first
Three neighborhoods. More every month.
Questions, answered.
Is it really free for renters?
Yes. Browsing and applying are free. Your credit check costs what it costs us, never more, and it counts for every application for 30 days.
Why would owners list here first?
Because every renter is already verified, and listing costs a flat fee instead of a month's rent to a broker.
Which neighborhoods?
We open in Harlem, Astoria and Bushwick, then add neighborhoods as owners join.
When does it open?
Early access opens in waves, Harlem first. Invite friends to move up the line.