Real Estate Reimagined: Cornerpin joins Rev
Cornerpin, founded by Hans Soderquist, is a real estate platform that connects Finger Lakes properties with buyers seeking homes in Ithaca and the surrounding area. Cornerpin provides independent brokerage services, free from corporate influences, ensuring client interests come first.
What is the “origin story” behind your company?
Cornerpin was inspired by watching the real estate industry grapple with change. I saw a growing emphasis on tech platforms and large-scale consolidation, trends that compromised the core relationship between agent and client. There was a risk of the client’s best interests getting overshadowed by corporate policies or shareholder demands.
Having experienced the value of genuine client service at the small firm where I began my real estate career, I felt a strong conviction to build something scalable but with the same commitment to service. I wanted to create a brokerage where the structure itself guarantees that the client comes first – an independent firm, free from outside influences that could compromise our fiduciary duty.
We’re building a brokerage here in Ithaca grounded in transparency, deep local expertise, and an unwavering commitment to our clients’ success and peace of mind. Our long-term plan includes B-Corp certification, embedding that client-and-community-first ethos into our DNA.
What customer need is your company attempting to address?
Many people find buying or selling a home incredibly stressful and opaque. They worry they don’t know enough, feel uncertain about who to trust, and suspect the process is designed to benefit insiders. This is especially true for thoughtful, discerning clients, including those drawn to the Finger Lakes for its quality of life and relative climate security, who value authenticity and dislike the typical sales song-and-dance.
Cornerpin directly addresses this need for clarity, trust, and genuine guidance. Because we’re independent, our only priority is our client’s best interest. We lead with clear communication and helpful resources, provide insightful guidance on properties and the market, and offer personalized support tailored to each client’s need and comfort level.
We meet the need for a less stressful, more transparent, and fundamentally trustworthy real estate experience, ensuring our clients feel confident and well-represented every step of the way.
Do you have any recent company milestones or accomplishments you would like to share?
As a newer brokerage in the area, our focus has been on building a strong foundation aligned with our core values. Successfully launching Cornerpin as a truly independent, client-first firm was step one. We’re also developing key client resources, like comprehensive guides to the buying and selling process, designed to foster transparency and demystify the process.
We’re actively structuring our operations around the principles required for B-Corp certification, ensuring accountability is built-in. While we track market metrics, the most meaningful validation comes from client feedback – hearing that our approach reduced anxiety and fostered confidence tells us we’re on the right path, focused on delivering genuine value over volume.
Where do you envision your company a year from now?
In one year, we aim to have established Cornerpin as a trusted name in Ithaca, known for our integrity, expertise, and exceptional client service. This includes growing our team with several like-minded agents who share our commitment to ethical practice.
Five years from now, we envision expanding the Cornerpin model to other communities in the Northeast, particularly those attracting folks seeking climate resilience and a strong sense of place (like the Hudson Valley). Achieving B-Corp certification will be a key milestone, and we plan to explore employee ownership structures. Ultimately, we see Cornerpin becoming a leading example of how real estate service should be done – thoughtfully, inspiring trust, and centered entirely around the client.