Everyone has tried an iteration of this idea in NYC -- I even tried one back in 2008 that was very similar. It's an extremely difficult market to crack since landlords have very little incentive with vacancy rates so low and a working relationship with brokers that at times goes back decades.
When Urban Compass launched in 2013 I thought they'd have the best chances not because the idea was any different, but because they were able to raise an $8 million seed and the founder had already sold businesses to Google and Twitter (they've raised $73 million so far). I just took a look at them now and it seems they're focusing more heavily on home sales as I'd guess the data platform can make more money in that market. They still do rentals, but definitely not exclusively.
When Urban Compass launched in 2013 I thought they'd have the best chances not because the idea was any different, but because they were able to raise an $8 million seed and the founder had already sold businesses to Google and Twitter (they've raised $73 million so far). I just took a look at them now and it seems they're focusing more heavily on home sales as I'd guess the data platform can make more money in that market. They still do rentals, but definitely not exclusively.