Hi everyone,

I am looking for a reliable, effective agent to rent out my apt. Right now I am considering agents at Corcoran or Brown Harris Stevens only because they seem to be the biggest. My previous renters bailed and I need to find new ones quickly. Previously, several people recommended Brian Lehner at BHS. But he seems to specialize in the Heights. Any recommendations for Park Slope/Prospect Heights? Thanks in advance!


Comments

  1. realestate2point0: I looked at nakedapartments. Very interesting. But in order to use it, you need to register and give a broker’s license no. So I don’t think I can gain access, unless you know otherwise.

  2. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don’t use a broker for your rental.

    Do you honestly think that the broker is going to provide that much value?! I know you don’t have to pay them… but think about the renter.

    You are requiring your next potential renter to pay a crap load of money. They are running around 12% these days. The broker does almost *nothing* on behalf of the renter… and you still have to review the “candidates” anyway.

    Let’s say your apartment is $2,000. The renter has to pay the broker $2,900. Ridiculous! That’s another $240 that could be part of your rent… or just add $50 a month. You get an extra $600 and everyone is happy!

  3. When I originally found tenants it was through Craigslist so there was no fee. In talking to a few brokers it seems that the higher end ones like Corcoran ask the renter to pay the fee, something like 6% of one year. Some of the others ask the landlord to pay. For example at RapidRealty they use a dual system and ask the landlord to decide whether she will pick up the fee or pass it on to the renter, with a strong push for the landlord to pay to rent out the apartment more easily. RapidRealty asked one months rent.

  4. Bkrules: question for you. Did you pay the fee or did you have the tenants pay the fee? Also, what was the fee if you don’t mind me asking. We are in SH and will have an apartment for rent and am just wondering what landlords do in respect to the fee.

    Thanks.

  5. My friend’s uncle is at Corcoran and a super nice guy. He lives in CH so he knows both areas very, very well. He’s wonderful. I don’t have his contacts but you can look him up on Corcoran’s site. His name is Greg Todd.

  6. I have a good friend who works for Corcoran, and a large part of her business is exactly that, so she wouldn’t put it in “second gear”. She’s got such and outstanding energy level that I don’t think she has second gear. She also owns a few high end rental properties herself, so she knows exactly what to look for in a tenant. She lives in Brooklyn and most of her work is in the slope and Dumbo. Call her and tell her I sent you:

    Laura Denise-Milkowski
    (212) 605-9347
    ldm@corcoran.com