Edit: I originally gave a 2 for my deposit but now it's a 1...if I could a 0. After my review I was once again contacted by the original broker saying how it was unfortunate that I had to write this review and then sent me screenshots of Bruma staff writing about my review. Now I truly regret ever working with these people. Sharing screenshots at almost midnight about a review that I had every right to write? This is still America right? I feel very concerned because I did apply for an apt so they have all my personal information. Now more than ever I wish I never happened upon them.
**I am giving a 2 because I got my apt deposit back w/o any hassle. Too bad I cannot say the same about the whole process and other contact w/2 other brokers from this company.
I saw an apt, put down the deposit and did the application THAT NIGHT, and was ready to sign a lease for 12/14/21. I was going to do another quick look at the apt again on 12/13/21. 12/12/21 I was informed that due to landlord change/price sheet overlook/etc. basically a mistake or whatever, the apt was now $95 a month more than advertised and agreed on. I would not do this and was told about 3 other options (same bldg), then told the landlord was willing to go up $50 instead of $95. I will admit I made an appt to see the places anyway on 12/13/21 and then cancelled because I did not want to take off time from work to deal with this and felt a little pushed into making some kind of decision. That part is on me, I shouldn't have allowed myself to be pushed.
In addition, when I emailed asking what the deal was on the approved apt (because the broker was gonna to try to see if they would agree back to the original price), I was never given a straight answer and was just told he would call me. As I contemplated what I wanted to do, the broker assigned to this apt kept calling and texting me, even when I told him that I was very busy at work and wouldn't be able to respond right away. This was very off-putting because I felt as if my request was not being respected and I felt like I was being pushed when this whole situation was not even my fault. Another deal for an even cheaper apt came through (same bldg) and I agreed to see it on 12/17/21 because I was informed the landlord would want a lease signed THAT DAY. FIRST, I was shown 4 apts instead of just the 1. This may sound great but anyone who has really gone apt searching knows it can be a lot to look at apts back to back. Nonetheless I agreed.
The apt they wanted me to sign a lease for was not even ready!!! Literally, they were still painting while I was there and there wasn't even a kitchen counter. There was a leak under the sink with a bucket. The apt was clearly nowhere near ready even though the broker told me it was just that they had to replace the bathtub and that should be done by the day I looked at it. Another apt was also not ready and of the two that were ready, after I LITERALLY just looked at it, the super told me it wasn't available anymore because he just got notice that an application had been accepted and approved for that apt. Naturally, I took none of them. At least I got my deposit back.
My last two complaints have to do with one agent who I sent a request to. She sends this long form email asking all these questions. I answered them and she never responded. I sent another request (all of this is through StreetEasy) for a property that I guess was also hers. She sent me the same form email again. When I told her that she already sent me this and how it doesn't evoke much confidence if she can't even realize someone already responded she PROMPTLY responded back with snark and accusation that maybe I sent it from another email. When I replied back I guess she found my original email. However, she again PROMPTLY responded (mind you, NEVER responding to my reply to all of her questions) now talking about how it was a "human error" and everyone makes mistakes and blah blah. I guess she decided she didn't want to work with me but instead of being professional enough to say that, she just said "good luck with your search".
Last agent...when the original apt deal looked like it was falling through I contacted about another apt. Of course it had to be attached to another Bruma Realty broker. I fully disclosed my issue with the apt in limbo. Basically, he asked me if I could see the apt on a certain date and time and I could not. In the interim of me responding, the original broker had also texted me (the day he kept texting/calling) to say how he felt "concerned" because he heard about me looking with this other broker, and then the broker for that apt never contacted me back. They act like you have to "dance with the one you came with". I admittedly don't know much about the broker scene but it is not like I individually hired a broker. I applied for an apt that happened to have this broker attached. They act like if you work with one person there you ca read more
