I have never written a review on Yelp before, or any public forum for that matter. However after having the great pleasure of dealing with Asir in Commonwealth Standard Realty Co. I felt compelled to share my thoughts. It is actually a struggle to find the right words to emphasize how fantastic she is at what she does. I moved to Boston from Ireland, so most of my dealings with Asir at first were by email or phone. She replied to all communications literally within minutes, in a very enthusiastic and friendly manner. The whole process of finding a place to live can be very frustrating, stressful and time consuming. Asir ensured that this was not the case. She went to visit a whole host of locations on my behalf, sending me on details on the apartments, prices etc., floorplans, pictures and even videoing apartments so I could get a proper feel for the layout. I would speak to her about a few places that might be of interest and she would literally go out pretty much straight away and visit them and come back to me with feedback. When I arrived to Boston she picked me up in her car and brought me around too see lots of places in person. There was never any issue with going back again for another look at a place we had already been to. Asir, when asked, offered her opinion and she seems to be right most of the time! She has a natural feel for the city and talent for this business. Getting a point of view from someone who is very familiar with the area, buildings, prices and your own personal needs is invaluable. On the final day when I mentioned to Asir that I was looking at a place with another broker (after her months of hard work) she reacted very positively and was genuinely hoping that I got a place that I was happy with. That is what is hugely important here. She is very genuine. Most other brokers I dealt with seemed to be trying to just get in me in to any place as quick as they could. They didn't care about my own considerations. Asir was the complete opposite. Brokers live on what they make in commissions. However Asir's first consideration was for me, the client, not the commission. This is a hugely refreshing attitude in what can be a cynical industry. She is a very genuine person, and we had become friends by the end of the process. Asir made the whole process enjoyable and easy, which is not something I had expected! I am delighted with the location we found and am very very grateful for all of her sincere help and advice. I will be recommending Asir to every person I know who is looking for a new place to live, as I know that they will be in the best hands. I am renting at the moment, buy when the time comes to but a home, I will definitely be asking Asir for her services. 10/10, Gold Star, 100%, Fantastic! read more

I got hooked up with Ben Resnicow through a mutual acquaintance who I went to middle school with. Since we started working together 6 years ago, he and his team have helped me and my family with several transactions, including the purchase and sale of two condos. Ben also sold me an 3 family investment property he found off-market (not listed in MLS), helped me develop a strategy for renovating and leasing it, and now it is worth 40 percent more than I paid for it 5 years ago (including renovations) AND it has made me a yearly 18% return on my initial cash investment. His agents help rent the units when they are available, and always place fantastic tenants. Ben is never pushy, always shoots straight, and on numerous occasions has told me to back away from deals even when it has resulted in months more of work from him. Ok, so that being said, let me tell you the important part. Ben is, hands down, one of the most honest, hard working and compassionate people I have the pleasure of knowing. I have never once gotten the sense that he has anything other than my best interests at heart. Outside of real estate, he is also just a goddamn good dude. A mensch, as my mother would say. Within the real estate industry (and I've worked with a lot of agents over the course of my life), he is a needle in a haystack. He is unlike any other agent I have ever met. Every transaction with him he has clearly treated as if I were family. And I know he's gone far above and beyond the treatment I would have gotten from any other agent from the first day I met him. And don't just take it from me-- I attended one of his yearly customer appreciation parties last year and I heard the same thing from everyone else in attendance. It goes without saying, but the other people on his team I've interacted with (Asir, Chris, Caroline, and Monica, all of whom have helped me rent my investment units), have all displayed the same quality of service and integrity that Ben does. In that way I am positive these traits Ben has he selects for and trains into his agents. He runs a tight ship but his agents seem to adore him and love working for him (also very important to me-- one should always judge a company by how their employees are treated)! So yes, Commonwealth Standard all the way! Give them a shot, you won't regret it. read more

Dave has been hands-down the most vital person in my entire home-buying experience. From the beginning, he always operated with my best interest in mind. I was a first time home buyer searching for a multi-family house in the Boston area. The purpose of my purchase was mainly as an investment but it is also where I plan to live for a couple years. Not only was I picky and detail oriented because I was a first time home buyer, but being particular and thorough is in my nature. Dave handled every question, concern, and issue that I threw at him with the utmost professionalism. He went out of his way to see every open house with me, and the houses on which I submitted offers he visited with me multiple times. Any day, any time of the week, Dave made my home buying process a priority. We submitted offers on 5 different houses before finally getting an accepted offer on the 6th house. That turned out to be the easy part. After that, Dave connected me with a mortgage specialist who was also a pivotal person throughout the buying process. Dave worked tirelessly with my attorney and I to get the deal done in a very timely manner, which turned out to be incredibly important because I was able to get tenants in the house on September 1st, which as any Bostonian knows is the big date for rentals. Dave did not stop there. He connected me with a handy man that took care of minor repairs before I could rent the place and helped me market the apartment. When I say "helped" me market the place, I mean he took pictures, listed the apartment on multiple websites, connected me with the tenants that currently live there, and provided examples of leases all at no cost to me whatsoever. To say Dave is a uniquely great real estate agent is an understatement. He's a hard-working and awesome individual as well. I highly recommend Dave to anyone considering a real estate transaction in the Boston area. read more

David S. Recently I had an apartment become available for rent. In the past renting an apartment had been a costly and unpleasant experience. Lisa Sheehan of Commonwealth Standard was the real estate agent for friend who was selling his home, so I asked her a few questions and was very impressed with her knowledge of the Boston real estate market and her professionalism. After speaking with Lisa for just a few minutes she offered to rent the apartment for me. In the past I had always paid the agent a fee, but Lisa informed me that the tenant would pay the fee. Lisa made the whole process painless. She set up a couple of open houses and all I had to do was confirm the time with the current tenant. After showing the apartment to several prospective tenants she gave me a list of three she felt were the best fit (in order of preference). Lisa did a background check on all three prospective tenants. After a quick run through the property Lisa informed me that I could get about 20% more rent than I had in the past. This on top of not having to pay the fee made me very pleased. I met with a woman and her daughter who were at the top of the list and immediately hit it off with them. They have been renting for a few months now and always pay on time and are very respectful of my property. I can't say enough about Lisa, she was professional and pleasant throughout the whole process. Occasionally a question comes up and I give her a call and she's always happy to give me good professional advice. Thank you Lisa Sheehan and Commonwealth Standard for a job very well done! read more

My partner and I were looking for a rental apartment, we used Commonwealth Standard's main website's search tool which is surprisingly effective ( https://www.commonwealthstandard.com/ ) We stumbled upon CSRC just through google and started using it based on reviews as well as functionality and stock. I saved a favorite, and created a profile. No more than a minute later I got a text message from the realtor listed on the page I had favorited. I assumed it was a machine but replied as I would a human. To my surprise it actually WAS the realtor! That was how we started working with Tu Dang. Through text I was able to super conveniently send him what we were generally looking for in a place, price range, general location, etc. Within just a couple days he compiled a list of places that all fell within our search criteria! He worked with the owners to find showing times that could all be on the same day within just a few hours of each other. Finally connecting with him on the day was an absolute pleasure. He was personable, professional, clearly on the same wavelength. You didn't feel like you were just another commission with Tu, he was easy to get to know and like. We found a place that was virtually perfect that day; one of the listings he found, and immediately put in an offer. After a little negotiating we got the place! All the documents we needed to review and sign were done electronically. The whole experience was easy and painless and we got to know a great guy in Tu. Absolutely recommended! read more

Last summer, I was left making an incredibly difficult task of finding an apartment at literally the worst time to look in Boston, August, for a 9/01 move in. I called probably at least a dozen agents to help me find something. Every single one of them either bailed on me after a couple days, or didn't even return my calls - except for Asir. And I am so thankful that I was able to work with her. She found me the perfect apartment. I had a couple tight constraints (neighborhood, price, etc), but she was relentless and did not give up on helping me find the place. She is the most hard working agent in Boston, and incredibly nice to work with. I know she had dozens of other clients. but when looking at places with me and talking to me on the phone, she gave me her full attention and made me her top priority. I get the feeling some of the agents I contacted just cared about getting their money. but I felt Asir genuinely cared about me and my real estate needs. She is very knowledgable about Boston, and makes thoughtful suggestions based on her experiences in the field. I really loved working with her and I wish her nothing but success. And more importantly, I hope anyone who reads this gets a chance to work with her. It makes finding an apartment much more enjoyable and manageable. Thanks Asir, you are the best! read more

Asir Samrout; miraculous human being. I had to relocate from the middle of nowhere in Missouri to the Boston area. Asir not only located a place for my wife and I she also visited property, scouted public transportation for us and found something perfect that fit our budget. Some would think that this is just a realtors job and maybe it is. What makes Asir different in my opinion is her non stop devotion and attention to our well being up to, during and after the move. I was stressed beyond belief and on numerous occasions, and it didn't matter what time, Asir responded to me and talked me through the process that I was so unfamiliar with. There is something to be said about someone who you have never met that spends so much time worrying about you're family's well being. To have someone like Asir in our corner meant the world to us. She is 100% the reason i am safely writing this review in the comfort of my new place. I can't say enough about Asir. She truly made all the difference in the world and I would not been able to accept my new job opportunity without her intervention. She is an incredible real estate agent no doubt, but more importantly, in my book, she is an absolutely wonderful and caring human being. If you are looking to relocate do your family a huge favor and please contact Asir. read more

My family and I listed our home in Wakefield with Ben and his team around Jan/Feb of 2020...it was perfect timing right before the hammer dropped on the COVID-19 pandemic! Ben and his team took the whole event in stride- he was laid back and easy-going, but always worked extremely hard on our behalf. He constantly made himself available by phone for questions and concerns, was extremely communicative and always made sure we were feeling informed, satisfied and well taken care of. Ben is smart and savvy and has great knowledge of many local sub-markets throughout Greater Boston. He helped us truly "thread the needle" on our transaction and navigated a ton of uncertainty as the market was seismically shifting beneath our feet. He did a pre-marketing campaign which completely minimized the disruption to our daily lives and got us a solid offer without ever having to formally list our home and go through the pain of repeat open houses. Ben did all of this with the friendliest disposition. He is a genuinely personable guy that also happens to know his business well and consistently execute at a high level. I can honestly say he made us feel as though we were his only clients even though we knew that wasn't the case! I cannot recommend Ben and his team at Commonwealth Realty enough- truly exceptional!! read more

Dave was an absolute pleasure to work with throughout the apartment search and rental process. From our first meeting when he initially showed me the space up through moving day, he was always incredibly responsive, personable, reliable, and knowledgeable. He was always quick to answer any questions from myself or my roommates, which came with an added layer of complexity due to the fact that the three of us were in different states and traveling around prior to the move - this made clear communication crucial, which he did very well. Furthermore, he was extremely helpful when it came to helping us coordinate the move in terms of finding movers and making sure the apartment was ready for us the day of. Even following the move, he checked in to ensure that we were liking the apartment and enjoying the neighborhood (which we are, very much!). Finding a 3-bedroom apartment (especially for a September 1st lease) in Boston can be a stressful ordeal, however Dave helped us find a fantastic place and was able to make us feel comfortable with the move, ensuring that everything ran smoothly. Moving forward, I would absolutely choose to work with him again and will recommend him to any friends in need of a real estate agent! read more

My boyfriend and I were looking for an apartment in the South End and Anthony Campbell helped us find the perfect place! I fell in love with a listing for an apartment and reached out to several realtors to set up a viewing. One realtor never responded and another told me the apartment was no longer on the market. But Anthony responded to my email quickly and we were able to set up a showing the next week. He went above and beyond to get us in the apartment, working with the current tenant to set up the viewing. He quickly found the answers to all of our questions and had an optimistic and upbeat attitude through the entire process. He even went out of his way to collect our applications for the apartment on a weekend because he wanted us to take our time with the decision. Finding an apartment in Boston is a stressful process and I've found that many realtors rush you through the viewing and application process. Anthony was thoughtful and kind, and worked quickly to get our applications to the property manager once we made our final decision. I can't recommend Anthony enough! And my boyfriend and I can't wait to move into our new apartment! read more

Having lived in Boston for more than 10 years, I've rented at least 5 apartments and purchased 2 condos and I can hands down say the customer service provided by Ben, Dave and their team at Commonwealth Standard Realty for both renters AND buyers is INCREDIBLE! As young entrepreneur owners, Ben and Dave recognize the importance of setting themselves apart from other brokerage offices with extraordinary customer service. How many owners of real estate offices really take the time to get to know you and go above and beyond to make sure you feel confident, comfortable and knowledgeable about the entire process and neighborhood you're moving into. 5 stars for platinum service and awesome free swag! (Love the free insulated coffee/water bottle!). They not only got to know me and helped me find the perfect condo, but the day I picked up my keys they had hired a dog walker for my dog and handed me a pair of court-side Celtics tickets for the game that night because I had mentioned in passing how much I love basketball! My wife and I were floored! Thank you Boston Commonwealth Standard Realty for setting a new standard in service! read more

My wife and I worked with Benjamin Resnicow to sell our condominium in Cambridge, and it was one of the best home-related experiences that we've ever had. In a volatile housing market, Ben treated us like we were his closest friends, setting our minds at ease while still remaining as honest and as forward as you'd want a real estate agent to be. He took care of literally everything: coordinating some small spruce-up repairs, having show-stopping pictures taken, and securing a multitude of offers that gave us the flexibility to choose which one was right for us. Throughout the entire process, we never felt like we were Ben's "clients", but equal partners dealing with a sometimes-stressful situation together. Feeling like we were people that our real estate agent would bend over backwards for is exactly the level of customer service we'd look for in selling our home; and with Ben, we got just that. I wholeheartedly recommend Benjamin Resnicow and the rest of the Commonwealth Standard team, and would encourage you to seek them out for the next time you're buying or selling a home. read more

Dave was an absolute pleasure to work with the first time I was apartment hunting in Boston, so naturally I turned to him for my latest apartment hunt. This time around, Dave connected me with Monica Dailey. She is unbelievably knowledgable about the chaotic Boston rental market, has remarkable flexibility in scheduling showings, is a wonderful person to work with, and really showed that she cared about finding me the right apartment. After showing me 4 apartments during our first comprehensive showing, I gave her very candid feedback about the 4 apartments. Monica was able to use this feedback to accurately decipher my likes, dislikes, needs and wants. The second comprehensive showing featured 6 apartments, 4 of which were great, and 2 of which were slam dunks. I never thought a Boston apartment hunt would come down to a difficult decision, but that's the beauty of working with people like Monica and Dave. They'll find you exactly what you want, and they'll do it with a series of smiles and laughs along the way. An all around phenomenal experience. read more

When we were apartment hunting around Beacon Hill, we were impressed by the quality of the listings that David had online. After we reached out to him and he understood our apartment criteria, David would call us about listings that matched our criteria and was always extremely friendly -- if a listing wasn't exactly what we wanted, David didn't push us and instead just went right back to looking. Once we did settle on one that we liked, David was communicative throughout the entire process. We always knew what was going on and what to expect next in terms of hearing back from the landlord or reviewing the lease. David goes beyond what's in the standard job description for a real estate broker. On the day before our move, we realized that our moving permit signs had gotten taken down, which made us anxious about being able to park the moving truck the next day. David was helpful even on that front, printing out new flyers for us and getting us duct tape and markers on short notice since he's in the area, which definitely made that day easier. read more

Lisa Sheehan was my listing agent. Our affiliation began over a year ago, where we met at an open house. She quickly demonstrated her expertise of the market, during a brief conversation regarding my condo. I felt confident she would be best fit for me. A year later, I called her for an opinion of value on my condo. Lisa, gave me direction on how to get the best price for my property, by suggesting updated paint colors. She worked tirelessly to market my property and was present for every showing. Lisa responded to all questions and guided us through the process, even making it possible for us to take a vacation! She handled all communication with me and my attorney, in a prompt and professional manner. The price she suggested was rt on the money! We were able to put it under agreement quickly. Our transaction went smoothly and closed within a month. I highly recommend Lisa, for an A+ real estate experience and look forward to working with her again. Michael D'Ampalo Seller 68 Jefferson Ave. read more

Elizabeth was my realtor for my home I recently purchased in Framingham. I worked with her for about two-three months until I finally found an amazing home. The Boston market is very competitive and I definitely feel like having a knowledgable realtor helped me avoid stressful situations. I didn't have to worry about overpaying for a house and or buying a house in poor condition etc. Once we figured out my requirements and style of homes, she sent me listings almost everyday (apart from the existing MLS automated emails). She worked late on weeknights and on the weekends to submit a couple of last minute offers, too. She is very responsive and I can tell she enjoys being a real estate agent. She is well-connected with lawyers, loan officers , attorneys, home inspectors and the right people to get the job done. I am happy to have worked with her and will definitely recommend her and will use her again if necessary. read more

Ben was an invaluable resource as we navigated our first home search and we couldn't be happier we chose him! Throughout the process, it was clear he had our best interests at heart. He has the patience of a saint... he takes the time to educate you on various aspects of the home buying process and how to avoid the myriad of pitfalls we otherwise would have fallen into. He's dedicated to making the process as smooth as possible which is evident in the quality of relationships he's formed over the years with the best-of-the-best in their respective field... mortgage brokers, attorneys, home inspectors, etc. Bottom line is in working with Ben, we never had to worry about if/when the rug was going to be pulled out from under us. We landed the home of our dreams under the best terms possible and we couldn't have done it without Ben and the Commonwealth team! read more

Wow! What a team! My wife and I were so excited when we found out we were pregnant! But then reality set in, and we realized we needed more space! We were lucky and found the home of our dreams...unfortunately, we needed to sell our current condo to afford our new dream home. Ben and his team came to our downtown condo and quickly evaluated the property and came up with a strategy for a profitable and quick sell! He was fully knowledgeable of all the comps and recent and pending sales in the area and knew exactly what to do to get out place sold ASAP. Within 3 days, we had a full photo shoot, MLS listing, expansive social media and advertising blitz. 7 days later, on the first open house, we had a huge turn out and a sale ABOVE ASK 30 minutes after the open house ended. Professional, caring, accommodating, best in the high end Boston area! read more

Looking for a rental in Boston is hard enough, let alone from out-of-state! I worked with a few agents with no luck and a lot of disappointment until I was referred to Commonwealth Standard Realty, and more specifically, Evita! She was so helpfully and knowledgeable from the very start and was so much fun to worth with. Her up-beat and positive attitude really put me at ease during such a stressful process. She went above and beyond to make sure my move went smoothly, and that is rare to come across now a days. While my overall experience with the apartment has been negative, it was at no fault of Evita, and I will use her for any rental support in the future, and I will most definitely refer Evita to friends and colleagues to ensure they work with one of the best in Boston! read more