Harlan is an ANGEL!!! There is no other way to appropriately begin this review. Truly...an angel! Also, it's only fair to preface that although I appreciate and rely on fellow yelpers to give reviews I don't typically give them myself. Ever. A bit of a double standard, I know, but I could not pass up the opportunity to fully endorse this gem of a person!! A wonderful broker that has since become my friend :) I have lived in NYC for 2.5 years but was lucky enough to move into my previous apartment enduring almost none of the typical headache that coincides with finding an apartment in NYC. My roommate had done all of the work as I was living out of state at the time. That being said, I have adjusted quite well to big city life (as well as any southerner can ;) but there was NO way I could have been adequately prepared for the hell that is finding an apartment in the city....at a time of the year that literally every other person in the city is looking for one, too! I had no idea what I was in for...everyone that has every been in a similar position knows exactly what I mean. For simplicity's sake (and in an attempt to keep this review to a non-obnoxious length), I will cut to the chase... I met Harlan by chance in response to an ad for an apartment that I saw on Craigslist. I later found out that he rarely lists anything on Craigslist...which makes our experience even more serendipitous :) I texted Harlan and he immediately responded in a very friendly way stating that he would be happy to show me the apartment at a time that would be convenient for me. Already starting out on the right foot! Having never worked with a broker before and heard horror stories at how pushy and awful some of them can be, I was a bit nervous to meet him so I brought a friend a long. Walking into the beautiful REAL NY office in the LES, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was greeted by a very handsome man with a genuine smile. I told him I had an appointment with Harlan and he so charmingly replied "Oh fantastic! You found me! It's so great to meet you, Michelle." He had a warmth about him that you don't find often in NYC...one that made me immediately feel comfortable. I told him that I was looking for a 3 bedroom apartment and was open to several different areas in NYC. I had been living in the West Village for the past 2.5 years and although I loved my time there, I was ready for a change. Ready for more space for less $$ if possible!! Although I thought being "open to several different areas" was a great thing as it opened a plethora of options, I realize now that made Harlan's job increasingly more daunting as I really had no direction to give him. Despite having very little to go off of, he seemed to innately know what I was looking for--even if I didn't! He provided a variety of apartments within my price range in a multitude of areas all over the city and, subsequently helped me find the PERFECT apartment!! I can honestly say that I could not have done it without him!! I am so grateful for the patience and kindness he showed me throughout the arduous process of moving in the city. If you want to have an incredible experience with an extremely professional yet sincere broker, look no further than Harlan!! He is a true gem! :) read more

I had been agonizing for months about my son moving from a dorm to an apartment in Manhattan because of the concept of having to wait until the last few weeks before classes started to even start looking for a place. We tried doing it ourselves - racing up to NYC from south of Philadelphia when a "hot" apartment hit the market - only to lose it to two young professionals. We were at a loss as to how to orchestrate this process from 3 hours away. With our online search, what I noticed were all the AMAZING reviews for Josh(Doc) with REAL New York. I decided to email him with our quandary and within minutes had a reply! In fact, Josh cut to the chase and asked if we could talk on the phone. I couldn't have been more impressed with his responsiveness and understanding of the market and our particular situation. He held a conference call with us going over professional handouts that he emailed to us on the spot - outlining the process, the market specs and the documents needed with two sets of parent guarantors. With the other roommate abroad and her parents in VA, Josh was able to orchestrate everything we needed. By the time we arrived in NYC one week later, he had all our documents ready and waiting for when we found the right apartment. Josh was well organized, presenting us with a map of the 6-9 apartments within our budget that he had arranged for us to view. We traipsed around the LES and East Village on a hot summer day, climbed multiple flights of stairs to view a wide variety of apartments and Josh never faltered. He was a delight to talk with - he knew the market - he gave his opinion - but he let you make the final decision. When my son made his choice, Josh walked him through the process, working with the other agent to make sure the apartment that had just been listed that day was officially off the market. When we signed the lease the next day, Josh and the other agent where so helpful walking my son through the details. I felt like we couldn't have been in better hands for what could have been an extremely stressful experience. He even helped my son take measurements of the apartment and went back the next day to get one important one we forget! We will definitely be looking him up again if my son ever decides to move! read more

I don't usually write reviews, but I must share my experience. Me and my kids were going through a tough time, living in a room waiting to find a suitable place for us. At the beginning of 2023, I came across a realtor that made me feel like I didn't qualify for an apartment in Manhattan based on my income, but I just learned that person was not knowledgeable enough to deal with my personal situation. after a few month of looking for the cheapest place and learning those places weren't big enough for my family, I ended up reaching out to bunch of cold hearted realtors with automated emails with general questions and the ones that did reply wanted to charge 20% of yearly rent, others took couple days to reply and others didn't handle my interest promptly enough and the apartments ended been rented before I got the chance to even see then. It was a nightmare! My all world changed when I put my interest in a property managed by Angel Colon, from Real New York! He replied to my original email within 2 hours. After I reply, he continually communicated with me back and forth and even called me to address any concerns and questions that I had. He even sent me a video of the apartment. As soon as I expressed my interest, he made it his business to make sure I apply to the apartment the same day!! He managed everything electronically and went out of his way to make sure I see the apartment in person the same day as well. Within less than 48 hours my application was already approved! The office managed all paper work and emails were flying back and forth within minutes to make it happen. Great team player. Thanks goodness I came across Real New York. They were very knowledgeable in regards to my financials and proactive to what was needed for a strong application. Thanks to them and Angel Colon expertise, my kids and I have a wonderful apartment we love and big enough like we needed! I can't thanks them enough!!! read more

We had a very pleasant experience working with Jonny Borochov at REAL NY during our NYC apartment search. As many of you probably know, looking for apartments in NYC is more often than not, a horrid experience - prices that make your wallet weep, good apartments getting snapped up in the blink of an eye, brokers pressuring you and lying to your face about what prices are like in a given area, etc. In contrast to the experience I've had with many brokers, Jonny was extremely responsive, helpful, and straight-up in with his recommendations. My roommates and I were looking for a 3BR in the downtown Manhattan area and had fairly specific requirements in terms of location (proximity to transport) and price. After showing us an apartment that wasn't quite the right fit for us, he kept us in mind and showed us another one a few days later that just came on the market. Despite the weather being horrid that day (heavy rain, stormy), Jonny braved the weather to show us the apartment at a time that most convenient for us. We ended loving that apartment and made a deposit the very next day. Throughout the process up until our move-in, Jonny was very helpful and his actions reflected his words. We have been living there for ~3 months and absolutely love the apartment, location, and the price we got it for. There is no doubt in my mind that without Jonny's recommendation and help, we would have not gotten an apartment of this quality at this price. Literally a few days before we put our deposit down, another broker said that he has 10+ years of experience and that there was "no way" we could find a 3BR in the area we're looking that's within our budget, and told us prices would be 20%+ higher than what we ultimately got our apartment for with Jonny. He's a great broker and one that's rare to find - I highly recommend him both within REAL NY and amongst brokers in NYC generally. read more

We are so lucky to have worked with these guys! A few weeks ago my best friend and I scheduled a viewing for what turned out to be our absolute DREAM apartment - and we knew the moment we walked in that we wanted to live there. Newly gut renovated, new appliances, laundry in the building, AMAZING LOCATION etc...everything about it was almost too good to be true. It's now been three weeks since we moved in and somehow we love our apartment and neighborhood even more every day. I know WITHOUT A DOUBT that we couldn't have gotten this apartment if not for Rob and Nathan. If we were with a huge broker company they would've looked at our application and turned us away immediately but with these guys they really understood us as people and where we were coming from and they made it happen! They really fought for us and worked so hard so we could get this apartment. And they were there for us every step of the way - Robert is awesome! We were first time renters and they answered all of our little random stupid questions and were so incredibly patient with us the whole way through. Unlike other brokers, we felt they truly deserved the broker's fee! They were really open with us throughout the application process and made themselves available to us for whatever we needed. These guys know how to foster great relationships - with clients and with landlords - and the fact that we got approved for this apartment is a huge testament to that. They have great listings, great connections, and great relationships that make a HUGE difference in every step of getting an apartment - from finding the right one all the way through getting approved and signing the lease. If you want a stress-free experience looking for your next apartment (or your first one!) and want to feel like your broker has your back, you've got to work with these guys!!! read more

Have to say it from the start: couldn't have done it without Josh. After spending many weeks trying to tackle my our NYC apartment hunt while not actually being in the city (a daunting task with many dead ends), my mother, roommate, and I decided to enlist the help of a broker, and Josh came to save the day. Accessible, knowledgable, and tactful, Josh was a perfect guide through the Manhattan market. While doing much of his own thorough research, he consistently remained attentive to our needs and questions when trying to find an affordable 2-bedroom apartment for two college students downtown - a task we had much difficulty with on our own. However, Josh took to the task enthusiastically and prepared a packed itinerary of quality viewings in the East Village and LES. Throughout the process, he carefully listened to our thoughts, found answers to all of our questions, and remained honest when presenting any advice. After a day of working with Josh (compared with previous weeks spent pouring over online rental sites), we had found a fantastic, sizable apartment at the lower end of our budget that was both unique and in a great section of the LES. It was a rapid few hours and what, at first, felt like a decision made too quickly, but Josh consciously navigated us through each step so that in the end all parties were confident, content, and excited about the outcome. I am thoroughly pleased with having had Josh as our broker and guide through the NYC market, and will certainly recommend him in the future to anyone having trouble finding their "perfect" place in the city. He knows what he's doing and will find you what you're looking for, with the added bonus of a positive attitude and upbeat personality! read more

John Carey was soooo amazing!! I've been searching for an apartment for the last 4 months during covid, super unsure what my plans were: when i was going back to the office, if i should stay in the city, should i sign a lease, etc. Originally I had a roommate to live with, but things didn't work out. So as a result I had to live alone. I didn't want to find someone online (cause of the virus) and no mutual friends were looking for a new place. I've been subletting with my friend the last 2 months, but his lease was up August 1st and he decided not to continue his month to month. As a result, I had to find my own studio. Scared about living alone and wanting to find a place within my budget but also in a location I felt safe in. I also wanted to find the perfect place where I could see myself live for a while and have family and friends come visit. John was super positive and gave such amazing energy it made me feel super hopeful about finding a place. Painting the picture of how furniture would fit in the space and creating great conversation in getting to know me and make me feel comfortable. Through this whole process he really helped me fight to get what I wanted and was super patient , positive, and understanding the whole time! I remember leaving that apartment and texting my parents " i think i found my apartment". He even came with me again the next to do look at the place again! Super fast and easy process. He explains everything and is more then happy to answer any questions! def recommend him :) thanks John! read more

Jay Lin absolutely rescued me from an impossible task: finding my first apartment ever only two weeks before move in and during the height of the realty season, all while on crutches, still recovering from strep, and newly stranded by my original roommate. From the start, Jay was the most attentive and personable agent I contacted on several apartment hunting websites, immediately responding over text and always in a professional manner. Aware of my high pressure situation, he made me his top priority and ended up searching out and taking me to listings for four straight days, even driving me between showings because I couldn't properly walk. Jay was honest, transparent, and caring throughout the entire process, truly my ally, no matter how exhausting or disappointing trying to meet my criteria in such a tight market felt. In the end, Jay found me a gem of an apartment that surpassed my expectations, meeting all of my criteria and more. Jay represented and advocated for me during the entire application and lease signing process and made himself available for help and advice even throughout move in. In my situation, there was no way I would have been able to find housing without Jay's help. While many New Yorker's feel like brokers and agents are a scam and search tirelessly for "no fee" apartments, working with Jay was without a doubt worth every bit - in fact, I feel like I owe him even more for the invaluable help and friendship he gave me. I would highly recommend working with REAL New York, especially Jay. read more

REAL is the best real estate company I have worked with, and I could not give a higher endorsement. It is really Jonny that made this experience wonderful for us. From helping us tour apartments, to offering other available options that fit our goals / accommodated our needs, all the while making sure to know our dealbreakers and remain flexible to new challenges and every tenant's particular perspective, to opening our eyes to new properties and locations, Jonny is the ideal salesperson. Jonny shows up for you and cares about you and about finding you what you want. He is not one to convince you to take just any open property--he is one to listen and understand your lifestyle and aim to find you a place that feels like home and is more than what you might have originally imagined for yourself. His consistent communication and willingness to keep his eyes open and ears to the ground is not only admirable but often a rarity in the world of real estate. He is transparent about the pros and cons of any place, bends to make your schedule work if you are in a pinch, will negotiate to get you the best deal; and overall, Jonny will not stop working until he makes you happy. If you need someone in real estate, Jonny is your guy. Genuine, kind, friendly, knowledgeable, and a true expert--would trust Jonny to get us set up anywhere and will be recommending to everyone who needs someone who is more than REAL. read more

Hands down, Jos Mansell at REAL NY is the best broker I have had the joy of coming in contact with in New York City (as someone who apartment hunted for five months in a post-pandemic market, I came in contact with quite a few and he is by far the BEST!). Jos took the time to call me on a Saturday morning in November after I cold emailed him about my wish to find a pipedream apartment (with a lot of requirements and budget constraints might I add) and he took the time to get to know me, we exchanged stories, and he promised to keep my dream apartment on his radar! Not only did he follow through with this undertaking, he completely over-delivered. Despite the fact that I wasn't even living in NYC at the time, he made the effort to check-in and follow up over the course of five months, toured a few apartments for me, and really stayed on his toes during the process of helping me apply. Every conversation I had with him was nothing short of enjoyable. He was quick to let me know of his honest opinion on various units, which really set him apart. His professionalism, industry knowledge, and his stellar ability to build relationships is a winning combination. Not only does Jos have incredible energy (and great stories!), there is no one that I would rather have had vouching for me during the process of finding an apartment and I can guarantee anyone who works with him will feel the same. read more

I had the most AMAZING experience in working with Jay Lin. Had I had it my own way, I would have given him 7 stars for his BEYOND EXCELLENT services. Hunting for home in the bitter winter has not been easy, and in this process I have met many brokers. They have not impressed me. This changed when I bumped into Jay. The apartment he originally showed me did not fit my needs, but then he took me to the one which ended up being my dream home in the next year. I trust Jay's judgment. He was not pushy, but was articulate when it came to a building's strengths. On the other hand, he never oversold anything. Honestly I found him more convincing because he backed up his assessments with facts. Most importantly, he was PROFESSIONAL and PRACTICAL during the process of negotiations, while commanding an excellent PEOPLE SKILL. That's what I call "JAY'S 3 Ps"! There are many talkers in the world, but Jay is definitely an achiever who can bring a deal to its closure. On the day of lease signing, Jay gave me a gift, consisting of a bottle of red wine from Napa Valley and sweets he brought back from Hawaii. Considering that I was not the person who paid his broker fee, I am deeply touched by his heart-warming thoughtfulness. I saw some very special quality in this young man that is missing in many people of his generation. I bet Jay would be a star in his field in no time. read more

My roommate and I had initially met with Harlan, one of Real NY's associates at an open house. He was extremely friendly and helpful, and provided us with a lot of useful information and honest advice. Although the apartment was very nice and contained all our desired amenities, we just weren't too sure if it was the one for us. We asked him to keep us posted if there were any pending applications, and so he notified us as soon as there was one which we appreciated very much, although we didn't end up applying. This said, however, we decided to go directly to their office the following week where we met with Robert, another associate who was not only extremely professional, but super honest and very down-to-earth. He showed us around to several places that met all of our given specifications, as I'm sure he really took the time to consider what it is we wanted so that he could provide us with the best recommendations. He really took his time and wasn't rushed at all, and was altogether very pleasant to work with. We had finally decided on one of the apartments he showed us, and up until the official signing of the lease, he was there for us every step of the way to ensure us a very straight forward, timely, and stress-free experience. Real NY has been nothing but accommodating and I highly recommend them! I look forward to using their services again when the time comes. read more

Rule #1 ask for Jonny B. Jonny worked around my crazy schedule to help my roommate and I find an amazing apartment. What stands out about Jonny: (1) his exceptional communication skills - he leaves no rock unturned. Tell Jonny what kind of apartment you want, neighborhood, amenities, price and he will it for you. He follows up on texts and requests, making the NYC apartment hunt process as smooth as a baby's bottom (2) outstanding client service - Jonny showed us rare finds and scheduled our viewings strategically to minimize our time away from work. He also answered all of our questions about the unit... it is hard to find a broker these days that is knowledgeable about all the details of every unit he shows. (3) Patience - Jonny showed us ~10 units before we found our perfect home... props to him for not losing his wits. (4) knowledge of the market - Jonny has excellent knowledge of different neighborhoods, the type of apartments that exist there, etc, which made narrowing our search easy. Bottom line - Jonny was the best broker we have ever worked with (we worked with 10+ brokers in our search). He'll make your process seamless and will find you the best possibly place for your budget. His knowledge and acumen were elite - Jonny must have been trained by exceptional managers! Pay this man a fee and a half! read more