Erika Reyes is THE person to work with! She was the one person to give me a chance and got me approved for an apartment with below average credit! I'm thankful to her for life and HIGHLY RECOMMEND! read more

Josiah Hyatt is the worst agent. He is very unprofessional. I emailed, and text him several times, about an apartment He never got back to me. He could have told me, that I did not qualify for the apartment. In my opinion, he is prejudice, against people who are in a certain economic bracket. I therefore, consider his professionalism to be poor, and disgusting. He could never step one foot in my business, if I had one. read more

Used Lewis Tse for an apartment rental in NYC in August of 2022. Very happy when initial contact and follow through. Paid him his brokers fee for showing us 1 apartment and very little time on his part. Moved out of apartment in August of 2023 and still have not had our security deposit returned. He has been completely unresponsive in helping us recover the security deposit due us. Lewis represents New City Management (the managing company of the apartment we rented) and when asked point blank if this is how they operate (dragging the security deposit refund out/ not returning it at all) he told me no. After very little effort in looking into New City Management complaint history in the state of New York, found that there is a very long track record of them having complaint after complaint filed against them. If he was unaware of this then he should find a new career. The people and companies you choose to represent are a direct reflection of the business person you are! After he put us in contact with the non-existent person that was going to resolve this issue he has completely ignored multiple attempts to contact him. Couldn't be more disappointed in a broker and can not endorse him or his behavior in any way. We will be filing complaints against him and Keller Williams with the State of New York as well as New City Management. Stay away from renting anything from all involved. read more

Juliet our realtor didnt answer for a week about our application. Later after contacting the manager, she finally responded that our application was denied. Like some other reviews say, the lack of communication is terrible with this company. read more

I had Lewis as an agent, and he went above and beyond any realtor I worked with while searching for a NYC apartment. Let's just say I shopped around for realtors and there are a bunch of sharks out there... Lewis was very different. I told him what I wanted in a space, and the location I desired, and he delivered. He called me on weekends and FaceTimed me (I was out of state) showing me the apartment and sent me a multitude of pictures. If you ask other realtors this, they begrudgingly do it with a lot of sass. I was traveling and Lewis made the paperwork so easy. Honestly I didn't feel I lifted a finger in this stressful process. Skyward does charge a broker's fee but it was well worth it. I don't think I couldn't have found a gem like my apartment with that price point without Lewis. Have literally recommended Lewis to all my friends looking for a place for residency. He is so trustworthy and goes above and beyond. Can't say anything but good things about him. read more

If I could rate higher than 5 stars, I would! Our lease was up during the summer of COVID and we were very nervous and hesitant about moving during this challenging time. We were lucky to have Lewis working with us. He made us feel secure and listened to us as we navigated the process. He is a diplomatic, thorough, and kind agent who went above and beyond, all the way through the process - even to past move in day. He was available whenever we had questions and did the research necessary to provide answers. Lewis was patient and consistent, despite all our questions and hesitations. If you need an agent, I highly recommend working with Lewis - you won't find a better agent!! read more

Great experience, especially with Brittany Shaffer she's an incredible agent. This was our first move to Manhattan, we came across some shady brokers and agents who were so obviously trying to take advantage of us, but skyward was not like that at all. Brittany was super patient, very nice, and made everything so easy for us. She was informative and helped us get a great apartment and an amazing deal. You already know I'm making any referrals they're for Brittany read more

I recently met up with T.A. Fields from Skyward Steel. She is very kind and attentive and has a lovely upbeat personality. I saw several apartments and exchanged many emails to assist with my job search. Unfortunately my plans have changed, but I would recommend T.A, Fields. read more

My roommates and I had the pleasure of working with Richie Colombo, who helped us through the apartment hunting + application process so efficiently and charismatically! It was most of our group's first time renting an apartment (we're college students) and Richie patiently communicated with us the whole time to make sure we all felt secure throughout the process. Richie has a great personality on top of it all so I would recommend him to anyone! Thank you again Richie for all your help. read more

Strung me along and tried to trick me into signing a commission agreement that would've required me to pay them 15% even if I didn't buy through them and paid a different broker as well! Wasted my time. I found the apt and contacted him. He told me an apt was avaliable for viewing that evening and I blocked off a time slot. Then he backed off of his own suggested time claiming he need 24 hours to contact landlord. The next day he said I needed to fill out a form for him to show this place. I asked if it was necessary cause it was quite intrusive. He said he *only needed the third page*. I tried to click through but the second page wouldn't let me continue. When I told him he said well yes I'd have to sign the second too. But as an attorney I decided nothing that had to offer was worth what they were required me to sign off on... And they were shady as hell about how they did business. read more

The agent I worked with was Brittany Shaffer. It is my first time moving into an apartment, and she was so helpful and responsive. Great communication and timely emails. She made the whole process very easy with hardly any stress. I am very thankful to have had my first real estate experience with her. read more

Finding a place in NY is not easy, and Lauren guided me though every step of the way. She responded quickly, was efficient, solved problems right away, was proactive abt scheduling and completing paperwork, accommodated my difficult schedule and most importantly was very honest about pros and cons of each place we viewed. I actually ENJOYED walking around New York with her. She is very knowledgeable about city architecture and history! read more

Brittany Shaffer was absolutely amazing and made the whole process super easy. She was my very first experience in this apartment hunt and the last one, that's how quickly the process was. I loved the apartment she showed me, sent me the application and got approved on the same day, and lease signed the next one, responding very quickly to any question I had. I never thought I was going to have such an amazing experience looking for my new home. I'll recommend her to anybody! Thanks again, Brittany! read more

We found an apartment we really liked and Josiah was quick to send us a virtual tour. Great. Once we responded with our information he changed the listing price by several hundred dollars without so much as an email! Very shady, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a scam. Please use caution. read more

I had Paula as my broker and she was fabulouuussss! I was moving here from Colorado with minimal things and pretty clueless, but she was helpful from the start on the phone, when I was still out of state! I had sent her (and various other brokers) a message about who I was, what I was looking for, etc, and right off the bat it was clear to me that she read my message and really absorbed all that information! She explained what she does and the way showings go, etc. She was very proactive in sending me apartments and encouraged me to send her ones I liked as well so that she could build a good tour suited for me. Her positive attitude really put me at ease and she reassured me that we could probably find a place within a day or two, which would have been a huge weight off my shoulders. We spent an entire (extremely hot) Tuesday driving all around my area to see various apartments, but she actually made it fun! It felt like I was looking for places with a friend, really. And sure enough, we did find a place at the end of day 1! From there on Paula remained engaged and made sure I understood every step of the way what was going on. She worked to make sure I could get moved in at a reasonable date for me, and once moved in, she sent me a really sweet housewarming gift. Paula is amazing and if I ever have the need, I'm definitely calling her up to find another fantastic place! read more

josiah hyatt is very unprofessional. i wouldn't recommend inquiring about any of his listings same for the other brokers under the skyward team. the others will ghost you once they find out you're paying with a program and josiah will ignore you when you inquire about specific places or respond and then ghost you for days after attending the viewing and then send the application late with someone already in mind just so you can simply pay the fee and then tell you a day or two later that they've proceeded with a different application. that's not my issue though, i don't expect to always get my application accepted that's just not how it works. i just think that time he wanted me to apply and pay the fee for nothing because he sent it late and was quick to tell me another application got accepted which was odd to me. for my second application i attended the viewing, applied and paid the fee. after applying and paying the fee i got ghosted. i had gotten a confirmation email and was told to email and / or call josiah for the next steps but he's yet to respond to my emails or calls and continues to not do so. not just that but his phone number links to north carolina and if it doesn't go straight to voicemail he just doesn't respond at all which is weird to me. i've called and emailed several times even trying other skyward numbers but still nothing. he's also very much active on the email as i've tried inquiring about the same place again and he responded but when it comes to working with me for the next steps for the application process it's silence. even before this i've inquired about his other places several times and he would never respond back when it came to setting up a viewing and then applying for some reason. it's just weird. in conclusion the lack of professionalism is absurd to me. don't even bother wasting your time with these people. if they don't ghost you because of your paying method they'll ghost you after paying the application fee. overall giving scam. read more

My partner and I worked with Brittany and she was an absolute ANGEL. She was so patient with us, consistent, and most of all she was dedicated to helping us find the perfect apartment. Once we submitted our application she stood with us every step of the way, right up until getting our keys for move in day. I would 100% recommend working with her and with Skyward in general-- they have the cutest listings! Thanks again :) read more

So, the world is upside down right now with COVID-19, yet Brittany helped to get us moved in under a week in busy NYC. We viewed the apartment on Sunday, submitted the application that same day, we were approved and signed the lease the following day, and then moved in on Saturday! Amazing! And the whole process was done remotely/electronically/digitally in keeping with social distancing guidelines. Brittany was extremely professional, helpful, patient, communicative, and kind. SHE IS PHENOMENAL! We cannot recommend her highly enough. We love the apartment we just moved into, and plan to be there for a while. However, when we move again, we will reach out to her again, for sure. read more

Our agent, Lewis, really surprised us. The agents we were working with at other agencies before we met Lewis were all either disingenuous, in a huge rush (for another appointment) or giving us answers from a script. Lewis was the exact opposite! He worked so hard to find us apartment options based on our criteria (and also what he thought might work for us outside of our criteria) and was always on-time to our appointments. He was prompt, resourceful, and friendly even when things didn't go exactly as planned, and he never gave up on us; and now we're in a great apartment in a great location with a price well within our initial budget. We only had one month to look for, find an apartment, move out of our old apartment and into the new one. It was one of the most trying months for my fiance and I in our lives. We were able to trust that Lewis was working hard for us behind the scenes in-between correspondence and trust that Lewis' answers to our questions were genuine and personal. Please give Skyward, and specifically Lewis, a chance if you're looking for an apartment in upper Manhattan. Our expectations were extremely low based on our experiences in the first week of the month we started looking, and Lewis surpassed those expectations times a million. Just some tips on what to expect in general during the process to hopefully save you some headache: * $500 good-faith deposit so Skyward doesn't show the apartment to anyone else during the application process - On the first listing that Lewis showed us that we liked, we paid the good-faith deposit and still lost the apartment because another agent from another agency got their clients application in before us. Lewis was really prompt with submitting the forms to reimburse us the deposit, but it shows that the more organized you are, the faster you'll be able to get that application in * Broker's Fees - Lewis' fee on his personal listings were one month's rent (this seems about as fair as it gets). It's my understanding that the 12-15% fee of annual rent comes into play when the listing isn't your agent's, and it's a collaboration of agents and agencies on the specific listing. We wanted to see more apartments in a shorter amount of time, so we stayed in Skyward's ecosystem and Lewis worked a deal out with his colleagues for a fair fee (significantly lower than 12-15% but also slightly higher than one month's rent based on our personal budget) on Skyward's listings that weren't his personally. This was huuuuuge for us as it would have cost us $1000 more for the apartment we settled on for the fee if we were charged the more common 12-15%. * The Application - I haven't seen a copy of the package that agents submit to the building management companies, but we were in a situation before we met Lewis where our application was denied even though we made way more than 40x the rent and the rent was crazy low compared to our budget. This was something that made us really nervous, as it was the first apartment we applied for. The apartment Lewis found us and that we ultimately moved into is actually towards the higher end of our budget and based on older tax returns (I hadn't filed the latest year yet) we made just less than 40x the rent. We were approved, and I believe it's due to Skyward's relationship with the building management company and Lewis' ability to package our application in a way that made us look very attractive as tenants. * Broker's Fee, First and Security - The good-faith deposit you'll be paying for with a credit card, but the rest of the fee along with first and security they would only accept certified (cashier) checks or money orders. There's usually a charge for these and it cost us about $10 per certified check, $5 per money order at our banks. Just keep in mind that there might be this added cost before you go to sign the lease. read more

Very knowledgeable and professional. All my questions were addressed and answered in a timely manner. Would absolutely recommend!

Brittany Shaffer was an excellent broker, and made finding an apartment a seamless experience! She was incredibly responsive and replied to even the most minor inquiries within minutes. She was able to set up our viewing quickly and safely, and was able to answer all questions that arose throughout the process. read more

My roommates and I just signed a lease on an apartment we love thanks to Skyward and Brittany Shaffer. She was so helpful snd patient and answered any questions we had (and we had A LOT). She negotiated a great deal for us and we were so lucky to have her in our corner. Would definitely recommend her and Skyward to anyone looking for a place in the city! read more

Brittany was an absolute blessing. This is our first apartment and she helped us during this terrible pandemic. She always answered questions no matter the hour and was patient and thorough. She made this process enjoyable and made sure we got the apartment we wanted. She makes me want to move again just to work with her but I'll be sure to recommend her to anyone I know wanting to move. Beautiful person and clearly enjoys her job. read more

Maneuvering the fast moving waters of NYC rentals is not fun or easy, and very expensive. Having said that, Brittany Shaffer Columbo worked tirelessly to ensure that our 4 roommate rental went smoothly. Excellent communication skills; incredible response times. Knowledgeable, and answered every question we asked of her. We highly commend her excellent communication skills, professionalism, good humor, and work ethic. Highly recommend Brittany for your real estate needs. read more

My boyfriend and I had a wonderful experience finding an apartment in Washington Heights with the help of Brittany Shaffer. As first time renters in nyc, we were worried the process would be time consuming and stressful. However, Brittany treated us with the utmost care and attention from start to finish. She was professional, respectful, patient, and genuinely cared about getting us in the right apartment. She happily answered our endless stream of questions via email and phone quickly and thoughtfully. If you're looking for an apartment in the area, look no further than Brittany Shaffer! She made an otherwise intimidating process stress-free and easy. I can't thank you enough Brittany! read more

We had the pleasure of working with Richie Colombo and I can't recommend him enough. He found us an apartment that fit all of our needs and then some, while still making sure that we stayed within our budget. He was extremely communicative, informative, and accommodating of all our needs. read more

We were incredibly lucky to get to work with Brittany Shaffer throughout our apartment search and could not have had a better experience. Brittany was responsive and thorough in answering all of our many questions about the listings. For the fast-paced NYC rental market, she made us feel supported and her timeliness was much appreciated. We'd highly recommend finding a new home through Brittany and will be using her services in the future for our next move. read more

Lewis was incredible all around! I had to make a sudden move, and he was so understanding and helpful of my situation. His communication was so fast and thorough in all aspects- he sent me all the possible information, and was available for followups. I highly recommend working with him if you get the chance! read more

The agent we worked with, Brittany, was wonderful! She was incredibly informative, understanding, and helpful. Thanks to her we found our beautiful new apartment at a great price and in the right location. Her and her husband were very accommodating and they made the process much easier on us. We really appreciate them! Would absolutely recommend to our friends. read more

After weeks of apartment searching and working with some not so great or trustworthy agents, it was a breath of fresh air to work with Lewis. Communication was excellent, he listened to our wants and needs and and he definitely went above and beyond to find us the perfect place. He's a rock star and truly the best agent I've ever worked with!! If you're on the hunt for a new apartment, get in touch with Lewis because he will find you the perfect apartment for sure!! read more

Lewis was amazing! It can be so stressful looking for an apartment in NYC and Lewis made the experience painless. He was able to answer all my questions quickly and really went above and beyond to ensure that I was satisfied and getting the most out of the experience. I'm so grateful and excited to move into my new place. read more

If I could rate 10 stars, I would. Moving around NYC is always an adventure but add a pandemic, you got an especially difficult situation. However, Brittany Shaffer at Skyward made the experience one of my best! I have been living in NYC vicinity for several years now so this compliment does not come easy. Once I let Brittany know what I was looking for in an apartment, she inherently knew what I may be looking for. I can be very particular. She arranged for me to see a couple of apartments. I felt very safe and comfortable while viewing these apartments. Once I was ready to proceed applying, she was very professional and expeditious. The process was so smooth it almost felt strange. Brittany is also a great communicator and is specific on what is happening and what is required. She addressed any and all of my concerns or questions. Once my application was approved, it was just a matter of one day to sign the lease documents. I highly recommend Brittany Shaffer and Skyward for your apartment needs! I hope to work with both in the future too.A top notch person and real estate agency! Thanks again Brittany! read more

I met an agent while looking for an apt in Harlem. I asked this agent if this was a stabilized unit and she said yes. On the day of closing, she stated that she was in fact wrong and the unit was not rent stabilized. I had already gave notice to my previous management company. She lied about so many things, I would never use this agency again. Bottom line they are deceitful and lied to get the commission. read more

The daunting task of apartment searching in New York City was a wonderful and pleasant experience working with this company. They're very knowledgeable and have great relationships with landlords and management companies. If you want down to earth real estate experts go with Skyward Steel!!! read more

I had Garrett as my agent and he was courteous, professional and never made me feel like a bother when asking questions. He was proactive in finding me listings and giving me updates on apts I wanted to look at. I can't recommend him enough. Moving is so stressful and finding the right agent can be even more stressful. But Garrett made me full of relief during the entire process. He's a total gem! read more

I worked with Juliet to find the absolute PERFECT apartment. She was there with me the whole time, was extremely present, and an absolute pleasure to work with. I had given her all my apartment materials and she wrote up and submitted the proposal within the hour. We were the first ones to put in an application, and we landed the apartment. Super positive experience! Thank you! read more

Richie Colombo and Brittany Shaffer were fantastic throughout our apartment search process in the midst of COVID -- pleasant and communicative from day 1 through the lease signing, and cognizant of our budget limitations and space wishes. They really made us feel valued. I'd use them again in a heartbeat, but I'm hoping I won't have to move for a while... :) read more

Brittany was absolutely phenomenal. She was extremely committed to helping us find a place. Her knowledge of the housing landscape, especially in the Washington Heights area, was very helpful and she gave us great advice when selecting a unit. She was also incredibly graceful with her time and was able to work around our inability to view apartments in-person. As two Columbia Medical School students, we appreciated having someone with great insight into the CUMC housing scene. We would highly recommend Brittany to anyone considering moving into the Washington Heights area. read more

We worked with Erika Maya from Skyward. She is extremely professional and detail-oriented. More importantly, she listened to our needs. I have always been picky when it comes to apartment... Erika is the most patient, responsive, accommodating, and non-judgmental person I've worked with!!! read more

I can't recommend Paula enough! She showed me more apartments that aligned with my vision for my future home than anyone else I've ever worked with. Also, she is such a delight! This process is so stressful, but Paula made me feel comfortable and confident that I'd get an apartment I loved. Her down to earth nature and phenomenal research set my worries at ease. I would recommend her to anyone and everyone moving in NYC- you won't find a better realty professional. read more