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Liza K.

Brooklyn, NY

7/10/2009

I had a wonderful experience with Destination Real Estate.

My broker was Lawrence (the younger one, there are two - father and son) and he was patient, kind, and honest. This was my first experience renting in NYC, and I couldn't have asked for a better broker. I can see how he might come across as a Brooklyn slickster guy, but he looked me in the eye, explained every bit of the process, and was even good with my daughter.

He worked fast, but asked me a lot of questions about what I wanted, and was in constant motion revising his recommendations based on my feedback.

I am really bummed out that the other reviewers had such negative experiences. I almost didn't go with this company because of the reviews here, but I found 60+ positive reviews on CitySearch, so I decided to try them, and I am so glad that I did.

Here's something that I didn't understand about renting in NYC until I did it: the broker has to do two completely different sales jobs. First, they have to sell me an apartment. Destination has *great* inventory for the areas I was looking in (Carroll Gardens, where I ended up, Cobble Hill, and Park Slope). He had to do all the work of listening to me, showing me places, showing me more places, explaining things to me, etc, without any pay at all - and without any assurance that I will pay.

Once I decided to go for a place, I paid the application fees ($75 for me + $75 for my guarantor) and put a month's deposit down with them. They were very clear that the application fee was non-refundable (they have to pay for credit checks, pay for their people to check references, etc).

THEN the second part of the sales job begins - selling *me* to the landlord. This was hairy in my case - there was some confusion about my dog, uncertainty about me being from out of state, etc. But Lawrence was there the whole time - really helping me present myself in the best light as possible (while being completely honest), explaining to me their questions and objections, etc. He totally fought for me to get the place I wanted, while also providing good service to the landlord.

I had to come BACK to NYC after I had left the state (which I was not happy about) because the landlord would not approve me without meeting me. I sat and watched for an *hour* while my broker sold me to the landlord and reassured them about me. It was fast-faced, nervewracking, and done in an amusing combination of Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Italian accents. Welcome to New York... ;-)

The broker, of course, had a vested interest in getting me approved - they don't make their fee until all parties sign the lease. However, Destination seems like a business that has worked on building long term relationships with people (renters and landlords alike) and I never felt that they were out for short term gain over long term reputation or relationships.

The end result is that I have a great apartment that I love, and made it through my first NYC apartment experience harried but intact - thanks to Lawrence. If you're looking for an apartment in Brooklyn, I totally recommend Destination in general and younger Lawrence in particular. :-)

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