honest rental brokers

Mike Friedman of Citihabitats ? http://www.citi-habitats.com/agent_profile.php?id=MCF

Contact managing agents directly and avoid the brokers and their enormous fees. I'm not commenting on whether the broker who advertises a unit, takes time to show it, etc. is or isn't deserving of a fee. I'm just saying if you'd prefer to not throw that money away, ask some doormen in the neighborhood you are seeking about availability and who the managing agent is.

I am, but like most experienced agents I spend the majority of my time on sales because it pays better. (I know it seems crazy to you guys, paying 15%, but it's not worth it for a skilled agent to show someone 20 apartments for our cut of that.)

Give more info. What exactly are you looking for?

ali r.
{downtown broker}

Contrary to the posters' (and maybe because of them), Craig's list became somehow relevant again. My neighbor posted his place up for rent there and it worked. If/when you go on that site, look ONLY for either "by owner" . I was told that the site got strict with brokers and what says "by owner" means by owner.

I never look at rentals, so I don't have first hand experience, but I've heard that once Craigslist started charging $10/listing, a lot of the bait-and-switch nonsense dried up.

thanks so much shamrock and kylewest-- and to ali r., i'm looking for a two bed, at least 1.5 bath in turtle bay or the sutton place area for no more than $5500 a month

shirsch -- seems totally doable.

I see a townhouse duplex from Halstead, a '60s no-pets building from Fox, and a 50's closet-tacular from Elliman.

I will PM you as soon as I get off the phone call I'm on.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

shirsch, if there's a private message function on this board, I can't find it.

If you need me you can email me at work: ali [at] dgneary [dot] com.

best

ali r.
{downtown broker}

If you have a timing urgency to move to a rental, then the broker has the upper hand. If the apartment is on the market for some time, if you have flexibility on the time to move, and if you are qualified, not some NYU parent guarantee, then you have the upper hand.