Rapid Realty

I have worked with James for over 4 years regarding renting an apartment, purchasing a house, selling a house and finding the right tenants to occupy my properties. I have done it all with this one person. He is fast efficient and always professional. His sense of urgency always matches my own, NOW and FAST. If you want someone who will always have your best interest at heart and protect you from shady dealings James Henderson is your guy!!!

I want to be really clear: I am not a giant fan of Rapid Realty. BUT, if you end up there hopefully the universe smiles down on you and you get to work with Kenyatta. Because, in a world of shady business, quick turn around of the housing market, and burned out workers who are often motivated by how much money they can extract out of you, she was a breath of fresh air.
Kenyatta helped us look for what we wanted. Worked on our behalf, advocated for us three young professionals with credit that is not great. She was patient and showed us at least 8 places without getting annoyed with us. She deserves every bit of the fee we paid! And I do not say that lightly. Her service was impeccable and she was really sweet with tons of smiles the whole time.
Ask for her if you need someone to work with from this company.

Wow these people are the absolute worst. Lena Martinez and Fenton Williams lied through their teeth, didn’t show up for appointments at the last second, showed me absolute garbage apartments and wasted a lot of my time. Also Fenton Williams could barely follow the GPS through Brooklyn neighborhoods; he seemed stoned, stupid, or both. He was so un-​knowledgeable it was pathetic. Stay away!

Please read the reviews and don’t support this company. There are decent real estate companies in the city that deserve your business, like Nooklyn.
Zainab was an absolute nightmare to work with, and we ended up nearly losing the deal on account of her greed and carelessness. Avoid these people like the plague.

The only thing more nauseating than the incompetence of LaVonne Green and the others is that we had to cut a commission check to these hucksters. Rapid Realty is the absolute embodiment of the New York City real estate racket, and you would do well to avoid them at all costs.

Had a wonderful experience dealing with Robin Glasgow. She helped me to find a beautiful 3 bedroom. Her personality and professionalism were unparalleled. I definitely recommend her.

Stay away from Tristian Phillip. He tried to steal $ 30 from me and did not even apologize when I called him on it. He didn’t even give me the right keys to my building. I got locked out the first night and would have had to sleep on a bench of my neighbor hadn’t let me into the building.

SHADY REALTY. Lies Lies Lies. It was a struggle to get them to return our deposit, and their dishonesty began from day one. James Henderson and Zainab Grant claimed that they were fighting for us to get the apartment, but once we called the management company and found out that the apartment had been rented, they refused to return our deposit (because we were not allowed to communicate with the management co.). We were waiting for a response for two weeks. It took numerous phone calls, an hour of waiting in front of their office to retrieve the check (which they were not apologetic for– at all). Don’t waste your time or money, it is not worth dealing with them– especially if you are not into fraud.

We saw a listing for a beautiful house for a ridiculously low rent. I called up Tristian and made an appointment to see it the next day. He took down my email and phone number and told me to come at 4.
At 4pm we arrive at the office. He looks like he’s about to leave. I say, «Hi, I’m here to look at 123 Property.» He obviously had no idea who I was or what I was talking about. «Oh, you mean the duplex!» No, fool, the house. The big one. We go back into his office so he can look up the property.
He asks again what property is was and starts searching for it on his computer. I look around the office — there is a dirty, disorganized back office/​kitchen? and signs in every office advertising for jobs with Rapid Realty, no experience needed. Not encouraging.
What a surprise, it looks like someone put in a bid for it. He tells us that the market turns so fast, you have to be really quick. He calls someone just to be sure and they, whoever they are, confirm that the paperwork has been accepted by the landlord. However, I strongly suspect that there was no one on the other end, because when someone called him a few minutes later the voice on the other end was clearly audible.
Then he asked us a bunch of unnecessary questions about our exact income and who would be moving in, and showed us pictures of a place he thought we’d love, but which was clearly not as nice as the place we’d come to see.
We never even left the office, and I don’t believe we ever would have. These folks are shady, shady business. Avoid!

tristian phillips was abusive and rude. DO NOT use this group. Unprofessional and falsely represent what they have available.

Avoid like the plague.
This is *THE* stereotypical NYC realtor racket: pushy and unprofessional. The very first place they show you that seems to remotely interest you, they are going to pressure you for a $ 500 deposit. Supposedly they will give it back to you if you decide not to take the place, but then, what the heck is the point of the deposit? Don’t be a fool, even if you are fresh off the boat from Minnesota. Deposits here are the same as anywhere else – you lose them if you back out of the deal. I am pretty sure that Rapid Realty would not have given my money back that easily, and other reviews on this site describe battles to have their money returned. Just don’t do it. Yes, this is New York, and yes, good rentals usually move fast here, but YOU are the customer, you are paying them a sh*t ton of cash to hook you up with an awesome place, and that is all you should have to do.
I worked with James for a few days, and was really not impressed. He was frequently late, unprepared, or running errands in the middle of showing places. He would call me and tell him to meet him at place X in 30 minutes – nevermind that I don’t have a car and there’s no way I could get there that fast. He was constantly telling me how much I was going to love the next place we saw, but never really listened to what I was looking for – I felt like he really only had a few «hot» listings that he just hoped to show over and over to renters in the same budget range, in hopes someone would take them, nevermind that they were totally not what we were looking for.
I will say that at least he showed me nice places, which was almost enough to make me want to give a second star, since many realtors will show you horrible, crappy hamster cages that no one should have to live in. But I was also really turned off by James’ comment that he wants to «develop» the neighborhood by bringing in lots of chains. No one, especially no New Yorker, moves to a neighborhood because they want to be near a KFC or a Starbucks. Basically, he wants to turn Fort Greene into an expensive suburb, without the lawns… awesome.

If you’re looking for an apartment in New York, absolutely DO NOT use Rapid.
Unprofessional.
They try to get extra money out of you.
Two different brokers wasted two full days of our time.
They have the shittiest properties.
Everyone in this specific office is unreliable and impossible to get a hold of.

Save yourself the hassle and DO NOT deal with Rapid Realty. My roommate called and made an appointment to check out a few apartments in the Kensington area for the following day. My appointment was at noon, but the broker strolled up a half our later without keys to the building. We buzzed every person in the building to let us in, but just like any normal resident, they were hesitant to do so. When we finally got into the building, she showed me 2 apartments, 12B and 7B. They both had the same layout and I was pleased with the appearance. My roommates were both in Connecticut, but knowing a place like this wouldn’t last, I decided to hold apartment 12B for 48 hours by putting down a $ 500 refundable deposit. (12B was much cleaner than 7B and on the top floor). When putting my deposit down, my broker told me that 12B and 7B were no longer available and that all that was left with the same floor plan was 11B. I found this odd since I had JUST seen the place, but decided to continue with the deposit since it was refundable. The following day, my roommates came to check out the building and decided against it, since they had looked into other places and found something better. I immediately called my broker to let her know that we were no longer interested and that I would need to pick up my deposit ASAP. She told me that it would take 48 hours to process and to come in Friday to pick it up. I called and texted her on Thursday to see if Friday would still work and to see what time I should come in. No response. I called the office AND my broker multiple times on Friday with no answer. I finally decided to show up at the office, and to my surprise, the money wasn’t ready. The woman working told me to come back 24 hours later and she would have the money ready. Immediately after leaving the office, my broker called me and started screaming at me that I shouldn’t just show up to the office and that she told me it would take 48 hours to process (mind you, 48 hours HAD passed). I told her I was no longer working with her, but the woman who was in the office and hung up on her. The next day, I called and the woman told me she was dealing with an «emergency» and wouldn’t be able to give me my money, but to call her the following day. At this point, I was sick of being dragged along on a string dealing with people who did not answer or return phone calls or text messages. I told her that if I didn’t have the money in my hand by noon the following day (Sunday) I was going to call the police and file a report. I showed up at 11:45 on Sunday, and the broker came at 11:59. When we sat down to finish the paperwork, she told me that the money I had given her never left the envelope. If the office, broker, manager, ANYONE would have opened my file, they could’ve given me my money back immediately, but instead they chose to put it off. Honestly, it is not worth your time or the stress to work with Rapid Reality. If I could rate 0 stars, I would. Totally unacceptable.

Trash.
I found James K on Naked Apartments and he had great reviews. To his credit he did answer the phone unlike the rest of the brokers (call + email sigh). He wanted to show me one that just was getting refinished so «no one else would have seen it before me.» I say «okay 2:30.» He goes «great, I’ll get the keys from the other broker who is showing it at 12:30 if they dont take the place.» My inner monologue: ummm… doesn’t that mean someone else is seeing it first? no matter, I’ll be in the area anyway (it’s in Carroll Gardens) why not.
We are late b/​c it’s hot and my friend got a heat stroke so we had to wait. I asked to reschedule because I wasn’t sure if she was up to it, but thankfully James was nice enough to wait an additional 20mins for us to arrive (the bonus of the day).
The apartment itself wasn’t horrible; however, it was not a good fit for me: the size/​layout was weird, the bedroom window faced a busy (traffic) street where I could hear the bus and everything else easily while standing inside, and it was on the first floor of a questionably sketch neighborhood (as a single woman I didnt feel comfortable). I told him what I liked and disliked about the place and asked him if he had anything else.
That’s when James the rude obnoxious used car salesman came out. I tell him all of the above and he follows it with «so what DIDNT u like about it?» I repeat. Then he tries to trump me and pressure me into it with a «well its not lasting today.»
My reply «okay cool.»
His reply «have you actually been able to see anything you like within your range?»
Me: «Yes multiple places.»
Him: «Well you shouldve taken them, why didnt you?»
Me: «Im not settling I dont have to move.»
Him: «Youre not finding anything.»
Me: «Well YOU may not be able to find anything but the other broker I went to was positive that I’d find something. Plus her places were simply nicer and in better locations. I just wont be dealing with you.»
So a 15 min long combative convo continues where he kept trying to pressure me — little did he know who he was dealing with. He kept on and then says something about how no fee apts are rare and how someone else may be able to jump on a place better b/​c Id have to travel an hour and a half I guess to get there… so finally I was like «Look I never asked for a no fee apartment — you showed me one. I mean I’d love to not pay a fee but unlike the people you deal with I can afford one. If I find the place I want, I dont have to travel anywhere. I carry my checkbook with me and can access my credit score in minutes. I have great credit. So If I find a place I’ll just cut a check immediately — no money transfers or days needed. Why? Because I can.» (yes I’m an a*hole but so is he). Anyway then I tuned him out as he continued and my friend and I needed to figure out what we were going to do next so I started talking to her about it and he was so oblivious he didnt notice I was no longer speaking to him and having a full convo w/​her — and he KEPT TALKING. I finally say «okay we’re leaving. call me if you can actually find what i want — that is if you listened. thanks and bye»
I later found out the many Rapid Realty complaints. My primary advice is to stick with the smaller brokers in the area. Most of them are from the neighborhood, can find you what you want (or at least close to it), and aren’t jerks. If you’re going to pay so much for a Broker why deal with the garbage.

Renee Clark was a delightful real estate agent to work with. First of all, she was extremely easy to get into contact with and responded to all of my calls and e-​mails promptly. When we met, she was friendly, listened well, and put me at ease during the potentially stressful process of searching for an apartment. She prioritizes matching her clients with an apartment that fits with their specific needs and tastes. The fact that she knows the market so thoroughly makes her very good at this important facet of helping newcomers (or just someone looking to change neighborhoods) find an apartment they can call home! She was very honest with me about how fast each apartment would go off the market and what prices were great finds. She also offered great insight into what each of the neighborhoods of Brooklyn had to offer in terms of shops, restaurants, and access to trains. Whether you’re looking for a bustling, central feel or a calmer, more residential atmosphere, Renee will know where to look! And you will have fun while searching with her. She is clearly dedicated to her clients, patient, smart, and informed. She will keep track of each place you have seen, investigate apartments you find on your own (and help you get easy access for viewing), and take pictures as you go for your records. She also provides pleasant transportation from place to place! Ask for Renee and you’ll be happy and find a wonderful place to live in one of the many great neighborhoods of Brooklyn!