Crosstown Apartments NYC

I have been looking for an apartment for a few months when I found Marc via a listing in Sunnyside. My situation was not urgent because I could move out of my current place any time. I worked with him on two apartments, and below was my experience:
First apartment: It was a great studio in Sunnyside, and I immediately put in a application and submitted a deposit. Apparently the landlord accepts many applications and picks the best app, so I didn’t end up getting the lease for this one. It was also really crazy how I ended up in a «bidding war» with another potential applicant. However, Marc was helpful in all aspects of this process, and is very responsive at all hours. I didn’t end up getting the apartment but I did get my deposit back. Marc continued to find an apartment for me within my budget.
Second apartment: I teamed up with a friend to find a 2BR, and was shown a beautiful place in Morningside Heights. Was lucky to work with Marc again because even though the first apartment fell through, I know he tried his best. This apartment application process went very smoothly, and Marc helped us get a lower rent. We were done with the entire process within a few days. Would definitely recommend Marc in Crosstown Apartments!

At the bare minimum, HORRIBLE customer service!!! I enquired about an apartment in Astoria under my max budget. The agent got back to me, asked the basic questions and said he had MANY additional options «well under my max budget.» The next day (day to meet & see apt) I receive a text asking what my max budget is again. That was in an email I sent THE PREVIOUS DAY! (VERY poor business practice imho) He then proceeds to ask if I can go over my budget $ 25 & could I come to the office this fill out paperwork. NO and NO. Well, we could probably just bid my max budget. All before I’ve met this person or seen the apartment I’m interested in that was listed UNDER my max budget. I canceled. I do not appreciate being bullied and there is something VERY fishy with this business!

Fair enough to deal with and the price was lower than others. Try this place but don’t let them overcharge you.

I don’t know why they took down my review but I’ll it again!
I was recently looking for an apartment and came across some listings with Crosstown apts. They were very attentive to my needs and tried their best to find apartments that met my standards. I put a deposit on a place and was approved right away. It was easy and very fast service since I needed to move-​in right away I definitely would recommend them to anyone, as they really try their best to work with you and meet your needs, which is very important when searching for the ideal home, especially when you move from another state!

Had a great experience with one of their newer real estate agents named Hajro. He showed me over 4 apartments didn’t rush me and was very informed about the neighborhood. He even drove me from apartment to apartment. There was no pressure sales tactics and he listened to all my preferences. He made sure I was completely happy. If you are looking for an apartment in the city make sure you ask for Hajro at this location.

I was recently looking for an apartment and came across some listings with Crosstown apts. They were very attentive to my needs and tried their best to find apartments that met my standards. Even when I put a deposit on a place and was approved, I decided I didn’t want to be in that area and they were highly understanding and gave me my deposit back. I definitely would recommend them to anyone, as they really try their best to work with you and meet your needs, which is very important when searching for the ideal home.

One year ago, my fiancée and I worked with the folks at Crosstown to find an apartment in Upper Manhattan.
I have to say, it was a great experience. Within 24 hours, we had found and signed on a beautiful, rent-​stabilized apartment that we never would have thought was in our price range. But Crosstown actually negotiated with our landlord and LOWERED THE MONTHLY RENT BY $ 200! That’s HUGE!
We were also able to negotiate down the broker’s fee, we ended up paying 10%, I believe.
During this whole process I was FREAKING OUT because I had read all the negative reviews for this business, so I was SURE that they were goon to screw us over somehow, but we were smart and every step of the way got every single thing in writing, and were also completely honest about what our limitations were.
To be fair, the boss at Crosstown a year ago, straight-​up asked us to leave a nice review. To me, that’s dishonest business, which is why I give only 4 and not 5 stars (and it’s taken me almost a year to write). But the end of it is they got us a dream apartment at a price we could afford– even if they’ve screwed over other people. They were great to us!

Damian and Liz were very helpful in finding me exactly the apartment that I wanted in the perfect neighborhood. The process was seamless even though I was out of town.

We came to New York from LA and we had no idea how real estate here works. But Mike from Crosstown Apartments was really helpful. He was with us right from the showings to the paperwork and within 2 days he found us an apartment which fit our needs and expectations. He was upfront about all the criterions and parameters required for us to find a place and then managed to find a place that worked for us on all levels.
Would recommend Mike from Crosstown!

Horrible experience. I read the Unilocal reviews and against better judgment still decided to go into their office because it seemed like they had a lot of great listings online. Came into the office, filled out paperwork that asked some pretty personal questions for a basic registration form (DOB/​salary). Then I sat there waiting for half an hour. Mind you this was a rainy Tuesday morning and the office was full of free employees that looked bored, literally surfing the web. Finally I was told the person who I had been in touch with wasn’t coming in and had to meet with someone else. Great start so far hah.
I had a standard chat about what I was looking for and was sent out with a newer broker (two weeks in). NOTE: The broker was extremely intrusive and unprofessional when he straight up asked how much my guarantor made. I responded simply with they make more than 80x the rent I’m looking at… Proceeded to show me three apartments, one which was already rented and they did not realize. However when he spoke to the super of the building, he was able to show me a still being renovated studio that I became interested in. NOTE: They also have a policy of not telling you the price of the apartment until you are back in the office where they can goad you into applying for it. Extremely strange.
The bait and switch happened after we saw the third apartment though. He became extremely pushy after speaking with his boss back at the office. I had said the apartment was okay and he said okay lets go back to the office and apply for it. We can stop at the bank for the deposit. I said I needed a night to think about it. He said it would be gone by tomorrow and I couldn’t afford the renovated studio we had just saw. Extremely rude. I told him I needed to meet a friend anyway and couldn’t go back to the office. He started calculating train times and the time it would take to go to the bank for money and the office. Mind you I had simply said the apartment was OKAY. I had no interest in applying for it at all, nor had I implied it. He then made me speak to his boss back at the office who once again basically tried to bully me into placing a deposit. He told me for my budget I couldn’t afford anything else, there was nothing else on the market… I finally told him I was not going to be putting a deposit down that day, there was nothing he could say to change my mind, end of story.
Terrible experience. I felt extremely uncomfortable and could not recommend this place any less. I ended up going to Bond Realty where they are extremely professional and actually care about what I want.

I wish I could saw I was reviewing their agents but I never got that far! I inquired about 5 different agents listings on Street Easy and Hot Pads, then emailed, than texted, then called was sent to voice mails and left messages. Guess how many of Crosstowns agents responded to my multiple attempts to view their listings? A big fat Nada, Zero, not a one! I mean how do they fill these apartments??? Then I went online and did their «online chat» explained all my attempts to contact various agents at CrossTown. She was very apologetic, said she would make sure someone got in touch with my shortly.
Still waiting…
Well actually no not waiting, moving on to a broker who responds to attempts to reach them.

After ages spent unpacking I can finally sit down and tell you all what a pleasure it was working with Adam and Kandis from Crosstown Apartments.
I found some places I liked via craigslist and hotpads, and I got calls from all kinds of brokers in response; a deluge. When I spoke with Kandis I knew she was going to be the one to find my perfect spot. Adam, her co-​worker and master of all things research and clerical, called me and asked about all of my preferences. I had a VERY specific set of requirements: between 86^th and 155^th anywhere west of Malcolm X, good light, train access to the 1 (going to Columbia for graduate school in September), an August 1 move date, and a serious kitchen (none of this rinky-​dink hallway and a hot plate bullshit.) After a number of follow ups, and pushing back of our search dates, I got a text asking if I could meet at 6pm that day. Adam and Kandis had found «the perfect spot» and «thought of me immediately.» I checked it out, and put a deposit that very night. Adam and Kandis worked late into the night to ensure that the apartment was mine.
Cut to the next day and the fight with another potential renter… after numerous phone calls, guarantor forms, and pushing the move date I came down to their office dead on my feet from a 14 hour shift at work, and signed everything. The apartment was mine.
I could not be happier with my apartment and my experience with Crosstown, and that’s saying something… because I grew up with the apartment game. It is our family business. I’ve worked those long hours and leases, and I can say without hesitation that Adam and Kandis are the bee’s knees. They. Know. Their. Shit. And they care about their clients to boot.

Stay Away! They show you crappy apartments at crazy prices, you don’t deal directly with the broker and they are very pushy. I have worked with several brokers and this was by far the worst experience.

Spoke to Crosstown Apartments today regarding a fantastic looking apartment in Astoria (before I saw all these negative reviews on Unilocal) and explained my situation to them. I basically have 4 days to make a decision on a place I viewed about a week ago but I wanted to look at a few other places as well. I have an all day work event tomorrow but am free this evening.
Their rude secretary demanded that I go to their office in midtown Manhattan for an interview — I suggested doing this interview on the phone so I could answer any questions they have and then view their apartment this evening.
Yes I work in Manhattan, but am running to Astoria right after work to view another apartment that is close to the one they are representing and yet they want me to go to Manhattan in the night to go back to Astoria?! THAT’S RIDICULOUS!
I proposed viewing the apartment tonight and if it goes well I will make the time to do their song and dance in their realty office tomorrow and they refused to budge… meanwhile I interview people on the phone all day and don’t understand how they plan on making their money when they have such poor customer service. I wouldn’t even recommend this company to my worst enemy.

To be clear I had a very unique situation where my roommate had a very urgent time table to get an apartment.
Worked with Allan, after we got approved for the apartment and were given the opportunity to move in on the 15^th. We decided to take out time to move in and move towards the latter end of the month. He told us to call the super whenever we wanted to move in, after calling the super, the super said «the apartment isn’t even ready yet! Your broker never told us that you guys were moving in.» Essentially we were paying for an apartment for two week, Allan got his check, and the building had no idea we were moving in. Not sure where the disconnect was, but Management of the building told us we were approved, but Allan never specifically went completely through on our behalf of stating we wanted to move forward with the apartment.
We called Allan after all this, of course he blamed it on management.
More importantly, Allan said this was a partnership and he didn’t follow through. We felt cheated and I worked with multiple brokers before. Just like all brokers, once he got his money he was non existent, but at least they will get you the apartment you are paying for.
Good guy, shady professional, shady business.

Very good experience!
I met up with Aaron and Charlotte in the office. Rented a studio on the UWS. Charlotte was very helpful showing me around. I saw a bunch of places and then fell in love with the one I rented. Aaron was very helpful with all the documents and even though I didn’t fully qualify, Crosstown helped me to get approved by the landlord!
I highly recommend in choosing Aaron or Charlotte as your broker! They are very professional, efficient, and listen very well to your needs.
Thanks again for all your help!
All the best,
Lena

Be very cautious when working with these brokers and GET EVERY SINGLE THING IN WRITING!
We agreed to a set of terms and signed a form outlining all of the fees we would be expected to pay, our broker even reduced her fee to one month’s rent instead of 15%. We left a security deposit and application fee behind.
The next day, a Friday, we come to find out that the land lord wants us to move in immediately and pay an additional $ 600 or so for the extra week. My roommate and I did not budget for the additional rent and we wouldn’t actually be living there until the following week so we attempted to negotiate. After some back and forth we worked out that we would sign the lease the following Wednesday and pay for the remaining days of the month. The broker again reduced her fee by $ 350 to help offset the additional rent.
So why 1 star? The story does not end there. After we had come to what we thought was an agreement, paid a deposit and were approved by the management company Crosstown continued to show the apartment and keep it on the market. Over the weekend they found other tenants who would pay the additional week of rent and the full broker fee so they rented to them instead.
Instead of calling and telling us the apartment was no longer available they waited 3 days until we were about to come sign the lease that this had transpired. The broker called and told me that this was our fault because we tried to negotiate and should have just paid the additional week of rent. She then said with no remorse that there was nothing else she could do or show us and that our deposit could be picked up at the buildings management company. Leaving us with no apartment the day before Thanksgiving and only 4 days left to the month.
I understand business is business and if they could find someone who would pay 3 more days rent, ok. But why not call and tell us so we can start looking for something else instead of dropping the bomb right before a holiday weekend and ruining our Thanksgiving?
So if you work with them get everything in writing, move in date and that the apartment is yours to move into, just because you have a deposit on an apartment and are approved that doesn’t mean anything. Until you sign that lease you don’t know what might happen, they may still be out there trying to get themselves a better deal.

I may have chosen 2 stars in the heat of the moment, but I feel comfortable with 3 stars now that the dust has settled.
This was my first broker experience, so I try to be objective.
We worked with Alex B. To keep this a readable length, I will summarize with a pro and con list.
Pros:
–Alex has a good sense of humor and communicated very well through the process.
–We had an apartment lined up within a week.
–I believe it was easier to get the apartment knowing that we have a larger than ideal dog and a tricky income situation.
Cons:
–We were told the fee was negotiable twice. Once we agreed on a place, we found out that it was not negotiable because it was a duel-​broker situation. That’s fine, but next time, say «almost always negotiable» and tell me when it might not be.
–We were quoted $ 1795 for the place, then it was $ 1800 when it was time to apply. I know that’s only $ 60/​year, but it felt dishonest. No excuse was given. Alex said he’d make it up to me. (If you are reading this, you have my contact info.)
In the end, we lucked out by not getting the apartment for which we first applied. Apparently the first applicant had a weaker application, so they offered more rent. The result is a bigger place without the higher offered price.
Conclusion: Have realistic expectations on costs and be prepared to drop a 15% fee or walk away.
(I won’t know it this was a really good experience or a worse one till I have something to compare. If this was better than it seemed, I will edit the rating in the future.)
***UPDATE: Alex mailed us a check for $ 60 and explained that this was his first time out by himself. He also specifies that the fee us usually negotiable with new clients. Give Alex a shot if you are considering Crosstown.

Too bad there are no 0 stars. BAIT AND SWITCH SCAMMERS!
Anyone that gives this place more than 1 star is LYING.
This place was horrible.
1. I saw an ad on Craigslist that they posted. It clearly stated that dogs are OK, and that there was a fee but was «negotiable»
2. I sent them a text and they started texting me back. They had me rush out of work, and said that instead of meeting at the apartment, we’d need to go to their office (that already smelled fishy to me).
3. I show up and the place is full of people that really seemed like they weren’t doing anything.
4. I’m left there, waiting, because whoever was texting me couldn’t be found. I even called him and instead of coming over he actually tells me (on the phone, at the office) to just sit tight and wait.
So I wait.
5. The guy who was texting me, Taylor, finally shows up and sits me down with some other guy, who was the real realtor. I sat on an uncomfortable old chair, and he begun to interview me. I was at this point worried, figuring they were not going to take me to the apartment because why were we wasting this time?
Now, I have excellent credit, make good money and have a dog. Thus I only search for apartments that allow dogs.
6. The other guy, not Taylor, starts talking to me like I’m 5 or not a New Yorker, telling me how real estate works here. Firstly, I’m sure he just stepped off the Kansas bus, so I didn’t appreciate his condescending tone at all. But I stayed cool and answered his questions. Secondly, while I stayed cool, he was rather rude for someone that is soliciting business, so perhaps he’s become a bit more of the NY stereotype than his folks back home would appreciate.
7. Right away, I told him that I wanted to know about the 15% fee that the form they gave me mentioned. I reiterated what I saw on the Craigslist Ad, he was obviously uncomfortable and trying to find a way of getting that fee out of me.
8. Finally, he tells me how we’re now going to take our time and he’s going to search for apartments for me. Right away I was unhappy, and told him so. I told him I expected to see the apartment that was listed on Craigslist, and was upset he wasn’t going to show it to me. He was dismissive of this, and was quite happy to send me on my way, telling me that the apartment, that clearly stated that dogs are OK, was in fact not going to work out because I have a dog.
I could NOT believe they had me waste my time like this, and treated me in such rude and dismissive way.
I’m already talking to a friend to see if I can send a complaint to some kind of realtor association because this place. I’ve also put in a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I’ve dealt with other realtors before, and have never been treated in such a way.
Note: On the elevator ride down, Vanessa — one of the realtors — saw that I was upset and actually seemed to care. I’d give her 4 stars for concern, but this review was about this business, and they’re scammers and liars.

2 stars because the person showing the apartments was nice, and the apartments were not all that bad.
2 stars because the main person at the office who calls the shots for the person running me to apartments was pushy and inappropriate.
I met at the office to tell them what I was looking for and to set an appointment to go out another day to look. Office was nice but got a strange vibe from the receptionist. The girl herself «M» was short and straight with her explanations and questions. I thought that might be a good thing — let’s get right to the point and get an apartment!!!
She sent me out with her partner for 3 hours on Saturday to look at places. 2 of which were alright, but I didn’t feel they were a great fit. The girl who came with us didn’t try to pressure us much, but you could tell «M» back at the office wanted us to put in an app even though we weren’t 100%. She kept texting/​calling the agent to get her to push us. We did not sign anything (my gut told me not to).
That Monday, «M» texted me about how she scoured all of her listings and couldn’t find a single other place that we would like (really? 4 places in this city?!?). She then said that I should really sign up for one of the two not so bad ones because they would be the best that I can get and offered to send me pics of them again incase I couldn’t remember them. I declined and said i would wait, and if she had some other things pop up to call me.
Meanwhile I had another broker «R» at another company email me around noon to show me photos of a place that just became available. Wow, great! Made an appt with that broker.
4:00pm rolls around and «M» emails me about an apartment very similar to the one I just made the appointment for, but with different cross streets. She sent her assistant to take pics. When I got them it was in fact the same place! I told «M» that I had already seen the place. That’s when the line was crossed.
She suggested that she show me the apartment instead, since she had been working for me for 2 days (actually 3 hours on Saturday and a few hours on Monday tops). I told her I felt it was unethical, since the other broker went out of her way to call me 5 hours earlier.
She said she sent this other girl to take pics which was a waste of her time… Not true since they can use the photos for online ads anyways… This whole exchange was all over text message. Text msg battle, really???
I did not appreciate the high pressure and guilt tactics that this person used. They may have worked on some college student moving to the city, but felt very slimy to me. I felt like just another number and that it wasn’t about getting me into an apartment, but about making their commission.