First Executive Real Estate

Sheek is the worst person I have ever dealt with in my entire life. No joke. This guy is very rude with no credibility and professionalism whats so ever. I was dealing with him both when I was renting my previous apartment and when I was moving out of it. Not to mention the bait and switch technique everyone here is talking about. He will call/​text you a million times a day when he needs something from you (i.e., try to show my apartment in the middle of the day multiple times without notice and I clearly told him I work in the city and there’s no way for me to take the train back to queens during lunch break, and be 3 hours late when I actually arranged a showing for him at night). He will ignore you when you need your deposit back.
Above is just a tip of the iceberg. My conclusion is, do NOT deal with this guy if you have a choice. He will make your life miserable.

1. They don’t seem to believe in email. Better off calling or just showing up.
2. They employ the bait and switch method very often. The listings they post on streeteasy or craigslist are almost never the ones they actually have.
3. Sheik runs a very disorganized practice with zero trace of professionalism, which I suppose is fine for some people who are anti-​technology and believe word-​of-​mouth is the best way to run a business, which is ironic considering communication with him was strained at best. He took us to his car which was parked in some decrepit back alley and drove us around to random buildings, taking calls from other clients along the way, having them divulge personal info over the car speaker for me to hear. He would walk in, ring every single buzzer in the hopes someone would buzz us in, and show us whatever apartments were there, regardless of what we had requested. It is completely hit or miss. I supposed it is possible to get a great place from them completely by chance, but the steep fees aren’t worth the literally zero effort they put in to please the client.
2 stars simply for the fact that they have apartments.

If I had to describe working with them in a few words I would write: DISHONEST, RUDE, and A WASTE OF TIME.
Just as a lot of other reviewers have already written, Sheik does the whole bait and switch game. Called Sheik about an apartment for $X, XXX and if it is still available and if I could go and see it. He says it is and to meet him at his office the next evening.
Next day, go to his office and inquire about the apartment and he says that apartment is no longer available, but that he has another apartment available at a higher cost. I think, «Hey, I’m already here, why not go and see it.»
Before seeing it he asks me and my brother to fill out a ton of paperwork asking for our SSN, references, bank account information, etc., which was an immediate red flag. So we got up immediately and left. Not only that but the receptionist was eating the most FOUL smelling food in the already cramped office so I was already on the verge of leaving on that alone.
So, me and my brother bolted toward the door while Sheik was «busy» on the phone. His receptionist aka daughter calls out «Daddy! they are leaving!» and as soon as we make it out he comes running after us and asks what the deal was and if it was the exuberant 22% brokers fee and says «I can take it down to just 1 months rent.» My brother and I turn around and just tell him, «We’re not longer interested. Thanks.» and leave.
I understand finding apartments in NYC is competitive and tough, so why make it worst with a broker that only sees their «clients» as dollar signs instead of human beings trying to find their next home.

The moment I walked into this real estate office, my instinct told me to leave immediately and I always trust my instinct. My brother and I saw a listing for an apartment on StreetEasy that we were interested in, so we contacted Sheik by phone. He told us to meet us at his office the following evening, so we did. Neither Sheik nor his office assistant did not even greet us properly, but were already handing us paperwork to fill out, asking us about our bank and social security information. All that without even showing us a place first. He asked us what our combined income was and when we answered, he just smiled and said in a very creepy, Mr. Burns-​like voice «Eeeexcellent.» NOPE.
The best part was the listing we were interested in was no longer available, but he had another place that was hundreds of dollars more than the initial one. Now, the price was actually fine but he never consulted us about it, nor did he ask us anything about our budget. On top of that, he was already asking us for 22% annual rent as if we accepted the place already. I understand that real estate is a business and time is money, but First Executive is not a business I would ever endorse. SO HELL NO TO THAT. HELL NO TO SHEIK.

We got apartment through Caroline. We are so happy we worked with Caroline. She has been really patient to me and my sister about apartment hunting.
Caroline, thank you for being patient and for helping us find an appropriate apartment for me and my sister! Great help!
We highly recommend Caroline!

UNPROFESSIONAL!!! VERY RUDE AND DISRESPECTFUL!!!
We wanted to see an apartment they had listed online and they showed us 3 completely different from what we wanted. They didn’t even bother to know our needs. And don’t get me started on the attitude. The person that showed us the apartments had an attitude that I never seen in my entire life. Don’t waste your time!!!

My Husband and I called one morning and Sheik found us an apartment that afternoon, and we signed the lese the following day. It is a great place at a fantastic price. We are very pleased with the services provided and how quickly everything was handled. I cannot complain about anything. This is real estate and you better have your deposit ready to go if you like a place — it’s as simple as that. I believe someone else looked at our apartment a few days prior but did not put a deposit down and was hesitant — well we loved it right away and gave our deposit that afternoon we saw it. Sorry but that’s how it goes. If you are looking for phony a** kissing like Welcome Home, Olympic, or Merit look elsewhere, Sheik & co. are very nice but they are also going to work hard and fast — hesitation doesn’t help.

Sheik and Caroline were people very kind to me and my girlfriend. We try an apartment that was announced by them, and unfortunately we could not, but then they showed us other options until we find our choice.
Patients and attentive to explanations and advices.
I guarantee that they have something that can serve you.
Fernando Feitosa

Reading these reviews is eye-​opening but I have to say I had an overall great experience with First Executive. My husband and I called to view a listing when we were in the neighborhood, we arrived 20 mins later, and quickly were shown by FAR the 2 best apartments we had seen (and at this point we’d seen good handful scattered around Queens). Seriously, we were shocked and so excited at the quality of these apartments. Caroline was SUPER helpful. We came back to the office and quickly applied for an apartment that we feel incredibly lucky to have gotten at a fantastic rate. Yes, the broker fee (22%) was shocking but it is negotiable and we were able to get it down to a number that we felt was fair, especially since we were signing a rent-​stabilized lease. Sheik is an odd fellow, I can see how some of the reviewers get frustrated with him. I suggest just swinging by and asking what they have available (seems like appointments don’t work out so well from these reviews!!). If you are serious about renting — have your documents ready! This is NYC, people. Apartments come and go by the hour. The apartment we got was not even listed. It seems like Sheik has some friends in the neighborhood and manages to get some incredible listings. Hey, as long as I can benefit from it too, I’m cool with it. Make sure you work with Caroline! I will be working with her again in the future.

I have dealt with Sheik and first executive for over 10 yrs. I got my first studio through them in Sunnyside with great ease and after a year Sheik helped me upgrade to a new one bedroom in Woodside. Both searches were fast easy and well executed. Just last month I moved back to Sunnyside after many years. Again an upgrade again first executive patiently helped me through a long process of selecting the place that was just right for me. I was in the process of selling another property before I moved and had several starts and stops and postponements and financial family stresses taking and then passing on several apartments Sheik found for me. He remained patient and helpful with paperwork credit checks etc. I eventually closed on my old property and within days had signed a lease and was moved into my great new building 2 days ahead of schedule. I highly recommend first executive Sheik, his family and staff.

I had such a great experience. I was able to snag an apartment within a few days from seeing the apartment late at night because my work schedule, starting the app the next day, and signing and having keys in hand the day following. They offered to drive me to the banks, kept me updated with all the information I needed and wanted throughout the process, and were just extremely wonderful to work with. Caroline was the sweetest and made everything super easy.

Moving to NYC from San Diego was stressful enough and my wife happened to see there ad on craigslist for an apartment. She contacted them and set up a time for us to go apartment hunting. We explained to Shiek and Caroline what our budget is and they took us to see 7 different apartments in two days.
We filled out the necessary paperwork and submitted the necessary financial paperwork to qualify. We got the apartment that my wife wanted the very next day. It was a pleasure working with Shiek and Caroline. We will definitely be using them again if we decide to move from our nice apartment.
Everyone in the company was nice and answered all the questions that my wife and I had.

I just used First Executive Realty to get a new apartment in Queens, and I don’t usually post reviews, but I made an exception in this case. I will admit to being a little leery of using them at first, due to the negative reviews I read here, but I have to say that I had a really good experience.
My first apartment choice didn’t work out due to a picky management company, and the broker (Shiek) very quickly pivoted to another apartment that had just opened up. I saw it around lunch-​time, signed a lease that evening, and will have my keys this week. It came together so fast because First Executive has had a good relationship with the landlord for over 20 years, and because I already had all my paperwork in order and the cash in hand. The best thing you can do to help yourself as an apartment hunter is have your documents in order!
Being a broker seems like a thankless job — they are middlemen playing match-​maker between difficult landlords or management companies and demanding renters looking for a great place and cheap rent. And all of this has to happen very fast, since empty apartments don’t make anyone any money. Shiek at First Executive is trying to figure out in the first couple of minutes what kind of apartment he can put you in — the first questions he asked were about my income, my budget, and my credit. This can come off as brusque, but really he needs to know what he’s working with so as to not waste anyone’s time. From that initial conversation, he showed me a half dozen or so apts in my budget and in the neighborhood I was looking at. He’s constantly on the phone and answering email — understandably, other people are apartment hunting too. Like another poster said, they run a busy office. The chaos aside, they are very open with you about with you about what they can do for you (the harsh reality is bad credit and low salary usually means they won’t be able to help you). They also were willing to work with me on the percentage of their fee (fees can range from 1 month’s rent up to 20% and more), since I was patient and organized they cut me a break, and since they’d gone to bat for me, I walked away happy too.
Everyone that I met at the company was very friendly and seemed to genuinely want to help people find what they’re looking for. Be nice and polite with them, and you’ll get the same in return.
Not that I want to move anytime soon, but if I do, I will definitely call up First Exectutive again!

These guys are a joke. I made an appointment and took time off work to go see an apartment only to find that they couldn’t show the place because they forgot to call the owner. After giving an agent my information over the phone, I had to re-​answer the same questions in person… no professionalism and simply bad customer service

My short review is: only come here if you’re desperate for a place and can provide the documentation they’re looking for. The 2 attendants are nice, but the main broker can come off as a little out there. I understand real estate is a hustle, but I’ve never felt like a client, and if I’m paying for a service, I expect to benefit from it. Supposedly some apartments are rent-​stabilized, but you have to pay upwards of 20% of the yearly rent in brokers fees. Not only that, every apartment I’ve been shown is in extremely poor condition. They are not pet-​friendly, and will show you less for more.

Not sure how my review will provide any more insight to this complete PSYCHOPATH. I called him about an apartment he listed on Craigslist — great. Set up appointment at 5pm. Go to his office and leave work early. «Sorry, that apartment is no longer available.» OK… well you told me 2 hours ago it was and never followed up.
We start talking about another apartment and I go by MYSELF, not with him (which is odd, because I have always met the broker AT the apartment.). Apartment looks good, so I call to confirm I’ll write an application. He tells me to bring in tax documents, pay stubs, and what not. I am all ready to do so, and call midday the next day to ask a question. He then explains that the apartment was already rented.
Two times this happened. He said I don’t understand «how it works.» Perhaps I don’t. I spend the whole day waiting to sign the lease documents, only to find out that it was already rented?
I spoke with him on the phone after that FOUR TIMES And he hung up each time, so I had to show up in person. He then promised to meet me at another apartment. I call to meet him and he must be psychotic because he reintroduces himself again and pretends he doesn’t know who I am. He even sends me a text asking me to meet him the next day for an appointment.
I don’t know if this man is a scam or not. He has his own office, but the whole deal is so sketchy. I wouldn’t give this man a dime of my money.

Hello my name is Daniel and I found your listing on the Sunnyside for $xxxx. Is this apartment still available?
Yes it is!
Great! I have several questions. Which floor is the apartment on? Is it pet friendly? Do you have pictures?
I think it’s on the second floor. Why don’t you come in with your questions to my office?
Sure! Is 12pm ok?
Yes. I will be here, see you then.
*At the office standing and observing the lack of seats (3 were taken by other roomseekers) and the poster on the wall that states 20% commission fee on years rent, while the realtor finishes his phone conversation*
HI CAN I HELP YOU?
Yes. My name is Daniel, we spoke on the phone this morning on the apartment in Sunnyside.
How much?
How much what?
How much is the room going for?
Ohh. $xxxx
That room is taken.
WHAT? You told me it was available 2 hours ago.
It’s taken. We only have apartments starting at $xxxx. I can’t help you.
*WTF expression*
Do yourself a favor and don’t step foot in here unless you want to treated like a Comcast customer.

Wow. So i just walked out of his office. I never believed stuff like this can happen. I called him in the morning. Told him that i was coming in. He said ok come arnd 820. I called him before i left. I live in jersey. Confirmed our appointment. He was still fine. I walk in. He makes me wait. After 15 mins calls his assistant and tells me to go to some apartment and knock on the door. And says its a 1 month brojer fee. I remember craigslist listed this as a no fee. So i remind him. He says ok no fee. I mean seriously, he tried to cheat me. I am sure he rips off people this way. That was strike one. But I decided to continue… I mean I made a 2 hr long trip to his office, so might as well see what he has to offer. So i go there. No one opens the door. So i call him again. Mind you its still not 9. This guy screams at me. Says, sir it is 9 o clock in the night. Tomorrow. Stop this s***. I was like whaaaaaa. What just happened. Like seriously, is therw a way to formally lodge a complaint against this guy? no one deserves this kind of treatment. He survices because most people dont check Unilocal before going to craigslist postings. Otherwise he is a cheat and humiliates u. Fyi. I dont know if its a racist thing or what. But it might very well be.

I honestly don’t understand how this realty Co has garnered so many bad reviews. My experience was certainly above average and for what it’s worth, they do seem to have a corner on the market of affordable apartments in queens. I was taken to several places with Ash, who is warm and funny. He listened to what I was looking for and asked me about my impressions of apartments without pressuring me to move on anything. I will continue to work with first executive as I continue my search.

If i can give an zero star, i would!!!
Basically all the bad things people wrote about Sheik are darn true!
Sheik is a complete Ass Hxle! He doesn’t know the word respect. he thinks that he is the king from thousand yrs ago. the meaning of respect to his clients or other human beings is close to none if there is no monetary benefit. I was wondering how one can be so lack of common respect toward other being.
his head only has one big fxxking word, money. if the apt has no fee, even though he is the property mgr, he feels like he is doing your favor to talk to u. such an incompetent piece of shxt. he literally asked me to reschedule if i couldn’t wait for him talking on the phone and picking up all phone calls while we had an appt scheduled.
we should all go to craigslist and change his listing to scam. b/​c i can’t even see the apt. he said the contractors were there. when i was at the apt, no one was there. i called him. he told me that he couldn’t help me. fxxk.