Rapid Realty Park Slope North

They do classic bait and switch. They do craigslist ads for open houses anonymously so be careful. When you go to the site,(which they probably have no connection with whatsoever) someone will show up saying, «Oh, those units are already rented, but come with me and look at something else.» Once you figure out it is them, run.

I have been calling one of their agents JOSE SOUSA everyday for the past week on a listing I wanted to view. On the 3^rd day at 10am, he answered and told me the apartment was available and he will contact me back because he’s not in the office. A day goes by and no return call, so I call him again for the next 2 days, leaving voice mails and still nothing. I called their office regarding the listing and they said they will look it up and get back to me. Guess what? They never called me back

Have used Rapid Realty 3 times now and had TERRIBLE experiences every time. I realize, shame on me for returning after the first time, but in the overwhelming New York realty market, sometimes you have to take what you can get.
The first and third time, I ended up not getting either place, even after putting down deposits, moving out of current apartments, etc. THIS HAPPENED TWICE!!! The second time I was promised 1. It was a no fee apartment and 2. a deal where if I paid my rent on time for a year, I would get the last month free… Well, once in the landlord office to sign the lease (without the agent around) I was told the apartment was a FEE apartment and they had never heard of the free last month deal.
Shockingly, I never heard from Rapid Realty when I contacted them regarding this.
Unprofessional, pushy, largely inexperienced agents. I would strongly advise against using them. Not worth the headache. Find a place on your own, use craigslist, do anything but use them!

STAY AWAY!!! Kept a $ 1,500 dollar deposit for weeks on an apartment i later found out was rented! Their agents are «thugs» from the streets trying to sell you apartments. It is easy to find an apartment but rapid bullshits all the time. They tried to keep 400 dollars from my deposit saying it’s an «application fee» I told them i wonder if DOS would approve got full deposit back in 1 minute. Big scam big rip off out of 100 people they will get 5 apartments. Loli eats off application fees not helping people find apartments. Horrible, unprofessional, and juvenile agents.

Don’t be fooled their motto is «fake it, until you make it»
The Asian kid Pete (claims to be an owner) is the worst don’t even bother with him. He will try to pull every slimy, NYC sleazy Realtor move imaginable. Examples: show you an apt and before you can give him an answer, he’ll show you his phone ringing of another «client» willing to take it NOW. Give you false details about apts, «there’s ALWAYS parking outside the building». My personal favorite, try and get you to pay the brokers fee before lease signing. He is the lying, cheesy broker from you never want to deal with.
The guy Marc if hes still even there was okay. Though I got the impression he was new so by now he could be worse than Pete.
Tony the other «owner», he’s alright. He can at a minimum do a decent job. I’d say he was a little more honest than most brokers you come across. My experience with him was fairly professional. Towards the end of the deal the rent was increased by $ 50 that’s when he dropped this gem on me; «What, you can’t afford it?»
The BS back and forth will drive you to drink. I felt pressured from the beginning to the end. At which point had I not met the landlord, I would of otherwise thought I had just be fleeced for $ 6000. I had to let some of their arrogance fall at the waist-​side. End of the day the apartment sold itself…
Oh, btw, I’ve never seen such desperate Realtor (s) pressuring me over five hundreds bucks. It was honestly sad.

Where do I even begin?
Let me start by saying if you consider these fools for commercial real estate, you’re out of your mind. I can say this because I actually considered them while on the hunt for a storefront for my business in Brooklyn and what I received was more headaches than any type of help.
I don’t even have enough time or energy to fully type out the whole situation but just steer clear. I mean, isn’t this what everyone says? One google search on this place and the answers are right in your face. Don’t even try to think positive and that maybe your situation will be different. Just go somewhere else. I have never heard of anyone having a stress free interaction with this ‘company’.
This entire experience was a nightmare. I should have gone with my instincts and ran away. The unfortunate part is that the space I saw was perfect for me and my business but the brokers were so terrible, pushy and untrustworthy that the thought of giving them even a dime for a broker’s fee made me actually ill. I had to give up a space that would have changed my business for the better because of these people.
They are borderline criminal, absolutely unprofessional and rude. It’s kind of like the sad reject realty agent in New York City. I hit myself in the head for even thinking it would work out. Realtors are no walk in the park but just go with someone reputable who actually has an office and not a bunch of computers like a college study lab. This is your money and in some cases, even your business. Spend it wisely and in a place with people who are actually working for you and not tattooing the logo of Rapid Realty on their bodies for a raise. THAT in itself should have been the biggest red flag. What a classy bunch of people.
I’m lucky I got my deposit back after threatening to take legal action but instead of receiving my full $ 500 back, I received just $ 350 because supposedly my co-​signer filled out an application twice (which was probably a glitch in the system) but they still had to cash in on it although there was absolutely no mention of charging more than $ 50. Enjoy your $ 100, Rapid Realty. I’m not the one with the terrible business reviews all over the internet.

The best rapid office! These people actually have your best interests at heart!

Why are these people (wannabe brokers) wasting their time! I called a few brokers of Rapid Realty whom had listings on various sites, a few would not call back and when the ones that did call back seen that my number was unfamiliar (out of state) I guess they did not want to waste their time in my list of demands for an apartment. Maria was the only one who showed me an apartment. Now I informed Maria of how many bedrooms and baths I needed along with how many people would be occupying the unit. She showed me this supposed to be 3 bedroom in Park Slope of 34^th Street.
When I walked in the building I introduced myself and my daughter. The owner of the building was there to «LET US IN and SHOW» the apartment that was not vacant. (Which let me know this was Maria’s first time viewing this unit as well)
Walking in the apartment looked like I was entering a narrow hallway. The owner showed us around the hall… I mean apartment. First the bedrooms! We walked in this small room that would only fit a toddler bed and a small toy chest which was room #1. From there you entered in room #2 which only fitted a bunk bed. from there you walked into the Master bed room that would only fit a bed, NOT A BEDROOM SUITE… a frame with the mattress set. I asked where are the closets? The owner unlatched the smallest doors I have ever seen and showed me this cabinet he made into a closet for 3 wannabe bedrooms. We proceeded down the down the hallway to see the living room that would only fit a love seat and a plant and then the kitchen which was suppose to be eat in. There was a small stove and a small fridge that you would see in a motel/​hotel!
All this for $ 1800! I know New York is expensive, but come on! I asked Maria, did she listen to any part of our conversation when I said, University (meaning privacy for studying) spacious (meaning roomy) and six people (meaning a big family)? This woman was still trying to sell this shack to me! Trying to convince me how convenient it was for me to the train and how good the neighborhood is. I told her no thank you I need more room. She said, tomorrow I will look for some apartments with box rooms for you! WHATEVER! You know the rest… No Call!
Thank God, a private owner called me 10 minutes after I left to show me what I was looking for!

We saw apartments with a Rapid Realty agent not realizing they were with Rapid Realty. When it came time to put a deposit down on an apartment, we realized our mistake, but assumed the company can’t be all bad. After agreeing to our rent and broker fee and giving them $ 600, our broker’s «agent» called us up angry that we were paying less than «standard broker» fee and stated that our agent had accused us of bullying him into it.
When we came to sign the lease, it had a monthly «legal» rent $ 900 higher than the rent agreed on, and a vaguely termed rider stapled to the back stating if we «payed our rent in a timely manner» we could pay the agreed upon rent, but if the landlord felt we broke this agreement he could raise the rent to the new «legal» level.
After walking out of the signing and assuming we would just cut our losses, I received a very angry phone call from the «agent» complaining that we were being unreasonable and making a big deal out of nothing by refusing to sign the lease and that the landlord was furious. After being lectured, I ended the conversation, and filed a complaint about this bait-​and-​switch and rude treatment with the BBB.
STAY AWAY FROM RAPID

I, unlike 99% of people who’ve reviewed this company, had a positive experience overall.
My husband and I were having a hard time finding a decent apartment in the neighborhood that would take dogs, as we’re getting one later this year. We’d been shown around by another company (that is really great, if you don’t have a pet!) and were very disheartened by the few units we saw. Other agents would kind of tell us not to get a dog, and the like. That’s like telling me not to have a kid! We weren’t going to let an apartment hunt alter a life ambition. So on we went.
I found an apartment listing on craigslist for a good sized unit in Bay Ridge and called the number to ask for photos. I reached Baton, and he kindly posted photos the next day of a great apartment, we set up a viewing for later that evening.
When we met him I asked him what company he is with and he said Rapid– I got wary because of all the bad press they get but we saw the apartment and it was really great, cheap, and in a perfect location, though we felt slightly rushed. We were in the unit for about 10 minutes. We decided to put in our application that night because in this market, especially post-​Sandy, it’s hard to find a decent place for a good price, and this was both! We put a $ 500 deposit down to take the listing off the market, though next time I think i’ll just stick with the credit check fee. We’re lucky this worked out because if we got approved but changed our minds the $ 500 would have been gone. READ THE FINE PRINT.
Baton was friendly, courteous, helpful and while we felt a little rushed sometimes he wasn’t using pushy sales tactics. I think he just wanted to close the deal so no one else could see it, because we were clearly quite eager to get the place.
Him and his cousin/​colleague Naim were with us for the signing of the lease, they kept reassuring us the lease was proper, I think they wanted us to just sign quickly and get it over with, but they waited while we carefully read through each page and Naim showed us other facilities in the building and kindly waited while I took measurements of the apartment. They’re both really nice guys and if you go with Rapid I suggest working with them! Baton was explaining that him and Naim bought the Bensonhurst and Bay Ridge locations so maybe they’re doing some rebranding and changing the infrastructure, making the company easier to work with.
The NY real estate market is insane and full of crooks. Just know your budget and needs from the beginning, be firm about them, make them clear to the agent and read the fine print on everything. If you get a bad gut feeling walk away. We were lucky to have a good experience!

I’m willing to bet that the 5 star reviews were written by Rapid employees. Looking to rent in NY? DO NOT CALL RAPID REALTY! Don’t bother wasting your time and money on these people. Unporfessionalism at it’s finest! When you walk into the office, they’re drinking beer and cursing. Way to impress the clients guys! I’m finding it hard to believe that they’ve been picked up for a reality series. I think that’s bad for business, but then again it couldn’t get much worse could it?
I made the mistake of working with Rapid Realty to find an apartment. Not only did they ignore my wants/​needs in an apartment, the agent, Chris, just couldn’t be bothered with picking up the phone. He never returned calls or emails.
I ended my relationship with them after an apartment I had a deposit on fell through. I called Chris on a Tuesday and told him I wanted my money back and that I would be there on the weekend to pick it up. Of course, my money was not ready and I had to convince the broker that did the check writing to give me my money back. RIDICULOUS!
Stick to the big name brokers who know what they’re doing. It might cost you more, but at least it saves on the headache!

Ugh. Incredibly frustrating. The apartment was listed as «no fee» but the landlord magically called immediately before signing to change his mind. Meanwhile, they require you to sign a document agreeing that they will keep your deposit in the event you change your mind, comforting you by saying you only have to put up $ 500 to take the property off the market. I only give 2 stars because the poor guy doing the showing seemed sincere enough, it was his colleague during the application process who attempted the switcheroo. I don’t know if they were attempting some good cop/​bad cop routine, but she was incredibly rude.
Approach with caution. They prove the adage «Anything that seems too good to be true, probably is.»

Just another 1 star for Rapid Realty Bay Ridge.
Look, we all know that brokers do not have a glamorous job — their hours are tough and they’re constantly running around the city to meet strangers off of Craigslist. I have respect for their drive and commitment to closing deals.
I do not have respect for this particular branch of Rapid Realty. I saw a great apartment on Craigslist and upon viewing, fell in love. Artur from RR was a respectable broker — you could tell he wanted to get this deal done and was doing everything he could to seal the deal.
But guess what? The deal fell through because the co-​op building didn’t want us as tenants as they were afraid our crying baby may keep the neighbors awake. This is not Rapid Realty’s fault of course.
In any business you do not deposit any kind of check /​deposit until the deal is done. Artur and his cohort /​manager Gaby Falquez ran to the bank with our check before the countersignature was on the deal. As I type this, it’s now been almost 4 full weeks of calling/​e-​mailing for our money back.
I swear to you, Gaby used the excuse ‘the check is in the mail’ and I believed it! I guess it takes over a week for a USPS to deliver a letter from Bay Ridge Brooklyn to Manhattan (sarcasm font).
Undoubtedly, I will never use Rapid Realty again for my apartment seeking and I will urge my friends to stay away from their services as well.

Unilocal! removed my previous review because it contained «inappropriate content.» Here’s the long and the short of it…
Richard Cuzzi was extremely unprofessional and told me not to «waste his time.» He referred me to another agent, who, after one email, never got back to me. He was also condescending to my roommate who tried to speak with him over the phone about why he was acting the way he was.
After all this, someone from the branch asked me to take it down as the person had already been reprimanded and even though my review was strictly about him, that it looked bad that an Elite member had such a negative review of them. I didn’t take it down because that was unfair to all the Unilocal!ers who want the full story on a place before they go there.
I didn’t feel my review needed to be taken down, but maybe, just maybe, it was a tad bit over the line because the language wasn’t professional, but I really think that the company has a bunch of ghost accounts, told Unilocal!to take it down and they did. Just my personal opinion.

If you look below this review, at Rommel H.‘s review (as long as Unilocal post’s this chronologically) — you can get a sense of the backstory that I will refer to here.
As aforementioned in his post, this review is for RICHARD CUZZI, from Rapid Realty.
After my friend, and roommate-​to-​be, Rommel H. was stood-​up by Mr. A**shole Cuzzi, he received the most unprofessional e-​mail I have ever seen any realtor, or related professional, send out.
To QUOTE, .Richard Cuzzi wrote:
«Im not going to take you out unless I know you are going to move on an apartment. You have been looking for more than a week now and still have not chosen something? Im not going to waste my time on someone who is just shopping around.»
(Note: There’s more — but that was my favorite line)
This guy got mad because we didn’t settle and decided that the other shitty apartments we were shown should have been stuffed down our throat? I hope this guy ends up jobless.
Upon receiving the e-​mail, I called Richard Cuzzi on the telephone to address the situation in a professional manner When he answered, he got VERY nasty with me, put me on hold for about 7 minutes, and then bluntly interrupted me and said, «what do you want from me?»
Rapid Realty — after my friend Rommel posted this review, you e-​mailed him, apologized for the a**hole’s rude behavior, and then politely asked Rommel to remove his review. You know. when I read your e-​mails, I felt bad that the whole business had to suffer for the behavior of one unprofessional douche-​bag. But then I viewed all of your reviews, from all your locations. I hardly think Richard Cuzzi is your biggest problem. You’re obviously getting these reviews, WELL, because you deserve them. Change your business strategy, guys — because you will continue to receive reviews that reflect the trickery and deceiving practices that you fuel your business on. You try to excuse your ‘one bad apple’ — but honestly, this bad apple represents your entire reputation.
Oh, and one last thing. Those fake reviewers that are giving you guys 5 BIG STARS — well, they’re painfully obvious.

I’ll say this… They don’t return phone calls, don’t show up for appointments and do nothing but ask the all important (to them) question of «what’s the most you can spend?» Once you answer that they’ll show you one apartment for that price or a higher price and then expect you to sign. Very pushy. They show little regard for your needs and simply aren’t willing to spend the time to help you find the right place. You get the impression that they’re just in it for the quick buck. We all need to make a living but they’re absolutely rude and have ZERO customer service and people skills in this place.
You get zero attention if you don’t show up in their office with your check book ready to sign a lease on the first crappy place they show you and believe me when I tell you they really show you crap and then pressure you to put a deposit down right away. Their «brokers» and I use the term lightly, are mostly kids in their 20’s, some of which don’t even have a car and some I believe were hired strictly because they actually do have a car which may be the only criteria for becoming a «broker» at Rapid Realty.
Don’t bother responding to specific ads or trying to have a good relationship with a broker that will work for the commission and find you a place that’s right for you. NOPE! You’re better off finding your apartment on your own, which is what I did. I found exactly what I wanted in Bay Ridge and paid no fee. Also, cheaper than what they showed me and much nicer I might add. Most of what they have is crap or bait and switch.
Unprofessional, dishonest and suspect in many ways. Avoid them.

I used Rapid for my cross-​country move. After securing an apartment while in town, it fell through (extenuating circumstances and no fault of Rapid) and I had to work with my agent, Chris Giglio, from out of state. He coordinated with one of my local friends to do apartment viewings, and sent me photos and videos of the apartments. It wasn’t the smoothest process, but in the end he found me a great little place.
Rapid is great if you need to work with a single agent and you can effectively communicate what you need. It was a little irritating that he couldn’t always get into the apartments especially when my friend had traveled across town to meet him. That is more of the property managers fault, but definitely something that Rapid could improve upon. I will also say that not all agents with Rapid are the same. I had met with one (Lefferts Gardens location) before Chris who was totally pushy and a little rude. They do live up to their name when getting your paperwork in which can be a little off-​putting (fill this out, sign here, we’ll call you, bye!) but they do seem to fight for you to get into the place which is nice.
My apartment search was a daunting task, but Chris totally stuck it out until the end and found me what I needed. I will probably give him a call during my next move to see what they have available.

We all know apartment hunting in NYC sucks.
Not only does everything seem to be out of your price range but upon realizing that, you almost lose hope in thinking «nothing can found» atleast, not within your price range.
Honestly, I had to move out in 2 weeks. I was living in BedStuy and I wanted/​needed to get the hell out of there. I was desperately looking through craigslist, calling people I found on craigslist, emailing people I found on craigslist. Every apartment was either taken or no one would call me back or answer my calls.
I don’t care what anyone says about Craigslist– it is not as easy and awesome as people claim it is.
Upon google-​ing a bunch of realtors, I landed on
I filled out all the wrong info (at the time I still didn’t know what I was doing)
and basically, like a miracle, I get an email from Eric Gutierrez @ Rapid Realty. He had found my info on Naked Apartments and he saw that I had no idea what I was doing.
From the first email he sent, to signing the lease to my new apartment. he really took me step-​by-​step, told me he genuinely wanted to help my find an apartment within my price range and make this process as easy as possible. Along the way, I got the best treatment anyone could ask for, and I found an amazing apartment with a great landlord.
Eric really changed my whole perspective about realtors. The day we had our lease signing, all the staff was incredibly welcoming and on-​top of things. He had everything ready for us. I was so shocked to find that these people were so great at what they do and were still able to keep it real and human. I appreciate them so much, they were really worth my time and money.

They hire agents off the street with no experience as long as they have a private car to ride from one dilapidated property to another. I did not feel comfortable answering their question «How Much Are You Willing To Spend» as if anything vermin infested they offered was worth anything.
Be aware of giving them completed rental application with credit and bank account history. This setup reeks identity fraud.
Also, under no circumstances give them a deposit until you see a signed by the landlord lease in their hands. If something goes wrong, it will take blood and tears to get your deposit back if landlord backs out of the deal for whatever reason, and if you change your mind they have «NO REFUND» policy.
To their defense I have to add, they’re not unique in these type of business practices. In August most known RE agencies including Douglas Elliman were fined for subversive, dishonest and law breaking practices. Below is one of the issues sited, but there is lots more.

Showed me a lot of crappy apartments in a nice neighborhood. It must take extra effort to find apartments that dumpy. The guy showing me places was nice but clearly didn’t take any of the things into account which I said were musts. I’m still in shock how crappy the apartments were that I saw with rapid.
Never again.