Avoid. Bad people, bad business.
But, to be fair, here are the pros of my experience with Nooklyn: I have an apartment.
Cons:
The "agents" (few actual agents work there, most are sales people who let you think they are agents) are rude. You have to reach out many times to get to see a place. And when you do, it is on their terms. Our salesperson, Rob, didn't know anything about the unit - we asked what was the square footage, is the place run by an individual or company, when will the renovations be finished, all of which he just kind of shrugged about with a "dunno."
We did decide, after doing some of our own research, to move forward. We liked the neighborhood and the place worked - we did not love Nooklyn, but we figured that didn't matter because we aren't living with them...
So began the worst of it. Nooklyn DEMANDING a deposit months before move in, so they would take the apartment off their site. I received text messages at 2am about this. So we paid them $2,000. Guess what never happened? They never took the listing down.
And then - the place was a mess total construction zone. They PROMISED us it would be done before move in, and when we asked for a walkthrough to see the progress before lease signing, Rob and Andrew, the "managing partner" (that one is in quotes because I cannot verify that anyone would give this person a job of that caliber) would not let us see it. And then they threatened to take the deposit back if we didn't sign the lease.
The lease was written incorrectly, as it didn't include a rider about the construction or about my dog, and I had to request it be redone. After the lease was signed, Rob asked for my roommate's guarantor information again, which she reminded him he already had. And when we needed to get keys, Rob was unprofessional about when we could pick up the keys at the Nooklyn office, telling us that 7pm was impossible, there would be no one there and the receptionist isn't paid very much and its not her job to give us keys. So, that was awkward.
ANYWAY -- I actually had to delay my move in (and change airline tickets $$$) because the place was so unfinished and dangerous for my dog. The totally finished apartment that Andrew and Rob promised us was as follows upon move in:
- No ac or heat
- No hot water
- No dishwasher (they did let us know about this)
- No outlet covers
- No thermostat
- No intercom
- Gaping holes in the walls
- No blinds
- No doorstops
- No towelracks or toilet paper holers in bathrooms
- Missing bathroom lights
And that is just inside the apartment - the listing promised laundry, and we've been here for about three months and there is NO laundry in building. There is also no heat, no thermostat, no intercom, no blinds, no towelracks et al and missing lights. And when I say this, I mean there are wires dangling out of the walls where these things should be.
The whole unit is under construction STILL - three months in!!! Plumbers in and out until after 10pm, and Nooklyn "agents" and potential victims checking out the units at all hours.
When we told Nooklyn of the issues, and requested a finders fee, they refused and told us we got a good deal and they owe us nothing, even though they are in clear violation of the NY Real Estate law and the lease they provided. I am currently taking this issue to the BBB and have an open claim. Next, I will be bringing it to the department of state.
If you are looking at that 3 bedroom in Greenpoint, message me - I'll intro you directly to the landlord so you don't have to pay Nooklyn (its not an exclusive listing.)
If you do want to use Nooklyn, GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING. Emails, texts, etc. Make sure the lease is correct (we actually had a version with the wrong address, which Nooklyn just "LOLed").
Oh, and good luck. This company is an example of New York City Real Estate at its worst, taking advantage of Customers, treating them terribly, lying to property owners... seriously, avoid them a find a more reputable company, who can probably get you into Nooklyn's units anyway. read more