- Alex Castellano We…read morehave worked with Alex for years, and I truly can't recommend her enough. She helped us buy our first home in 2019, just helped us sell that home in 2026, and will be helping us with our next purchase too. At this point, she feels much more like a trusted friend and advisor than our realtor. When we bought in 2019, the market was crazy. We were first-time buyers, and even though our offers were competitive with buyers putting 20% down, we didn't have that same advantage on paper. Alex was incredibly strategic about how we approached our offers. She found ways to make us more appealing to sellers and negotiated significant credits for us. We ended up getting the house over offers that looked stronger on paper, which I honestly don't think would have happened without her. This time around, she helped us sell, and her guidance started almost a year before we listed. She met with us about a year out, again around six months out, and then many more times as we got closer to listing. She helped us figure out which improvements were worth doing and which ones weren't. We never felt like we were being told to spend money just for the sake of making the house look better. Everything had a purpose, and her advice helped us get the most out of the home without unnecessary work or expense. She was just as good when it came to pricing, listing, and negotiating with buyers. Throughout the entire process, she was responsive, patient, and always willing to talk something through. Even when things got stressful, we knew she was looking out for us and would tell us what she really thought was best. What I appreciate most is that she genuinely knows us. She understands what matters to us, listens to what we want, and never makes us feel pressured. We have always felt like she was protecting our interests and fighting for the best possible outcome for us. Buying or selling a home is a huge decision, and having someone you completely trust makes all the difference. We've trusted Alex through both sides of the process, in two very different markets, and we're grateful that we'll get to work with her again for our next home. I would recommend her to anyone who wants a realtor who will truly have their back.

I had a great experience working with Garcia when selling my house. From start to finish, they were…read moreprofessional, knowledgeable, and always kept me informed throughout the process. They made what could have been a stressful experience feel much easier and were always available to answer my questions and address any concerns. I really appreciated their attention to detail, communication, and dedication to getting my house sold. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to sell their home. Thank you for all your hard work and for making the entire process such a positive experience!

To update my review: my realtor toured this property on April 18 and reported a natural gas smell…read more The owner claimed the fire department had checked and found no leak, but the fire department later stated they had no record of any such visit. We moved across the country on June 4, six weeks after reporting the issue, and the gas leak was still ongoing. A contractor later told us the levels were severe enough that we were fortunate a major incident had not occurred. The owner's contractor also improperly replaced the gas line with an undersized one, according to Spire, and I was the person contacting Spire throughout the process. They let me know that the pipe the contractor replaced was 1/4th inch too small and could lead to carbon monoxide or gas buildup in the lines. During the nine months we lived there, two additional gas leaks occurred in other areas of the system. After spending over $10,000 to move and paying rent for May while the house sat vacant, Stephanie Olsen told me over the phone that "this isn't working out" and that we would need to find another place if we continued being "ungrateful." We ultimately moved out early after 10 months, and paid April 2026 rent while the property was vacant and we were in a new rental. The house itself had numerous issues: filthy vents filled with years of dust and mold, insect infestations (basement had roaches, beetles and grasshoppers) requiring extermination, and a failing sump pump system with drain flies that contributed to a very strong basement odor. The home was at times uninhabitable due to the gas smell, causing headaches and dizziness for both me and my Mom, and we paid out of pocket for hotel stays. This experience was emotionally and financially exhausting. After being threatened with eviction, do you really think I felt comfortable reporting every issue with the house? Of course not. So we financially covered multiple issues due to fear of retaliation.

To update my review. My realtor toured this property on April 18th and reported the smell of…read morenatural gas. The owner said she called the fire department and there was no gas leak. ( fire department had no record) We moved from across the country on June 4th . The gas leak was ongoing. The contractor hired by the owner was incompetent and replaced the gas line with too small of a line per spire. And I'm the one who contacted spire every time . We went on to have 2 more gas leaks in the 9 months we lived in this home . At other areas of the gas system. Stephanie Olsen definitely threatened to let me out of my lease in June when we spoke on the phone after I had just spent $8,000 dollars and payed rent for May( while the house was vacant). And no one would be happy with this situation. We left early and payed for April of this year while the house was vacant. This company and the homes owner were awful. Stephanie literally screamed at me and threatened to evict me on the phone until I was in tears. The house was literally inhabitable due to the extremely strong smell of gas, which was causing headaches and dizziness for me and my son. We paid to stay in a hotel. The vents were filthy with dust and mold that had not been cleaned for years. We had to pay for an exterminator due to a hornet and grasshopper infestation, a plumber for a failing sump pit motor infested with drain flies / worms, which also contributed to the basement odor. The list goes on but my point is - this was a nightmare both emotionally and financially for us. Do you really think I'm going to report every issue wrong with the home after I was threatened with eviction? Obviously not.

Just another complaint in a long list, with the twist that business was done unknowingly via a…read moremisleading Airbnb listing. There is no connection with STL Smart Rentals on the "host's" listing, but the "host" works for STL Smart Rentals, and there are undisclosed third parties associated with STL Smart Rentals, who join the chat after booking. My place was a pit and smelled of old urine. The photos say it all. I gave them a chance to clean, in which they picked up a ball of hair and the trash from the windowsill and left everything else. I then asked for my money back and because it was after Airbnb's 24 hr policy they couldn't force the host to return the money but repeatedly requested the host to cancel and return the money. If I canceled then I got nothing, they could relist the property, and my case with Airbnb would be closed. Then in a dispute with the Better Business Bureau they cited the lack of cancellation as why the money was not refunded. (eye roll) Airbnb does not care about their guests or hosts. I've got heaps of documentation of our exchange even, an email stating that they are personally sorry and if it was up to them they would issue the refund, but they have to follow the "policy" which is not a law... and it is all at the discretion of the host, who they have contacted multiple times. If you want to see it contact me. They are dishonest and unethical.

Smart Rentals are basically money-grubbing slumlords…read more I moved into a filthy apartment. To their credit, they gave me half a month free rent in exchange for the ridiculous amount of cleaning I had to do. One room reeked of urine. They raise the rent $50 every year plus "maintenance" fees because "it is the market price and we do it across the board" despite the fact that the raised the rent and "maintenance fees in 2021 in the midst of COVID and rampant unemployment. This year they decided to raise the rent $100 a month plus an increase in "maintenance" fees--twice what I was told I would pay in yearly $50/month increases. In the fall, I twisted my ankle walking from my apartment to my car because Smart Rentals failed to do any kind of raking. During the winter, the walkways were sheets of ice as were the parking spaces. On a thaw day, I went out and kicked all of the ice off the walkways and parking spots. The dumpster is disgusting and led to a plague of insects over the summer. The slope down to the creek contained a massive pile of garbage bags--likely in response to the dumpster debacle. Smart Rentals recently sprayed for cockroaches. Did we receive any rental remuneration for having to clean out our kitchens and cupboards for pest control? Nope. Apparently, Smart Rentals decided to cut down all the wires in the complex in response to a lawsuit re: tripping over an exposed wire. As a result, internet was cut off for the entire complex for 48+ hours. Did we see any rent remuneration for the convenience of losing internet service we pay for because they cut down all the wires? No. Did we receive any rental/fee remuneration for the work we may have had to miss in order for the internet technicians to get into our apartments to rewire? Absolutely not. Did they raise the rent 2x to cover the astronomical fees they must have payed for having to reinstall the entire network in the complex due to their own stupidity? Probably. Please enjoy these photos of the apartment I am being asked to pay $1000/month in rent and "maintenance" fees.

Cortona is a great place to live. Maintenance is very responsive and nice. Mick in the office is a…read morehuge help with any of your problems. Feels like home.

Update:: They improved my life in here and provided me more comfortable living and now I think I…read morelove this place. I made great friends in short time. They usually have at least one event per month for residents, including yoga, drink & food events etc. Also there is a nice pool and a hot tub! Thank you Cortona for eveything!

Dan Brassil is seriously the ONLY real estate agent you want to work with in the St. Louis Area…read more Simply put - he is amazing! My son was moving to St Louis with short notice from his employer and need a home fast - in fact he had to find a house over one weekend. After traveling to St. Louis for our weekend home search, our previous realtor, at the last minute, was suddenly unavailable. We were panicked to say the least. So, we gave Dan a call late on that Friday night and he hopped into action early Saturday morning. He was a godsend! In our initial meeting on a Saturday afternoon he came prepared with a stack of 16 listings - yes 16 that were all within our price range and needs - and we saw them all! I was amazed at his doggedness and efficiency! At each house we saw, Dan was quick to point out any potential problems with the property. He has a deep knowledge of issues that might come up with, construction, foundation, heating, plumbing flooding and retaining walls. We would have not of noticed the issues on our own. Dan was a good adviser regarding best neighborhoods and market situation. He was very careful in making sure that the offer we presented was fair to us and that we were not overpaying. The neighborhood we were looking in was very competitive and if not for his solid advice and negotiating skills my son would not be in his house today. Dan was super attentive, almost as if we were his only client, although we know that certainly was NOT the case. He returned calls and emails very quickly, sometimes with in minutes. There was nothing that escaped his attention. Dan is highly personable with an engaging personality. We are pleased to recommend Dan Brassil to anyone looking to buy or sell a home. He is hands down the best in the business. If my son is to ever move again Dan will be the first person we call.

Dan was an absolute pro. I was nervous about selling a house that was in disrepair from 10 years…read moreof renters. Dan knew exactly what to do to maximize the selling value of the property. The sale price he recommended was perfect, just enough to bring in multiple offers. We are so happy we found Dan.

I was attempting to inquire about property management for my investment homes. I told Larry I was…read morefrom California and before I could finish my statement he said, "we are all right " and hung up. I attempted to call back unsure what just occurred, and he screened my call. Terrible customer service, rude, and unprofessional.

I was a long time resident at Oxford Manor. I found the high end apartment and surrounding ideal…read morefor my living and personal needs. The apartment is in an exceptional neighborhood, with easy access to Forest Park via the beautiful Wydown corridor as well as a close walk to restaurants, cleaners and a Starbucks. The folks in the neighborhood significantly enhanced the community feel with friendly reach outs while walking their dogs or just strolling in the tree lined streets. Also, as a frequent traveler, I was very pleased with the easy access to the airport from it quaint Clayton location. I found the Landlord Larry to be quite attentive to the lease holder needs and always concerned about the well being of the property, both in and around the the apartments. Any repairs or needs were promptly addressed. He even added items (e.g. power outlets and bike racks) without requests, just because he saw the needs of his tenants. The building has a wonderful Tudor exterior with six apartments. It also has easy access to the upper floors by a an elevator, but also has a period staircase that complements the Tudor architecture. I found the community rooftop very peaceful and inviting. The all granite counter tops in the kitchen and bathrooms, the beautiful stone showers along with high end appliances also added to the luxury feel of the apartment and complex. Oxford manor was perfect for me, and I couldn't have been more pleased with my time there and the support of the landlord and his commitment to the comfort of the tenants and the care taking of the apartments. Highly recommend.

Sleep on a park bench or pitch a tent, but do not use this company! Our rental was grossly…read moreoverpriced, reeked of mold and HAD NO HOT WATER. The so called "repair man" showed up 7 hours late, was clearly unqualified and high as a kite. He watched You Tube videos to try to figure out the hot water heater, but accomplished nothing and left. We had no hot water for the entire extended weekend we were there. There was no solution and both VRBO and ADOBE bucks did not rectify the matter. HORRIBLE!

For over a month asked for early check in, check in listed at 5:00 PM! They wouldn't even try…read more Drove to house at 3:00 and cleaner was just leaving and said no problem. I had Adobebucks person on the phone and handed the phone to her and said please tell the boss at Adobebucks what you just said about us checking in and leaving bags as we had a 5:00 rehearsal. It was difficult and they were not nice about it. Then, they preset the air conditioning to shut off at 11:00 PM and not turn on again until 7:00 AM and it was hot! Daughter had an asthma attack because of it but they could care less. It was all about the owners wanting to make more more money at our expense! I'd find someplace else if I were looking in St. Louis again. The rate was also twice as much as another 4 bedroom we rented a 1/2 block away for the wedding! No value, no decent check in, no air conditioning at night and no customer service, accomodation or even apology!

I had a positive experience with Rick and his team over at Efthim…read more I viewed one of their sweet south city homes, submitted my app and was approved and ready to go in just about a week or so. This was critical for me as I was traveling a bit and not able to spend much time on the move in process. During my stay, maintenance was always prompt and thorough. I like that they typically left a note with what they did so I'd be updated and aware that someone had been there. I ended up relocating so moved out at the end of my lease. That process was completely straight forward too and I even got a quick call from Rick making sure everything was ok (and there were no issues) and seeing what prompted my move. I like the personal touch that Efthim provided me as a renter and I'd certainly lease from them in the future if back in St. Louis!

Once I got ahold of the owner of the company, he had a plumber out to my apartment within the hour…read more They were able to fix the issue. It should not have taken 30 days, but I still appreciated the owners ability to fix what maintenance could not.