Although there might be some brokers handling apartments in more than one borough, most often it's even more specific, in that they'll handle apartments in only one neighborhood, or neighborhoods adjacent to each other, e.g. Greenpoint and Williamburg, Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill.
Good individual brokers will specialize in a small geographic area. However, you need both a good individual broker and a reputable brokerage company behind that person, so if your friend had an all-around great experience with a Manhattan broker working for (random example) Corcoran, it might be worth asking that person for a referral to someone in the Corcoran office serving the neighborhood you want. On that note, I could throw out some good/bad broker names, but it will be helpful if you specify what neighborhood(s) you are interested in.
Knowing this is not the question you asked and respecting your judgment, I just have to mention that brokers are not categorically necessary for Brooklyn rentals. We did not use one in our last housing search in 2009, and we were able to look at a broad range of decent apartments and eventually end up in this awesome one.
My main thinking re: a broker is that I want to move October 1, and I'm starting to panic in terms of how much time I have left. I'm also still looking for work, which I know is going to fuck me, though I called my Mom last night and she said she was willing to co-sign.
I'm hoping to land somewhere Jewish -- Crown Heights or Midwood/Kensington/Ditmas Park ideally (yes, I know, Williamsburg, but I really don't love it up there. Though the proximity to Manhattan might make me change my tune). I also have cats.
My friend with the Manhattan broker said that the person she used really earned their fee -- they got money off the monthly rent that made it worthwhile for her. Sadly, my Brooklyn friend who used a different broker could only tell me "Don't use the guy we used -- he did nothing for us."
good for your friend! that's awesome, just very unusual. i can't recommend anyone specific for any of those 'hoods, but along the lines of what your other friend said, stay the hell away from a company called Alta NYC (http://www.altanyc.com/files/newalta/index.html). best of luck in the hunt...
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Knowing this is not the question you asked and respecting your judgment, I just have to mention that brokers are not categorically necessary for Brooklyn rentals. We did not use one in our last housing search in 2009, and we were able to look at a broad range of decent apartments and eventually end up in this awesome one.
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I'm hoping to land somewhere Jewish -- Crown Heights or Midwood/Kensington/Ditmas Park ideally (yes, I know, Williamsburg, but I really don't love it up there. Though the proximity to Manhattan might make me change my tune). I also have cats.
My friend with the Manhattan broker said that the person she used really earned their fee -- they got money off the monthly rent that made it worthwhile for her. Sadly, my Brooklyn friend who used a different broker could only tell me "Don't use the guy we used -- he did nothing for us."
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i can't recommend anyone specific for any of those 'hoods, but along the lines of what your other friend said, stay the hell away from a company called Alta NYC (http://www.altanyc.com/files/newalta/index.html).
best of luck in the hunt...
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