Barskaya Group Real Estate

I had the displeasure of being harassed by Angela Kapatos after I wrote, «Thank you. We are not interested in apartments with more than 2 months rent to move in. Have a nice day.» She was relentless and insisted on sending me unprofessional emails filled with snide remarks and condescension. She refused to stop even after I stated, «Please stop emailing me.» It was really sad to see. Thankfully, I am closing with a broker who has class and is not charging me an onerous fee.

As much as I do not like real estate agents when it comes to renting, it has become the norm in NYC. Many charge a substantial brokers fee while other are paid my the landlord. I went through an entire process with this company under the understanding that there was not a fee on the apartment I was looking at. Filled out the application (with the broker fee section left blank by the realtor), had it approved and submitted. Then last minute when I was coming to sign the lease had the realtor state there was a $ 2800 broker fee.
I would avoid this realtor all together if possible. Untrustworthy and very sketchy business practices.

Elena is rapid-​firing information about the area of Astoria in a charming slavic accent as we are driving to the first of three places she has agreed to show me that day. She is wearing an awesome bob and shades while casually driving around. The comments are so crisp and intelligent, I wonder if I have unknowingly been swallowed into a Quentin Tarantino movie.
We get to the apartment and she is all casual about describing the place. She doesn’t oversell it, gives me time to breath, and generally lets me feel a sense of peace in the process. I loathe, with the passion of a thousand suns, brokers who push me to rent a place.* Having already interacted with a bunch of brokers and seen a few places in the area, I realize this place is perfect for me and put in an app.
Throughout the business end of the process, she operated with military efficiency and yet was pliable, letting me photocopy her driver’s license and broker’s license. I came to take pleasure in her sense of humor and she made the process more enjoyable by being forthcoming. She was on time, always had her shit together, gave me extra info about the neighborhood during lease signing, and finally drove me to the place to try the keys out after the lease was signed.
I would recommend her to anyone who likes honest, no-​nonsense brokers.
* pond scum

Elena is great! She doesn’t try to pressure you into a deal you don’t want or into an apartment that is out of your price range. I had my first apartment fall through, and she drove me around to everything that was available that was similar the very next day.

Elena Barskaya was such a pleasure to work with May 2013. I had come into NY for a short weekend to find and sign a lease for an Apartment. She was flexible, organized, methodical, and had a good working relationship with each of the owners/​management companies.
I knew Astoria was the place for me, but I was determined on finding a unit with all my must haves, and the majority of my wants, under my 2k budget.
I have to give it to her, b/​c I ended up signing on the first apartment she found.
Being new to the area and pressed for time, Elena was a savior.
I would recommend Elena to ANYONE moving to the Astoria Area. Her office is right under the N &Q Train Tracks. AND she knows everything about the neighborhood.
1 Month Broker Fee and $ 25 credit check fee. Small price to pay for excellent service and an attentive, respectable broker.
DO NOT PAY MORE THAN 1 MONTH RENT FOR A BROKER IN NYC. avoid 15%+ of the firs years rent… that is just unnecessary.