Virtual Real Estate - Brooklyn, New York

Junk Mail

I took a while to make this review to allow Mike Elder time to make things right but it's now been over a month sine I heard from him. Similar to a review on Yelp for him, this started off with an apartment he rented to me that had a roach problem. Long story short, things were squared away with the landlord, I got my deposit back and Mike said the $1650 broker's fee could be used towards a different apartment. Not wanting to be limited to his inventory, I asked if I could just get half of the deposit back and we go our separate ways. He claims a broker he works with said no can do and proceeds to send me an apartment which I'm not interested in. I again make a case to get half of the fee back so I'm not limited to his inventory and that my request for half back is reasonable especially since I went to him about renting the apartment even though we met months ago where he said he'd get back to me about a different apartment (which he never did). He said to give him some time to see what he could do. Almost a month later I don't hear from him so I reach out, he asks for a couple more days, and then finally emails me a couple days later saying a check is being sent to me for the money. I get a check in the mail for $200 from the landlord (not sure why, as again, things were squared with her), claiming it's the "best" they could do. I don't know what he could have said to the elderly landlord but he got her to cough up $200 while he has $1650 that isn't his. I asked again for the broker's contact info he claims is making decisions here because I had some questions and he ignores it and sends another apartment to consider. At this point, his tone changes and he states, "Let me make it clear you can take any apartment from us without paying another broker fee if you choose too, if NOT there will be no refund of any kind" (yes, incorrect grammar and all). So, a warning to renters and landlords alike, avoid if you can. Completely unprofessional, gets aggressive if you ask a question, and apparently makes up a story to get elderly landlords to pay for his errors.

Aaron Harris

Mike Elder helped my daughter get a great place in Brooklyn. He was kind and patient with her, honest and responsive and we were 100 percent comfortable throughout the process. We dealt with several other agents around Brooklyn and Manhattan but Mike really stood out as being good at his job and a good human being.

Morgan E

Mike helped me find my current place during a very stressful time in my life. He went above and beyond by vouching for me to management, which ultimately helped secure the apartment for me. He answered all of my questions thoroughly and was very supportive when I had concerns. I found the entire process to be straightforward, and for NYC, it was surprisingly simple and as pleasant as house hunting in NYC could possibly be. I truly appreciate working with Mike and Virtual Real Estate. I am extremely satisfied with the apartment, but if I ever needed to move again, I would not hesitate to reach out to Mike Elder. 🙂

Melanie Lockert

My partner and I moved cross-country from LA to NYC and had to do it relatively quickly to take care of a sick family member. As soon as I told any agent or broker we were in LA, they'd stop communicating with us. Mike was the only broker who didn't bail once we mentioned we were in LA and trying to move across country to be near family. He did a video tour and helped guide us through the process. It was wonderful to arrive to an apartment — and one that we absolutely love! Thanks to Mike for taking us seriously and working with us while we're in a major transition and delicate situation.

Amira Yarmukhamedova

It was a pleasure working with Mike, my family had only a month to look for an apartment and Mike made that happen, he showed us every house possible that met our expectations, and was very understanding of what my family was looking for. Overall experience with Virtual Real Estate was 10/10. Thank you Mike!

Hamdi Othman

Great people to work with Mike elder was able to get me the apartment that I needed , he was very helpful throughout the process , I would definitely recommend this company for my real estate needs to anyone!

Raafit Barakat

Mike was very professional, communication was on point, he was compassionate and attentive. He found us the perfect place and we couldn’t have done it without him. Thanks Mike.

E_ C_

He advertised himself as a landlord's broker and then tried to say he earned his broker fee before a lease was signed and tried to say it was a "renter's deposit" and kept changing the explanation and ultimately, he got upset and told me I'll never find an apartment with any realtor unless you pay them up front.

Not true at all. Do not believe Mike Elder.

Responding to Mike: you didn't earn any broker fee. You get brokers fee from the landlord as you were the landlord's broker and only when the lease is signed. I spoke to another realtor and they confirmed you tried to disguise the broker fee that the landlord was supposed to pay by calling it a rental fee and confirmed you don't get paid until a lease is signed. You didn't earn your commission from the landlord and you tried to get it from the potential tenant by misrepresenting what it was several times. Since you kept changing the reason as to why you are demanding the fee, it's probably not any of the reasons you said and more likely what the realtor at DE says.

What are you even talking about. You are the landlord's broker. You earn your fee from the landlord. I don't pay you anything. The other realtor said I don't pay your fee unless I want to when I sign the lease, otherwise, the landlord's broker's fee goes to the landlord and then the landlord pays you and whether or not I pay the landlord's broker's fee is between me and the landlord.

I am so glad my guts were right about you.