I see some negative reviews with Harvard Ave Realty, but my experience was with one agent in particular, Dan Patzelt. Dan showed us a place we unfortunately weren't too happy with once we saw the size, but we went back to his office after at 8PM and he sat with us for over an hour going through listing by listing to find something for us. He was candid regarding location, landlords, price points, etc. In the end, we found something in Brookline that was a great deal though another agency, but Dan was still in contact with us.

He sent us an email asking how the search was going and once we mentioned finding a place, not only did he wish us well but he actually gave us a contact to reach out for to rent parking!

If you're looking for a place in Brighton/Allston, reach out to him, I swear he knows everyone in the area.

  I worked with Tom and David at Harvard Ave Realty and both were great. I appreciated their honesty, professionalism, and that they didn't try to sell me on or show me apartments out of my price range. Tom was very responsive, professional, and worked hard to show me apartments that met my criteria. This was by far one of the more pleasant experience I've had with a realty company in Boston. I'd gladly work with them again if I need to find another apartment in the Boston area.

  This company gives out your personal information to third parties. They gave RCN all of our names, email addresses and personal phone numbers without our consent.

  Eric at Harvard Ave Realty does nothing but post bait and switch ads on Craigslist. My husband and I have each called on separate occasions about a listing that was posted weeks apart and he called each of us back saying it was suddenly rented because it was such a great place. All he wants is to get you on the phone to see what you're looking for and then try to get you into some shady apartment you wouldn't otherwise consider.

Do not trust this "agency".

  Some of these reviews make me really angry. I grew up with parents as realtors, and I've met some pretty bad ones in my day... so I know the sour taste they can leave behind in your mouth. As a freshman at BU I first looked up Inbound Realty and was SO turned off by their awful and pushy service that I didn't move off campus. As a sophomore looking for housing for my Junior Year, I stumbled upon Harvard Ave Realty and came across a Realtor named Dan Patzelt.
Honestly my situation was horrific.  I had two weeks to find an apartment, and I was overseas without ANY internet connection for most of my transaction. Dan worked above and beyond to get me an apartment.
On top of that, when I landed in America the entire office helped me unload my 4 suitcases off the curb, into the office, and helped me move into my apartment THAT DAY (again I gave them 2 weeks notice.) Almost every agent in the office was so helpful that day. They helped me get a parking spot, worked with me even though I was probably the most difficult client they had. On top of that, I was getting a studio. That means they were making very little money on me.

I have to think that some of these reviews are coming from disgruntled customers who didn't necessarily "get there way" which if you live in Boston for more than a year, you can understand not every apartment is going to be perfect for the price you're asking. Honestly, I'm not sure why some agents are getting bad reviews, but I can say I've dealt with four real estate agencies in the Allston/Brookline area and this is the ONLY one i'd recommend to a friend (and I have several times), and I'd recommend any Realtor there.