Like many, I abhor the Boston housing market. And I find the brokerage system to be borderline criminal, so I'm not often warm towards realtors. But Orit Aviv was different, and tremendously helpful. She did not push an apartment, and seemed honest about its ups and downs. Those are not givens, and good signs-- but where she really impressed me was putting together the paperwork that same day and pushing the deal through. It made the hassle factor for me significantly, significantly less. If I'm ever looking in Boston again, I'd call Orit rather than look through listings. Really that good.

  I can't praise Sean from Harvard Ave Realty enough, he is the best!! He was professional, efficient, and helpful. I hate it when realtors show apartments outside my criteria for the sake of showing it. Sean never did that, and was very realistic about my options. As a result, I love the apartment he found for me. The entire staff was also pleasant in general, though I don't have much experience working with anyone else.

  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".

  I really wish I could give this place less than one star. I just saw an ad posted yesterday for what was described as a studio in Brighton for $875 or something. I called the number and the guy who answered, who did not give his name, rudely informed me that the apartment was actually a shared two bedroom looking for a roommate, and that it was already taken. He asked what I'm looking for, and I said I'd prefer a one bedroom or studio since we're a couple with a dog. He then laughed out loud and smugly said "I'm sure I'm not the only person to tell you this, but you're going to have to realllly lower your expectations if you think you're going to find a place, ha!" Really?! What an unprofessional, derogatory response. If he hadn't responded in such an obnoxious way, I would have told him that my budget is far higher than $800 something/month, and maybe he could have found me something that met my apparently laughable criteria. Rather than explain that, I told him I wouldn't be giving my business to such a huge douche and hung up on him. He then called me back from his cell phone to say that he didn't mean to be rude and made some attempts to secure my business. I asked if I could talk to his manager, to which he replied "uh... I actually am the manager" (which I highly, highly doubt). I told him not to laugh at potential clients and hung up again.

Don't give these assholes your business. Not only do they routinely engage in false advertising, their uppity agents laugh at customers seeking their business. I don't think it gets much worse than these guys.

  Unfortunately, I signed my lease before I realized how unprofessional this business was. Our realtor constantly feeds us false information (costs, move in/out dates, amenities, etc) and she is extremely unreliable. They don't respond to emails and they handle things very poorly. I would NOT recommend.