When I moved to NYC I ended up using a broker. We saw like 10 apartments in an afternoon. I ended up liking one and had it by the end of the week. As it happened, before it was generally advertised and while it was still being renovated.
It turned out, the broker was working for the apartment owner, not for me. Once I had signed paperwork, I discovered that the renovations were done: the apartment was going to be as I had seen it, not as it was promised to me by the broker. No stainless steel appliances, no reflooring in the kitchen. I had read the lease carefully and thought of this possibility, but I thought, like you, that the broker was working for me.
As is, the incentives don't encourage brokers to work for renters: their only incentive is to place as many people in as little time as possible. Next time I shop for an apartment I'll do so with a real estate lawyer on call. If you have to have a lawyer to make sure someone provides service properly, maybe they aren't really providing you a service.
It turned out, the broker was working for the apartment owner, not for me. Once I had signed paperwork, I discovered that the renovations were done: the apartment was going to be as I had seen it, not as it was promised to me by the broker. No stainless steel appliances, no reflooring in the kitchen. I had read the lease carefully and thought of this possibility, but I thought, like you, that the broker was working for me.
As is, the incentives don't encourage brokers to work for renters: their only incentive is to place as many people in as little time as possible. Next time I shop for an apartment I'll do so with a real estate lawyer on call. If you have to have a lawyer to make sure someone provides service properly, maybe they aren't really providing you a service.