If you watch Shark Tank, you are probably familiar with Barbara Corcoran, the outspoken and business-savvy CEO of the Corcoran Group. That is right, the Corcoran Group is the first name on the list of the best real estate firms in New York City. The Corcoran Group was started in 1973 and, despite its humble origins, has grown to become one of New York's most successful real estate companies. With a budget of $1000, the brokerage firm began as a small office on the Upper East Side. Barbara's narrative of how she grew her real estate business is legendary in entrepreneurial circles.

The Corcoran Group now has locations all around New York City, as well as in Florida and the Hamptons. The firm has a reputation for executing some of New York's most high-profile real estate transactions, including an $80 million townhouse sale in 2017. The Corcoran Group's rental properties are primarily located in Manhattan and Brooklyn, with a few exceptions in Queens.

Name of Firm: The Corcoran Group
Founded: 1973
Website: corcoran.com

Another rags-to-riches story, Douglas Elliman, began as a basement store in Manhattan in 1911. Montauk Battery Realty bought the company in 2003 after it had changed hands multiple times. Douglas Elliman now maintains important regional offices in a number of US states, including Texas, California, Florida, and Colorado, although its headquarters are still in New York.

Douglas Elliman is a real estate firm that specializes in luxury rentals in New York City and Manhattan. In such places, their company manages roughly 6,000 residences. Douglas Elliman Real Estate has over a century of experience and knowledge behind it. Above all, they are committed to providing an unrivaled experience. Their agents are tireless advocates for their customers in everything from sales, rentals, and new construction to mortgages and title insurance. Their passion is to ensure that their customers receive the greatest service and experience.

Name of Firm: Douglas Elliman
Founded: 1911
Website: elliman.com

If you are looking for the best rental properties in New York, go no farther than Sotheby's International Realty, the third name on the list of the best real estate firms today. This company, which was founded in 1976, specializes in high-end rental apartments. Their search filters include a "Lifestyle" search, where you can find home rentals that fit into categories like "Country Club", "Beach", and "Yacht Club", giving you an indication of the types of properties they deal with!

When it comes to their realtors and consumers, Sotheby's International Realty is quite exclusive, and their brokerage service is only offered to those who meet their requirements. Their stringent verification process has earned them multiple awards, including the Best in Category for Real Estate Franchisee Satisfaction Award from Franchise Business Review in 2014. They even offer an "Exclusive Listings" filter, which means that particular houses may only be rented through their firm.

Name of Firm: Sotheby’s International Realty
Founded: 1976
Website: sothebysrealty.com/eng

Keller Williams is the newest real estate brokerage firm on this list, having been founded in 1983 by Gary Keller and Joe Williams. However, you should not dismiss them too quickly, because since they began franchising in 1991, they have been one of the fastest-growing organizations in the sector. By 2014, Keller Williams had grown to become the world's largest real estate business in terms of agent count.

Keller Williams has two main offices in New York City, both of which are in Manhattan. The organization employs over 1,000 agents in the New York area alone, and their website currently has over 8,000 active listings. They specialize in the rental of high-end apartments. For their performance and innovation, Keller Williams has been recognized by scores of national and international publications, including LinkedIn Top Companies of 2021, Forbes America's Best Employers for Diversity 2021, Newsweek America's Best Customer Service 2021, T360 2021 Swanepoel Power 200, and so on!

Name of Firm: Keller Williams NYC
Founded: 1983
Website: kwnyc.com

Warburg Realty is one of the largest privately-owned residential real estate brokerage firms in New York City and is owned by former broker Frederick Peters. The majority of their properties are in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens, and they specialize in mid-range to luxury rentals.

Warburg Realty is the oldest of the five brokerage firms on this list, having been established in 1896. While their firm is modest in contrast, with only 150 active agents in NYC, their website provides first-time tenants with up-to-date NYC real estate news, city guides, and other useful resources. They stay true to the firm's nineteenth-century ideals of integrity, courtesy, market knowledge, and the professionalism of their agents while always looking ahead. When you choose Warburg to represent you and your property in the purchase or sale of real estate, you will not only be dealing with one of the city's most highly skilled and hardworking agents, but you will also benefit from Warburg's leadership techniques throughout the process.

Name of Firm: Warburg Realty

Founded: 1896

Website: warburgrealty.com