What is realest?
realest is a web extension that shows housing complaints on StreetEasy listings.
Features
- Complaint scores displayed on StreetEasy search result cards
- Detailed complaint history
- Top complaints tally
Screenshot
158 Hester Street #6J
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Scoring System
Complaints are weighted based on severity, as determined by our team. Scores factor in:
- Complaint recency
- Violation status (actual violation, not a violation, resolved)
Disclaimer
- Some buildings may not have scores. This could mean:
- The building has no reported complaints
- There's insufficient data available
- The building is too new to have a complaint history
- A lack of complaints doesn't guarantee a problem-free building
- Data is only based on complaints reported to 311
- Scores are indicators, not definitive judgments of building quality
- Recent renovations or management changes may not be reflected in historical data
- We recommend using this tool alongside other research methods
- Building context (size, age, location) isn't factored into scores
- Complaint validity isn't verified beyond official determinations
- Scores update periodically and may not reflect very recent changes
Remember: realest is a tool to aid your apartment search, not a replacement for due diligence. Always visit properties, ask questions, and trust your judgment.
Why Did You Build This?
I created realest after a series of unfortunate apartment experiences in New York City. Every place I rented came with unexpected issues:
- My first apartment had a mysterious leak that the landlord insisted didn't exist.
- The second place had a mouse infestation that was conveniently not mentioned during the viewing.
- In my third apartment, the heating failed during the coldest winter in years.
- The fourth? Let's just say the walls were thinner than paper, and my neighbors were aspiring rock stars.
After each move, I found myself thinking, "If only I had known about these issues beforehand!" That's when it hit me – what if there was a way to see an apartment's history of complaints and violations before signing a lease?
Frustrated and determined, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I gathered a group of equally exasperated friends, and together we created realest. Our goal? To bring transparency to the apartment hunting process and help others avoid the headaches we experienced.
With realest, you can now see the real story behind every listing on StreetEasy. No more surprises, no more hidden issues – just honest, upfront information to help you make the best decision for your next home.