Forte Management Group - Watertown, New York

Sherry C.

In NY state when moving out of rental property the landlord is given 14 days to return rental deposit and provide itemized receipt of deductions. This company took more than two months and returned only half of my deposit. Despite multiple attempts to reach out, they will not return the other half of my deposit despite knowing they are breaking the law. The owner of the company Stephen emailed me and is using to his advantage the fact that I moved out of state and I was told if I want to take it to small claims court it would cost me more to travel up there to make court appearances.
I would also never trust this company to manage my property either. They had multiple items they promised to fix before we moved in and did not. They even had a broken back sliding door with a large gap at least a foot long and six inches tall with a piece of wood propped up to cover it. I had to complain about and send pictures of all the bugs that got into the house because of this. Even after replacing the door maintenance never returned to install the lock or finish putting up the trim that went around it because it was much smaller than previous door, I was given a piece of 2x4 to “lock it”. Keep in mind I was told it would be fixed before we moved in. The house wasn’t cleaned very well before moving in, but after seeing multiple places for rent that were disappointing I put that aside as they promised to have it done before move in. I had to make multiple calls to have the previous tenant’s trash removed from the property inside and outside of the house. Which some still remains outside next to the tiny barn to this day. They failed for months to fix the fan in the downstairs bathroom, which was also on my move in list. I warned them about the large deck and rotting wood and need for maintenance before some of the boards rotted through, which they did rot in the 4yrs we were there. Would have been much better to have repaired and maintained the deck which I mentioned when i moved in on my paperwork. The previous tenant even had two pigs living in the house before moving them outside when they became too large to contain inside (according to multiple neighbors) . I do know there was some animal that was living in that house that scratched and chewed on many doors and window ledges. Not something I would want unknowingly in my property I was paying a company to manage, but since our rental was about 35-45 min outside of Watertown it seemed as no one ever wanted to come out there.
Stephen may use the fact that he served as “caring about those in the military and/or their family” I don’t believe that for a second, we are just a paycheck to him. It is just something to toss in to try and make him seem like a relatable person.
My advice as a renter or owner of a property looking for a management company take your business elsewhere.

Marnie S.

We started the process looking for a rental in Watertown and quickly found a home listed by Forte. It was so easy to do the application, view the home and get a lease signed. It can be very stressful to find a rental and they made it so easy. Really appreciate everything they have done for us!

Andrew P.

I've been with Forte Management Group for almost 15 years, and they’ve just been fantastic. It’s been wonderful to see such a great company grow and thrive over the years. They are always professional, and their communication is almost instant – they’re always easy to reach.

Maintenance issues are addressed quickly and efficiently. They keep me informed and work with me to resolve everything smoothly. I’ve never had any problems with tenants; they’ve all been great to host, which reflects the quality of Forte’s management.

Over the years, I’ve had numerous tenants, with practically no vacancies. When it comes to transitioning tenants, they keep me consistently in the loop, ensuring that the process is seamless. I always feel well-informed and supported, making these transitions hassle-free.

I highly recommend Forte Management Group. They’ve made my property management experience in Watertown stress-free and enjoyable.

James F.

Forte Management Group has been managing my property since 2022 and has always done an excellent job of maintaining the highest standards with regard to tenants, the property, and myself when I have questions about the property. The 12% premium for management fees may seem higher than most but it is definitely worth it in my opinion when you factor in everything you are getting. I look forward to many more years with them knowing my property will be well taken care of.

Keishila L.

If you can manage your property in any fashion at all, just do it yourself.

This company had my property in their care and vacant for nine months. My unit is newly remodeled and in a highly desirable area in Copenhagen for its proximity to schools and amenities, so nine months is unacceptable and absurd.

From potential tenants:
Their service went from inconsistent and unreliable to incredibly rude and aggressive on the phone, potentially due to a new hire. Also, whenever they inquired about my property, Forte Management stated they wouldn't be doing a walk-through on my particular unit "for a week and a half," they just repeated that same claim every time someone asked to see my property. They also demand that interested parties fill out an application in its entirety (to include social security number, for what I assume is a credit Check) before being provided a date for a simple walk-through. I have never handed over my social for a walk-through before.

From me:
My unit was left unattended all winter, and the boiler froze and burst, flooding three floors with inches of water. They do not answer their phones and are incredibly unaware of their own proceses, when they do. The repairs alone cost me $10K. When I took control of my property, I found the refrigerator and oven had stopped working at some point. This company never notified me of this, most likely because they were unaware because they never actually walked my unit in the nine months they had it in their care. To replace them hastily to accommodate potential tenants, I purchased new appliances rather than attempting to repair them, another $4K. It took them three months to get my unit on Zillow and similar platforms. It took them two months to update my pet policy on those platforms once they were up and running. Each time I called and asked for updates, I was rudely informed that they do not provide updates and that my unit isn't the only unit that isn't renting (as if that should console me in any way) and aggressively gave me excuses instead of solutions. They made check-ins my responsibility, the customer. They DID NOT place a 'For Rent' sign on my property's lawn or make any attempts on their own accord to market my property. I had to engage and ask for months. They never placed a physical For Rent sign on my property. There is zero initiative as a service provider. The day I asked to leave them, they dropped my unit from those platforms within 30 minutes. I guess their hands miraculously worked flawlessly that day, and I'm sure it didn't have anything to do with their spiteful, disrespectful, and unbecoming demeanor.

The day I left their "care," I placed a 'For Rent' sign on the front lawn and had three calls and walk-throughs that day before the sunset.

I am in the military, and before we did business, I informed them that I was not familiar with the area or climate and that I wouldn't see my unit for several months and would be in the area intermittently when I finally arrived, expressing my need for their services. When I was able to conduct walk-throughs myself, it was brutal to experience and heartbreaking to hear the horrible testimonies of their interaction with Forte. As if house Hunting isn't already a nightmare, this company made it unnecessarily more traumatic and difficult. I'm ashamed that anyone in this world can associate this disgusting betrayal of my trust and poor service with my unit.

Considering they charge a premium of TWELVE PERCENT. 12%.... I expected a far better experience.

Cost analysis:
Nine months of missed revenue:
$11,700

Repairs (weather damage):
$10K

Emergency purchase for appliances:
$4K
Total:
$25,700

If I had known then what I know now, I would have flown a sibling, friend, or even a sworn enemy out to do a better job sooner.

Military members, we have it hard enough as it is. Do not put your faith in this group.
Just handle this matter yourself.

He never looked at me when I was introduced or got out of his chair to shake my hand. That should have said enough. Lesson learned.

Ashley M.

Stephen has worked tirelessly to provide excellent property management services to his clients. Forte Management Group has continued to grow and excel over the past decade+ because of the quality of service that his office provides. I highly recommend Forte Management Group.

Noah W.

Property management, and logistics are woeful at best. I moved out months ago, handed my orders to the receptionist who must have been in a rush that day, or had no intentions to talk to a tenent. There was no one else in the building, so I’m going with the ladder. 1 month later, I’m told that I have an outstanding balance for rent, even though I’ve already moved across the country. I call back and like a broken record being played “We’ll take care of it, don’t worry.”

I should also note that under N.Y. GOL § 7-103. A security deposit is refundable as it stated in the lease I’ve signed. Funny enough that also wasn’t paid back, and when I inquired about it again. “We’ll take care of it, don’t worry” perception is reality at the end of the day, and this property management company has not displayed one ounce of integrity towards me in any regard. There’s clearly a reason why the landlord at the property I stayed at is separating from this organization. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM!!!

Ashlyn G.

I have been with Forté for a number of years. Their maintenance is the best by far. They are usually there quickly, very few times I have had to wait over three days. I can say they are one of the best property management companies around.