Ellen Devens

RESILIENCE DURING COVID I met Ellen Devens at an Open House many years ago when I first began a search for a larger apartment. My wants were unexceptional, except that I insisted on having room for a great many books, and a set-back terrace large enough to create a garden. This was more difficult to find than I had imagined. Ellen stayed in ... (read more)

RESILIENCE DURING COVID I met Ellen Devens at an Open House many years ago when I first began a search for a larger apartment. My wants were unexceptional, except that I insisted on having room for a great many books, and a set-back terrace large enough to create a garden. This was more difficult to find than I had imagined. Ellen stayed in touch, and whenever an appropriate property came on the market, she notified me. Together we saw many almost-good-enough apartments. Neither Ellen nor I was discouraged, and her patience and diligence paid off at last. We found a large terrace that was fortunately attached to a lovely pre-war apartment with great natural light and space for books. She provided valuable insight into the costs of bringing the unit into the 21st century. She gave me a realistic idea of how long it would take to update the place because, alas, this desirable home didnt come my way till 2020. If you think buying a coop apartment in New York is complicated, try doing it in the middle of a pandemic. Though the lockdown was easing, even the simplest tasks had become virtual and difficult. Ellens experience was essential to navigating this new landscape. Especially with the moving of money, documents, and the virtual closing, I found the process aggravating in the extreme. I like to see people before I hand them money. Without Ellens guidance and patience, I might have given up, waiting until the pandemic ended before venturing into the market again. Now that work on my new home is nearly complete, Im looking forward to working with Ellen as I ready my old apartment for sale. I know Ill be in good hands. –

Clarice, NYC

Ellen navigated the quirky NYC real-estate market like a true professional. She helped our family to secure a beautiful, appropriately priced condominium for our son who recently graduated from college. Living over 1,500 miles away, she was always available via telephone or email to respond to questions, offer feedback and at times, just hold my ... (read more)

Ellen navigated the quirky NYC real-estate market like a true professional. She helped our family to secure a beautiful, appropriately priced condominium for our son who recently graduated from college. Living over 1,500 miles away, she was always available via telephone or email to respond to questions, offer feedback and at times, just hold my hand. Importantly, she was a great listener and found properties that met our parameters. I had worked with a broker from another agency before and felt I was talking to a wall. When my husband and I traveled to NYC she filled our day with appropriate properties to see. She valued our time. We were thrilled with the outcome. Ellen functioned as a consummate realtor, mother to my son and savvy negotiator. I would recommend her to my friends and intend to ask her to help us when we resettle in NYC. -

Jacqui, Florida

Ellen is fantastic and a pleasure to work with. She went above and beyond to quickly find us our dream pied-a-terre. We are from out of town and she found the perfect apartment for us. Her awareness of pricing was invaluable. Ellen made the experience smooth and easy. Shortly after she helped us, Ellen helped our son buy his apartment. That was a ... (read more)

Ellen is fantastic and a pleasure to work with. She went above and beyond to quickly find us our dream pied-a-terre. We are from out of town and she found the perfect apartment for us. Her awareness of pricing was invaluable. Ellen made the experience smooth and easy. Shortly after she helped us, Ellen helped our son buy his apartment. That was a very complex situation that required knowledge, patience, professionalism, finesse and years of experience. She came through for him too! I highly recommend her. –

Sue and Art

Ellen Devens is the consummate Real Estate professional. Her professionalism is exemplified by the fact that she understands the extremely unique New York market and the distinctions among the city's various neighborhoods. She brings exceptional creativity to the marketing of an apartment. She is also able to instantly understand what a customer ... (read more)

Ellen Devens is the consummate Real Estate professional. Her professionalism is exemplified by the fact that she understands the extremely unique New York market and the distinctions among the city's various neighborhoods. She brings exceptional creativity to the marketing of an apartment. She is also able to instantly understand what a customer seeks. All of this results in the quick sale of a listed apartment or the quick hunt for a purchase. Ellen painlessly sold my unit during a down market, and then worked tirelessly with me in a search for a new apartment. -

Susan Benton, NYC

Ellen is an honest and a meticulous broker. My husband and I met Ellen at the Open House. They were two apartments next to each other owned by two different sellers and she had the listing for both the apartments. We felt so comfortable with her that we decided to retain her as our broker. It was a complex transaction as it involved simultaneous ... (read more)

Ellen is an honest and a meticulous broker. My husband and I met Ellen at the Open House. They were two apartments next to each other owned by two different sellers and she had the listing for both the apartments. We felt so comfortable with her that we decided to retain her as our broker. It was a complex transaction as it involved simultaneous closings and she worked with all parties to ensure that it went smoothly. She was responsive and on top of things at all times. -

Priya H. NYC

I live on the West Coast and wanted to sell my NYC apartment. As an out-of-towner, I needed to trust that my broker would give me accurate guidance about timing, pricing, and marketing. Ellen did all that, and more. I knew that I could count on her to understand my concerns and educate me about the nuances in the real estate market, but even more ... (read more)

I live on the West Coast and wanted to sell my NYC apartment. As an out-of-towner, I needed to trust that my broker would give me accurate guidance about timing, pricing, and marketing. Ellen did all that, and more. I knew that I could count on her to understand my concerns and educate me about the nuances in the real estate market, but even more important, I knew that Ellen represented my interests as a seller--every step of the way. She also did a superb job ensuring that the transaction met the high standards of the co-op board. I couldn't be happier with her diligence, her professionalism, and our result. -

Margaret, California

"I first met Ellen Devens when I was the executor of my mother’s estate and needed a broker to assist in the sale of her cooperative apartment in Lincoln Towers. From that first conversation and subsequent meeting, I sensed Ellen’s deep knowledge of the inner workings of selling co-op apartments and her grasp of the market. I soon engaged Ellen ... (read more)

"I first met Ellen Devens when I was the executor of my mother’s estate and needed a broker to assist in the sale of her cooperative apartment in Lincoln Towers. From that first conversation and subsequent meeting, I sensed Ellen’s deep knowledge of the inner workings of selling co-op apartments and her grasp of the market. I soon engaged Ellen to handle the listing and immediately benefited from her no-nonsense approach, expertise and attention to detail. Her advice was invaluable and her roster of contractors to support the effort was impressive. Once the apartment was ready to be listed, it sold quickly. She skillfully guided the buyers through the maze of the application and approval process by the management company and co-op board. We relied on her judgment and expertise at each step of the process and are very thankful that we did. I most wholeheartedly recommend the services of Ellen Devens to clients at my law firm and others. Her honesty, directness and knowledge of the market are impressive. Ellen’s advice, counsel and assuredness, made the stressful process of sale and purchase doable and successful.” -

Robert S.