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About Us

J. Rubinstein Homes is a collective of top-tier real estate professionals bringing together decades of experience, cross-disciplinary expertise, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional results for buyers, sellers, renters, and investors across New York City. Led by Justin Rubinstein, a two decade industry veteran with more than $1B in closed transactions, the team embodies a standard of service rooted in integrity, precision, and thoughtful negotiation.

The team’s diverse backgrounds create a strategic advantage for clients navigating every corner of the Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens markets. With extensive experience in investment sales, new development, co-ops, condos, townhouses, and multi-family assets, the team blends granular market insight with a data-driven approach to pricing, marketing, and deal execution. Their collective track record includes record-breaking sales, long-standing relationships with developers and investors, and deep familiarity with board packages, approvals, and building operations.

Known for tenacity, calm under pressure, and exceptional communication, the team provides comprehensive guidance through each step of the real estate journey, from evaluating investment opportunities to crafting targeted marketing strategies that maximize exposure and value. Their backgrounds span construction, finance, analytics, operations, hospitality, relocation, and high-volume brokerage, giving clients the benefit of broad skill sets united under a single philosophy: elevate the client experience and deliver results that stand out in even the most competitive markets.

Together, J. Rubinstein Homes operates with a commitment to thoughtful advisory, market expertise, and unwavering client advocacy, bringing clarity, strategy, and confidence to every transaction.
 

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Justin Rubinstein

Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker

Esther Patten

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Kevin Maher

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Howard Spiegelman

Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker

Gabriela Vatamanu

Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker

Masha Antonova

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Humayra Ahmed

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Testimonials

Sellers

Ahmed & Valerie Elcott

“It was a great pleasure working with you on the sale of our apartment. We appreciate your dedication, personal attention and tireless effort during the sale. You were very helpful in constantly re-evaluating our strategy based on market conditions. As a result, our apartment sold for over 25% more per square foot than the most recent comp. We were very impressed with your knowledge of the market and most importantly, you handled all facets of the sale with expertise and valuable counsel from start to finish. You were very attentive throughout and especially towards the end during a complicated negotiation you were patient and provided outstanding guidance.”

242 East 25th Street, Penthouse
Developer

Jack Velenski

“Justin Rubinstein is not only the most professional salesperson I have ever worked with, but also the most effective. After marketing my 6400 square foot building with another brokerage with no success, I was fortunate to meet Justin. He provided me with a reinvigorated marketing plan and ideas for how to sell my building. In a very short time, he had relisted the building and garnered immediate interest. Selling an entire building for a premium price is not an easy task, but Justin and his team were up to the challenge, and exceeded my expectations. Within 60 days, we had an accepted offer. As this was a complicated and nuanced deal, having Justin’s involvement from start to finish was critical, and once the was , he became even more valuable. Where some brokers’ attention may falter after signing, Justin understood the importance of seeing the deal through to the finish line and made sure that we succeeded. 45 days later we had a successful and smooth closing, and Justin was able to guide me through the entire process. Should you ever find yourself in a position to sell an apartment or piece of property, I must say you should Justin first.”

172 Skillman Avenue
Sellers

Holly & Max Grossman

"Justin was an incredible advisor and partner throughout the entire process.  From ensuring that our marketing was impeccable to timing the listing correctly to handling multiple offers, he was the consummate agent and a pleasure to work with.  The speed and execution of the sale were flawless, and he protected our interests throughout."

215 West 91st Street
Principal, EHDD Architecture

Brad Jacobson

"Justin Rubinstein served as the sales agent for our upper east side penthouse property. It was a complicated sale involving many issues outside of Justin's control and required a great deal of patience. He was our steady and hard-working advocate throughout the process and got us through to a successful closing in a relatively soft market. What stands out most about Justin is his forthrightness; his strategic approach to sales; his understanding of the motivations below the surface of a negotiation; and his empathy. I recommend him to all seeking representation in real estate."

170 East 87th Street, Penthouse
Sellers

Caryn & Howard Unger

"Justin Rubinstein handled everything on the sale of our apartment from start to finish perfectly. From pre-listing, to marketing strategy, to a very smoothly orchestrated negotiation and closing, every detail was executed with professionalism and expertise. Their pricing assessment was ten percent (!) higher than other top brokers, and they got it! We couldn’t be more pleased with our choice and would enthusiastically recommend them to anyone!"

221 West 77th Street
Sellers

Jennifer & Tom Potter

“Justin offers a levels of experience, professionalism and confidence that were unmatched in our search for a brokerage team. He understood and marketed a very unique space and got us a price that wasn't even considered by others we interviewed. We survived the process by relying on his good judgement and calm reassurance. He has our highest recommendation and eternal gratitude."

140 East 81st Street
Peakspan Capital, Founder and Principal, Buyer

Matthew Melymuka

"Justin,

Thank you so much for the note and the sentiments here! We couldn't agree more with everything above, but would augment the message slightly to emphasize your role in this partnership - our job is easy, but you are the epitome of what every broker strives to be. Super engaged, highly analytical and data-driven, gritty, scrappy and always a pleasure to be around while operating with the utmost integrity in a world and industry that is lacking that quality. It has been a privilege working with you and we're humbled to not only call you our business partner, but a dear friend. So thank you from the bottoms of our hearts for all that you've done for us.

We're excited to have you and Esther over to the place in... 2025? :) Or we could get weird a have a warehouse rave in the empty building - either or!

Thanks again Justin - hope you have a great weekend if we don't speak to you before then."

222 East 71st Street, Unit 3A/4A
Sellers

Daniel & Peggy

"Justin brought a marketing plan that was able to sell our condo in a tough market.  His expertise in New York City real estate helped guide us to a successful sale.  We would strongly recommend Justin."

151 West 21st Street, Unit 11B
Seller

Molly

"Justin Rubinstein and his team went above and beyond to ensure the sale of our apartment in a timely and profitable manner.  He was strategic and knowledgeable throughout the entire process, especially the negotiation.  There were multiple two bedrooms in the building listed at the same time as ours, but with his expertise, our apartment moved first and we avoided having to negotiate against the other units.  Our situation was unique and we were selling our apartment while living out of state and his team helped us with all of the logistics of staging, closing and moving out virtually.  Aside from all of the attributes that make Justin a good agent like responsiveness, attentiveness, etc, he is a genuinely good person who cares and makes the process actually enjoyable.  Having worked with other agents in the past, Justin is far superior and we highly recommend working with him."

151 West 21st Street, Unit 9E
Buyer, Seller

Corey Kaminsky

"I met Justin Rubinstein about 5 years ago when I was searching for my first apartment in NYC. From start to finish, he was an absolute joy to work with. He was very knowledgeable about the area I was looking in and was always available to meet me for open houses. He made me feel like I was his most important client and ended up finding me my dream apartment. When it came time to sell that apartment, I knew just the person to call. Justin and Mike were always timely, held multiple showings, and negotiated a fantastic deal for me that I couldn't be happier with. The whole process was stress free and I would highly recommend Justin and Mike to anyone looking to buy or sell their home!"

205 3rd Avenue, Unit 3K
Buyer

Darush Rahmani

"Justin is a fantastic agent. Very professional, courteous and accessible. He made the experience of buying our home in New York City a very simple process even though we were an out-of-state buyer. Would highly recommend this agent."

133 West 22nd Street, Unit 6A
Buyer

Chris Benarroch

"Working with Justin was a wonderful experience. He worked closely with us to find the perfect apartment in the best neighborhood. He guided us on the initial offer - which was immediately accepted and took us through the approval process to secure our co op acceptance. He is dependable, kind and professional."

136 Waverly Place, Unit 4B
Seller

Rich Orloff

"I’m so glad that I met Justin Rubinstein just as I was about to make a big change in my life: buying a two-bedroom co-op apartment and selling the one-bedroom apartment I was living in. Justin represented me well in negotiations, listened to my concerns and priorities with respect, advised and educated me with skill and patience, and constantly proved to be smart and trustworthy. When there were hiccups along the way (and there are always hiccups), he found solutions. His commitment and steadfastness buoyed me when I felt discouraged. Unlike some real estate agents I met, he always seemed authentic. I recommend him with deep appreciation for all he did, every step along the way, in both apartment deals. I’m thoroughly pleased with the results."

11 Riverside Drive, Unit 9SE
Buyer

Jess Hahon

"Justin is truly a gem!

He came highly recommended by a friend—who, after hearing about our experience, said she wished she had worked with him herself. From the start, it was clear Justin was different. He was incredibly patient, a great listener, and genuinely had our best interests at heart, basically unreal in the world of real estate, where it's often about rushing a deal through.

When we finally found the right apartment, Justin’s guidance on crafting the offer and navigating the process was spot-on. He made everything feel manageable and straightforward. After 12 years of searching for a place in NYC and working with countless realtors and missing out on opportunities, we finally found the right apartment, and the right agent, in Justin. We can’t recommend him highly enough."

215 West 91st Street, Unit 43
Buyer

Rick Eddy

"If you have the opportunity to work with Justin on your next home purchase in NYC, do not pass it up. He was not only professional and knowledgeable about the particular markets we were interested in, but also dedicated to helping us achieve the specific outcome we wanted. He understood our needs and guided us through every step of the process from initial touring to closing.

Most importantly, Justin was an actual difference maker in our home buying process - by getting to know us and our preferences over several months, he helped us secure and close our first choice promptly after it became available. I do not believe we would have achieved the success we did without him. I strongly recommend Justin for anyone who has the chance to work with him in Manhattan and Brooklyn!"

34 North 7th Street, Penthouse 2B
Seller

William Schroeder

"Justin and I made a plan from the beginning to try to achieve the highest price ever for a 1 bedroom in my building, and he absolutely delivered! From day 1 his communication and attention to detail were very clear and evident. His experience and expertise in NYC real estate was incredibly valuable in achieving the best possible outcome in selling my home. I can’t recommend him highly enough."

270 West 11th Street, Unit 5G
Buyer

Neha Khosla

"Finding a new home can be a daunting process, but Justin made it an experience I’ll never forget. Over the course of more than a year, he patiently guided me through my search with unwavering support, unmatched professionalism, and genuine care.

From the very beginning, Justin took the time to truly understand my needs and preferences. He made sure that every apartment we visited was aligned with my criteria. His flexibility and dedication made me feel incredibly supported throughout the process.

What stood out the most was Justin’s thoughtful approach to helping me evaluate options. He explained the tradeoffs of every choice, empowering me to make informed decisions. He always had my best interests in mind, and I never felt rushed or pressured."

368 3rd Avenue, Unit 24B
Seller

Xiaodi Z.

"Selling a home is arguably the most stressful experience for any family, second only to buying a home. We were lucky enough to work with Justin on both transactions, and we couldn’t have asked for a better realtor!

Experienced, resourceful, detail oriented and a clear communicator, Justin never pushed us to make rushed decisions and always prioritized our interests.

During the most stressful moments, Justin provided a calm presence and steered us away from emotional reactions. As a direct result of his helpful and timely support, we not only bought our dream home but sold it in record time seven years later.

Whether you’re looking to sell or buy a home in NYC, you should work with Justin!!"

270 Saint Marks Avenue, Unit 2
Buyer

Steven Pritzker

"I recently relocated back to New York City after a 15-year hiatus. I was looking for a market expert to help me navigate a unique real estate market, and a friend referred me to Justin Rubinstein.

From start to finish, Justin’s professionalism and expertise made the process of buying a home in Manhattan stress-free. His understanding of the market was evident when he guided me through a difficult decision between two properties. He was able to help me understand many of the nuanced pros and cons of each property. Most notably, Justin’s negotiation skills were outstanding, and he helped me secure a significant discount from the asking price.

Justin's proactive approach ensured that every detail of the purchase process was addressed promptly, from the initial offer to the day of closing. His clear communication and prompt responses kept me informed and confident throughout, and he consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication to my needs (and preferences).

I highly recommend Justin Rubinstein to anyone seeking an expert in the New York City real estate market - he will exceed your expectations. His market insight, negotiation skills, and client-focused approach set him apart in the industry."

314 West 94th Street, Unit 3D
Renter

Daniel Tegen

"I had an outstanding experience working with Justin Rubinstein and his team while navigating a complex condo board vetting and diligence process during my apartment search. I couldn't be more satisfied with the expertise Justin provided. He patiently guided me through each step, ensuring I understood every aspect of the leasing process. He was proactive and always one step ahead. His attention to detail, prompt communication, and in-depth knowledge of leasing procedures significantly simplified the process.

I am grateful for Justin’s expertise, professionalism, and dedication, which ultimately resulted in me securing the perfect apartment. He challenged a number of provisions in the lease that were not in my best interest as the tenant and the landlord removed them before I signed. I highly recommend Justin to anyone seeking a reliable and supportive real estate partner."

236 East 47th Street, Penthouse 1F
Buyer

William Gerstner

"Justin was awesome. He heard me and knew what I was looking for in terms of an apartment. He showed me several that all fit the bill. I took the best one for me."

250 West 19th Street
Buyer

Yeonjoo Cho

"As a first time homebuyer, my fiancé and I had a lot of trepidation about embarking on this journey to find our own home. Given our work commute and budget, we had a lot of constraints and conditions that needed to be met, and we were worried we wouldn’t be able to find a home. Justin, who came highly recommended from our colleague, made the process as painless as possible. Not only is he so personable, but is attentive and a great listener to your wants and needs. He brings with him his breadth of expertise in the NYC metro area and a wealth of resources from fellow agents to recommendations for real estate agents to mortgage brokers. We felt supported in so many different ways throughout the entire process. He was always available to answer our plethora of questions. I know we have gotten so much out of our relationship with Justin! We closed on a fabulous apartment in downtown Brooklyn that checked all our boxes, and in the process we have a continuing relationship for the years to come!"

365 Bridge Street, Unit 8D
Seller

Griffin Bealle

"We have worked with Justin for over a decade across multiple apartments. He always goes above and beyond, providing creative solutions and thoughtful perspective at each step. We highly recommend Justin and hope to work with him again!"

144 East 36th Street, 8B
Sellers

Amy & Jeff Price

"We couldn’t have asked for a better experience than we had working with Justin and Michael. They promised us they would sell our condo within 15% of the ask price in under 90 days in a very volatile market, and they did! They’re experts in not only real estate, but specifically real estate in the Manhattan market and we were in contract in under a month! It was truly a pleasure working with them and we look forward to the opportunity to work with them again on a transaction in the future."

23 E 22nd St, Unit 21
Buyer

Mark Van Pelt

“Relocating to New York City from London brought many challenges – one that I  expected to be very difficult, but turned out to be a delight, was buying an apartment.  I started speaking with Justin about six weeks prior to my arrival.  He immediately got on the same page as me in terms of what I was looking for in a home, and how I felt about making such a large investment.  When I arrived in New York, to my surprise I actually felt well-prepared based on everything we had discussed prior to my move; we began viewing apartments right away, and Justin put me in touch with several mortgage brokers.  After a few weeks of searching, I found an apartment I loved.  Alas, I wasn’t the only one who loved it, and I got beat out by an all-cash buyer.  The next weekend we were out again and I found beautiful unit in a pre-war building in Greenwich Village.  Justin guided me through the offer, negotiation, mortgage, and a successful closing.  I’ve heard many horror stories about buying in New York, and working with Justin was nothing but positive – a consummate professional and expert in his field!”

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Buyer

Philip Kalaf

“After several unsuccessful attempts at the apartment search, a colleague recommended I call Justin Rubinstein, at Prudential Douglas Elliman.  He was the last broker I called.  I can safely say that I felt confident throughout my apartment search process that I was sufficiently educated about the market, that my needs would be met from beginning to end, and that I would get a good deal.  As it turns out, I couldn’t have been more right.  Justin has proven to be an invaluable resource as I have referred him to several friends and colleagues since I purchased my apartment, and as he has helped guide me on the purchase of an investment property as well.  Prompt, efficient, knowledgeable, and professional, it is no wonder that each person I know that has dealt with Justin has lauded his service.”

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Media & Press

6sqft

Divided by a private skybridge, this $2.75M Upper East Side co-op feels like a work of modern art

June

2025

Curbed

The Duplex on East 78th That Comes With a Private Skybridge

June

2025

Crain's New York

Afghan media mogul unloads Greenwich Village townhouse for $4.8M

June

2025

NY Post

Rare NYC penthouse spanning 2 buildings — and connected by a unique outdoor bridge — asks $2.75M

May

2025

The New York Times

Real Estate – On the Market

February

2021

Curbed

5 open houses on the Lower East Side to check out this weekend

February

2020

The New York Times

How to Protect Yourself From Real Estate Scams

January

2020

Business Insider

50 Cent was reportedly spending $70,000 a month on his 52-room Connecticut home. We asked 3 real-estate agents to break down the 'invisible' costs of owning a mansion.

April

2019

Bloomberg

Reach Baby Boomers Want Master Bedrooms the Size of Apartments

May

2018

Curbed

The L train shutdown is a year away—what effect will it have on rent prices?

May

2018

Observer

The Price Is Right

April

2016

Observer

Short-Term Second Homes

January

2016

The Wall Street Journal

Makeover Time for Rentals of a Certain Age

May

2012

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