The Martino Group

Unfortunately, I do not recommend anyone doing business with this company. I am an employee and student at a large university here in Denton; and I had a disappointing experience with the Martino Group. I have looked into Jack Bell, Scott Brown, Places to Be, and private Realtors and after looking high and low, I thought the Martino Group would be the best place for me. Unfortunately, bad business practices proved me wrong.
At the beginning of the month in July, I began working with Cindy. She seemed to be a very pleasant person, so I was excited to work with her. She showed me a one bedroom off Elm Street and told me there was one available on each floor. By the end of my showing, she told me there was only one more available, so I rushed after work to get the deposit and application fee and dropped it off to the office promptly. The next day I received a call from her informing me that the place was no longer available because it was rented to someone else 2 months prior by Roger (strike one). Once again, I found Cindy to be very nice (frazzled and unaware), but nice and she assured me she had another place (Centre Place, 2 units) available, so I brushed it off and we set up a viewing for Friday.
When viewing Centre Place the following week, I saw a lovely unit and fell in love. There is no doubt that the Martino Group offers affordable and updated units. As mentioned earlier, Cindy told me she had one unit there on the first and second floor, but after the viewing the unit, she told me that she had nothing available and that she would save the best one for me (strike 2)! She did however mention that she may have a tenant getting evicted from the second floor; and I was really shocked at her unprofessionalism (as well as a coworker who had joined me on this viewing) (strike 3).
I was annoyed that they had my money still for a second week and I was still without a place to live; however, I decided to give it a week to see if anything came available. After a week of nothing coming up, I decided to call the office to ask for my money back, I got a bit of the run around, but was told I could finally come pick it up. On that same night (week 3), I received a text from Cindy letting me know that someone decided to move out unexpectantly; and that there was a unit available on the second floor (ready by August 1, just when I needed it). I was so ecstatic… until I asked to see the exact unit which seemed to be a problem. Thereafter, I found out from Roger, that the girl was actually being evicted from that unit for nonpayment and that her dog and boyfriend had moved in. Cindy confirmed nonpayment was the issue, but said that no dog or boyfriend had ever lived there. Either way, that information was confidential and it was completely unprofessional to share (I am out of strikes).
After continuing to get the run around on not being able to see that unit for about another week or so, I finally decided to ask for my money back again until I could see the exact unit. Cindy told me no problem and that I could pick the money up asap. I told her that there was no way I could sign a lease in good conscious without seeing the exact unit; and I don’t think any adult with a sound mind would. This is a college town and Realtors treat renters as such. Unfortunately, I am not like other students… mommy and daddy do not sign my lease, so I do care what legal documents I sign and commit to.
The following week I texted her to follow up to see if the girl had moved out and she told me that she rented the place the same day I picked up my money (sight unseen. who does that?); and sadly, she denied what information she had texted me. To be honest, I was furious because she tried to blow me off with a lie; and I found it awful that she would not notify me seeing that we had worked together for a month and they held my money for a month ($ 400). I was so patient and kind to her, so I was truly appalled. I called and left a message with the the property manager Nick that day to discuss my frustration and the unfairness in the matter; however, I never heard back. Had he called me back, I most likely would not have written this review, but I feel the truth should be told with this bad experience. In any event, I work with students every day and the number one question I get is, where should I live? In past times, I would’ve raved about the Martino Group, but in good conscious and after my poor experience with them, I cannot and will not recommend their company to anyone.
A friend and co-​worker of mine decided to rent with Jack Bell; and I went with her to sign her lease. I have seen good and bad reviews on their company, but in my personal experience, they were awesome! The process was quick, smooth, and the staff was friendly and coherent. The Martino Group may be the same; however, I did not experience that which was unfortunate. Be safe leasing folks!