◆ About us
A small Brooklyn property management firm focused on doing it well
Mira Halperin and Daniel Okafor founded Block & Stone in 2014 after years between them on the leasing side of larger New York firms.
We saw the same pattern on every deal: prospective tenants scheduling showings without being told the credit minimum, the pet rules, or — worst of all — the broker fee, only to be hit with the bad news at signing. Or owners getting back unit photos two months after the last move-out, charged a vendor markup neither side could itemize.
Block & Stone exists to fix both. Every unit we list shows the building's actual policy set — the credit floor, the pet rules, any building-specific terms — before anyone reaches out. Our renewal rate is 96% because we treat residents as people choosing to live somewhere, not numbers on a rent roll.
We stay deliberately small: ninety doors across five neighborhoods we know building-by-building. We turn down management contracts that would pull us outside that geography or stretch the team thin.
90
Doors managed
5
Neighborhoods
96%
Renewal rate
13 days
Avg time to lease
◆ Principles
What we believe
I.
Requirements upfront
We disclose the credit minimum, income multiple, pet policy, and any building rules on every listing. If you won't qualify, you find out before you ride the L for thirty minutes.
II.
Long renewals beat high turnover
A resident who renews twice is worth more than three new leases at this price tier. We price honestly to market and respond fast on maintenance.
III.
Building-by-building knowledge
We know which Williamsburg buildings are pet-friendly, which Bed-Stuy brownstones have working laundry hookups, and which Bushwick walkups have noisy radiators. We tell you before you tour.
IV.
Honest pricing
Listed rent is what you pay. No "amenity fees" or "key deposits" tacked on at signing. We charge the New York–capped $20 application fee and nothing else from screening.
V.
Pet-friendly where possible
About 75% of our buildings accept pets within building rules. We negotiate the lowest pet fee the owner allows and post the real number on the listing.
VI.
After-hours coverage
A frozen pipe at 2am does not wait for business hours. Our 24/7 line is answered by a real person who can dispatch our vetted local trades.
◆ People
The team
Three full-timers and standing partnerships with Marcy Plumbing, Stagg Electric, and North Brooklyn HVAC for trades work.
Mira Halperin
Co-founder, Operations
BERKELEY
Daniel Okafor
Co-founder, Owner Services
OAKLAND
Yusra Bahsoun
Head of Leasing
SAN FRANCISCO
Diego Salazar
MAINTENANCE
ALBANY
Pearl Akerman
OWNER RELATIONS
MILL VALLEY
Rohan Mehta
LEASING
OAKLAND
◆
Six years in the same Greenpoint apartment. Block & Stone took over three years ago and the building has actually gotten better — lobby painted, boiler replaced last winter, front door buzzer finally works.
◆ Get in touch
Renters, residents, owners.
Whatever path you're on, we will route you to the right person within four business hours.