I'm looking for Realtor recs, as there are tons in Raleigh. I need them to be prompt, thorough, and not too pushy. Also if they specialize in or prefer first time home buyers that would be great. They also need to be knowledgeable of USDA home loans - though I'll clarify that when I interview them.

5/3/2009 2:15:50 PM

I can recommend this couple - Tim and Dani Devinney
They work for Allen Tate in Cary (although they were with York-something when I used them, but i don't think their affiliation really matters - it didn't come up when I worked with them)
http://www.missionpossibleagents.com/

We sold and bought with them in 2007, based on the recommendation of a close friend. I've since recommended them to 4 other people, who have all had good results. They work mostly as a couple, and are very friendly and funny (and intentionally cheesy, as you can see from the website).

The thing that first impressed me was how fast they are with their communication. I emailed them on a Friday night around 8pm to let them know I was interested in selling. I was planning on doing some research over the weekend, so I could be ready to talk to them on the following Monday, but literally within 2 minutes of emailing, Tim called me and we started setting things up.

I had another recommendation for a selling realtor, so I had Tim and Dani come out and look at the house, and they gave me some comps and their suggested starting price. I told them I had a couple other agents to look at, and they said "sure, no problem. We recommend you talk to as many agents as possible to make sure you're comfortable." They told me they worked on good-faith and we wouldn't even have to sign an exclusivity agreement until we got an offer.

Well, the next day another agent came out. He was very high energy, and he seemed to have very good results, but he was also pushy. After 15 minutes he literally had exclusivity papers out, and I said "whoa, hold on - we're talking to some other agents. Let me call you in a day or two" He was taken aback and said "I don't wait - your gut should know if you want me right now. Either we sign now, or I will leave." So I told him "well, i'm not comfortable signing now", so he left. I called Tim back, and worked with them and was very happy.

5/3/2009 3:28:14 PM

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/9/970/175

this is the guy my brother used; he seemed to like him

5/3/2009 9:56:40 PM

I know a few good ones.

5/3/2009 10:56:17 PM

Brad Hudson

http://bradhudson.postlets.com/

was great, coddled me through the whole first time and wasn't pushy, lots of good advice too

5/4/2009 1:40:13 AM

http://www.beckyharper.com

She was great for us. Very much like having my mom with me. Very good at understanding just what our tastes/interests were. She was probably even more picky than we were.

5/4/2009 1:44:18 AM

pm sent

5/4/2009 8:13:47 AM

http://www.allentate.com/stefanieduggan/desktopdefault.aspx

5/4/2009 9:06:26 AM

I am also interested in Realtor recommendations. I have had my house on the market for 9 months. In that same 9 months span, 4 houses in my Subdivision have been listed and sold. All of the feedback I have received has been positive, so I can only deduce that it is my Realtor that has been the problem.

I sure am seeing a lot of Allen Tate. Is it coincidence that an Allen Tate Realtor is the one that sold my neighbor's house in 2 months for more than asking price (they listed 2 weeks after us too )?

5/4/2009 9:10:23 AM

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/b/65/b88

My grandparents used her, as did my husband. My mother did NOT like working with her. I think this is the case because my mom is such a control freak and had unrealistic expectations (e.g., not a lot of money, but very nice, and now). Z gave his apt complex notice that he wouldn't be renewing his lease before he even started househunting. When I told Marge what Matt had done, you could tell she did a mental facepalm, and then she just said "Well, then, let's get to looking". She found him a house pretty quickly, and was quite pleasant to work with.

She does specialize in first-time homebuyers. When my grandparents bought their house back in the 90s, it was their first time - at least slightly unusual. I don't know why she doesn't have this mentioned on her profile

[Edited on May 4, 2009 at 10:25 AM. Reason : lol oops]

5/4/2009 10:25:25 AM

OK, I normally don't post in threads like this but I really want to recommend an awesome realtor who through an experience with him almost became a friend of mine. His name is Myles and he's just completely awesome.

- Not pushy one bit. Listens
- Full time, works hard, takes you to see a milllion homes if it's your wish.
- Accessible, responds immediately to stuff.
- Knows a lot about the accounting end of stuff for loans and paperwork. Good at that end of thing, not just a
- Lots of charisma, fun to look at houses with. You can tell him something looks like shit and he'll laugh and maybe even agree.

Email me if you have any questions and plan on contacting him. kainen@gmail.com


MYLES HARMER
Northside Realty
Phone919) 741-3208
Fax: (919) 816-2525
mylesharmer@yahoo.com

5/4/2009 11:10:56 AM

Rick Sapienza
919-332-4510

http://www.rsapienza.com/

Rick Sapienza is an alumnus of my fraternity whom I met 2 years ago when he helped sponsor the catering for our Homecoming-Football game tailgate. Great guy, and an even better Realtor.

Rick knows the area inside and out. He can do everything from ~100,000 foreclosures to multi-million dollar properties inside the beltline. Just give him a price range and some preferences and he'll run with it.

And yes, he helped me find my current house at a bargain basement price. Worked his ass off to make it happen too. Honestly Rick may be the hardest-working guy I know.

Give the guy a call. You'll thank me for it.

5/4/2009 1:57:38 PM

myself

5/4/2009 2:13:49 PM

RealPro Realty
(919) 481-9000
http://www.realprorealtync.com

Out of Cary, but list and sell property throughout several counties around the triangle area.

5/4/2009 2:38:42 PM

I am going to list my house again.

It was on the market for 9 months with the same Realtor. He was a family friend. I will go about it a little different this time around.

5/26/2009 1:03:20 PM

I would recommend out realtor. We were first time home buyers and he was great (not pushy, gave us great advice about houses that we should avoid,etc.) He's older but has been a realtor in raleigh since like 1980 and knows the area like the back of his hand.

http://joseserrano.remax.com/

He is very funny man as well that is easy to talk with.

5/26/2009 8:05:24 PM