Need Realtor Recommendations

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ArbyOC_IHB

New member
I need an intelligent, competent realtor who works hard for his/her clientele, isn't easily distracted, isn't flaky, and knows how to put an offer together.



I'm a first time buyer who is looking primarily in South County. I do my own research, so I basically need someone who can send listings, show homes, and write an offer.



Strong recommendations welcome. Thanks in advance.
 
Most 'Tards are - as one person put it - the greatest collection of C grade students ever assembled. Every so often there are diamonds out there. How do you find one?



First, when you say "South County" does that mean South of the Y, South of Alicia Parkway, or South of the Dana Point harbor? You'll get better results with specificity.



Example: I'm looking for a single family home between $400 and $500k in an area without Mello Roos. I can pay a small HOA due as long as it makes sense. I don't want a long commute." That narrows you down to Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo area. Once you've got those cities in mind, now what other factors do you have? Proximity to freeways, schools, shopping? That should limit your search area to a few square mile areas.



Do a Redfin or Zillow search for homes in the area. Whomever has the shortest time from list to "back up offers accepted" is likely a realistic Agent. Many of these Agents have buyer referral partners who you can work with under the same service umbrella of the lead Agent.



If this helps understand the selection issue, I have a few Agents to refer - all of whom I know from reputation and not based direct working experience. This board isn't a base of operations to promote one person over another so any referral I can send you will be as neutral as I can make it. PM's are preferred.





My .02 SGIP
 
There are some good realtors out there, including on the board. IR2 is a great one on the board. I exclusively work with buyers who know what they are looking for and don't need as much hand holding. Either way, you should talk to at least a few realtors to see who you are most comfortable working with.
 
[quote author="ArbyOC" date=1239841961]I need an intelligent, competent realtor who works hard for his/her clientele, isn't easily distracted, isn't flaky, and knows how to put an offer together.



I'm a first time buyer who is looking primarily in South County. I do my own research, so I basically need someone who can send listings, show homes, and write an offer.



Strong recommendations welcome. Thanks in advance.</blockquote>


I have made <a href="http://www.californiamoves.com/default.aspx?abrand=18263">this poor man</a> write offers (and many counter offers) on a number of homes. I think I'm responsible for some of his hair loss... Any realtor that can survive me has got to be a good one.
 
Here's a great realtor:



<a href="http://www.californiamoves.com/default.aspx?abrand=18263">Scott Gunther</a>



He's very knowledgable, and will help you with what you need.

Seriously, he's very good - you really should contact him.
 
I strongly recommend Cesi Pagano www.cesipagano.com



She was my realtor, and also was realtor of several of my friends and colleagues. Extremely professional, and very experienced. The gals work for her also are excellent. She works throughout south county.



Good luck!
 
Where exactly in South County? Any realtor who says they work all of South County probably is expert in no particular area. Kinda like a jack of all trades and master of none.
 
good thread...



how much work is it to write an offer? when I buy, I expect my realtor to write at least one a day, is that too much to ask? does that warrent the commission?



in that case, I should have bull pen of realtors, who ever can get the seller to accept that low ball offer wins! Is that fair?
 
[quote author="awgee" date=1239861648]Where exactly in South County? Any realtor who says they work all of South County probably is expert in no particular area. Kinda like a jack of all trades and master of none.</blockquote>


So in your opinion, any realtor works in multiple cities here are Master of none? You are just silly, but you probably have other motivation on making such a broad statement. Do you??



Zovall, i hope you won't delete just my comment if you don't like where this is going. I really like to understand awgee's rational, so I know next time how to pick a realtor. Thank you.
 
[quote author="roundcorners" date=1239867374]good thread...



how much work is it to write an offer? when I buy, I expect my realtor to write at least one a day, is that too much to ask? does that warrent the commission?



in that case, I should have bull pen of realtors, who ever can get the seller to accept that low ball offer wins! Is that fair?</blockquote>




They have s/w that they use these days that makes writing an offer a mere bit of entry into a template. It's almost more of a pain to you to sign an offer per day. Although, I don't know as though it's the best strategy to write an offer per day. Your agent should be able to speak to the listing agent to determine if it's worth writing an offer.



One of the things to consider is personality match with your agent. I met several that I thought were fine, but I just didn't want to work with them. In fact one of them I referred to hubby's best friend because I could see her as being a perfect fit for them. It turned out that it was. The agent I chose to work with was a good fit for my personality, but if I had to do it all over again I'm not sure I wouldn't pick a different one. In fact, knowing that I know now, my first call would be to IR2, now also known as "this poor guy."



BTW IPO, you've been writing offers behind our backs even before your lease is up... What's up with that? :)
 
[quote author="irvine123" date=1239875342][quote author="awgee" date=1239861648]Where exactly in South County? Any realtor who says they work all of South County probably is expert in no particular area. Kinda like a jack of all trades and master of none.</blockquote>


So in your opinion, any realtor works in multiple cities here are Master of none? You are just silly, but you probably have other motivation on making such a broad statement. Do you??



Zovall, i hope you won't delete just my comment if you don't like where this is going. I really like to understand awgee's rational, so I know next time how to pick a realtor. Thank you.</blockquote>


Since I am just silly, would one of our posting realtors please answer this for irvine123?







Other motivation? Such as?







Yes, Zovall, please do not delete irvine123's comment. He/she seems to have a habit of calling people names, (hypocrite, silly, etc.) Zovall, now can you see why I was giving you my opinion that is it is wiser to not delete comments? Is it not obvious that those who resort to name calling and personal attacks are showing their ignorance, lack of intelligence, intolerance, lack of ability and desire to communicate, and by leaving their comments extant you are letting them prove themselves?
 
[quote author="roundcorners" date=1239867374]good thread...



how much work is it to write an offer? when I buy, I expect my realtor to write at least one a day, is that too much to ask? does that warrent the commission?



in that case, I should have bull pen of realtors, who ever can get the seller to accept that low ball offer wins! Is that fair?</blockquote>
Speaking as a realtor, there is less work involved with representing buyers than it is selling properties. This is even more true if you are working with a knowledgeable proactive buyers like I do. Because of that, I always contribute a large portion of my commission to escrow for my buyers to use for their closing costs. I like to act more like a consultant for the buyers that I represent and not try to push them into putting an offer together, I let them tell me if they want to proceed. I will show them comps, listings, and give them my thoughts on what a fair price might be. I also guide them through the process and act as their mouth piece and buffer with the listing agent. Doesn't hurt to get invited to the house warming parties either. haha
 
[quote author="awgee" date=1239879714][quote author="irvine123" date=1239875342][quote author="awgee" date=1239861648]Where exactly in South County? Any realtor who says they work all of South County probably is expert in no particular area. Kinda like a jack of all trades and master of none.</blockquote>


So in your opinion, any realtor works in multiple cities here are Master of none? You are just silly, but you probably have other motivation on making such a broad statement. Do you??



Zovall, i hope you won't delete just my comment if you don't like where this is going. I really like to understand awgee's rational, so I know next time how to pick a realtor. Thank you.</blockquote>


Since I am just silly, would one of our posting realtors please answer this for irvine123?







Other motivation? Such as?







Yes, Zovall, please do not delete irvine123's comment. He/she seems to have a habit of calling people names, (hypocrite, silly, etc.) Zovall, now can you see why I was giving you my opinion that is it is wiser to not delete comments? Is it not obvious that those who resort to name calling and personal attacks are showing their ignorance, lack of intelligence, intolerance, lack of ability and desire to communicate, and by leaving their comments extant you are letting them prove themselves?</blockquote>


all you need to do is to prove to me is that Realtor works in multiple cities are "master of none". I can be convinced! From my personal experiences, this is not accurate. You made the statement, why do you need to posting realtors to defend your position? I think your broad statement that judges other is very silly. I don't think it is personal attack. Backup your statement with data instead of calling me ignorant, or lack of intelligence, etc. It is simple.
 
[quote author="irvine123" date=1239880390][quote author="awgee" date=1239879714][quote author="irvine123" date=1239875342][quote author="awgee" date=1239861648]Where exactly in South County? Any realtor who says they work all of South County probably is expert in no particular area. Kinda like a jack of all trades and master of none.</blockquote>


So in your opinion, any realtor works in multiple cities here are Master of none? You are just silly, but you probably have other motivation on making such a broad statement. Do you??



Zovall, i hope you won't delete just my comment if you don't like where this is going. I really like to understand awgee's rational, so I know next time how to pick a realtor. Thank you.</blockquote>


Since I am just silly, would one of our posting realtors please answer this for irvine123?







Other motivation? Such as?







Yes, Zovall, please do not delete irvine123's comment. He/she seems to have a habit of calling people names, (hypocrite, silly, etc.) Zovall, now can you see why I was giving you my opinion that is it is wiser to not delete comments? Is it not obvious that those who resort to name calling and personal attacks are showing their ignorance, lack of intelligence, intolerance, lack of ability and desire to communicate, and by leaving their comments extant you are letting them prove themselves?</blockquote>


all you need to do is to prove to me is that Realtor works in multiple cities are "master of none". I can be convinced! From my personal experiences, this is not accurate. You made the statement, why do you need to posting realtors to defend your position? I think your broad statement that judges other is very silly. I don't think it is personal attack. Backup your statement with data instead of calling me ignorant, or lack of intelligence, etc. It is simple.</blockquote>
Come on guys, play nice. I think we are all in agreement that most realtors are worthless. Awgee is entitled to his opinions (probably based upon his direct experience) and shouldn't need to back them up by posting up data.
 
[quote author="usctrojanman29" date=1239881526][quote author="irvine123" date=1239880390][quote author="awgee" date=1239879714][quote author="irvine123" date=1239875342][quote author="awgee" date=1239861648]Where exactly in South County? Any realtor who says they work all of South County probably is expert in no particular area. Kinda like a jack of all trades and master of none.</blockquote>


So in your opinion, any realtor works in multiple cities here are Master of none? You are just silly, but you probably have other motivation on making such a broad statement. Do you??



Zovall, i hope you won't delete just my comment if you don't like where this is going. I really like to understand awgee's rational, so I know next time how to pick a realtor. Thank you.</blockquote>


Since I am just silly, would one of our posting realtors please answer this for irvine123?







Other motivation? Such as?







Yes, Zovall, please do not delete irvine123's comment. He/she seems to have a habit of calling people names, (hypocrite, silly, etc.) Zovall, now can you see why I was giving you my opinion that is it is wiser to not delete comments? Is it not obvious that those who resort to name calling and personal attacks are showing their ignorance, lack of intelligence, intolerance, lack of ability and desire to communicate, and by leaving their comments extant you are letting them prove themselves?</blockquote>


all you need to do is to prove to me is that Realtor works in multiple cities are "master of none". I can be convinced! From my personal experiences, this is not accurate. You made the statement, why do you need to posting realtors to defend your position? I think your broad statement that judges other is very silly. I don't think it is personal attack. Backup your statement with data instead of calling me ignorant, or lack of intelligence, etc. It is simple.</blockquote>
Come on guys, play nice. I think we are all in agreement that most realtors are worthless. Awgee is entitled to his opinions (probably based upon his direct experience) and shouldn't need to back them up by posting up data.</blockquote>


Seriously, you guys need to chill. There is absolutely no reason that Realturds deserve this much passion from two people. That includes IR2 and Trojanman. I'm not joking, I have met both of them... no need to get worked up over RE agents... trust me.
 
I would not have a problem signing an exclusivity statement with a realtor that I really felt was going to be a good fit. My agent never asked for one, but once we started seriously working together I would not have considered working with another agent unless she did something to indicate that she was not doing her job. You really only want one agent... otherwise you have to tell your story to all the others.



As USC said, working with an educated buyer is less work, but you still won't believe how much time you spend with your buyer's agent on the phone and e-mail. If you hadn't have said that you wanted an agent to send you listings, then I would have also suggested that you talk to USC. I think he would be an excellent buyer's agent for someone who just needed contracts/negotiations and needed non business hours representation. Correct me if I"m wrong here USC, but you have a FT commitment to your employer during normal working hours whereas a FT Realtor can deal with things during the 9-5 hours. Each has a good fit.
 
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