Jesse got me my first choice home, in a highly competitive neighborhood (University Heights), for…read morefar less money than I expected.
I recommend Jesse for anyone looking to buy (and probably sell) a home, but I especially recommend him for first-time buyers or anyone unfamiliar with the process of buying a home. I read reviews about how he educates potential clients and I assumed it was sitting in a room with a bunch of people looking at powerpoint slides. It was a one-on-one, no holds barred, learning session on the entire process. He blocked out 2 hours of his Saturday morning teaching me everything I could absorb about the home-buying process, start (preapproval and viewing homes) to finish (closing escrow and getting your keys).
Day 1 (Saturday): I had sent an email through a real estate website and he responded with some basic facts, set up search criteria, and offered to meet with me for his new buyer training program (free). It was at least two hours and he showed no signs of annoyance or frustration at all my questions. There was no sugar-coating, selling tactics, anything. He was straightforward when he said it's a seller's market right now and the disadvantages that posed. This was before I had chosen him as my agent and it set a strong foundation of trust, that he wouldn't try to talk around things that might scare me off. He taught me too much to write here, but after floating around real estate websites for the last few months, I finally felt like I had a plan and I was prepared.
Day 1 (Saturday Night): My search showed a listing that went live that day. I texted Jesse at 8-9pm asking if I could see the place the next day. Yeah, it felt inappropriate texting that late at night, but he assured me repeatedly that I could text anytime. It's a good thing I did, he arranged for a viewing the next morning at 11:15am.
Day 2 (Sunday): We met at the house. A couple was exiting with their agent as we walked up the stairs. There was some awkward eye contact made (the potential competition). I had gone to a few open houses before, but never a one-on-one viewing with an agent. It was good he was there because this place was better than any open house I had been to and it was in University Heights (crazy competitive area). He told me ahead of time he wasn't going to give his opinion until I gave mine because he didn't want to sway me either way. He had already spoken with the listing agent's assistant to get as much background information on the place as possible. I gave my opinion, he gave his, and I felt confident I wanted to make an offer. Jesse had pros and cons and he gave me everything he could to help me make a decision. I gave my opinion on an offer and he told me $10,000 less would be his recommended approach. We compromised in the middle (his common sense with my eagerness to buy). As we left another couple was walking in with their agent. Listed for one day and this place already had a line out the front door.
Keep in mind, it didn't benefit him as my agent to tell me to offer less, he only makes money if I get the bid.
We put the bid in as soon as possible. A cash only buyer came in and won the bid, but Jesse made a point to keep in contact with the agent to jump in at the first sign of that buyer pulling out. They did two days later, Jesse called, he had spoken with the listing agent whose main concern was my low downpayment. I upped it by $7,000 and I won the bid. There was strong competition even at that point (he explained the listing agent was a pro and been selling in that area for years-not to mention the home was amazing), but Jesse had moved fast and built a rapport.
The next few weeks were extremely smooth except for my persistent questions, which Jesse handled with patience and understanding. At one point I requested information on zoning and setbacks. Jesse's assistant Ashley forwarded me a string of emails from multiple people at different agencies who looked into my question and provided me four attachments with everything I had asked for. Jesse then called me to explain the content of the attachments to make sure I understood.
I got lucky. I chose Jesse solely because of the reviews, and it has been my best blind decision to date. I highly recommend Jesse as an agent.