I'm writing this review after Day 1 of my home search with Jill Grano:
Day 0: Jill called me to discuss what I am looking for, she was very professional and courteous.
Day 0.5: Jill sent me listings based on our brief phone conversation -- Clearly she is a good listener because the listings she sent me were right on the money; No time wasted looking through places that didn't meet my budget, standards, etc. -- Great job Jill!
Day 1: I had to change plans for where we were going to meet and Jill accommodated my request -- No problems.
So far you might be wondering, "Ok, so Jill was professional, courteous, etc. but isn't that how all agents should be?" Yes, but they're not.
Here's why Jill get's 5 stars (In no particular order):
1. She smart, she *listens*, she *gets* it, and she's not going to waste your time or hers. You don't have to explain to her what you're looking for twice.
2. She's a problem solver. So far the place I liked best is under-contract. She called the sellers agent, she asked the important questions. Next, she has already come up with a few ideas on how to still get me what I'm looking for even though the place I liked best is under contract. Way to go Jill!
3. She's objective. I've had agents who say exactly the same thing with every property they show you, "Oh, this is perfect for you. . .Oh, this is perfect for you. . ." None of that with Jill -- She made exactly the same remarks I did about the pros and cons of each and every property she showed me today.
4. She's nice to talk with. She happened to share with me that her husband, Jordan, is the founder and owner of Folsom Skis in Boulder -- How awesome is that?
5. So far, I really feel that Jill wants to help me find the property I want, and not just get me under contract so she can move on to the next sale. That's value, and that's an agent's commission well-earned and deserved.
Final update [2 weeks after closing]:
Everything from start to finish working with Jill went like clockwork:
1. Loan: Jill recommended Dave Schell (http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dave-schell/9/958/280) -- I told Jill that I don't think that loan agents/brokers add much value but I contacted Dave anyway. I have to now say that *MOST* loan agents/brokers don't add much value. Dave was immediately responsive, got me the lowest rate, locked me (and extended it to my closing date), and made sure all the ducks were in a row in advance of closing. I'll be writing a separate review of Dave Schell shortly.
2. Inspection: Jill recommended George Scott over at Scott Home Inspection http://www.scotthomeinspection.com/. George met me at the property personally and walked around the property with me showing me things that were good and things I should ask to have fixed -- Fortunately the property was solid and the only things he recommended that needed to be fixed were very minor -- His suggestion to have a dying aspen tree removed was particularly valuable and the owner/sellers were very gracious about paying to have it taken care of.
3. Closing: Jill and Dave met me the morning of the close -- I was 15 minutes late. We were done in and hour and a half.
I couldn't be happier with my new home and the whole process was not only painless it was actually a pleasure. I can honestly say that I've woken up with a smile on my face every morning since moving in.
This is why I moved to Colorado, it's not just the beautiful landscapes, the people here are amazing and Jill Grano, Dave Schell, and George Scott are great examples of people who are very professional, take their work seriously, do a great job, and are a pleasure to work with.
Fantastic job Jill!!
Ways you can contact, find Jill Grano
http://jillgrano.com/
https://www.facebook.com/JillGranoRealEstate
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jill-grano/6/410/989)
jill@jillgrano.com read more