Note: Revised as of 9/25/2014, less negative, and one more star added to Julie.
After seeing the reviews for Hilary and Darcie, I decided to try out Julie, based on their referral. My wife and I were first-time homebuyers and already had several deals fall through. Unfortunately, things didn't go well with Julie either. This is not so say they would not work out well for you, all I can talk about is my experience, which I will do now.
Summary, for those who don't take the time to read long, but comprehensive, reviews:
I would not recommend Julie as realtor, she didn't advocate for our needs, and instead of submitting repair request to the seller she consistently argued with us that we shouldn't ask for repairs. Her primary concern was not acting a buyer's agent, but instead acting as a seller's agent to ensure the transaction closed, despite our request and concerns as buyers. I would recommend steering clear of her and using Hilary or Darcie instead. This has been a unpleasant experience at times.
Julie was helpful in locating many of houses we did a walk through for. We went though many walk throughs with Julie before we finally found one that we wanted, I found it the day it was listed, she scheduled a walk through for the next day, and we submitted a bid the day after that. Julie suggested we offer full price to the seller and request $3000 for Closing. I told her that we already had a Estimated Cash to Close Worksheet from our lender for a home that was priced significantly lower and the Closing cost for that home was over $3000. I asked that she put down $7000 for Closing and we argued about the matter, she eventually agreed. Actual Closing cost $7049.50. Then, we had the home inspection done and found that the home needed the roof replaced, there was mold in attic, and the furnace was about to expire as it was over 22 years old. Furnaces typically last 15-20 years. While the home was in pretty good condition, it still needed a few thousands dollars in repairs, the roof, mold, and furnace were especially alarming. As a buyers agent, the realtor's role is to offer advice when asked, to advocate for your needs (including price and repairs), perform due diligence, and provide support through this long and stressful home purchasing process.
Julie told us we should ask for the only the major repairs like the roof and not ask for the furnace. Being excited about the home, we were not thinking about the other repairs that would be needed soon, all the appliances that were over 20 years old, how uncomfortable we will be during the summer, or how cold we will be when the 22 year old furnaces gives out. But perhaps most importantly; how cash-strapped we would be after we moved in, all while taking on a 30 year mortgage. So, naturally, we asked that the Buyers Repair Addendum include replacement of the roof and the 22 year old furnace, just two major repairs, and both of which are purely deferred maintenance on the part of the Seller. Instead of Julie submitting the repairs request, she spent the next few weeks trying to convince us that we should not ask for the furnace and fear mongering by telling us the seller could agree to do no repairs and we would be stuck with a house where we have to do all the repairs. It took all I could to comfort my wife and let her know that the seller could counter our offer, and that the seller has no other offers. Finally, we had a tense meeting with Julie at her office in NE, where she again, after all this, tried to convince us we would get nothing and the deal would die. I had to look at her directly in the eye and tell her: This is what we want, this is what we need, and you need to submit it.
This is where I have to speculate, but there is strong evidence to conclude that Julie is so new to being a realtor, two years as of 2014, that she's not very good at negotiating with the seller's agent. Transactions are often made favorable to the seller, as the less concessions they have to make, the easier the transaction. But this isn't just a transaction, this is our home, and this is our life.
We submitted the repairs request and the next day the seller agreed to pay $4000 toward the replacement of the roof, Julie was wrong. Through the negotiations period our realtor didn't focus on the major repairs and after a conversation with my parent stated that we were "being ungrateful". A roof in need of replacement, mold and dry rot in the attic, no cooling unit, and a furnace on it's last leg but we are "ungrateful". That's interesting. I felt like she didn't advocate for our needs and the paramount concern for her was ensuring that the transaction went through.
Above, in paragraph three, last sentence, I mentioned what a realtor's role is. I think Julie is not the worst or the best. She might do well for some buyers, and ultimately, as she handed me the keys to the house, I could tell she cares. read more
