We engaged Dave as a buyer's agent for our Cambridge condo search in spring 2014. Note that this was a very difficult market for buyers. Where other agents wrung their hands and told us how many contingencies we might expect to have to waive (which we were not comfortable with), Dave was the first agent to share our excitement about buying a place, AND to not recommend such drastic measures.
One of the best things about working with Dave is that he has lots of experience working with renovations. In an area where many places are old, it takes a knowledgeable eye to see the potential of a place - to see where a wall could be knocked down, where a bathroom could be added, where the plumbing is on its last legs. Dave is not afraid to dive into the guts of a house and recommend on what's bad news, and what could be changed and how much it would cost to fix it. Not every agent has this nitty-gritty construction-level understanding. Even after we closed on our new place, he continued to be helpful with odds and ends.
Dave is also well-liked and well-connected within real estate since he's an easygoing guy who's been in the field full-time for so many years. In a challenging market, this 'who you know' aspect can make the difference between a buyer getting an offer accepted and a buyer getting ignored.
From the moment we met him in his office, to his standing offer to visit every open house, all the way through til closing, Dave was the perfect blend of professional and personable, and we liked both these sides of him. We enjoyed his congeniality, his ability to play hardball in negotiations, and his willingness to tell us difficult truths when we needed to hear them. All in all, Dave was a warm and knowledgeable guide. He was patient and assertive without being pushy, and very responsive to all our emails and phone calls, no matter what the hour.
When the seas of homebuying get choppy and emotions run high, Dave always keeps an even keel. read more
