WE DO NOT RECOMMEND AGENT AMANDA FROM SMITH REALITY GROUP OUT OF GAYLORD. Here's the truth Why, despite what she may tell anyone that asks. My wife and I met an elderly woman that wanted to sell her home, and we were interested. She told us she had gotten some home values from a couple of Gaylord Realtors but hadn't listed the home yet. She told us that one realtor said she would do the paperwork and help her close the deal for $500. We talked for a while and then the next day we made her an offer. A few days later we met again. A few more days passed and we knew that she was getting a little stressed by everything. So in order to ease her mind, we just asked what she wanted for the house. She gave us her asking price and knew it was a fair value based on what she was told by the realtors so we agreed to it 100% and we told her we would buy it as is with no inspection, we would pay all the closing costs and we would work around her schedule for as long as needed. Finally, we had a realtor friend that was going to do the paperwork for free, saving her another $500. A few days later, we told her that all of the paperwork was done. The financing was secure and we just needed to get together to make any adjustments and sign the paperwork. She told us she was going out of town and would be back in about a week. We said no rush, give us a call when you get back. I have elderly parents too, so we told the seller all along we wanted this to be as easy on her as possible as we knew it was very difficult on her emotionally having to sell her house and move from all those memories. A week later, we reached out to the seller and instead received a phone call from a realtor named Amanda who we had no idea even was. She asked us if we wanted to make an offer on the house. We told her we already had a verbal agreement, the paperwork and financing was all set. We were just waiting for the seller to come back to Gaylord to adjust and sign the documents. Amanda informed us that she now had a signed contract with the seller that she would be given a 3% commission, if the house was sold to us. We questioned Amanda as to what exactly she had done to deserve what now went from $500 to almost $20,000 in commission. Her response said it all. "Well I have a signed contract." As a result of Amanda's actions, where she convinced the elderly seller to sign a contract that would allow her to make thousands of dollars in commissions for doing virtually nothing she undermined the agreement we already had in place and basically ended our involvement in the sale. Ultimately Amanda slithered in and will now earn even more thousands of dollars by using an elderly client for her own gain as now she can get 5% or 6% in commissions. I spoke with 3 other realtors, and they pretty much agreed. This shows a lack of integrity by Amanda and could be viewed as unethical as well. Now, we have seen some good reviews for Amanda but in this case buyers and sellers beware. This was WRONG for so many reasons. read more

Paig Switalski, The Realtor...... My Husband and I first met Paig over the telephone with regard to one of her Gaylord, Michigan Listings. We are over 2,000 miles from Northern Michigan and let's face it, most of us are leery when it comes to doing Real Estate across the Country; we are not the exception. However, in our very first conversation with Paig, we were immediately blessed to experience her intelligence, since of humor, friendliness, knowledge and desire to know all about us and our needs, so as to find the proper fit in location, lot size, community and home. During our this early affiliation with Paig, we spoke frequently in order to put together an offer. This home did not end up being our "forever home." When that Gaylord property did not work out, Paig continued her follow up and did not let us slip through her hands. Many other Realtors we reached out to, did not follow up with us at all...! Paig sent new listings and continued to call or email to us several times over the next couple of months. In the beginning of 2019, our quest to relocate to Northern Michigan became more serious; we even put in an offer on another property with another agent, primarily because they were the listing / selling agent. In the end this agent did not have "our best interests at heart." The house hand many inspection hurdles that were not easily solved, therefore we did not buy the home or continue to use that Realtor. During my visit to the Gaylord area, I actually decided to meet Paig; even though we thought we were closing on the other home. Paig and I ended up doing a World Wind Rock Star Tour of Gaylord, Petoskey, Charlevoix, Indian River, Boyne City and other surrounding areas. Paig was a Godsend!! She not only tolerated seeing multiple listings in multiple areas in one day; but she made it fun!!!! To describe Paig is to say that she is the ultimate professional, super hard working, ethical, persistent, funny, compassionate, knowledgeable of Northern Michigan and the inventory of homes. She looks out for you, "the Client" and your interests at all times. Probably even while she's sleeping!!!! Paig's background in other arenas provides her the ability to successfully deal with all types of persona's......even mine!! You know that one client that has to find the "Perfect Home," with the perfect basement, perfect kitchen, perfect acreage, perfect neighborhood and of course perfect neighbors!!! Well I'm that client personified!!! Paig does not placate, give up, take others word without researching it herself, she is not that Realtor who is it in just for the $$$$....but more for the satisfaction of Making Your Dream Home Come True!!! Finding a Perfect Home for clients like my Husband and I is NOT an easy task; even for the well-seasoned Real Estate Agent. There were countless showings over the next few months, several offers and at the "11th Hour, when I thought I was leaving empty handed......the Perfect Home...!" I was supposed to fly home that morning and let Paig know,.....there was one more house I wanted to see right before my flight. Paig rearranged her entire day to accommodate me. Both Paig and I thought "this was Perfect Home"........finally!!!! We closed on our Perfect Home in mid July 2019. The point I'm trying to get across, is that Paig will do almost the impossible to assist you in finding "Your Family's Perfect Home!" Both my Husband and I have met many Realtors in our lifetime; today there are only a few of which we would call upon again to assist us. Paig is one of those! You should look forward to putting your Real Estate Buying or Selling needs in the hands of Paig Switalski and Smith Realtors. Paig and her office of pure professionals will make you feel like you are their only client!! read more