I consulted David Perez, a real estate agent of Bullock Russell Real Estate Services for a home I…read morewas interested in possibly purchasing in the mountains.
I had originally met Mr. Perez when he was the buyers agent for someone who invited me to view the property they were purchasing with his help.
Months later I was in discussions with a different agent and broker about selling property. I had asked that agent to go with me to a property in the mountains I wanted to view. That agent committed to following up at the beginning of the new week, and e-mailed their team members, promising one of them would contact me. Unfortunately, no one associated with that agent ever followed-up and the property I was interested in became contingent and no longer available.
I continued to watch the property, and about five months later the property fell out of escrow and was relisted for sale.
My experience with the agent I had been in discussions with lost my trust and confidence. I didn't feel they valued me as a potential customer for a sale, and they showed I couldn't trust them for showing me property or negotiating property. Perhaps if I had asked them to sell my car, or help me buy a car, that would of been different. But when you are dealing with hundreds of thousands of dollars into the millions, i'd have to be insane to work with anyone I can't trust.
I contacted David Perez of Bullock Russell Real Estate Services since I already had his phone number, he had already helped someone I know purchase a property, and he seemed very knowledgeable when I had previously met him.
To my surprise David offered to show me the property, despite knowing it would require several hours of his time, and a three hour round trip drive. He also knew, it was the only property I was looking at in California.
David contacted the selling agent to request a time for us to view the property, met at the property on a Saturday, walked me through all the different areas within the property and pointed out issues that concerned him about it.
He estimated it may need an addition $250,000 investment to bring it up to code and to correct several concerning issues, including a notice we found on the door from the county indicating it was in violation of several codes.
David recommended not purchasing the property and explained why, and that is what a buyer or seller wants and needs from a real estate agent. Someone who is honest, trustworthy and genuinely helping you evaluate a property.
I found David very friendly, eager to assist, professional, and knowledgeable. He was able to answer all of my questions about the property being looked at and saved me from making a bad purchase.
I didn't buy that property and decided to hold off on property hunting while I determine what state or area I want to look at going forward.
I interviewed 5 or 6 different agents and brokers so far, and I found it difficult to find one who I feel I can trust. When dealing with so much money, and something so important, I want someone I'd feel comfortable leaving my wallet on the table around if I had to leave the room. I can only speak to my experience, but I feel confident all my money would still be in my wallet if I left it in the room with Mr. Perez, or when making a decision for buying real estate.