recommended real estate agents?

[toonhead-npl.livejournal.com]

I'm doing some very early footwork on a potential move sometime next year, so I'm asking around about recommended real estate agents serving the Davis Square area: I like the area, and have my sister (she lives up Highland Ave) and many friends there, so it's high up on my list of possible places. I'm in the market for a one bedroom condo (my first home buy) not too far from public transport and have no pets or cars to worry about.

And if your experience says I'd be better off looking elsewhere (like, say, Craig's List), don't be shy about offering your opinion. Thanks, folks!

Comments

[myselftheliar.livejournal.com]

Red Line Real estate totally rules

[wellstar.livejournal.com]

Seconded, though I've only ever used him for rentals.

When I bought my condo (full disclosure: Medford Square, not Davis) I had a great experience with ZipRealty (http://www.ziprealty.com).

[csbermack.livejournal.com]

My props to Maven Realty.

[hahathor.livejournal.com]

I worked with a buyer's broker, which I'd recommend to you as well. I used Polly Drinkwater, who is at the branch of Coldwell Banker near Hi Rise Bread Co in Cambridge. She was very helpful not only in finding us a home that suited us, but also in walking us through the minutae of finding an inspector, getting a mortgage, etc. Good luck! It can be a pretty overwhelming process.

[fidgetmonster.livejournal.com]

Tamela Roche at the Mass Ave Branch of Coldwell Banker has helped me on two sales and one purchase. She's also helped with lawyers, relocation, etc. 617.245.4072.

forgot website ...

[fidgetmonster.livejournal.com]

www.tamelaroche.com

[xjustquietx.livejournal.com]

Dave Scott is an awesome buyer-broker. You can get in touch with him through Apt. Rental Experts just outside the square.

[kyrene.livejournal.com]

Ron Cohen with REMAX, highly recommended, just bought a condo myself.

http://www.greater-boston-real-estate.com

[rifmeister.livejournal.com]

I and a bunch of my friends used Patti Reilly at Channing Realty, and we all thought she was excellent. She's not solely a buyer-broker, which worried me at first, but it didn't turn out to be a problem, and now I know who to call if I ever need to sell (and I don't do it myself). I met her when I walked into an open house for a place she was selling, and I just immediately got a really good vibe off her (often, I find the selling realtors at open houses just a little creepy). Very friendly, very helpful, very easy to deal with. Highly recomended.

I have a number of friends who've bought places without realtors and had no problem, but I see no reason not to use a realtor --- the seller pays your broker's commission when you buy. (In theory, one might imagine you could get a slightly better price out of someone if they know they don't have to pay your broker. In practice, I don't think pricing's that accurate, and I don't think the market's that liquid.) For a condo, you WILL need a real-estate lawyer in any case.

Good luck to you whatever you choose.

[ceo]

The buyer's broker splits the commission with the seller's broker; the cost to the seller is the same.

[rifmeister.livejournal.com]

Commissions are in theory negotiable. I have known people who have said, "I will buy without using a realtor, and negotiate with the seller and his agent to reduce both the price and the total commission by the buyer's agent's commission, with the seller keeping the entire reduced commission."

A seller's agent should in theory have no huge problem with this. On the other hand, I think having a buyer's agent is convenient, especially if you're new to home-buying, and I'm unconvinced you'll really get a lower price this way.

[ceo]

Jerry Ficklin, at the Coldwell Banker office on Mass. Ave between Harvard and Porter. I and several friends have used him as a buyer's broker and cannot sing his praises highly enough. Honest, thorough, forthright and good at negotiation. Keeps his client load low so he can devote sufficient atention to each one.