As a first-time homebuyer working under a tight timeline, I expected my realtor to advocate for my interests and help guide me through what was already a stressful process. Unfortunately, my experience with Carolyn fell far short of those expectations.
One of the biggest issues was the lack of due diligence regarding the property. The unit was in probate, and this was not adequately clarified before moving forward with the purchase. As a result, I ended up waiting more than three months to close. Throughout the process, I often felt like my needs were not a priority.
Carolyn initially referred me to a mortgage broker who presented financing options I did not qualify for and then withdrew support at a critical stage when I was preparing to firm up the purchase. In hindsight, this should have been a warning sign.
The property itself had been vacant and poorly maintained for over a year. When I attempted to negotiate a price reduction based on its condition, Carolyn discouraged me by comparing it to "taking money from a little girl" because it was an estate sale. I found this inappropriate and unhelpful, especially given her role in representing my interests.
Later, the power to the unit failed, causing a freezer full of old food to thaw and leak throughout the kitchen. The resulting mess sat for approximately a week before being addressed. Rather than actively advocating for a timely resolution, Carolyn deferred responsibility to the lawyers, which contributed to further delays in cleanup and remediation.
I was also disappointed by her overall professionalism. She frequently appeared at viewings in very casual attire, was often dismissive or belittling in her communication, and openly described herself as someone who "plays devil's advocate." While challenging assumptions can be valuable, I expect a realtor to be a strong advocate for their client.
Most concerning, however, were multiple comments she made about certain ethnic and cultural groups and whether I would want to live near them. I found these remarks inappropriate and unprofessional.
While the experience taught me a great deal about the home-buying process, it also taught me the importance of choosing the right realtor. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Carolyn. I did not feel supported, represented, or treated with the level of professionalism that such a significant purchase deserves.
Reply:
Thank you for taking the time to write this Liam. It’s unfortunate that you feel this way about the service I provided. I wish you had discussed these issues with me during the process. It was certainly one of the most difficult sales of the 30 or so sales I have had this past year. The comments about diversity were definitely misconstrued in this message and do not reflect my true feelings. I do not have prejudices against any culture or community but do discuss openly the diverse communities reflected within our neighborhoods. I want my clients to have a feeling of belonging wherever they move. It has nothing to do with prejudice. With regard to clothing, I help a lot of my sellers get prepared for selling by painting, organizing and staging and when I’m called into action I don’t necessarily have time to change before a showing and we certainly had a significant amount of those. Lastly calling my office and asking if I’d pay you some of my commission and being told no may have spurred on this review.
As a first-time homebuyer working under a tight timeline, I expected my realtor to advocate for my interests and help guide me through what was already a stressful process. Unfortunately, my experience with Carolyn fell far short of those expectations. One of the biggest issues was the lack of due diligence regarding the property. The unit was in probate, and this was not adequately clarified before moving forward with the purchase. As a result, I ended up waiting more than three months to close. Throughout the process, I often felt like my needs were not a priority. Carolyn initially referred me to a mortgage broker who presented financing options I did not qualify for and then withdrew support at a critical stage when I was preparing to firm up the purchase. In hindsight, this should have been a warning sign. The property itself had been vacant and poorly maintained for over a year. When I attempted to negotiate a price reduction based on its condition, Carolyn discouraged me by comparing it to "taking money from a little girl" because it was an estate sale. I found this inappropriate and unhelpful, especially given her role in representing my interests. Later, the power to the unit failed, causing a freezer full of old food to thaw and leak throughout the kitchen. The resulting mess sat for approximately a week before being addressed. Rather than actively advocating for a timely resolution, Carolyn deferred responsibility to the lawyers, which contributed to further delays in cleanup and remediation. I was also disappointed by her overall professionalism. She frequently appeared at viewings in very casual attire, was often dismissive or belittling in her communication, and openly described herself as someone who "plays devil's advocate." While challenging assumptions can be valuable, I expect a realtor to be a strong advocate for their client. Most concerning, however, were multiple comments she made about certain ethnic and cultural groups and whether I would want to live near them. I found these remarks inappropriate and unprofessional. While the experience taught me a great deal about the home-buying process, it also taught me the importance of choosing the right realtor. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Carolyn. I did not feel supported, represented, or treated with the level of professionalism that such a significant purchase deserves.