Journal

"Where do I start? When I first contacted Gerard it was to inquire about a property he was selling, the apartment was no longer available but he immediately tried to find out my needs and how he could help me. When I told him my wants, and my price range he was blatantly honest with me, probably not what I wanted to hear, but what I needed to hear. Once I explained my situation, which was that I owned (at the time) another apartment (my primary residence) and I was looking to move to a bigger apartment because I just had a baby. He advised me of my various options in regards to selling. While I did not call him to find a real estate sales agent, it ended up being the best advice I needed to hear. He convinced me to allow him to meet with me for a few minutes to discuss my possibilities with regard to buying and possibly selling (even though I had no intention of selling at that time). He came to my apartment to speak to me, and he came very well prepared. When he showed up, not only was he punctual, dressed very professional, he was friendly, smart, knowledgeable, but most of all honest. He showed up with comparable sales, and discussed with me strategies to accomplish my goals (to buy a bigger place with certain requirements, within my price range, before a specified period of time). I ended up deciding to sell my apartment using him as my realtor after our meeting when I had not originally wanted to sell at all. Gerard was confident in his ability as a real estate sales agent and told me he could sell my apartment at a higher price than I expected. I trusted him. In the interim, he also agreed to help me find a new home for my family always focusing on the sale of my place because he knew it would put me in the best position to be a considered a serious buyer in a tough and incredibly competitive market. I found a new place within a short (remarkably short) frame of time. He advised me on how to make an offer, and how to make sure my offer would be accepted. He knows the market in the area exceptionally well, and he knows sellers and agents so well, and really knows how to “read” people. Because of these traits, he will know how to advise you best and he did. Trust me LISTEN TO HIS ADVICE. He suggested tactics I did not agree with but in the end, I trusted him and he was 150% right each time. Once my offer was accepted, he was a man of his word.....He sold my property at full asking price offer within 3 DAYS!! I know that sounds hard to believe but he did a pre showing of the apartment on Monday went on MLS on Tuesday, aggressively showed the place and set up appointment after appointment and by Thursday we had a full price offer. We also received two other offers which he told me how to handle, professionally and in a good business manner. He gave me recommendations on an attorney, a mortgage broker, and an inspector. I used every one of his referrals and not only was my contract out of attorney review within less than 3 days without any hiccups, my inspection for both my sale and purchase went off without a hitch. Since he knows the local area particularly well this allows him to tell you his experience with certain buildings, agents, real estate lawyers, mortgage companies and home inspectors. I closed on the sale of my condo within 45 days, my purchase closed the following day! My biggest fear was selling and buying, especially with a newborn baby, and to be financially able to do so without the added stress. I needed to find my new home of my dreams quickly and sell my current home all without any major hurdles. Gerard accomplished all of that and more, he held my hand when I needed some coaching, and he walked me through the process when I did not know what to do, or would not listen. Real estate transactions are never easy, but even with every hurdle; Gerard knew how to handle it. I have bought three times, and not once did it ever go this smoothly. This time was different; a lot more was on the line with the sale, and with the short time frame, and the tremendously competitive market. Gerard is extremely responsive (I called a lot!), he knows how to treat his clients, and he was always available when I needed questions answered, he is smart, business savvy and most of all he is great at what he does - he is an amazing salesperson. He knows his abilities and his confidence shows in his work, his demeanor, and most of all his end result. I would and do plan on using him if I ever buy or sell again. He handled both transactions meticulously, professionally and made an enormously stressful situation seem like a breeze."