SUSAN TROUDT

As a first time home buyer I was very nervous. This is a good time to buy, cost-wise, but I did not want to get caught up in the sub-prime mess, or get in over my head. I sent Susan a long list of what I was looking for, including some ambiguous things (such as the "spaciousness" mentioned above) and she seemed to understand just what I wanted, and was able to tell me if something I found online would not meet that criteria. She got back to me within a few days with some condos to look at, and took me around to all of them. I never, ever felt pressured to make a quick decision or to buy something that I didn't really want. At one place we walked in and she said something like "Oh boy, this one is NOT for you" and she was so right! Susan was very proactive on my behalf; We had looked at a condo that was not in the best condition, but that was in a great location for me. She managed to discover that someone else in that condo development was looking to sell, even though the unit was not on the market yet. Susan made the connection, we went to the unit, and it is the one in which I am living today! It is beautiful and perfect for me, and I never would have found it on my own. Working on the paperwork with Susan was also a good experience. She was very patient in explaining everything and in advising me to seek legal advice, etc. I never felt pressured or that information was being held back. It turned out that the agreed upon price was higher than the official appraisal, and Susan mediated a good compromise between me and the seller that was more than acceptable to all. I work at a university and Susan is one of the realtors that our dept. uses to show faculty applicants around the town. The colleague who recommended Susan to me has bought several homes through her, and they have maintained this relationship over the years. I was concerned at first that my home search would not be a priority because I did not have much to spend, and so would not be generating a huge commission for Susan. I was so wrong! Susan told me herself that what she wants to do is create ongoing relationships with her clients, for future moves and also for referrals. She wasn't kidding, and I felt well taken care of throughout the whole transaction. I have already referred Susan to several friends and colleagues, and and am happy to continue to do so.