LAWNDALE REALTY CO

I would NOT reccommend this realty company unless there are no others available. There may be good realtors there, however our experience was far from easy. We worked with Lawndale (Owen) reccommended from Zillow.com. The entire process was a lot of us chasing down the realtor and consistantly repeating questions to find either no answers or incorrect answers. The communication or the lack there of was not even the most difficult part. Seeing the house for the first time sold itself. The house was unique and listed just above recommended price on Zillow.com. Going forward with the rental of the property we began to look over the terms of the lease. To our dismay the lease lacked a few of our priorities and listed items such as replacement of appliances at the cost of the tenant. After numerous back and forth emails with the realtor, we were told we should be happy we are getting the appliances at all, although they are clearly listed as anamenity in the listing. When showing a house I recommend being either sober, or at least attempting to portray a put together realtor. Over the next few weeks, we had a very difficult time getting answers to important questions and hidden costs that were left out after researching we found that some of the "answers" we did receive were in fact false to include the additional cost of trash pickup we were to pay annually (the opposite of what the realtor stated). What we were verbally told by the realtor would conflict with what was put in writting consistently. As far as what you are told for cost, dates and move-in quality, don't expect quick answers or factual information. When asked to speak to another person you are directed to a manager, who happens to be his mother. Emailing the company directly leaves you with NO RESPONSE AT ALL. In addition once you hand over the realtor fee, a return call or answer to any of your questions if very unlikely.. now they have their money and finding answers from here is up to you verbatim.

Lawndale represented the seller in a home purchase. I had a buyer’s realtor represent me. My experience with Lawndale Realty was disappointing and troubled from the time of the offer to the closing. When we put in a competitive offer, the buyer’s (Lawndale) realtor told our realtor that there was another offer on the house. We wanted the house so we increased our offer by a few thousand dollars. After the offer was accepted, my realtor found out that there had been no other offer; that Lawndale’s realtor had lied to my broker. This is a typical trick realtors use to get the best price for a house. Still, I have to question the morals and honesty of the seller’s broker. My broker was able to get the price reduced a little after he learned of their tactic. We went ahead with the purchase and arrived at the house on the day of the walkthrough. Both units were rented at the time, but one tenant agreed to leave before the sale. When we arrived to see the house, the tenant who agreed to leave was still there, after the deadline that was set for him. The buyer’s agent was just as surprised as I was to find him there. No one from Lawndale ever bothered to check to make sure the tenant was gone before the walkthrough. This was upsetting as we would assume ownership of the house the same afternoon. This person could become our problem if we signed the contracts. Upset, I raised my concerns with the agent who represented Lawndale realty. We argued a bit, after which he left, without completing the walkthrough. I couldn't believe how unprofessional he was, from not ensuring the tenant was out of the house at the agreed time, to leaving in the middle of a process that could make or break the sale. I was very concerned, but my realtor convinced me to go ahead with the sale. When we returned to the house later that day, luckily, the tenant and his property were gone. I was still shaking from the incompetence of Lawndale Realty. After we assumed ownership, we spoke to the other tenants who had stayed in the building. They pointed out that the door to their apartment was broken. They took responsibility for it. They had traveled out of the country for a few weeks. Both units were being shown while they were away. The tenants had specifically asked the seller’s realtor from Lawndale for the top lock of the door not to be latched while they were away. Lawndale agreed to leave the top lock unlatched. The tenants arrived home very early in the morning after an intercontinental flight, only to find that both locks had been latched. They did not have the key for the top lock. They had to break open the door to get inside of their own home. Lawndale did not satisfy their responsibility as representatives of the property. The tenants reported the incident to the Lawndale realtor. It was never addressed by Lawndale. The problem was never mentioned to me during the buying process. It was passed right along to me as the new owner, not unsurprisingly. Really it wouldn’t have cost more than a few hundred dollars to fix the problem. I guess Lawndale never thought about how this might affect their future relationship with me or who I know. I give Lawndale low marks for their unprofessional and dishonest conduct and their incompetence.