It's hard to put this nightmare into a short summary (especially when I know that Guaranteed Rate will add comments to this like they do with other negative reviews saying it is not their fault).
My first loan went well, admittedly no problems. Unfortunately I decided to complete another rental loan along with a refi of my house. The refi of my house started on January 28th and was just closed on April 15th. The rental property started on Feb 18th and just closed April 9th. I provided every piece of documentation they requested within hours - even minutes upon their request, and they sat on these loans because they were "very busy with other loans." This comment is directly from them.
I contacted Mike Murgatroy for help, the namesake of the business with the following note, and he never even responded! Take a look at the dates in my note below to see the details of this nightmare.
_______________________________________________-
Hello Michael,
I would very much appreciate any help you can provide in pushing through two mortgages I currently have outstanding with Guaranteed Rate. As you can see from the timelines below, I have received some of the worst customer service of any mortgage I have previously closed. My first mortgage with Guaranteed Rate was done very well, Andrew and Connie were very patient as I worked through a couple problems with the documentation. The current loans (a primary residence refinance and a rental property purchase) have been just horrendous ? and now I may need to delay closing because of it (in addition to a few other problems you can read below).
Refinance
1/28 ? We agreed on the numbers for the refinance, and I requested that an appraisal is scheduled
3/10 ? Guaranteed Rate finally contacts 2nd mortgage holder to determine requirements. (three weeks after appraisal is received). Andrew also just now finds out and tells me that having two loans in process at the same time may cause an issue with my other home purchase. They were started at the same time a month ago ? why is this coming up now?
New Purchase
2/18 ? Pre approval letter was urgently requested and all documentation was provided, as an offer was about to be made. (My previous bank could do this in an hour)
2/19 ? Finally received pre-approval letter
2/28 ? Asked a few questions about the type of loan for the purchase (size of down payment and rate).
3/5 ? A week later asked again about the type of loan and required down payment due to no response.
3/6 ? Andrew finally replied with a very different loan type than I anticipated (25% down rather than 15% down). He didn?t realize that Fannie Mae changed their requirements after the 4th mortgage. I now have to quickly come up with $10k more than I planned for. Would have been helpful to know this back on February 28th!
2/28 ? Was told by Andrew the appraisal would finally be done this week.
3/10 ? Ten days later appraisal was just requested today by Guaranteed rate. This should have been scheduled shortly after the first price agreement was signed and sent February 19th (almost a month before!)
In summary, Guaranteed Rate:
Sat on the ordering of my refinance appraisal for two weeks.
Then sat on the refinance for another 3 weeks apparently doing nothing before finally contacting the 2nd mortgage holder.
Could not respond quickly enough to support an investor with an urgent pre-approval letter.
Didn?t respond to an email about the loan type for a week, forcing me to quickly come up with another $10k that was not planned for.
Sat on the appraisal request for the new purchase for almost a month.
Again, I would very much appreciate any help you can provide to ensure that I can close on time for the new purchase with no further surprises.
____________________________________________-
Again, he never responded, and I almost lost the house I was buying because of the delay. I'm sure Guaranteed Rate will come on here and say I'm all wrong - but the above bullets are facts. There is a chance they can do a good job for you, they did so on one out of 3 loans for me. But on something this important it isn't worth the risk.
The is the first review I've ever put on Angie's List so I can make sure that other people do not make the same mistake I did.... Good luck Angie's List members!
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"},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/md/rockville/primex-mortgage-corp-reviews-291060.htm"},"position":5},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@type":"LocalBusiness","name":"QUEEN OF HEIRS","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"MD","addressCountry":"US"},"review":{"@type":"Review","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jerod H."},"reviewBody":"Great experience buying the engagement ring. When the problems started the quality of service rapidly declined. Ring had to be widened because beads were not taken into account with sizing. Engagement ring has broken multiple times. The first time we paid to have Queen of heirs add platinum to the ring. Second time we paid to have them put a whole new bottom (shank) on the ring. Ring had broken twice since then. Accused of gardening and going to the gym in the ring. Owner was nasty and defensive and wanted to charge us to fix the ring. Ring has broken two more times. Given history of breaks, insurance company deemed the ring fundamentally flawed and would not cover fixing it because insurance is for incidentals. Approached the owner again and she was offensive and impossible to deal with. Currently paying to have the ring fixed right and the new jeweler guarantees if it breaks again he will cover cost. Moral of the story: antique rings are beautiful but you do not have the security of a jeweler who stands behind their work/merchandise. "},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/tx/bellaire/queen-of-heirs-reviews-4204056.htm"},"position":6},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@type":"LocalBusiness","name":"KRIPPS JEWELERS","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"MD","addressCountry":"US"},"review":{"@type":"Review","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Valerie F."},"reviewBody":"I have been going to Kripps for at least 10 years for all my jewelry repair needs. The staff there are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. They create some incredibly beautiful, unique pieces in a variety of metals and stones/gems (and will do so to order, as well). They clearly take genuine pride in their work, and this has never to me come across as a hard sell, at all. Their repair work is top notch - besides the pearls, they've resized a platinum ring band surrounding a fragile, flawed emerald without causing any damage. They did an excellent job on the pearls, which have tremendous sentimental value. The turnaround is always very quick, usually just a few days, and the costs are entirely reasonable. I've had smaller more basic jobs done as well - attaching charms to a charm bracelet, polishing my wedding ring, replacing watch batteries. They are thorough, efficient and take great care. I have been 100% satisfied with every job they have done for me, and really cannot recommend them highly enough. "},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/md/silver-spring/kripps-jewelers-reviews-3414276.htm"},"position":7},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@type":"LocalBusiness","name":"Accurate Appraisals Inc","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"MD","addressCountry":"US"},"review":{"@type":"Review","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Donald K."},"reviewBody":"We called Sharon and scheduled an appointment before flying to CSC to take care of our parents' house. She e-mailed us information and a contract, was right on time for the appointment, and spent a lot of time looking over the house and answering all the questions we have since we don't live in CSC. She was friendly and professional. The 28-page report she sent us was very complete and detailed. I would highly recommend Sharon if you need an appraisal done. "},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/co/colorado-springs/accurate-appraisals-inc-reviews-391484.htm"},"position":8},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@type":"LocalBusiness","name":"MOREN INC","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"MD","addressCountry":"US"},"review":{"@type":"Review","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Francine P."},"reviewBody":"Rob couldn't have been nicer and more knowlegable. I recommend Moren for any repair or appraisal needs."},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/md/silver-spring/moren-inc-reviews-2058270.htm"},"position":9},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@type":"LocalBusiness","name":"Maid to Clean","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressRegion":"MD","addressCountry":"US"},"review":{"@type":"Review","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"SUSAN B."},"reviewBody":"The team of four (plus one trainee who was watching) arrived at 10:30am and immediately got to work. They began on the top floor - bedroom, main bath, and office - and worked their way to the basement, which had just been remodeled. The job took 4 hours. I have a lot of collectibles and some antique furniture around, and they were for the most part very careful with delicate items. They worked quickly and efficiently and were quite thorough. Perhaps too quickly - two small bathroom accessories were broken, but the manager promptly reimbursed me for those things."},"url":"https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/va/alexandria/maid-to-clean-reviews-321838.htm"},"position":10}]}
Antique And Jewelry Appraisal reviews from real Angi homeowners in Hillandale, MD
Last update on October 15, 2025
Tenley J.
5.0
04/2024
I highly recommend Powell Appraisal Services! Kevin Powell was prompt, professional and friendly, and he patiently answered my many questions. He was accommodating to my schedule and made it very convenient. He came to our meeting well prepared. I was provided a detailed appraisal report when...
Lauren E.
5.0
07/2023
High quality work with very knowledgeable and accommodating contractors! They allowed me to do custom finishes like restored antique doors instead of new builder grade ones on a new bathroom and laundry closet. They also had an idea to create built in corner shelves because they knew I was...
Shab K.
3.0
02/2021
We contacted them for an appraisal! The owner is rude. His level of communication is not acceptable. He just wanted us to send him the consultation fee without telling us about his availability! I asked him about his availability a few times and he ended up telling me that he doesn't have...
Victor K.
1.0
04/2015
I own a fair amount of rental properties, and this was one of the worst experiences I have ever had in doing business with any company of any type. It's hard to put this nightmare into a short summary (especially when I know that Guaranteed Rate will add comments to this like they do with...
Paul R.
5.0
01/2015
I couldn't be happier with the service I received from Primex. After obtaining a refinance quote from my bank, Wells Fargo, I went to Primex for another quote. Primex offered an interest rate nearly.25% lower than Wells Fargo, with lower overall fees (including reimbursement of the home...
We called Sharon and scheduled an appointment before flying to CSC to take care of our parents' house. She e-mailed us information and a contract, was right on time for the appointment, and spent a lot of time looking over the house and answering all the questions we have since we don't...
The team of four (plus one trainee who was watching) arrived at 10:30am and immediately got to work. They began on the top floor - bedroom, main bath, and office - and worked their way to the basement, which had just been remodeled. The job took 4 hours. I have a lot of collectibles and some...
Superior Homes Inc , our company is based on the belief that our customers' needs are of the utmost importance. Our team is committed to meeting those needs. We welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service. No job is too big or too small for our experienced team. Call today for a quote.
"Marty is excellent to work with. Very fair and excellent pricing for his services. You can't go wrong with Marty. He always makes you feel like family."
Wendy on January 2021
Superior Homes Inc , our company is based on the belief that our customers' needs are of the utmost importance. Our team is committed to meeting those needs. We welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service. No job is too big or too small for our experienced team. Call today for a quote.
"Marty is excellent to work with. Very fair and excellent pricing for his services. You can't go wrong with Marty. He always makes you feel like family."
Our passion for Custom, Fine & Vintage Jewelry runs deep. Each piece of Jewelry tells a story, we love being a chapter in yours. Come wade in Purple Creek.
Our passion for Custom, Fine & Vintage Jewelry runs deep. Each piece of Jewelry tells a story, we love being a chapter in yours. Come wade in Purple Creek.
I have more then 10 years of Painting & handyman experience. I would performs a wide variety of repair and maintenance tasks. These can include things like, electrical and plumbing fixes, painting, small remodels and construction projects, appliance repairs, and yard maintenance.
"Kevin is the most amazing, professional handymen. incredibly knowledgeable about his work, has a techniques that makes his job easier & still gentle, he is a very kind and non judgmental professional. He has helped me to understand with other major & minor repairs around the house, i was highly satisfied with his proficiency of work, and when asked, he educated with all concerns. Just knowing I choose excellent hands. Expert even with fixing the none electric and electric gadgets as well, He is the best and outstanding person. I found my 2go pro!!! Thank you!!!"
Noman A on January 2021
I have more then 10 years of Painting & handyman experience. I would performs a wide variety of repair and maintenance tasks. These can include things like, electrical and plumbing fixes, painting, small remodels and construction projects, appliance repairs, and yard maintenance.
"Kevin is the most amazing, professional handymen. incredibly knowledgeable about his work, has a techniques that makes his job easier & still gentle, he is a very kind and non judgmental professional. He has helped me to understand with other major & minor repairs around the house, i was highly satisfied with his proficiency of work, and when asked, he educated with all concerns. Just knowing I choose excellent hands. Expert even with fixing the none electric and electric gadgets as well, He is the best and outstanding person. I found my 2go pro!!! Thank you!!!"
JEWELRY APPRAISALS: Defined as platinum, gold & silver jewelry; loose or mounted diamonds and gemstones; coins, watches etc. Appraisals are offered to individuals for the purpose of insurance valuations. As well, these services are offered to Estate, Divorce and Bankruptcy attorneys and Non-Profit organizations with the intention of valuating, brokering and maximizing the return for the client’s benefit. Also available as an expert witness. ASSISTING IN SELLING PRECIOUS METALS: Defined as platinum, gold & silver. They can be in the form of jewelry, coins or silverware. SELLING JEWELRY: Assisting in the appraising, valuating and brokering of jewelry for the purpose of selling and receiving the maximum monetary value for each piece. We also can assist in selling your silver or gold coins, as well as purchasing said items for investment purposes. WORKING WITH ENGAGED COUPLES: In the comfort and security of your own home, we strive to make this exciting and momentous occasion as stress free as possible. We work with your budget, not the other way around. Goods are brought to your home and looked at without the nosy customers looking over your shoulder. In addition, due to the lack of a brick and mortar building, pricing is more manageable. As well, close relationships with existing diamond and jewelry vendors in New York’s “Diamond District” allows for a better pricing than a typical jewelry store. UPGRADING EXISTING JEWELRY AND CUSTOM CREATED PIECES: Occasionally a customer will want to keep a center stone of a family ring but want to change the ring design. We are able to assist in both upgrading to a new style of ring or we can custom create from your own thoughts and or pictures. This applies to any type of jewelry.
JEWELRY APPRAISALS: Defined as platinum, gold & silver jewelry; loose or mounted diamonds and gemstones; coins, watches etc. Appraisals are offered to individuals for the purpose of insurance valuations. As well, these services are offered to Estate, Divorce and Bankruptcy attorneys and Non-Profit organizations with the intention of valuating, brokering and maximizing the return for the client’s benefit. Also available as an expert witness. ASSISTING IN SELLING PRECIOUS METALS: Defined as platinum, gold & silver. They can be in the form of jewelry, coins or silverware. SELLING JEWELRY: Assisting in the appraising, valuating and brokering of jewelry for the purpose of selling and receiving the maximum monetary value for each piece. We also can assist in selling your silver or gold coins, as well as purchasing said items for investment purposes. WORKING WITH ENGAGED COUPLES: In the comfort and security of your own home, we strive to make this exciting and momentous occasion as stress free as possible. We work with your budget, not the other way around. Goods are brought to your home and looked at without the nosy customers looking over your shoulder. In addition, due to the lack of a brick and mortar building, pricing is more manageable. As well, close relationships with existing diamond and jewelry vendors in New York’s “Diamond District” allows for a better pricing than a typical jewelry store. UPGRADING EXISTING JEWELRY AND CUSTOM CREATED PIECES: Occasionally a customer will want to keep a center stone of a family ring but want to change the ring design. We are able to assist in both upgrading to a new style of ring or we can custom create from your own thoughts and or pictures. This applies to any type of jewelry.
Armed with a Bachelors in Fine Arts and a Masters in Conservation of Art, M. Alam has 40+ years of experience working on masterpieces in paintings, sculpture pieces, porcelains, glass, and various other objects of art. In the past we have worked for several museums, notable figures, large corporations, private collectors, art and antique galleries, and auction houses. We also have associations with Venetian and Murano glass artisans from Italy. We strive to offer the best service in the industry and over the past four decades we have formed many lifelong relationships with our clientele. Our best qualification is the work itself and you truly must see it to believe it.
Armed with a Bachelors in Fine Arts and a Masters in Conservation of Art, M. Alam has 40+ years of experience working on masterpieces in paintings, sculpture pieces, porcelains, glass, and various other objects of art. In the past we have worked for several museums, notable figures, large corporations, private collectors, art and antique galleries, and auction houses. We also have associations with Venetian and Murano glass artisans from Italy. We strive to offer the best service in the industry and over the past four decades we have formed many lifelong relationships with our clientele. Our best qualification is the work itself and you truly must see it to believe it.
Paradigm Experts is a unique private jeweler, recognized as one of the preeminent jewelry buyers in the United States. We provide our clients the education, information and transparency to help them make informed decisions. Our personalized solutions and convenience allow our clients to realize the true value with peace of mind when selling their antique and estate jewelry, gems, precious metals, coins/currency and timepieces. Our GIA trained staff of experts have over 30 years of experience serving the Washington, DC area. Our process, rooted in education, includes complimentary verbal market value appraisals and jewelry evaluations. Additionally, our expertise, nationwide network, and low overhead enables us to provide our clients with diamonds of any size, shape, or color at the lowest price. Whether buying or selling, our experts will inspire your trust and confidence.
Paradigm Experts is a unique private jeweler, recognized as one of the preeminent jewelry buyers in the United States. We provide our clients the education, information and transparency to help them make informed decisions. Our personalized solutions and convenience allow our clients to realize the true value with peace of mind when selling their antique and estate jewelry, gems, precious metals, coins/currency and timepieces. Our GIA trained staff of experts have over 30 years of experience serving the Washington, DC area. Our process, rooted in education, includes complimentary verbal market value appraisals and jewelry evaluations. Additionally, our expertise, nationwide network, and low overhead enables us to provide our clients with diamonds of any size, shape, or color at the lowest price. Whether buying or selling, our experts will inspire your trust and confidence.
We are a family-run local brick & mortar store with a full-service jewelry storefront that also provides cash for gold and instant cash loans against your jewelry. As a retail jewelry store, we also handle repairs, customization, and sell 14k, 18k and 22k gold jewelry, silver, and platinum. You will be able to choose from brand name jewelry designers and international styles. We also specialize in bridal jewelry. Additional DBA: Velasquez Jewelers
We are a family-run local brick & mortar store with a full-service jewelry storefront that also provides cash for gold and instant cash loans against your jewelry. As a retail jewelry store, we also handle repairs, customization, and sell 14k, 18k and 22k gold jewelry, silver, and platinum. You will be able to choose from brand name jewelry designers and international styles. We also specialize in bridal jewelry. Additional DBA: Velasquez Jewelers
We have 40 years of Jewelry experience, going back 2 generations with a reputation of quality, customer service and value. We have a stellar reputation for the highest quality merchandise, excellent prices, and superb customer service. We strive to make your purchase enjoyable and memorable! We are also a Better Business Bureau Accredited Business. View our A+ rating — thus meeting the highest standards and fostering the highest ethical relationships with our client
"I recommend the Diamond Exchange in Rockville for their fair prices for buying gold. I checked other businesses in the region and Diamond Exchange’s purchase price was the highest. They gave me $3 more per gram than what I would have gotten elsewhere. I worked with Keith Grymes, and he was very professional and competent. I highly recommend!"
KAREN L on November 2019
We have 40 years of Jewelry experience, going back 2 generations with a reputation of quality, customer service and value. We have a stellar reputation for the highest quality merchandise, excellent prices, and superb customer service. We strive to make your purchase enjoyable and memorable! We are also a Better Business Bureau Accredited Business. View our A+ rating — thus meeting the highest standards and fostering the highest ethical relationships with our client
"I recommend the Diamond Exchange in Rockville for their fair prices for buying gold. I checked other businesses in the region and Diamond Exchange’s purchase price was the highest. They gave me $3 more per gram than what I would have gotten elsewhere. I worked with Keith Grymes, and he was very professional and competent. I highly recommend!"
KAREN L on November 2019
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Antiques and Jewelry Appraisals questions, answered by experts
Yes, appraisals are often used for property tax appeals, estate planning, and determining market value.
To get the highest appraisal value possible for your home, make any necessary repairs and updates prior to the appraisal. Some examples of tasks include updating landscaping to boost curb appeal, renovate older areas of the home, and consider staging your home. Keep in mind that some aspects of the appraisal are out of your control, such as comparable properties nearby.
A property valuation, sometimes called a comparative market analysis or CMA, provides a real estate expert’s opinion on how much your property will sell for. It takes many things into consideration, like the condition and location of the home, but ultimately, all that matters for a property valuation is what a buyer might be willing to pay for the property. An appraisal is more concerned with determining the value. A valuation is to estimate what you’ll get for a property, while an appraisal helps a lender establish loan-to-value ratios and loan amounts.
Yes, home appraisers look at your windows when appraising your property to determine the market value of your home. They’ll factor in the type of windows, quality, condition, whether or not there are screens covering the windows, frame materials, size, insulation, and more to come up with an unbiased property assessment.
Yes, a tennis court can potentially add significant value to your home. The increase can be anywhere from $20,000 to $150,000.
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The Hillandale, MD homeowners’ guide to antique and jewelry appraisals
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Home appraisals can come in low, even during an ultra-hot real estate market. Here’s what to do when a home appraisal is lower than the offer you receive.