Received: from FARADAY.ECE.CMU.EDU by K.CS.CMU.EDU; 9 Mar 87 16:34:37 EST Received: by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Mon, 9 Mar 87 16:33:17 est; Date: Mon, 9 Mar 87 16:33:17 est From: Robert Zimmermann Message-Id: <8703092133.AA07590@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU> To: bovik@k Subject: Real Estate Agents Received: from IUS2.CS.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 4 Mar 87 15:41:50 est; Date: 4 Mar 1987 15:40-EST From: Jon.Webb@ius2.cs.cmu.edu To: Robert.Zimmermann@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Real Estate Agents Message-Id: <541888819/webb@ius2.cs.cmu.edu> Status: R Try Cindy Ingraham at the Cooper Agency. -- J Received: from po3.andrew.cmu.edu by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 4 Mar 87 15:48:03 est; Received: by po3.andrew.cmu.edu (4.12/3.15) id for Robert.Zimmermann@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU; Wed, 4 Mar 87 15:45:44 est Received: via switchmail; Wed, 4 Mar 87 15:45:33 est Received: FROM ws19.hh20.andrew.cmu.edu VIA queuemail ID ; Wed, 4 Mar 87 15:43:47 est Message-Id: X-Trace: MS Version 3.21 on ibm032 host ws19.hh20.andrew.cmu.edu, by mf1w (1340). Date: Wed, 4 Mar 87 15:43:37 est From: mf1w#@andrew.cmu.edu (Michael Franzini) To: Robert.Zimmermann@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Real Estate Agents In-Replyto: <8703042005.AA01991@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU> Status: R Well, I can offer you a warning: Stay away from Century II Real Estate/ Motheral Inc. on Walnut Street in Shadyside. They are thoroughly unhelpful, uncaring, and are concerned only with doing what they think will make them more money. --Mike Franzini Received: from SKEES.ADM.CS.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 4 Mar 87 15:54:58 est; Date: 4 Mar 1987 15:53-EST From: Jim.Skees@skees.adm.cs.cmu.edu To: Robert.Zimmermann@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Real Estate Agents Message-Id: <541889612/skees@skees.adm.cs.cmu.edu> Status: R Bob, Jim Hanley at the ERA Hanley agency on Murray Ave. is real good. --Jim Received: from GANDALF.CS.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 4 Mar 87 16:14:35 est; Date: 4 Mar 1987 16:09-EST From: David.Miller@gandalf.cs.cmu.edu To: Robert.Zimmermann@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Real Estate Agents Message-Id: <541890582/dm@gandalf.cs.cmu.edu> In-Reply-To: Robert.Zimmermann's bboard message of 04-Mar-87 15:19 Status: R We have had very good success with COOPER AGENGY in Shadyside. We are currently in the middle of closing activities of a house. My wife and I are very particular about what we like, so we needed a great deal of time provided by the agent. At no time we we made to feel that our constant phone calls were a problem. --David Received: from THEORY.CS.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 4 Mar 87 17:07:01 est; Date: 4 Mar 1987 17:00-EST From: Gene.Rollins@theory.cs.cmu.edu To: Robert.Zimmermann@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Real Estate Agents Message-Id: <541893632/rollins@theory.cs.cmu.edu> In-Reply-To: Robert.Zimmermann's bboard message of 04-Mar-87 15:21 Status: R Avoid Merryl Lynch like the Plauge. My real estate agent is Barbara McKenzie, of Cooper Agency. She showed us houses and we bought thru her and we will sell our house thru her. SHe is a decent person. She has helped people find rental houses when they move into town, without commission, expecting of course they will buy thru her when they are ready. She doesn't just try to sell houses. She tries to identify what you are looking for by direct conversation, but also by example, by observing what you say about houses you've seen. Cooper Agency specializes in the city. Barbara knows Squirrel Hill well. Received: from gauss.ECE.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 4 Mar 87 18:10:10 est; Received: by gauss.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 4 Mar 87 18:02:13 est; Date: 4 Mar 1987 17:59-EST From: Hank.Walker@gauss.ECE.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Real Estate Agents To: Robert.Zimmermann@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU@gauss.ECE.CMU.EDU Message-Id: <541897161/dmw@gauss> In-Reply-To: Robert.Zimmermann@faraday ECE CMU EDU's bboard message of 04-Mar-87 15:29 Status: R My feeling is don't go to the Century 21 Younger Group on Murray Avenue. They were the agent for my landlord, and since the landlord was an asshole, they were perfectly happy to be assholes too. Mike Mauldin's (mauldin@cad) wife Michelle is an agent for Merrill Lynch, but she works in Monroeville, so Squirrel Hill may be beyond her range. Worth checking out anyway since I know she won't screw you. Received: from gauss.ECE.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Thu, 5 Mar 87 09:00:51 est; Received: by gauss.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Thu, 5 Mar 87 08:58:07 est; Date: Thu, 5 Mar 87 08:58:07 est From: Don Thomas Message-Id: <8703051358.AA15354@gauss.ECE.CMU.EDU> To: raz@faraday Subject: real estate Status: R Renie (Irene) Ellman at Sachs did quite well for me, and several others. They're located on Forbes in Sq.H near the Dollar Savings Bank. -don- Received: from ROVER.RI.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Thu, 5 Mar 87 09:36:15 est; Date: 5 Mar 1987 09:33-EST From: Gregg.Podnar@rover.ri.cmu.edu To: Robert.Zimmermann@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Real Estate Agents Message-Id: <541953214/gwp@rover.ri.cmu.edu> Status: R Ned Reed. He is a good friend of my best friend. He is a christian. I can get his phone number for you if you'd like. Gregg Received: from gauss.ECE.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Thu, 5 Mar 87 09:40:59 est; Received: by gauss.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Thu, 5 Mar 87 09:35:53 est; Date: Thursday, 5 March 1987 09:35:51 EST Sender: Patricia.Guy@gauss.ECE.CMU.EDU From: Patricia.Guy@gauss.ece.cmu.edu To: raz@faraday.ece.cmu.edu Subject: realtor agent Message-Id: <1987.3.5.14.24.33.Patricia.Guy@gauss> Status: R Bob, I am in the process of buying a house, and our agent has been realty great! She is with Coldwell Bankers, she is not a high pressure salesperson or someone that is helping you because of the BIG commission that she will get. She makes her time available to suit your schedule. If you would be interested in her name, let me know and I will bring the information tomorrow. Received: from maxwell.ECE.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Thu, 5 Mar 87 10:29:20 est; Received: by maxwell.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Thu, 5 Mar 87 10:23:57 est; Date: Thursday, 5 March 1987 10:23:53 EST Sender: Denny.Marous@maxwell.ECE.CMU.EDU From: Denny.Marous@maxwell.ece.cmu.edu To: raz@faraday.ece.cmu.edu Subject: Realestate agents Message-Id: <1987.3.5.14.27.39.Denny.Marous@maxwell> Status: R << Put body of message here. >> Bob, Saw your inquiry about "agents",thought I would put in my two cents worth. My wife and I bought a house two years ago in the North Hills area of Pgh. (West View).Something that we ran into that I'll caution you on is the following; Once you get an agent working for you,and get into a place(like on a sunday when many houses are open for inspection["Open House"]and there is an agent in there showing the house,but your agent is not with you,make sure you let the agent showing the house know,that you have an agent working for you. What this all means is that there is a listing agent (an agent working for a realator who has the house listed or under contract to sell) and there is a selling agent (an agent who gets the commission for selling the house, hopefully the agent who is working for you).Ideallly,for the agents,they would like to get both the listing agent and selling agent commissions which amounts to about 7.5%.If you run into a situation where there are two agents involved,like the open house mentioned above,and you don't mention that you have an agent working for you,the open house agent or listing agent will assume or attempt to assume that they can make full commission on the potential sale.If you let them know right away,they know that if you buy the house the commission is split down the middle with your agent. We ran into this problem and it was a real mess. If you are interested,we have an agent friend who we have used in the past. She is an honest person in our opinion and is real "down to earth". She will not try to "rake you over the coals" or anything like that.She works for "FFV"(Freeman-Foltz&Valicenti Realty) and is the office manager in the their North Hills office on Route 19 North.Her name is Yvonne Miller and her phone number is 931-5474.Even though she is not in the area that you are looking for a house,you may still want to call and talk to her(you can mention our names-Denny and Dot Marous)You and her may jointly decide to work together or she may reccomend an agent in your area. In any event she may be able to help in some way. Good luck to you in your house search,hope you find your "palace". It sure is great owning your own house,nothing like renting. Den Marous Ph# 2989 Received: from MAPS.CS.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Thu, 5 Mar 87 10:49:40 est; Message-Id: <8703051549.AA24752@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU> Date: Thu, 5 Mar 87 10:43:44 EST From: Aviad.Zlotnick@MAPS.CS.CMU.EDU To: Robert.Zimmermann@faraday.ece.cmu.edu Subject: Real Estate Agents Status: R Hi, We are renting a house in Sq. Hill through Coldwell Banker Real Estate and are satisfied. The few problems we had (plumbing, etc.) were fixed fast enough. We don't know yet what they do with the deposit (1 month rent) when we leave. The agent we are in contact with is Karen Smith, 261-1555 or 373-8870. Will be glad to answer any more questions. My office phone: x8801. Aviad Received: from K.CS.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 4 Mar 87 20:08:53 est; Message-Id: <8703050108.AA11762@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 87 20:06:26 EST From: James.Anderson@K.CS.CMU.EDU To: raz@eef Subject: Real estate agent. Status: R I can't recomend a good one, but I can recomend against Equity/Greenberger, also known as just Equity. Also If you are planning on buying, let me know and I can warn you of a few other gotcha's. Jim Received: from CAD.CS.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 4 Mar 87 20:30:56 est; Date: 4 Mar 1987 20:26-EST From: Michael.Mauldin@cad.cs.cmu.edu To: Robert.Zimmermann@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Real Estate Agents Message-Id: <541905966/mlm@cad.cs.cmu.edu> Status: R I would like to recommend Michelle Mauldin of ERA Westbrook (373-6600). But I might be a little biased, since she's also my Wife. I did buy a house from her, though, and got very good service :-) Michael Mauldin. Received: from B.GP.CS.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 4 Mar 87 20:55:54 est; Date: Wednesday, 4 March 1987 20:54:21 EST From: Roni.Rosenfeld@b.gp.cs.cmu.edu To: zimmermann@faraday.ece.cmu.edu Subject: A good realtor Message-Id: <1987.3.5.1.52.12.Roni.Rosenfeld@b.gp.cs.cmu.edu> Status: R We looked for a house during 3/86 thru 6/86. We used several realtors, and Timmy Silverman of Coastal Realty (521-2222) was clearly superior. She is very professional, very experienced, not at all slimy, and above all - a very nice lady. Squirrel Hill is her livelyhood. You can mention us if you wish (we eventually bought thru her). Good luck! Roni Received: from SPEECH1.CS.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 4 Mar 87 22:49:34 est; Message-Id: <8703050349.AA14238@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 87 22:47:43 EST From: Richard.Stern@SPEECH1.CS.CMU.EDU To: raz@faraday Subject: realtors Status: R I've had good experiences with Marion Werner at Merrill Lynch in Shadyside. Friends of mine have also recommended Pat Conkel at Cooper. Received: from henry.ECE.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 4 Mar 87 23:24:32 est; Received: by henry.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Wed, 4 Mar 87 23:19:58 est; Date: Wednesday, 4 March 1987 23:19:57 EST Sender: Mark.Re@henry.ECE.CMU.EDU From: Mark.Re@henry.ece.cmu.edu To: raz@faraday.ece.cmu.edu Subject: Real Estate (Secret) Agents Message-Id: <1987.3.5.4.2.50.Mark.Re@henry> Status: R Robert, I have a friend who works for Cooper Agency. This is a small firm which deals mostly with the Squirrel Hill, Shadyside and Point Breeze areas. Since they're small, you get much more personalized service than with a large obnoxcious place like Howie Hannah. My friend's name is Pat Conkel. She's know's alot about houses and is very good at finding what you're looking for. You can give her a call at: 361-6500 (work) or 681-0919 (home). Happy House Hunting, Mark. Received: from VI.RI.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Thu, 5 Mar 87 05:12:29 est; Message-Id: <8703051012.AA19015@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU> Date: Thu, 5 Mar 87 05:09:12 EST From: Drew.Anderson@VI.RI.CMU.EDU To: Robert.Zimmermann@faraday Subject: Real Estate Agent. Status: R I had good success with John Maione with Northwood (on Walnut St.) I did not end up buying from him, but he was very helpful and showed me many places (especially in the squirrel hill area.) Unless you have big bucks to spend, I hope you like old houses... Drew Anderson da@vi Received: from A.PSY.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Thu, 5 Mar 87 13:38:25 est; Message-Id: <8703051838.AA28766@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU> Date: Thursday, 05 Mar 87 13:28:35 EST From: john@a.psy.cmu.edu (Bonnie John) Subject: real estate dealers To: zimmerman@faraday.ece.cmu.edu Status: R When we moved here from NJ, both my husband and I had had terrible times with real-estate dealers there. They would listen attentively about what you wanted and then show you things that they had to sell (and that we clearly didn't want) - what a waste of time. A woman here at Howard Hanna -Shadyside branch- Trudy Cohen - was wonderful to us. She showed us exactly the type of place we wanted, tried to talk us out of putting a bid in on a compromise house (yes, I said talk us OUT of it), and handled all the necessary paperwork so we could close within 3 weeks (without a lawyer!!). She calls us every so often to tell us what houses on our block have sold for, etc. Our last call from her was to urge us to refinance and supplied us with the names of the mortgage companies with the best rates - she got nothing from that but our good will. As far as I know she is still there. That's Trudy Cohen, at Howard Hanna Realty Co., Shadyside Branch on Craig and Bayard. Make sure you talk to Trudy because a friend of mine was dealing with another woman at that Howard Hanna and was very disappointed in her peformance (my friend suspected that alcohol was getting in her way). Good Luck. Bonnie John (grad student in psychology) Received: by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Thu, 5 Mar 87 18:38:03 est; Date: Thursday, 5 March 1987 18:38:01 EST Sender: Janaki.Akella@faraday From: Janaki.Akella@faraday.ece.cmu.edu To: zimmermann@faraday.ece.cmu.edu Cc: jak@faraday.ece.cmu.edu Subject: Rela estate agent Message-Id: <1987.3.5.23.26.41.Janaki.Akella@faraday> Status: RO Hi Since we are in the process of settling on a house, I thought I would share with you our experiences. The agent who helped us is Alma Worthington, an agent of Northwood Homes. She is the wife of a CMU faculty member, and serves mainly the areas of Squirrel Hill and Fox Chapel. She is very balanced in her judgement of the houses and is pretty good at getting a feel for your individual tastes and likes/dislikes. She does not push, aggressive selling is the major occupational hazard of real estate agents. It was a pleasure dealing with her and if you like I could introduce you to her. Remember though, that whomsoever the agent may be, you have to personally research on all aspects of the 'house buying' adventure. janaki Received: from GNOME.CS.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Fri, 6 Mar 87 08:37:42 est; Date: Friday, 6 March 1987 08:36:51 EST From: Mark.Brown@gnome.cs.cmu.edu To: Robert.Zimmermann@faraday.ece.cmu.edu Cc: Mark.Brown@gnome.cs.cmu.edu Subject: Real Estate Agents Message-Id: <1987.3.6.13.1.39.Mark.Brown@gnome.cs.cmu.edu> Status: RO In response to your BBoard posting requesting information about competent Real Estate agents, I'd like to recommend Hershey Dugan of Merrill Lynch Realty, Squirrel Hill branch. His office number is 521-5500. My wife and I went through quite a few agents and the accompanying hassles until we luckily ran into Hershey. After showing us many homes listed by his agency he realized that they were out of our price range. He then showed us homes listed by other agencies (which cut his commission in half). He now uses the Architect we recommended to inspect our home before we placed our bid. Hershey has continued to keep in touch with us after the two years we've been in our home. He still offers advice about remodeling, landscaping, etc. My wife and I now consider Hershey to be a trusted friend. If you're looking for decent housing that is much less expensive than Squirrel Hill try Blackridge. There's quite a few CMUer's out this way. Good luck and have fun house hunting! Mark Brown Received: from SPICE.CS.CMU.EDU by faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU (4.12/4.7) id ; Fri, 6 Mar 87 12:29:17 est; Date: 6 Mar 1987 12:23-EST From: Eric.Cooper@spice.cs.cmu.edu To: Robert.Zimmermann@faraday.ECE.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Real Estate Agents Message-Id: <542049815/ecc@spice.cs.cmu.edu> Status: R We used Maureen States from Merrill Lynch, and thought she did an excellent job. Her main area is the east end, although we ended up buying in Fox Chapel. She gets a clear idea of your preferences soon after you start looking at houses with her, so you don't waste too much time with obvious mismatches. She's very knowledgable about the mechanics of houses, and can recommend good people to do inspections, repairs, etc. She steered us away from several houses, warning us that they would be money pits. We didn't feel pressured by her at all.