Date: Thu 14 Jul 83 10:08:06-EDT
From: MASON@CMU-CS-C.ARPA
Subject: real estate agents
To: ginder@CMU-CS-C.ARPA

Thanks for recording your experience.  We're trying to close on a house in two
weeks, and reading your story makes me feel a lot better about our experience.
For the past year we've been in a rented house which is on the market; we've
been obliged to let it be shown, provided an appointment was made in advance.
When it came time for us to buy, we called up the most pleasant of the agents
who had shown the house (Arthur Gallagher,  United II Cimino Realty,
Forest Hills, 351-2342).  He showed us houses all over the eastern suburbs,
one of which we are attempting to buy.  He is conscientious and has handled
all the details very well, so far.  In particular, he knew enough of the
requirements for the bond mortgages that we didn't waste any time on them.
His agency has a sweetheart deal with Regal Mortgage, where we are getting
a 5% down 12-5/8 % interest mortgage, with origination fee of 3%.  We had
some hassles with Regal, but Gallagher was very helpful.

I can also give you a negative recommendation:  our landlord's realtor, who has
handled our lease as well as the sale of the house.  She appears to have
intentionally mislead the owner, the buyers, and the buyers' agent concerning
our intentions and the terms of our lease.  So stay away from Linda Smith,
Northwood Realty, Penn Hills office.

If you're interested in Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, and nearby areas, Marc
Raibert knows a good agent, whose name I've forgotten.
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