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I know a guy...

By
Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties Licensed in Connecticut

Do you know a guy who can.....???

Litchfield County Real EstateI hear this all the time. Yes, I do, I know a guy who... cleans up and out, paints, pulls oil tanks, is a master carpenter, plows, mows, is a fantastic electrician, great plumber, on and on, tried and true, tested over and over again.

As a side note, every time I hear that question "do you know someone...", I can't help thinking about one of my most favorite movies, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels". The police chief says "A man owes me a favor. Rene the Knife. He is a master with a stiletto and a magician at hiding a body." Of course that just may illustrate how my mind works and might have been better left unsaid. As an example...

Andrea, do you know someone that can pull this oil tank? I remember saying exactly this, "I know someone who is a master with a backhoe and a magician at making the tank disappear!" Now do you see why I think of that movie?

Litchfield County Real EstateMost real estate agents have a list of guys and gals, companies who are tried and true. I know I do. And they don't get on my list just because I know them. They get on my list because my clients love them, because they don't disappoint, because I know I can trust them. Getting on my list is not easy, getting off the list is easy peasy. Bad review from a client and they are off, off, off.

Why is this important? If you are thinking about selling your home in lower Litchfield County CT and your house needs work, you will want to have access to my list. Because if you don't clean it up and out it will cost you. Don't believe me? Read my story "I met a guy who sold a house". Or you haven't kept up with home maintenance yet you want to get as much as possible for your home, read this story "Why didn't my house sell?". (Pay close attention to the comments of other real estate agents, they know what they are talking about.) Then you will understand why it is so important that I have my "I know a guy/gal" list. They are masters of their trade, magicians at getting the job done. One of the THREE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS about GETTING A HOUSE SOLD in Litchfield County CT is the condition of the house.

 

And by the way, my list is just as important for a buyer! Trusted mortgage professionals, home inspectors, local insurance agents, people who can help you make the home you want to buy the home of your dreams!

So yes, I know a guy...



Posted by

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County Real Estate

2017 President, Greater New Milford Board of Realtors

2017 Connecticut Magazine 5 Star Realtor

 

 Search homes for sale in Litchfield County, CT.

 

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Litchfield County Regional Office,375 Danbury Rd, New Milford, CT 06776

 

© Andrea Swiedler 2009 - 2017

 Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain

Rosalie Evans
Meritus Group Real Estate - Sioux Falls, SD
The Evans Group, Sioux Falls, SD Homes For Sale

I had a friend that wanted me to put her boyfriend on my list of house painters. Problem is that I have no clue about what kind of work he does so why would I do that. She is still kind of mad at me because he is not on there!

Jan 27, 2012 01:54 PM
Luis Iniguez
Option One Real Estate - Fontana, CA
Search Inland Empire Homes For Sale - Short Sale Agent

Good post Andrea, I have a lsit of people I refer out, but I always make sure I feel it's a good match.  I don't want to get caught in the middle of any problems.

Jan 27, 2012 02:23 PM
Catherine Ulrey
Keller Williams Capital City - Salem, OR
Equestrian and Acreage Property Specialist

I feel like I need to beef up my list, this is a great reminder!

 

Jan 27, 2012 03:11 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Andrea, so true. A good network of professionals from different field makes a big difference! And not to forget about the 'reverse' referral we get from them.

Jan 27, 2012 03:31 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

Boy, your list of of subs  to get the sales job done are invaluable in this business.

Jan 27, 2012 03:40 PM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

I like your statement, "Getting on my list is not easy, getting off the list is easy peasy." Another agent recently referred me to her handyman... who never even showed up or called. Why didn't I call back? If he messed up this bad to begin with, why would I chase him, he will never make my list!

Jan 27, 2012 05:01 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

WooHoo! (#14)

Thanks Andrea for the kind words!

Can I tell my friends that I made the "I know a guy" list?  :)

Jan 27, 2012 05:20 PM
Robert Smith
Preview Properties, PC - http://www.RealEstateMich.com - Brighton, MI
SRES, Search for Homes Brighton-Howell-SE Michigan

So true, Andrea, and thanks for a great topic!  I have a list of 'consumer quality' contractors that is used mostly for my REO listings. They do very good work, fairly priced, and don't 'cheat' just because it's a bank-owned property. Guess who gets referred when a homeowner wants an opinion or quote?

As a side note, I have found that many homeowners (especially the newer, first-timers) will universally take the cheapest quote. Never ask detailed or insightful questions, just 'go with the low' - even when the price difference is miniscule.  Oh well, I guess there's a learning curve there, too.

Jan 27, 2012 10:40 PM
Greg Gillespie
GumTree Realty / Genesis Realty Services,Inc - Tupelo, MS
CRS / Broker Owner

Good Morning Adnrea.

Lowest and Best, not the cheapest.

Good Luck...

Jan 27, 2012 11:37 PM
Andre R. Aragon
Greater Tampa Real Estate Photographer - Tampa, FL
Real Estate Photographer

Hi Andrea - We needed a huge list of "Guys" when we bought our 1924 - some recommendations were great - others not so great. It is a real value-add to have a carefully vetted list of "Guys" for hire.

 

Jan 27, 2012 11:37 PM
Teresa Tedder
Carolina Realty of Wilkes Inc - Wilkesboro, NC

I love it when Im asked "Do you know a guy who....." because chances are, I DO!!  But I cringe when the buyer or seller say "I know a guy who....." because usually it ends with "sold his house FSBO in 3 days!!" or, "whose agent sold his house for 2%", or "who advertises his listings in the NY Times, can you do that too?" and my favorite "I know a guy who said this house is worth way more than what Im asking, he said we are selling too cheap!".  I always say "Why doesnt he buy it and get this great bargain!!!"

Jan 28, 2012 12:55 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Andrea, putting vendors on your list who you can trust and who do good work is a valuable asset in this business.

Jan 28, 2012 01:01 AM
Cindy Edwards
RE/MAX Checkmate - Johnson City, TN
CRS, GRI, PMN - Northeast Tennessee 423-677-6677

Hi Andrea,

Yep, that is us...we know all the "guys".  Nice post!  Have a great week-end, looks sunny out here in Tennessee.

Jan 28, 2012 01:10 AM
Robin Rogers
Robin Rogers, Silverbridge Realty, San Antonio, Texas - San Antonio, TX
CRS, TRC, MRP - Real Estate Investment Adviser

Andrea, I have a list, too! And like yours, it's a lot easier to get off than on it. I am so lucky to have found so many great "guys" I can trust to do their best for my clients!

Jan 28, 2012 01:23 AM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Great blog Andrea!  Our list is tough to get on, but easy to be removed from.                                            

Jan 28, 2012 01:33 AM
Charlie Dresen
The Group, Inc - Steamboat Springs, CO
Steamboat Springs, CO e-Pro

Every good real estate agent has a great "I know a guy/gal who can help you with...!" I treat my list like an extension of my reputation...so every person on there has a stellar track record, and like you...I delete someone from the list when there's any slip-up or complaint.

Jan 28, 2012 02:04 AM
Monica Nunchuck
Florida Homes Realty & Mtg - Saint Augustine, FL
St. Augustine Buyer's Agent

The problem of knowing "The GUY" and referring him to the one who is asking could easily back fire if "THE GUY" dosen't meet up to their standards consequently blaming you for any problems and putting you in the middle of the mess. 

Jan 28, 2012 03:21 AM
Linda Jamail Marshall
Linda Marshall,Houston Texas, Linda Marshall, Realtors® - Houston, TX
Broker, ABR,QSC,RECS,ACRE - Innerloop Houston, Tex

Great post, also agree 100% with Monica #38

Greetings from Innerloop Houston Texas

Jan 28, 2012 03:34 AM
Eric Michael
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

I'm always adding quality guys to my list. I was thinking of buying a domain specifically for the list. www.iGotAguy.com was already taken, though.

Jan 28, 2012 05:02 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

I know a guy or two myself, Andrea.  I keep a list on my website of recommended tradesmen, and I am quick to pull the off if they do anything that I find out of the ordinary.  

Jan 28, 2012 06:07 AM