River Fox Realty

I contacted Alexis Thompson by email and she referred me to Joe Cafarella. Joe was energetic and punctual, and was available to show homes during a fast moving market. I needed someone who could be available when I drove in from out of town weather permitting. I was the one that located the homes we viewed. He told me he was able to arrange for a preview of a newly listed home on a wednesday prior to its first showing on Saturday since I had come a long ways for the day, and because he knew the listing agent who did us this favor. I had not planned to return Saturday but I changed my plans in order to make an offer. I was told that the house would be cleared out more of all of the clutter so I could see it better, and an hour would be blocked off with the listing agent who would be there to answer all of my questions. In particular we had not been able to locate the furnace or hot water; and other questions included age of roof, type or brand of the new hardwood flooring etc. I was told the furnace was behind the settee upstairs and indeed I could see a wall panel in pictures. Joe sent computer generated comps as I requested and a second set upon request, although I did the work of evaluating the similarility of home features and price adjustments, andn this is how I first learned that some of the homes we had viewed were priced well above market. When I arrived at the house on Saturday, it was in the same condition of clutter, appearing that 5-6 adults occupied the house including one living in the garage. The listing agent was not able to answer any of my questions. He made a calculation of the age of the roof which was reasonable but essentially the answers I received were guess work. He left quickly. When I went to view the furnace, the settee had been moved forward, however the wall panel was sealed shut. The hardwood flooring had been nailed in over the panel so the furnace was effectively sealed into the wall. The hot water heater could not be found due to the volume of belongings stacked in the garage. As I was attempting to evaluate the condition of the home without answers, I felt that Joe was focussing on an emotional attachment to the house, which I can say was charming with a lovely setting. I asked Joe about inspections, who he uses, and how could inspections take place in a house so full. He then began to speak of the benefits of foregoing inspections and suggested this route had gone well for him in his own home purchase. I felt betrayed by the outcome of this attempted transaction. I feel I would have been willing to work with the seller if some repairs were needed, as long as an inspection could be performed without interference and disclosures made openly of any existing defects. I never made an offer on the house and drove home exhausted by all my efforts and the failed promises. The time and travel was costly and overly taxing. I