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scott bridges, investors and buyers (portfolio professional)

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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I use a GC - that way, he can take care of nearly all of it in one fell swoop!

If I need a window guy or another 'specialist' for major issues, I have them out at the same time the GC is there, like you do. 

IF they don't show up, that's the last time I would phone them...EVER!

Feb 24, 2018 08:50 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,823
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Handyman that can do all otherwise I get estimates from the specialists, but guys I know and that do not flake.

scott bridges complete your profile/ad your photo.

Feb 24, 2018 09:16 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Yes, you ask them over the phone how much they charge and hire them according to your client permission. Here in L.A. hood, they would not show up to talk. 

I usually recommend to bring a home inspector first of all( first days of escrow) and according to that inspection we order more. 

If you know already that you need work to be done and are looking for bids, it is a different story. I sometimes send them pictures of inspections. It also helps, that i know some of them, so relationships also helps if they need to drive just to give an estimate. And if they promised to come and did not show up and did not even call that they are not coming, it is unlikely we are going to be talking again. 

Feb 24, 2018 11:07 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Since I work with builders I know reliable subcontractors and can call in favors.

Feb 24, 2018 09:32 PM
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Often times your inspector will have a good idea of the costs for these things.

Feb 24, 2018 08:52 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,509
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

The contractors I used were vetted. If they don't show, I toss them off my list.

Feb 25, 2018 05:34 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

I leave that to the seller to complete.  I will provide 3 vendors if needed, but I do not get involved with setting up appointments or be responsible to get the quotes.

Feb 25, 2018 05:25 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Debe Maxwell, CRS gave you a wonderful answer.  A

Feb 24, 2018 08:58 PM
Ambassador
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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

  Did they know that you were getting 4 estimates?  

Feb 24, 2018 06:20 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Not that I know of. Now you know why working with the 'trades' suck. Then they wonder why they have no business. Beware the guy that asks you for business from now on too.

Feb 25, 2018 06:44 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I don't like to quote prices.  I would refer these questions to the professionals.

Feb 25, 2018 06:39 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

The bottom line is it's the Buyers choice to select the vendors they want to bring in for quotes.  We can and do provide a list of vendors with whom we have had a good experience in the past - but the onus is on the Buyer to make the arrangements, etc...

Feb 25, 2018 06:14 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

scott bridges Why are you getting involved with setting up appointments for inspection repairs/replacements? Just point the seller to a reliable contractor.

Feb 25, 2018 06:11 AM
Rainmaker
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Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

getting estimates ?

Feb 25, 2018 06:11 AM
Rainer
121,632
Cathy Starkweather
La Rosa Realty, LLC. - Celebration, FL

I typically use a general contractor with exception of pool issues as most GC's I've worked with do not cover pool repairs. Building relationships with a few are key with a busy market many may not be available within the time needed. 

Feb 25, 2018 06:10 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

we have a pre-listing presentation three ring binder that we leave with the seller.... it has a variety of elements within the home and several licensed tradesmen who we work with....they show up and give very fair estimates on their letterhead.... 

Feb 25, 2018 06:03 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

It is normally the seller who determines that. When I worked with buyers the only stipulation I made is licensed people had to do the work when required.

Feb 25, 2018 05:11 AM
Rainmaker
544,014
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

Get recommendations from other Realtors

Feb 25, 2018 05:11 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I have my list of reliable service people who always show up to quote. I also have several GC's I work with regularly who will sub out and quote an entire job and they also always show up and on time. Once they know you are as steady source of referrals they will not jeapardize the relationship.

Feb 25, 2018 05:02 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

You have to be careful of the estimates. 

Feb 25, 2018 04:36 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

scott bridges - Was it at the time of home inspection? I'd like to avoid that.

Feb 24, 2018 08:54 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I use a handyman or GC or if it's something I can get a ballpark for, I'll try for a phone quote.

Feb 25, 2018 09:43 AM
Rainmaker
577,750
Gloria Valvasori, Accredited Senior Agent
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE SIGNATURE SERVICE - Mississauga, ON
REAL Experience | REAL Commitment | REAL Results!

I guess I would do the same as you did.. but if anyone did not show up, I would NEVER all them again... Contractors can be frustrating to work with.. and many times they don't show up... very unprofessional, and you would probably not want to work with them anyway.

Feb 25, 2018 08:46 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,419
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

You need to have the resources...having reliable and reputable contractors is a required element of success in real estate.

Feb 25, 2018 08:28 AM
Ambassador
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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

This happens even with people I have hired to show up and do a repair. Then that is the last time I hire them.  You need to build yourself great contractor resources.  Getting all to show up at the same time is nearly impossible. After all, they are "free" estimating which must be done at their convenience ... not our.  I've learned that paying them $50 service fee works well. If they are hired to do the work then the $50 is issued as a credit. 

Expecting people to show up and spend their time to provide quotes for negotiation leverage is just not something I do.  

Feb 25, 2018 07:58 AM
Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

After a few years in the business, I have multiple contacts who can give me a ballpark if I send them a copy of the pertinent pages from the home inspection.  

Feb 25, 2018 07:38 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Some contractors can give a ballpark bid on a item or items in a report if you provide them with the report and ask about the specific issue to be bid. All contactors and tradespeople in our area are very busy.

Feb 25, 2018 07:10 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Your way makes sense...dont back down

Feb 25, 2018 06:51 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

All good anwers are here. Good luck.

Oct 13, 2018 07:26 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Great answers are here. 

Oct 13, 2018 07:23 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I have a few handymen and contractors.

Feb 28, 2018 09:14 AM
Rainmaker
146,555
Damon Botticelli
Silver State Realty & Investments - Las Vegas, NV
Realtor - Las Vegas Real Estate

Part of your job needs to be establishing relationships with vendors (ideally before you're in a crunch). Keep in mind, vendors will quickly tire of doing free estimates if they never get any actual work out the deal. For the items you listed, I probably would have suggested a general contractor to price everything.

You should also explain to your buyer, that exact prices in order to nickel and dime the transaction are not the best way to proceed. Let the buyer arrange their own vendors if needed. They may change their strategy if they have to pay a service call fee for each bid they want.

Feb 27, 2018 11:24 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Yep, that's a problem. Sometimes agents don't show up for appointments. it sure is disappointing and a HUGE wast of time and money.

That where real team work is needed.

Most flippers have an app they can use to calculate costs based on THEIR resources. For instance they know what a wet spot costs and the cost of a header when the wall is removed. You should be able to find one. Customize it for your location.

NOW YOU HAVE A TOOL THAT WILL HELP YOU GET MORE BUSINESS.

Then spend a half day at HomeDespot and get their installed prices for three different grades of home improvements.  Now you have the highest and lowest cost spectrum.  You should be able to reach a great conclusion based on the skill, resources and experience of your client.

HINT: Always write down the name and number of contractors you see parked in driveways near you. You never know when but you will find that list to be important. Some with those investor signs "cash for your house."  These guys aren't your friend but you can find them to be of use.

HINT #2. Because of my resources I don't get estimates. Estimates are done by the client. I ONLY provide resources to do a job. If they are going to price shop,, I won't subject my contractors to 'lowest bidder' mentality.

And because of this,,,,, they do show up.

 

Feb 26, 2018 08:04 AM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I feel your pain

Feb 25, 2018 08:19 PM
Ambassador
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Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

having a reliable list of vendors who show up for appointments is what I do.  Miss an appointment and you get off my recommended list and on my other list and it won't be good for your business.

Feb 25, 2018 07:26 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I call a contractor and get the bid

Feb 25, 2018 06:36 PM
Ambassador
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Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I don't know of an easier way than using a GC, and/or trades people you have relationships with who will show up.

Feb 25, 2018 03:19 PM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Maybe an estimate by phone, with a good description and/or photo? Contractors and trades people are often surprisingly difficult to pin down.

Feb 25, 2018 01:33 PM