Q: Are you a full service brokerage?
A: Yes. We work for Prudential Northwest Properties, the largest locally owned real estate firm in Oregon.

Q: How long have you been in real estate and how many transactions have you closed?
A: A combined eight years. In 2005, we closed 57 transactions. Real estate is our full time profession.

Q: What education and real estate designations do you have?
A: We both have MBAs. Charles is e-PRO certified and Jennifer is an Accredited Buyer’s Representative. We just recently completed the second of three parts of the GRI program.

Q: How do you give back to the community?
A: Charles is on the Jr. Board of the Oregon chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Jennifer is on the Board of Fruit and Flower Child Care Center. We support these charities and Transitional Youth with our charitable dollars.

Q: Do your represent both buyers and sellers?
A: Yes, but not in the same transaction. We do not practice dual agency where we represent the buyer and seller. If we list your property and find a buyer that needs representation we will refer them to another Realtor. We work for you. If we are working with you as a buyer’s agent, the same is true.

Q: I am a first time buyer. Can you help?
A: Yes, we can take you through each step of the transaction including mortgage, title and escrow.

Q: Do you use a contract with buyers?
A: Yes. Our Buyer Service Contract clearly defines what you can expect of us and what we expect of you. We prefer to work with a few committed clients rather than a large pool of potential clients. We don’t work with everyone that wants to work with us. We work with serious, qualified buyers and realistic sellers! In most cases, the seller of a listed property pays both the buyer and listing agent’s commissions so the buyer does not pay their agent. In cases where the seller is not offering our minimum commission, the buyer may have to make up the difference. It is clearly outlined in our Buyer Service Contract and we will let you know if a specific property falls into this category before we show it. We do not boycott listings based on the offered commission. It is up to the buyer to decide if they want to see the listing.

Q: How do you use technology? What if I still use a typewriter?
A: We can use as much or as little of our technology to meet your needs. We have the ability to execute a near paperless transaction which is cutting edge in our industry. We can access MLS information from our cell phones and tablet PCs. You can sign documents right on the screens of our computers. Email is delivered to both our computers and cell phones. We can convert any paper document into a format that can be emailed. We provide access to some of the most advanced technology in the industry.

Q: Do you know where you are going?
A: Yes! Both of our vehicles have built in navigation.

Q: What properties will you show me?
A: Properties that we think meet your needs and properties that you search out on your own. We will show properties listed by all brokerages that meet your criteria. We’d like to show about six properties in an outing. If we’re not finding the right house, we need to adjust the search.

Q: What about For Sale By Owners?
A: We will work with you to buy a FSBO. If the seller is offering “courtesy to brokers” at or above our minimum commission level, it is just like buying a listed property. If the seller is not paying commissions, the buyer may have to pay. We cannot guarantee that we know about all FSBO properties that meet your requirements. There is no way to know how they are marketing their property and they are not in the MLS system. If you are a FSBO and are having trouble selling your property, we have to tools to sell your house for top dollar.

Q: How do I reach you?
A: We are available by email and phone the majority of the time. We both have toll free numbers that ring to our cell phones. Faxes and emails also come to our phones. Our assistant is in the office Monday through Friday. We don’t have set hours of business but work hard to make your transaction as smooth as possible. When we do get a chance to get out of town, we make sure that our business is covered by another agent in our office.

Q: Where are you licensed?
A: Charles licensed in the state of Oregon. Jennifer is licensed in both Washington and Oregon. We are both members of RMLS, the Multiple Listing Service of the Portland Metro area and Southwest Washington. Jennifer is also a member of WVMLS which covers the Salem area. Outside of these areas, we can help you find an agent that will be able to assist you.