"I recently bought my first home about a month ago, an accomplishment I’m beyond proud of but an experience I hope to never make myself familiar with again. I worked with, Raquel Gates and before I begin please note I was already dissatisfied but after reading other reviews, oh man I really got the s… hort end of the stick. She frequently made herself available (in the afternoon since she works full time elsewhere) to see homes but that is as far as my positive review goes. Firstly, her communication is poor. Let me tell you why. Once we (my girlfriend and I ) decided on a home we were pretty much on our own. Raquel’s response time lacks. There were emails such as CONFIRMING CLOSING DATES that she did not pay attention to. Essentially, a time needed to be set for closing, an email I had already replied to. Hours later she sends another asking what time? Umm did you not read the email that was sent? When the original email was sent asking for a time and my response came soon after?
When questions were being asked by the seller they were communicated with me but no guidance followed. No tips and tricks. No advice. It’s my first time buying a home! I had to often call my parents for the advice I wasn’t receiving from my realtor and the thing is why do I need to bother my parents when Raquel is supposed to help me? Am I wrong? Did I get the duties of a realtor incorrect?
Next, the home I purchased was described to have had a new 1 year old roof. I had found an amazing rate for home insurance which ended up increasing because that information couldn’t be verified. Home insurance was needed for closing and time was ticking for our closing date. So I got insurance at a higher rate due to lack of information/communication. Why was she no help in finding that information? Your guess is as good as mine. There was clearly no urgency.
At closing excitement didn’t fill my being, it did not feel like a celebration but you know what did bring some happiness? Knowing I would never mix business/home buying with her again. This is where our journey would end. THANK YOU GOD!
She never reached out after closing. No hows it going? No follow up questions that things were running smoothly the way intended. Oh! Wait I almost forgot. It was a couple days before closing and my girlfriend was curious as to what time exactly we would get access to the house since she wanted to hire someone to clean it up before we moved in. Raquel said she knew someone and it would be our gift. No problem, we accepted the offer graciously. Just to end up learning there was another fee that needed to be paid regarding the home. Raquel then decided to retract her gift because she will be paying the fee. As upsetting as it was I continued with closing because I just wanted to be done. Raquel recommended a cleaning lady who was the sweetest human! But her work is just as poor as Raquel’s I don’t know why I thought this would be better. My girlfriend paid a couple hundred dollars because that is what she was quoted for the service. A couple hundred dollars later, my girlfriend is still on her hands and knees scrubbing dirt that should have already been washed away!
I say this all to say, it’ll soon make a month of being a new home owner and I am STILL angry at the service I got. Actually, I am livid after reading other reviews. The company sounds amazing but there are clearly some bad weeds. I wish I could tell you how great the experience was but it wasn’t! Do NOT work with Raquel Gates. I mean honestly is this how military veterans are treated when buying a home? Good grief!"
