"Carra Riley is one of those people that is successful in everything she does. She has so much energy, knowledge and skill, that she accomplishes about twice as much as most people do in half the time. She really cares about service with her clients and goes the extra mile to make sure they are well cared for. Carra has been one of my few mentors in the real estate business as she is always on the cutting edge of new trends and technology. I firmly believe that anyone that gets to work with her is very lucky!
Heidi Stewart Schaffnit
Re/Max Alliance, Denver, Colorado"
Heidi Stewart Schaffnit Sun Jul 26, 2009
"I am a Realtor in Lake Havasu City, AZ.
For the first time I worked with a Real Estate Consultant, Carra Riley on 2 different transactions. I was pleasantly surprised at how it made my job much easier and for the clients they had additional Real Estate support to help them make their decisions about their home selling experience.
The first was a home where the seller interviewed 3 Realtors. I actually priced the home a bit higher than the other Realtors but with this price told her she needed to paint, cleanup the landscaping and add new carpet. I am also an Accredited Staging Professional and also staged the home for sale. She spent about $4,500 and got back a return of $11,000 by getting her asking price. We had the home under contract within 14 days and closed in 30 days. This was a great example of a client who listened, followed our advice and got the home sold quickly in a market filled with competition.
The second example was very similar in that the client needed to spend some money for the paint, carpet and landscaping but were not as flexible on price. They resisted the suggestions on price and chased the market and against our advice turned down the first offer only to end up selling $5,000 lower as the market continued to decline this year. We sold the home within 6 months but had the client taken our advice we would have sold at a higher dollar and quicker.
Brenda and Willie Gonzalez
The G-Force
928-505-5478 Office
888-501-5478 Toll Free
928-846-6044 Brenda's Cell"
Brenda Gonzalez Wed Jun 10, 2009
"Carra,
I had no idea when I called to get your opinion about selling my home in Havasu that you would still be so connected to the business. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you connecting me with the Realtors in Havasu. I was so impressed with both of them that it was hard to make a decision. Trying to find them on the phone would have been a night mare. I may have ended up with some one with no experience and no true idea of the time and place we are in with Real Estate.
The fact that you were able to check comps and confirm pricing was key. I really needed that check point from this distance. It was good to get the price opinion from both of you. When the Realtor I chose actually went and coordinated the minor renovation the house needed and then did some staging to make it look inviting, I knew I had made the right decision to stay in Denver and leave the details to the professionals. I really think it cost less in the long run to have her decide what to do rather than me come to town and labor over things I don't do every day. The fact that my home sold in one day may not be the norm but I am pleased as punch. I know it has to do with the fact that you know the market and what works. I just took instruction.
When we entered the Real Estate market in Havasu in 2002 I had no idea of the ride we had just jumped on. Buying the first three seemed monumental but you made the transactions smooth and easy even from a distance. You gave us guidance on renting and keeping the properties repaired from a distance. You always had a contact for us when we had a need. When it was time to sell and exchange into other properties you once again found the price range and made it work.
I can’t tell you how grateful I am for the work you did in Bullhead after the market changed. The two homes we had in Laughlin Ranch and Talon Point would never have sold with out your help. The fact that you went to Phoenix and fought to change the legislation about having signs on the re-sales in the area was what made it happen. It's been a learning experience for sure.
We have been through some turbulent Real Estate times since 2002. Being a lender in Colorado and as close to the market as I am, I still would not have known what path to take on many occasions from this distance.
Thanks for staying in touch in good times and really for hanging in there when things took a turn in the Real Estate market. You came through on all 14 of those transactions and I really appreciate it.
I wish you the best!
Ellyn Meister
I will be happy to share my experiences with anyone."
Ellyn Meister Sat Sep 20, 2008
"Dear Carra,
When a novice gets involved in a real estate deal, he expects to have an agent working on his behalf. He expects that there will be some give and take in the selling or buying process. He expects that the process will be pretty straight forward.
What this person does not expect is a rel estate agent that might not know all the laws or proceedures involved, or who will be working more for him/or/herself than for the person he or she is representing.
That is why it was such a pleasure working with you. It was obvious you were working for me and not yourself. As a real estate consultant, you had no "axe to grind" and were just out to make sure I received a fair deal.
Your care for me was obvious from the start when you were so very careful in helping me select an agent to represent me in selling my apartment building. Out of the three agents, you helped me find someone that proved to be honest, hard working and cautious in protecting my interests. It was a pleasure working with him, and I thank you for doing such an execellent job in finding him and then keeping right in the loop with each step of the pocess. I know that you being there was an influence on him to make sure he was working in line with my desires.
You did a better job in finding real estate brokers for me than I did on my own when I decided to sell my house in Los Angeles and buy a house in Arizona. The agent you found to represent me as the buyer in Arizona was excellent. He did his homework, found a good number of homes for me to look at, all of which fit the description I had given him of what I wanted in a new home. He put himself out to accommodate my needs. Again, I was profoundly grateful to see how you were right on top of each detail, helping us both through the process.
I saw the difference between the way you selected agents and made sure they were reprsenting my interests and the way I had picked my own agent in los Angeles based on a long time acquaintance but no real knowledge of the way she worked. I thank you again for stepping in and giving me such excellent support and consulting advice and guiding me through that whole process. The concept of the contingency you suggested I look into was my great protection in this deal, and it is interesting how very important it was for my protection, and yet all the agents involved fought against the idea, tooth and nail.
Greatly due to your watchful shepherding and confident guidance, the selling in Los Angeles and buying in Arizona went smoothly and fairly, and I was protected in every step along the way. If you ever need a reference, please feel free to use me, or to use this letter of thanks as proof of my endorsement. Thank you again for all your help.
R. Derek Swire"
R. Dereck Swire Mon Jul 20, 2009