Gretchen Merrick

"Serving you with Intelligence and Integrity"

I'm a:	Real Estate Professional
Company:	Intero Real Estate Services
Location:	Morgan Hill
Web sites:	My website
	My blog

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3 First Answers
3 Useful Answers

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About Me

Not unlike many in my field, I came about my career in a circuitous route. I received my bachelor degree in Civil Engineering from Vanderbilt University and headed west to seek my fortune. After working for an engineering research firm in the Bay Area, I got my masters degree in Civil Engineering, got married, and worked for three years. Two children later, I stayed at home to raise them. Then I jumped into the real estate market in 2000 and haven't looked back since.

I feel that my background in structural engineering and experience with project management are extremely helpful with real estate transactions. After all what is a real estate transaction but project management? My clients appreciate my honesty and my ability to help them look at the overall picture. I provide more to my clients than just working to make the real estate transaction successful. My clients regard me as their trusted advisor and feel confident that I truly represent their best interests.

I have been a top-producer for my company and have received several Intero Executive Circle Awards.

I am passionate about what I do! I'm in the business of helping people buy and sell homes through a multi-step process including: an assessment of their wants and needs, providing a Comparative Market Analysis, selling their home with a unique marketing plan, communicating with them regularly with market updates, going on area and property tours, winning with creative, effective negotiations, executing the contract, completing the escrow, and coordinating inspections and repairs. Whew!!

Testimonials

"Gretchen was an invaluable asset as we raced to sell our condo in Los Gatos in time to close on our new house she helped us purchase in Willow Glen. Gretchen is a model of efficiency, keeping us on-track and "reality-based," while being completely attentive to our needs. We feel Gretchen always took time to answer questions, explain options and guide us through the sometimes complicated and often nerve racking sales process. Buying and selling real estate is really stressful and complicated, even when things go smoothly. Thank you, Gretchen, for helping us maintain our perspective and sense of humor during our sometimes bumpy ride!"
Cindi and Alex Ignatovsky

"Gretchen was so wonderful in helping us buy and sell our home. She took the time and effort to get to know us and find out exactly what we were looking for. We immediately felt comfortable and at ease with her. She was very patient and encouraging, yet determined to get us what we wanted. When we finally found our "dream house", we believe she was instrumental in the success of our contract negotiations. She was incredibly detailed and organized, which helped keep us organized. We believe her professionalism, warmth, and sincerity were key to the quick sale of our previous home. She kept us very well informed and alleviated our concerns and fears. We were very confident in her abilities and she never let us down. We are very proud and eager to recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell a home."
Kristy and Bob Kaufman

"We want to convey our sincerest thanks to Gretchen for her extraordinary success in bringing our home to market and selling it in record time. Her professionalism combined with warmth, and an innate ability to say just the right thing at the right moment, were instrumental in making this process as flawless as we could have ever dreamed. We felt good knowing that she was representing us during the entire process. We appreciated the way she communicated, listened and responded to our needs. She set appropriate expectations in every aspect of the sale of our home."
Gayle and Doug Herfurth

My Q&A View all >>

Gretchen Mer…'s Questions (0)

Gretchen Mer…'s Answers (11)

What are typical inspections done in the South Bay for an older home (e.g. built

Asked Mon Nov 3 2008, 22:53 by Wc - Santa Clara County - Home Buying - 5 answers

Gretchen Merrick answered:

One more inspection that may be required: a septic system inspection. I work in the south bay and often represent buyers on country properties that aren't connected to the city sewer system. Typically the seller pays to have the septic tank pumped and the buyer pays for the actual inspection, but this is negotiable.

Gretchen Merrick
Intero Real Estate Services
(408) 892-9015
email: Sold@GretchenMerrick.com - Tue Nov 4 2008, 18:28

Can the builder prevent my agent from coming to the walk through inspection with me?

Asked Tue Oct 21 2008, 23:36 by James - Campbell - Home Buying - 8 answers

Gretchen Merrick answered:

Hi James,

I have represented buyers on new construction and several times my clients have been told by the builders that they were not allowed to have their Realtor there on the final walk-through. However, the contract with the builder did not contain this stipulation, so I went with my clients to their walk-throughs. You should read your contract carefully and see if there is any clause prohibiting your agent from coming with you. - Wed Oct 22 2008, 10:24

How long do I wait for my offer to be accepted on a short sale?

Asked Fri Sep 12 2008, 20:58 by Bill Doherty - Gilroy - Home Buying - 9 answers

Gretchen Merrick answered:

Hi Bill,

More anecdotal information: I have written a lot of offers for clients on short sales this past year. When my client's was the first offer submitted to the bank, we would generally hear back from the bank in 3 to 3 1/2 months. Keep in mind that if there is more than one loan on the property, the process becomes that much more complicated because there are more approvals required.

Good luck!

Gretchen Merrick
Intero Real Estate Services
Morgan Hill, CA
408-892-9015 - Sat Sep 13 2008, 07:27

it is reasonable to commute from Gilroy to San Jose?

Asked Fri Jul 25 2008, 13:19 by Keith Kepler - Gilroy - Traffic & Public Transportation - 4 answers

Gretchen Merrick answered:

Hi Keith,

It depends on what you consider reasonable. I live in Morgan Hill - the town between Gilroy and San Jose. It is a 20 - 40 minute commute between Morgan Hill and San Jose, depending on where you're going in San Jose. Add on 15 minutes for the extra time from Gilroy.

There are beautiful homes at very good prices in Gilroy. So I guess you need to decide which is a higher priority to you: commute time vs. real estate quality. I've had people tell me that the commute from one side of San Jose to the other can take a long time during commute hours, so no matter where you choose to purchase, be sure to check the commute at high traffic times first. - Fri Jul 25 2008, 15:39

Question removed

Asked Sun Jul 20 2008, 13:36 by Peter - San Jose - Home Buying - 3 answers

Gretchen Merrick answered:

Hi Peter,

David Fent is an excellent, involved insurance agent and his contact number is 408-465-2392. He will take the time to help you with your individual insurance needs. - Sun Jul 20 2008, 19:23

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My Listings

16830 Edwin…

$749,000

4 br 3.0 ba Listing Web Site

16771 Dry C…

$749,000

5 br 4 ba

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Specialties

“I provide more to my clients than just working to make the real estate transaction successful. My clients regard me as their trusted advisor and feel confident that I truly represent them and their best interests.

If I can help you in any way with your next real estate transaction, please email me at Sold@GretchenMerrick.com. Visit my website at http://www.GretchenMerrick.com.”

Experience

Latest:

Realtor for Intero Real Estate Services

I've been a Realtor for about 8 years now and have been a top-producing agent in my office for three years. I've guided clients through many successful transactions and have experience to fall back on to guide many more clients successfully!

November 2000—present

Certifications & Awards

Intero Executive Circle Awards

Interests

Bicycling, snow boarding, gardening, cooking, socializing

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