"2012-10-05T00:00:00"^^ . "1"^^ . "I have mixed feelings about this review as on one hand one party at Prestige Realty stepped up and did the right thing on behalf of a colleague. Let me state that Prestige Realty did not represent me in a real estate transaction. One of their representatives owned and acted as the real estate agent of the property I purchased. That party's business card reads as follow: Jose A. Alvarado-Realtor-Prestige Realty-10220 N. 31st Avenue, Suite 129-Phoenix, AZ 85051-Cell: 602-487-0127-Fax: 602-707-7511-Email: alvaradoaj@hotmail.com\n\nTHE BAD: After successful real estate closing and relocation from Illinois to Tolleson, Arizona the night of Thursday August 16th, my intention was to gain entry into my new property. As part of closing procedures, I was informed that a key would be made available to provide access to the front door. Mr. Alvarado told my real estate representative he would leave a key on an electrical box on the side of the home. This wasn't necessarily my preference but as I was driving all our belongings in a moving truck that same day of closing I didn't have a lot of options. Apparently this is an acceptable practice. Nonetheless, the key was where it was promised to be left. The PROBLEM was the key did NOT open the front door. This discovery was made at about 7:00PM that evening. My first action was to call Mr. Alvarado, several times, only reaching his voice mail. I also texted him several times and got no response. In a bit of a panic I called my real estate representative who said she would try him too. She was also unsuccessful reaching Mr. Alvarado. After several more exchanges she recommended (and provided the name of a service provider) I contact a locksmith. The reason quick access was essential was scheduled move-in the next morning by hired laborers. I made the executive decision and called her recommended locksmith. This turned out to be a pretty expensive proposition to the tune of $369. However, I had access and a new lock.\n\nI'd put the matter on hold until I'd moved in and had opportunity to revisit weeks later. I called and emailed Mr. Alvarado several times stating that I was unhappy with his negligence and suggested he was responsible for my having to spend $369 for a locksmith and should consider doing right by the situation and reimburse me the charges. I received no replies. I decided to start making calls and sending emails to see if I had any recourse, even if it was only to be able to warn others who might encounter Mr. Alvarado.\n \nTHE GOOD: Upon further research I found Prestige Realty, a main number and person to call. That person is Mr. Richard Snapp. Rick was very professional and understanding of my situation (sans suggesting I'd extremely overpaid the locksmith, which I really didn't have a lot of time nor opportunity to shop for a better price that evening). He went so far as offering to reimburse me some amount of my charges but that I would have to take up any remaining reimbursement with Mr. Alvarado. Not long after our conversation I received a check by mail from Rick and Prestige in the amount of $184.50. I think this speaks highly of Mr. Sapp to step up and take some responsibility for one of his colleagues (I am not exactly sure of their professional relationship). I thanked Mr. Sapp for his assistance suggesting that perhaps I should be grateful for at least this much as attempts to collect the balance from Mr. Alvarado proved fruitless.\n\nWorth mentioning is at one point I did get a call from Mr. Alvarado prior to receiving the check from Mr. Sapp. Mr. Alvarado only wanted to argue his position, which was not a position but rather an excuse that the key might have opened a back door, which is didn't, that I'd overpaid for the locksmith(!) and all but a willingness to step up and right the situation. At one point in the conversation I said I was done and that if he wanted to do the right thing he knew how to reach me. Many days later I found his business card on my doorstep with a note that read, \"I was nearby and stopped by to leave the check to you I will have the check at my address for you to pick up\". I don't know if this was the check I later received from Mr. Sapp or his balance but I suspect the former. I called Mr. Alvarado and my message was straightforward in saying I really didn't see the need to meet in person, he understood my position and I simply preferred he send the mentioned check by mail. Shortly thereafter I received the check from Mr. Sapp and Prestige Realty.\n\nTo bring my ambivalence of this review full circle, I highly recommend avoiding doing business with Mr. Jose Alvarado but if you have no recourse as was my case in his owning and representing the property I was seeking to purchase, be prepared because you will not be dealing with a reputable person. However, I cannot speak highly enough about Mr. Sapp and his actions so perhaps Prestige Realty deserves some consideration, if not for some of its associated employees."^^ . "0"^^ . "6"^^ . . "0"^^ . . .