November, 2009

It was my good fortune to use Dana on the recent sale of my home in Palos Verdes Estates.  We got top dollar in a buyer's market within 5 days of listing it for sale.  He personally took care of every detail so that the escrow period and closing went as smoothly as possible.

Through Dana you will have access to his experienced group of home sale professionals including a contractor, termite service, escrow agent, estate sales person who can sell unwanted belongings and, most importantly, he knows which lenders in today's market are actually making loans.  Dana will set up each of the above-referenced services as needed and will be present in the home when the work is done. 

Unfortunately, professionals like Dana, who not only enjoy their work and do an excellent job, are no longer as common as they once were.  It is no wonder that Dana's business all comes from referrals.  As I told Dana when the sale had closed, I had never been so happy to pay someone his commission!

Suzanne Kawahara

March, 2010

My brothers and I recently lost our mother and were faced with selling her home.

My husband Mike and I had sold our home in Torrance nearly 20 years ago, and Dana Graham was our realtor.  He has kept in touch with us over the years by sending his quarterly newsletter, which we always read with interest.

When we were faced with selling my mom's house, Dana was the first person that came to mind, as he had done a superlative job selling our home in the South Bay all those years ago.  When he agreed to work with us again, I was very happy.

Not only was the pricing that Dana gave us spot on, but because he handled everything so well, going above and beyond what he could have done, my brothers and I did not have to fly back to California at any time during the selling process.  We were able to geat a great price for the house, and Dana's extra help and work with the shipping company we used went better than we could have imagined.  His contacts with reliable trades persons allowed us to get all the necessary repairs done as well.

The entire selling process went so smoothly, and we were all extremely happy with Dana's work.  He is quite an asset to your company and business.  My husband Mike and I wish that he did work out here in Georgia as well!

Mike and Hanna Dettman

Recently I retained Dana Graham to assist me in finding a residence to purchase.  From the outset, Mr Graham was intent on learning what features I did (and did not) want in a house.  Our first tour of prospective homes for rent or sale lasted several hours and we inspected at least seven pre-selected houses.  He had a printout of each house we viewed and I was able to "rank" each house after our visit.  Mr Graham noted my like and dislikes and on the second outing he had narrowed the new choices down to several that were of the type, and in the locations I was looking for.

Mr Graham knew everything I wanted to know about the various neighborhoods, and their proximity to shops, schools, and other amenities.  That eventually helped me make the decision to buy a wonderful house in Lunada Bay.

He also helped me find a mortgage company willing and able to arrange a loan for me.  He reviewed and explained to me the myriad documents I was asked to sign.  He took me to City Hall to review past permits; we carefully examined inspection and disclosure reports; he assisted me with the escrow process; and enabled me to fully understand all of the closing documents.

But his help didn't end there.  He then arranged to have several bedrooms, a bathroom, and the kitchen repainted after several layers of wallpaper were removed.  This work promptly commenced the day after escrow closed and was completed to my great satisfaction in three days.

In short Mr Graham made what could have been a stressful ordeal into a pleasant, quick, and productive purchase.  I will recommend Prudential and Mr Graham to anyone thinking of selling or buying property in the South Bay area.  Prudential and agents such as Dana Graham are what make you the leading realty company . . . but then I expect you already know that.  Thanks for the superior service rendered by Dana Graham.

William A Plourde, Jr. 

June, 2010

Changes are always hard.  The decision to sell our house was very difficult for us.  When we were finally ready to start the process, we were slightly overwhelmed with where to begin.  Enter Dana Graham.  He took us by the hand and guided us through each step.  We knew right away that Dana was very passionate about what he did.  He is diligent, hard-working, persistent, and very professional.  He always had our best interest at heart and we know we were in good hands.

Beside being our realtor, Dana wore a lot of other hats.  Many times, he would come over in his "work" clothes to fix things around the house.  He fixed cabinet handles, closet doors, painted some panels, ordered a special part (found on the internet through a blog from a company that had gone out of business) to fix a latch on an old sliding door, spent many hours tracking down a hard to find panel box cover, and numerous other things.  We would see something that was broken or had not been working in years and all of a sudden it was fixed.  We knew Dana had come by.  He truly went beyond what was required or asked of him.

During the inspection and all throughout escrow, Dana did all the "worrying" for us and helped us to focus on other things.  Due to Dana's professionalism and attention to details, everything went smoothly and we couldn't have asked for a better experience or outcome.

We have been and will contine to recommend Dana in a heartbeat to anyone who is thinking about selling or buying a house.

With thankful hearts -- The Thomsons -- Rolling Hills Estates

We think it's time to document the exemplary job Dana Graham has done for our family in three major transactions.  In the Spring of 2003 Bob and Virginia Putnam (both 87 years old) retained Dana as their listing agent after both daughters assured them Dana Graham would prove to be a very special realtor.  Words cannot adequately express how much like a brother he became for us, and how much like a son he was for the Putnams.  Here are just a few examples:  1) He removed a satellite dish using a 20+ foot ladder; 2) Caulked the bathroom floors; 3)  Painted the new wood installed during termite repairs; 4) For bulky trash day, Dana arrived in work clothes to move a freezer, metal cabinet, and other heavy items to the curb; 5) Successfully resolved 3 sticky issues with the PVE Art Jury.  

In the early 1990's Janet & Charlie Johnson looked out from their Via Acalones home and saw Dana on the roof of the neighbor's house repairing shingles to avoid a dispute when the seller refused to spend $100 for the shingle repair.  Thus began our understanding that Dana Graham is a different kind of realtor.

The Johnsons have subsequently bought and sold two more homes (other areas).  Dana continues to be the benchmark by which they measure other realtors.  Subsequent realtors have been competent, but never so service-oriented and communicative.

In addition to his outstanding capabilities as a realtor, Dana has a keen and unique sense of humor, which helps his clients see the lighter side of the dark moments that are inevitable in most real estate transactions.  Our entire family joins in the commendation of Dana Graham as realtor extraordinaire.  We'll be happy to talk personally with anyone considering him for real estate work.   

Bob & Virginia Putnam, Janet & Charlie Johnson, Barbi and Mark Carpenter, all of Palos Verdes Estates

Thank you so very, very much for the wonderful job you performed on our behalf in selling our RHE home. We will always be grateful to you for your professional skills and knowledge, your helpfulness to us personally in numerous details large and small, your patience when we were impatient, and seeing us through to a very successful end. . . . Many thanks again to the "Best Realtor on the Hill"!   

Dr & Mrs Jack Heurlin, Rolling Hills Estates 

Dana is smart and organized.  He explains everything thoroughly and keeps his client informed every step of the way.  . .. He has keen instincts about the other party in the deal -- e.g., if we've received the best offer -- and when it's time to lower the price. . . . He has excellent knowledge about construction, so I knew we'd make correct decisions about repairs. . . . On the personal side, Dana is a very kind man. . . . Kindness and a killer sense of humor:  Dana has an unbeatable combination of personal characteristics. . . . I have and will recommend Dana without hesitation to my friends for their home real estate needs. 

Marion Smith, Rancho Palos Verdes

 As a corporate executive for 30 years I have moved often -- bought and sold many houses. I can state unequivocally that Dana Graham is not only the best real estate agent we have ever dealt with -- he is so far superior to any other of my knowledge as to defy comparison"

G T Rush, Rancho Palos Verdes

"We have never in our past dealings had an agent of your caliber. Your professionalism and knowledge of all aspects cannot be surpassed"

M/M Tom Davis, Harbor City

 "Your recent assistance in selling my home marks the fourth time in about 10 years that I have sought and received your services as a real estate agent. In each case, most notably the recent sale into a difficult market and the many "niggling" details that characterized that transaction and its follow-up, your unflagging attention, professionalism and expertise were, in my mind, at the highest level that could be expected"

Stew Crawford, Rancho Palos Verdes

"Over the past several years I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Dana in finding a residence and then listing it with him. His integrity and candid manner provide the basis for me to exploit his enormous knowledge of the market. I am convinced that no other Realtor could serve me better. . . . it is an understatement to describe me as a difficult client -- ask Dana (ed: he wasn't so bad). I am a Computer Systems Consultant with a degree in Engineering who wants an explanation of everything and accepts nothing at face value. Dana is the only Realtor who has ever satisfied my requirement, and working with him is a pleasure as well."

C G Altmann, Rancho Palos Verdes

"We would like you to know how impressed we have been with Dana Graham. He was spot on with pricing (as you know, we got our asking price, plus) and has been amazingly resourceful and helpful throughout the process. . . . He even found a better mortgage for the buyers. . . . I certainly recommend him highly. He is a savvy realtor, a tireless worker, and a very fine person."

Jeanne Turner, Palos Verdes Estates

"I want to express my appreciation for the very professional manner in which you handled the sale of my home in Palos Verdes Estates. I interviewed several real estate agents prior to selecting you and I must say I never regretted my choice. This was my first experience with a house sale in over 30 years and I was concerned with the fact that I had already moved out of town and would not be easily accessible. The property sold in 6 days and closed escrow in 30 days without a hitch. I think the things you did over and above the normal task of closing escrow made a big difference."

D Conklin, Palos Verdes Estates

"This unsolicited letter is written in recognition and appreciation of the outstanding performance of Dana Graham. In contrast to previous realtors we talked to, Dana recommended a reasonable, cost-effective set of house preparations, and was even able to provide us with the names of painters and other contractors such that our required fixup expenses were less than half of what they would have been. The house was on the market for only two days when we got a buyer! Dana ensured that the sales contract was "bulletproof" . . . Dana was there for us at every critical point of the escrow, including all negotiations and inspections. . . . We were living in our Northern California "dream home" in less than two months. We are firmly convinced that this would not have occurred if not for Dana's experience and expertise."

M/M Lyon, Torrance