When it comes to hiring a qualified real estate agent in the Capital Region, it may seem like there are endless possibilities and that all agents are created equal. Not true! There are really only a relatively small group of professional agents that service clients full-time and in a way that all clients should be treated.

It is important to us at Team Shillinglaw to have fulfilling real estate transactions with our clients and with the various brokers we cooperate with day in and day out. Buying or selling a home is a big invesment - not only financially, but emotionally as well. Pairing with an agent that recognizes, respects and supports every aspect of your real estate needs is critical to a successful process for all involved.  Our team strives to create meaningful relationships with our clients, from the very first encounter to the closing table, and every aspect in between and more importantly - beyond.

Here are just a few examples of our satisfied client relationships. We hope you will read them and take into account the type of agent you want working on your behalf!

To Prospective Clients of Janna Shillinglaw:
 
If you are reading this it is likely because you are either considering retaining Janna Shillinglaw as your real estate agent or you have already done so. If you have already retained Janna – good move, you will be extremely satisfied. If you are still deciding, hopefully this letter will assist you in making your decision.
 
My wife Sirli and I retained Janna in December 2007 as our agent for both the sale of our existing home and purchase of our new home. Prior to meeting Janna we had listed our previous home for another agent for 6 months. While multiple Opens Houses were held and a handful of showings took place, we never received an offer. After removing the house from the market for several months, and realizing that we were still desirous of selling and moving to a different community, we had the good fortune of finding Janna.
 
In those 8 months or so that had passed from the time we had originally listed with the other agent, the real estate market had changed dramatically. Janna was, from the first moment we met, straight forward about what the market conditions were and what she would do in that market to help us sell our home. She informed us of the steps that she would be taking – from the content of the MLS listing, print literature, to a personalized website, etc., and she followed through in a timely manner on every step she had told us she would take.
 
The first part of the process, of course, was deciding on what price to ask, and Janna was thorough in the information she provided to us in determining what price to set. In a tough market, we wanted to ask a fair price but also to list our home at a price that would generate attention. Janna did that with us, and the results were immediate. We had a number of showings, several very interested parties, and a good and fair contract offer within 45 days. We were not inconvenienced by unnecessary Open Houses, we were always given adequate advance notice of showings, and we received timely and useful feedback from all showings.
 
At the same time that Janna was assisting us with the sale of our prior home, she was serving as our agent for a purchase. We entered into a purchase contract for our new home that was contingent on the sale of our existing home, which always adds some stress to the process. Janna kept that listing agent informed of the steps we were taking to sell our existing home, serving to let that agent know how serious we were about our purchase: that agent knew that through Janna we were doing everything possible to sell our present home and to remove the contingency.
 
It all came together for us; we completed the closings on the sale of our prior home and purchase of our new home in early March 2008, both well within 3 months of when we first retained Janna. The whole process is stressful anytime, but for us, added in the mix was that we were expecting a baby in March. Janna kept everything moving, kept us informed of everything that we needed to do, and did everything that she needed to do promptly and efficiently. The only thing she could not do was delay the birth of our daughter – our closings were scheduled several days apart and Emily was born in between the two!
 
I have bought and sold multiple homes through the years. I can say without hesitation that the transactions that Janna handled for us were the most pleasant of them all. She was professional throughout and diligent in her efforts on our behalf. But even more so than the realtor services she provided is the customer service that Janna gave to us and the personal relationship that developed. The best way that I can describe this is to state that it was clear throughout our relationship with Janna that our sale and purchase were not just business transactions to Janna. She knew that for us, these were major life events, and everything that she did for us reflected that understanding and demonstrated her desire to make them as pleasant and stress-free for us as possible.
 
Janna is a great realtor and an even better person – you will do well with her as your real estate agent!
Happy New Scotland Area Family
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   I have always heard horror stories about buying a home -from dealing with a real estate agent to the closing documents, so when my husband and I decided to look for our own home I was less than enthusiastic. One person changed everything for us and her name is Janna Shillinglaw. I still to this day believe it was divine intervention that she came into our lives. I am the type of person who likes to do everything herself and had no idea what was involved in buying a home but I was determined we did not need to deal with real estate agents.
     One Saturday afternoon we were driving past a home for sale and decided we wanted to see it so I called the number on the sign and Janna answered the phone. She was helpful, informative and the best thing- not pushy! She took my information and called me back to schedule an appointment to see the home. Our situation was a little unique in that our credit was not the best , had no down payment to speak of and needed to be out of our rental before winter and it was the third week in August.
      When I first met Janna I knew I was going to like her, she has this wonderful warm smile and she looks you right in the eyes when speaking to you, a sure sign that she can be trusted and as you get to know her she proves it to you over and over. She showed genuine interest in our needs as well as us personally.
      We must have been in the first home we looked at for almost an hour on a week night and she just told us to take our time even though she had two young children and a husband waiting for her at home. Dedication is not a big enough word for this woman's work ethic. Needless to say we signed a contract with Janna to represent us without hesitation. She showed us numerous houses, once taking an entire Saturday away from her family to accommodate our scheduling needs. She returned my calls and emails always the same day, kept me notified of any new listings that might be of interest to us, guided us to a wonderful lending agent who got us a great rate once we found the house we wanted. We had a few bumps along the way finding homes we really wanted only to find they had a contract on them already but Janna was there to hold our hands and comfort us from the disappointment and encourage us to keep looking.
      In the end we found the home we wanted, signed a contract and closed on it by the end of October. All I can say when I look back is Amazing! We could never ever had done any of it without Janna and her dedication to find us that perfect home. That is what sets her apart from so many other agents in my opinion. She cares about her clients and what they need, she is honest, knowledgeable and totally dedicated. It is no surprise that Janna is still a part of our lives, she is just that kind of person. It is not just a sale to her it is about helping families achieve their dream . If you want personal service plus then Janna is the one to call.
 
Debbie Engel, written 10/2/07
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To Janna Shillinglaw's Potential Clients:
       

         Have you noticed there are certain qualities that separate an average realtor from a really good realtor?  The really good realtor genuinely cares about the people they represent and does everything they can to make the transaction as smooth as possible.  This past summer, I was fortunate to work with a really exceptional realtor - Janna Shillinglaw.

        From the very beginning and throughout the entire process, Janna was deeply committed, thorough, flexible, diligent, and extremely well-organized.  She was an attentive listener who provided keen insight, compassion, and optimism.  I always felt that Janna was working on my behalf and that she wanted the best for me.  There were times when she was able to lift me up and times when she was able to calm me down.  At no time did she lose sight of my needs.  Although her business card may read "Real Estate Agent", the magic she weaves is so much more.

         If you are considering buying a new home and/or selling your current home, then Janna Shillinglaw is the realtor for you.  What are you waiting for?  Sign with Janna today and be on your way to fulfilling your dreams.

        A very grateful and satified client,

         C. Homer

 

B. Kessler, Delmar
Janna was a truly wonderful real estate agent when my wife and I were looking to move. She didn't take us to houses we'd hate so that other ones would look better by comparison -- she took us to see things that we'd like, she walked us through all of the questions we'd had, and the house Janna found for us is perfect. If I was ever planning on moving again -- which I'm not -- I'd ask Janna to help us out again. How many real estate agents can you say that about?

-Happy Homeowners in Voorheesville
We bought our first home five years ago shortly after we married, which was when we first met Janna. At the time, the market was very quiet in the area of New Scotland that we wanted to live. But, Janna was very patient with us, as she showed us many homes over a nine month period before we found the one that we ultimately bought. My husband is a skeptic and is not very trusting of "salesmen" but he was even very comfortable with Janna as she did not push us into anything. We felt as though she always had our best interest in mind. Five years later we are still enjoying our home, and are now bringing up our family in it. We feel lucky to have had Janna as our agent, and would recommend her to anyone interested in a hassle-free home shopping experience.
-Happy Homeowners in Voorheesville

Ryan and Kathleen Miller of Slingerlands
After working with a real estate agent who was only interested in collecting their commission it was an incredible relief to end up working with Janna. She helped my wife and I buy our first home together in Slingerlands and made the process as enjoyable as possible. After we decided against putting our condo on the market Janna helped us rent it without charging us a penny. After another property of ours was up for rent 6 months later Janna was there again to lend a helping hand. I even talked Janna into coming to the hospital where my wife was about to give birth to our daughter so we could get the paperwork signed. She is a real estate agent who truly cares about her customers best interest and will go that extra step to make sure their satisfied.
Ryan and Kathleen Miller of Slingerlands

Michael Cappadozy, First Niagara Mortgage
To prospective clients,

My name is Michael Cappadozy. I am a mortgage consultant for First Niagara Mortgage. I have been working with Janna for quite some time now and can not say enough about Janna's professionalism and care for her clients. I work with many different Realtors and have found Janna to be one of the easiest and most informative real estate agents to work with. Janna cares enough about her profession to know more than just the immediate scope of her job responsibilities and is very knowledgeable in all of the parallel professions that surround the real estate field. With all of the clients that Janna and myself have helped to buy homes I've never heard a negative comment from our mutual clients about Janna. Since our businesses are very similar I can say that Janna is a rarity in regards to her professionalism, knowledge and courtesy. Janna actually listens to her clients needs not just their wants and takes special time and consideration in helping to find the right home for her clients. As opposed to finding the most expensive home to make the most commission possible. As the market and industry changes customer service is becoming very important and having a knowledgeable professional realtor is of utmost importance. Janna is truly an exception in her field amongst her peers.

Sincerely,

Michael Cappadozy
First Niagara Mortgage
8 Airline Dr.
Albany, NY 12205

The Glocklers in Malta
When my husband and I were ready to begin looking for our first home, we contacted Janna. Janna is a friend and former co-worker of mine, and I was confident that she could help us with such an important decision. She very patiently guided us through a lengthy process of finding what we wanted and all of the ins and outs of closing the sale. She was very dedicated to finding what we wanted and making sure every need was taken care of. We were very pleased with her service.