SplitRock
Real Estate, LLC
Martha's
Vineyard Real Estate Buyer Client Testimonials
Most real estate agents offer glowing
testimonials on their websites from satisfied home
buyers. Maybe you have thought to yourself, "I'd like
to speak directly with those 'satisfied home buyers'."
Well, you can! Although I am protecting the personal
information of my clients, if you contact me and tell
me which ones you would like to speak to, with their
permission, I will give you their contact information. |
A Seller's Agent would say
this is "CUTE" and "Only
needs a little TLC", but an Exclusive Buyer's Agent
will tell you it's a SHACK and you'll need a BULLDOZER! |
Here
is what some of my Buyer Clients think of my Inner Circle
e-Newsletter Weekly Martha's Vineyard Market Report.
"...Your
Inner Circle e-Newsletter's are like Christmas to me! I
love getting them and opening them up to see what's inside
-- Joy and Excitement!"
A.O., Bedford Hills, NY
"Scott
and I wait for your weekly newsletters like it was Christmas
morning every Saturday. Whoever notices that it has arrived
first, "It's here" is exclaimed and then we sit
down, he with the ipad, me with the laptop. (alas, we are
unable to share you..each of us must have you to ourselves)."
M.K., New York, NY
"Your
Inner Circle e-Newsletter is extremely interesting. Really
wonderful. I especially like that you permit a lot of your
personal opinions to seep through, you humorously point
out the foibles of overpricing and price reductions, and
yet you simultaneously identify good opportunities in all
price levels.
"It seems to me almost anyone, from a young family
with modest assets, to a buyer looking for a very substantial
property, would find your e-Newsletter very helpful."
M.G., Greenwich, CT
A
Satisfied Client tells me why he believes the decision to
hire an Exclusive Buyer Agent on Martha’s Vineyard
is a ‘No Brainer’.
Dear
Peter,
As
an Island homeowner, I find that friends often ask about
our home buying experience with the hope that we will provide
guidance to facilitate their search. My first and only recommendation:
Hire an Exclusive Buyer Agent. They will represent you throughout
the process from start to finish. Although I am not a real
estate professional, I feel the lessons learned and the
experience gained during my own home purchase with you by
my side provided me the unique perspective to offer advice
to others seeking the Martha’s Vineyard lifestyle
experience.
While
I sense more people today contract for the services of Exclusive
Buyer Agents than in the past, many home buyers still just
don’t think about it or don’t believe they can
actually have someone passionately represent their best
interests at all times. This was certainly my friend’s
mindset. In part, I think it is because people believe it
will be more costly. They think there has got to be a catch.
I thought you might be interested in how I describe the
benefits of your type of service to my friends.
Why
you should engage an Exclusive Buyers Agent:
Level
the playing field. The seller has professional
representation, why not you? I read that phrase on your
website and it made sense. I note that seller agents have
ethical responsibilities to consumers on both sides, but
understand seller agents are contracted by the seller to
promote their best interests. As a matter of law in Massachusetts,
consumers are asked to sign an agency disclosure form acknowledging
the fiduciary relationship of the agent showing them property.
If the agent has identified themselves as a seller agent
they are not working for you. If the agent has stated they
are a facilitator, they are not working for you. But if
they check the box marked buyer agent are they working for
you? After all, this is just a disclosure and not a legal
contract. I tell my friends everything is explained in detail
on your website including that fuzzy area called ‘dual
agency’.
When
I understood how it worked I realized I would feel more
confident dealing with an Exclusive Buyer Agent with whom
I had a direct contractual arrangement. An agent who answers
to me alone, not the seller, thereby eliminating any potential
conflict of interest at any time. That’s another point
I make; I explain that I was glad to enter into a written
contract with Peter and I found it reasonable and even validating
to give him what he indicated would be a refundable retainer.
Frankly, I was shocked when I received my rebate. My search
lasted well over 9 months and I received significantly more
value than the amount of the retainer given the amount of
time spent dedicated to my search. I had forgotten all about
it when he pushed the rebate check across the table to me
at the closing. So it really did cost me nothing to be represented
--- a no brainer! And now I did not have to worry about
how I was going to pay for lunch after the closing.
Demystify and Guide you through the Entire process.
There are a lot of different things going on during the
home buying process and it is imperative to have someone
with experience and “local” knowledge by your
side. This “insider” perspective provides value
throughout the process to benefit you during your search,
the bidding process, the price negotiation, the discovery
period, the retention and coordination of service providers
required to close, and closing logistics. It became clear
to me early in the process that having “local”
advice is a prerequisite to succeed. As a result of the
care I received, I had a seamless and uneventful close.
Post
Close Services. As a non-resident Islander, we
often times have a need for various concierge services.
Now I’ll admit this is not typically part of a real
estate agent’s obligation, but Peter always said he
would not leave me after the closing, so I knew I could
count on him when I needed something. Over the last few
years he has provided me with contacts to help with things
like caretaker services, electricians, plumbers, exterminators,
landscapers and house keepers. You will at some point need
at least one of these. Trust me; it’s best to have
a reference.
Maintain
Peace of Mind. I was not on Island for much of
the day-to-day dealing leading up to our closing. Nonetheless,
I was as informed and involved as I wanted to be and learned
very quickly that I was dealing with and relying upon a
safe pair of hands. Very simply, I can’t imagine that
we would have maintained the same level of comfort relying
exclusively on the seller’s agent.
I generally
end with the assertion that I don’t know why anyone
in their right mind would elect to go it alone, especially
on an Island characterized by six very different towns with
distinct rules and idiosyncrasies. The bottom line is that
to me it is a no brainer and makes total sense to have a
buyer agent, but not just a buyer agent, an Exclusive Buyer
Agent, and not just any Exclusive Buyer Agent, SplitRock
Real Estate and Peter Fyler.
I am
sure that there are many reasons to retain the services
of an Exclusive Buyer Agent beyond those I pass along to
my friends. I hope you find my description of the benefits
mildly interesting, if not entertaining.
Best
regards,
Brad Holley
Edgartown, MA
Pound Ridge, NY
What do my Clients think about my
Inner Circle e-Newsletter
"I
must tell you again how much I look forward to and enjoy
viewing your web page and reading your Inner Circle
e-Newsletter reports. In all my years of dealing with
real estate, I have not experienced such a positive, constructive
and valuable approach. Of course, I understand that your
commentaries are "the 'soul' opinion of the author". However,
I trust your judgment, motivations, experience, and of course
your many years of getting familiar with the MV real estate
market.
"I
must tell you again how much I look forward to and enjoy
viewing your web page and reading your Inner Circle
e-Newsletter reports. In all my years of dealing with
real estate, I have not experienced such a positive, constructive
and valuable approach. Of course, I understand that your
commentaries are "the 'soul' opinion of the author". However,
I trust your judgment, motivations, experience, and of course
your many years of getting familiar with the MV real estate
market.
"The wording in your commentaries cuts through the
chase and provides real usable information that can benefit
your clients. Observations like "there is a fire siren that
sounds" or there may be "unfavorable smells", or "heavy
traffic" etc., etc., etc., are great pieces of information
that allow the buyer to make an informed decision. When
I read your comments I always come away believing you are
unbiased, objective, fair, and absolutely working on behalf
of the buyer.
"In the short time you have been producing your reports
I feel like I have gotten to know a lot more about the MV
market. I have learned a tremendous amount and have gotten
a much better perspective on how property value is assessed
/ determined in MV. As you once told me --- you believe
the best buyer is one who is educated about the
MV real estate market. You are certainly doing your part
to try to make that happen, but you are also serving as
a proxy for the entire industry where traditionally there
is a limited track record in "telling the unvarnished truth".
I only wish you could have been doing this service in Wellesley
when we purchased our home in 2000.
"Please keep up the great service to your clients.
I believe your approach is one of truth and transparency
to buyers, and it flies in the face of the old axiom of
"buyer beware". Being a change agent isn't always popular
or embraced by everyone. However if your goal is to help
people and act in their best interest, you are most certainly
accomplishing this objective. My best regards and thank
you for the time you invest in your research, commentaries,
and communication to clients. "
Donald V.S., Wellesley, MA (2003)
"We engaged Peter to be our buyer's representative/broker on purchasing our home during the summer and fall of 2021. It was a tumultuous and high-pressure market. Having Peter as our advisor proved invaluable - he is honest and straightforward - tells it like he sees it. It is obvious throughout the process that he is thinking of what's best for his buyers in terms of their long-term satisfaction and happiness. It is not about just recommending a property so that he gets paid as quickly as possible - the exact opposite. Shopping long-distance from Houston Texas, Peter was exactly what we needed. He didn't hesitate to "dislike" a property we might have shown interest in, because of many factors that are not apparent from a listing online. He's incredibly knowledgeable about so many aspects of island life, construction by various developers and neighborhoods. He continued to assist us through and after closing with a myriad of "little things" that you need help with during and after buying. Our heartfelt thanks to Peter - he's one of a kind (in the good way!)stical planning was miraculous. Even when we were seeing houses all over the island, all the showings fit together perfectly and we had just the right amount of time at each. No chance we would have had the successful search we did without Peter's help."
Jonathan P., Houston, TX and Martha's Vineyard
" Peter was an amazing help in our search for a home on the Vineyard. When we started looking we had a long, and not entirely self-consistent, list of things we did and didn't want. Peter was a respectful and thoughtful listener and worked hard to find properties that fit our wish list. But he also had great intuition about places we should see and areas we should consider that weren't exactly what we said we wanted but that turned out better fits than we had imagined. He also helped us avoid some choices that we can see in hindsight would have been mistakes.
"And his logistical planning was miraculous. Even when we were seeing houses all over the island, all the showings fit together perfectly and we had just the right amount of time at each. No chance we would have had the successful search we did without Peter's help."
Penn and Athena E., Belmont, MA and Martha's Vineyard
"Peter – Thank you for your infinite wisdom, patience and guidance during a difficult time for you personally, The Vineyard has always felt like home to us and now it truly is. We are eternally grateful. "
Frank & Amelia A., W. Newton, MA and Martha’s Vineyard
"We
first met Peter in the summer of 2014 as we were departing
our rental in Vineyard Haven -- a house that Peter had just
helped his clients buy and that we had fallen in love with
during our stay. That chance encounter as we were packing
up our car began a long friendship. Four years later, we
now have our own house on the island and there is no way
we could have done it without Peter.
"Peter’s
knowledge of the island and real estate market, along with
his professionalism, patience and willingness to answer
any question gives his clients a huge advantage in a competitive
market. And during the inspection and closing process, you’ll
find you have no better advocate than Peter, who on our
behalf sought out contractor estimates and professional
advice to ensure that we were comfortable with all the information
received during the negotiation and inspection process.
Peter knows all the players in the market, and the buffer
that he provides between you and the real estate agent is
invaluable.
"Reading
through the other testimonials, we can tell you that all
accolades are true. And we should know because it took four
long years to find the right house and Peter was there with
us every step of the way. He never once pressured us into
a sale and always was respectful of our opinions. You’ll
get to know Peter just by reading these testimonials. We’re
happy to finally add ours. "
Ed & Gina, New Canaan, CT and Martha’s
Vineyard
"Even
if you never thought seriously of purchasing a home on Martha's
Vineyard, you might reconsider just to experience the first
class professionalism of Peter Fyler and SplitRock Realty.
Peter truly exemplifies what it means to be an ethical realtor
working on a client's behalf.
"His
knowledge of the Vineyard and expertise as a buyer's agent
simplified the entire process, from his candor in evaluating
properties to his literal hands-on approach to matters relating
to the inspection and negotiation.
"He
is always willing to help on any question and it has been
a pleasure to work with him."
Sheri C & Kenneth M., Farmington, CT and Martha’s
Vineyard
"Reading
Peter’s website the thought of using a buyer agent
appealed to us and we called Peter about a home we knew
was for sale in the area that we usually rented. Peter asked
about our wants and reminded us that a second home is not
a need. With input from Peter we determined the home we
called him about would not meet our wants. It was kind of
disappointing but Peter was openly honest about the property
and we decided to move on and not pursue it.
"We
kept a dialogue with Peter, followed his weekly emails and
occasionally asking him for thoughts on a specific property.
Eventually, we found the property we wanted to purchase
and closed on the property.
"The
process of buying an Island property was much more involved
than we envisioned but it was reassuring to have Peter guide
us through the entire process. Peter is more of a trusted
advisor than realtor. He has advised on various Vineyard
dealings no matter how large or small. I could not imagine
taking on this purchase without Peter.
"Peter
reminds me that’s he is still available to help with
any advice he can offer for on Island needs that we have.
He continues to provide value beyond measure.
"
Brian & Lynn M., Stamford, CT and Martha’s
Vineyard
"As a First Time Home Buyer you could not ask for a
better Advocate. When my wife Julie and I decided it was
time to move out of a rental home and join the world of
home owning I knew there was only one choice for a Realtor,
Peter and SplitRock Real Estate.
"I
have known Peter for a little over 5 years through various
encounters with my previous. I grew to know him as a very
particular person with high expectations. These were all
qualities that any buyer would dream for in a Buyer’s
Broker.
"We
looked at several properties, submitted 3 offers to purchase
and were accepted 3 times, not many could say that especially
all of that happening in 3 months. The first two deals fell
through, the first due to quality of the house, second due
to another broker’s failure, but the third stuck.
At each of these homes Peter spoke to seemingly everyone
who had ever had anything to do with the home and delivered
me information. In some circumstances, this was more than
even the owner knew and EVERYTIME tenfold more than what
the seller’s agent knew.
"For
each of these homes he would arrive at the showing with
a packet of amazing information, go through each room, and
ask to see each attic, basement, or crawlspace. One time
he even found a ladder on the site and climbed in the attic
and took pictures. He truly goes above and beyond what any
buyer could dream of during the home selection process,
but that isn’t even where he shined the brightest!
"During
the negations, home-inspection, and pre-closing is where
his tenacity truly showed. He helped me to find the best
people to inspect all aspects of the house, be that a general
home inspector, pest exterminator, construction, painting,
you name it … he has a contact that is ready and willing
to come and give estimates or recommendations for all aspects
of the home. He was always on site for every appointment,
and was the coordinator of this crazy orchestra called “Home
Buying on Martha’s Vineyard”
"He
was ever present up to the very last minute of our closing
and I still call upon him when I have a question. I can
say very definitively I would not be in ‘Our Home’
without the fervent and tireless efforts of one Peter Fyler
and SplitRock RE."
Matthew & Julie R., Martha’s Vineyard
(First Time Home Buyer)
"It has been two years now since Peter helped me find
the building lot of my dreams. I truly appreciate all the
hard work he did for me over the years; no it wasn't easy
finding the right place to build.
"However,
he stuck with me until he found the lot to build my second
home.
"Peter's
service continues for his clients long after the purchase
with extraordinary service and caring.
"Thank
you Peter for all you do."
Michael S., Lauderdale by the Sea, FL and Martha’s
Vineyard
"I just want to thank Peter for the outstanding job
he did in helping to push forward the purchase of my first
home ever.
"Although buying a home in not “rocket science”
as he put it to me; I think just about anything that could
be an issue became one. But there was no situation daunting
enough to stop Peter from forcing this sale through.
"I say forcing because the seller and the seller's
agent were away on vacation the entire time so Peter jumped
through hoops, visited town hall departments and made tons
of phone calls making this sale happen.
"Again, I want to thank and commend Peter who throughout
this process remained positive and kept pushing forward.
I could never have done it without him."
Brynn S., Martha’s Vineyard (First Time
Home Buyer)
"For anyone considering purchasing property on Martha's
Vineyard, I enthusiastically recommend Peter Fyler as the
only buyer's agent you should ponder. He assisted us in
determining a reasonable offer price. His thorough knowledge
of the marketplace and negotiation skills allowed us to
purchase the property at good “value”. Additionally,
Peter contacted a reputable home inspector to evaluate the
property and kept us involved throughout the process.
"He’s very proactive in every aspect of the real
estate transaction. Peter’s services will go above
and beyond your expectations such as assisting the lender,
insurance agent, seller agent and attorney to close amidst
a nor'easter blizzard with 3 foot snow drifts on island.
"I
am an active real estate developer in the northeast and
without any reservations this is not my last transaction
with Peter. I look forward to the next deal."
Milan P., Salem, MA and Martha’s Vineyard
"Peter was instrumental in helping us achieve our goal
of buying property on the Vineyard. He possesses all the
right qualities to assist a homebuyer in making the proper
purchase: Knowledge of the island, experience, work ethic,
and superb communication skills and easy to work with.
"We knew right away after meeting with Peter and sharing
our goals with him that he was the perfect fit. He understood
exactly what we were looking for and knew which properties
to show. We always knew that he had our best interests in
mind.
"After
we signed our purchase and sale contract, Peter continued
to work on our behalf as we were not able to be on the Island
to handle certain details. His commitment to his clients
truly extends after the sale...and we will continue to lean
on him for advice as our process goes on.
"Thank you Peter!!!"
Gary & Susan R., Wayne, NJ and Martha’s
Vineyard
"When preparing this testimonial to the outstanding
services and character of our Exclusive Buyer Agent, Peter
Fyler, we thought it would be useful to read those shared
by some of his other clients—primarily for “format”.
We already knew what we wanted to emphasize: Peter’s
organizational and preparation skills; his incredibly broad
knowledge of Martha’s Vineyard; his integrity and
honesty; his instincts about human nature (especially where
a married couple is involved!); his unwavering commitment
to his clients--the buyers; his timely outreach and follow-up;
his broad network of knowledgeable home inspectors, mortgage
bankers, insurers, and contractors; and his demonstrated
commitment to keep in touch, well after the closing and
execution of the sale.
"So, after reading many glowing testimonials by Peter’s
other clients, two things jumped out at us; first, that
to virtually every compliment paid to Peter, we could say
“We echo that”. And second, it occurred to us
that we could offer an additional, enormously important
accolade—namely, that Peter is a professional of well-demonstrated
consistency; that he obviously brings the same commitments
to the table with all his clients and that he follows through
with great passion for his mission. In short, Peter not
only says what he will do, but does what he says.
"For
nearly twenty years, we have been blessed with wonderful
vacations on the Vineyard. Each August, we had rented lovely
homes offered by generous families. But in the summer of
2013, the year of our 20th wedding anniversary, we decided
to “make it official” so to speak, and purchase
our own home on the Island. A friend referred us to Peter,
and over the course of just several months we moved from
“wishful thinking” to a remarkable new reality
in the legacy of our family—owning our own MV home.
"Beyond all the professional and personal qualities
about Peter noted above, there was a particular instance
in our home quest with Peter that spoke volumes about the
wisdom of retaining Peter. We were touring a home that had
a lot of appeal—price, size, location. But Peter would
not let go of the fact that there was persistent musty odor.
He insisted on getting on his knees, with a small flashlight
clenched between his teeth, and dropping down into the crawlspace.
After about 30 minutes of hunting around in that space,
he located the source of the problem, advised the sellers’
agent that her client had a serious issue, and drove us
to the next home on the tour list. We were deeply impressed
by Peter’s tenacity to literally get his knees dirty
on our behalf.
"In
sum, we are forever grateful to Peter and look forward to
seeing him on Martha’s Vineyard in the months and
years ahead, socially. We highly commend his work to anyone
serious about buying a home on that glorious island."
Broderick J. and Michele N.J., Washington D.C. and
Martha's Vineyard
"When Ali and I decided we wanted to buy on the vineyard,
we were terrified. But we knew we had to give it a shot.
We could settle for off-island if and only if we tried,
and failed, to find a house we could afford on-island.
"Of
course, Peter found it. He made the arcane seem easy and
helped us through a fairly serious problem that cropped
up. His dedication to his clients is every bit as superlative
as portrayed in these testimonials. His knowledge of nooks
and crannies and how do get things done is staggering.
"Don't
mess around with some ham-and-egger, call Peter."
Alisun A. and Chris P., Martha's Vineyard (First
Time Home Buyer)
"We
can’t thank Peter enough for the assistance he recently
provided us in acquiring our vacation home on the island.
While we are no strangers to the Vineyard (this is our 2nd
purchase), this was our first experience with a buyer broker.
While we were a bit apprehensive about executing a buyer
broker contract, this apprehension was quickly dissipated
by his professionalism and overall knowledge/advice of both
island properties and the acquisition process in general.
"Peter
is extremely responsive and always kept the process moving,
while making sure that we were informed during negotiations
and contract timelines. Even while tending to some highly
sensitive personal matters that came up during the contract
period, Peter was right there for us and never missed a
beat. Moreover, what makes Peter both unique and a valuable
advisor is his ability to be honest and upfront during negotiations.
He truly cares about the buyer and what is best for them
when acquiring what in most cases is a very personal and
important investment.
"Even
after the closing, Peter continues to assist us in dealing
with some minor matters related to the property. His continued
support after the closing leads us to conclude that our
next realty purchase more than likely will be executed with
the assistance of a buyer broker and if the purchase is
another island property, he would be the first and only
person we contact. Lastly, I highly recommend Peter to others
seeking to buy realty on the island.
"Peter
– Thanks so much for all of your help….We truly
appreciate and value your advice and support!!!!"
Rose S. & Joe H., Guilford, CT and Martha's
Vineyard
"With a year-round residence in mind, and a host of requirements
on what is considered a shoe-string budget on the Island,
as well as a tight time line; we charged Peter with a difficult
task. He catered to our schedule and wish list and provided
professional service and advice. With an initial setback due
to an unsatisfactory inspection on our first property choice,
Peter was able to recommend a great alternative and helped
us make our dream a reality within three months from start
to finish.
"If you need solid buyer representation on the Island,
look no further."
Peter, Allison & Holden G., Martha's Vineyard
"Dear Peter, I hope this letter greets you well. Somehow,
“Thank you” doesn’t seem enough to say
for all that you have done and continue to do for us.
Of all the Buyer Agents on the Island we were very fortunate
to be with you. I enjoyed our conversations, though often
provocative and even confrontational, but always respectful.
The older I get I am dismissing the adage that after your
30’s you really don’t make new friends, just
business relationships and casual acquaintances. I look
forward to sharing coffee, wine or something with you in
the very near future."
Ala and Mathew F., Jenkintown, PA and Martha's Vineyard
"While it is definitely true that Peter Fyler is a
consummate professional who puts the needs and values of
his client above all else and executes his job with rare
integrity and dogged efficiency, what amazed me the most
was the discovery that his “job” was really
a “calling” to him. He may disagree, but it
certainly felt to me as if he was on a sacred mission to
ensure that I found my own peculiar little piece of heaven
in which to rest my weary head from the daily struggles
of life.
"Peter is an artist, with an artist’s instinct,
eye and intuition. He listens, reads you and then discerns
which little patch of his blissful little island would bring
you the most joy...which then of course makes his joy complete.
If this kind of passion on your behalf, moves you, then
you could find no greater gift from the gods.
"Thank you my darling Peter. Bless you. I just love
my little house!!!"
Anne E., Mount Vernon, NY and Martha's Vineyard
"Peter is extremely well informed about the lay of
the land, in Island terms. From the types of homes, villages
and rural areas, ponds and beaches, he can tell you what
town is right for you and find you the right house.
"We live in New York City, so coming to the island
to view houses was not an easy jaunt. Peter orchestrated
a series of appointments for me to see over 10 houses in
just one weekend, complete with a comprehensive booklet
that included a complete set of pictures and information.
My husband never saw the house we bought until the day we
closed because Peter's pictures were so complete.
"It was important to us to could find an agent who
would really listen to our needs. Nobody ever listens to
me. Having summered on the Vineyard for many years, I was
very specific about my wants and needs, I wanted my dream
house. Once we found it, Peter was tirelessly determined,
working on just the right terms so that we could make a
deal. We are now proud owners of the house I have dreamed
of for years.
"One
thing I learned quickly is that Peter knows EVERYBODY...
I mean everybody! From Attorneys to Inspectors before you
buy, to trades, caretakers, housekeepers and all the other
people you will need after you buy.
"The
job doesn't stop for Peter once the house is bought. His
dedication includes concierge service to get you acclimated
to Island life.
"I
don't know how we would have done it without him."
Maggie K. & Scott S., New York, NY and Martha's
Vineyard
"This letter comes to sincerely thank you for the EXCELLENT
job you did in representing me in purchasing my vacation
home on Martha’s Vineyard.
"At first, I was so excited about this venture, but
soon realized that the possibility of owning a home could
be somewhat problematic in terms of finding just the right
location, house and all that goes along with financing a
property (bank, lawyer, appraisal, dealing with the seller…).
However, Peter, you provided excellent advise, leadership
and guidance. You never once left me standing ‘out
there’ alone. Mostly, I appreciate your honesty and
ongoing communication with me that kept me well informed
of the purchasing process. Even now, you continue to advise
me of house-related matters, such as, referrals of quality
plumbers, electricians, carpenters, painters and caretakers.
Wow! You are such an ADVOCATE for the buyer… thank
you for that!
"Now, I am a happy New Yorker who owns a little piece
of ‘heaven.’"
"Once again Peter, thank you… thank you."
Ellen C., Saint Albans, NY and Martha's Vineyard
"Peter helped us locate, buy, and settle into the vacation home of our dreams after many
months of searching. He knew every neighborhood on the island and took the time to find
out which one would best support our lifestyle by taking the time to understand our wants
and needs. He was incredibly responsive and supportive throughout the process. We
would not have purchased a second home without his help. He makes the process
enjoyable and does the research required on each property to give the buyer a feeling of
comfort. His straight talk and great sense of humor helped us get through a process which
can at times become stressful. Since moving in, Peter has continued to help us navigate the
island He is recommending contractors and service providers along with being a friend.
Partnering with Peter absolutely sold us on buying a home with an exclusive buyers agent.
If you are considering buying on Martha's Vineyard, Peter is the buyer's agent for you.
Peter, thank you for always having our best interests in mind."
Sean H. and Suzanne G., Glastonbury, CT and Martha's
Vineyard
"I
write the following to commend Peter Fyler for his exemplary
work as our exclusive buyer’s agent. He exceeded our
expectations in just about every way imaginable.
"After I initially reviewed Peter’s online materials
and first spoke with him over the phone, he appeared to
be a professional who worked hard and took his job fairly
seriously. But as we all know, one first has to experience
working with an individual before one can draw firm conclusions.
Well, my wife and I have worked with Peter directly and
we have first-hand knowledge of the exemplary work that
he has done for us.
"We never felt pressure from Peter to buy a property.
He is the most patient realtor we have ever worked with.
We appreciated this characteristic of Peter. At times, I
almost felt guilty about all the work that Peter would do
for us when we would ask him questions. I cannot recall
a time that Peter ever declined to assist me with a Vineyard
real estate matter. Second, ask Peter a question, and his
responses were always very timely, and, more importantly,
incredibly thorough. Peter is a master of email communications,
and likewise, a very effective communicator by phone and
in person. I would be highly surprised if anyone is ever
disappointed with the comprehensive way that Peter goes
about responding to his clients’ email inquiries.
Many of his emails are gems filled with helpful information
that I expect to occasionally refer back to during our home
ownership. Also, be ready for a treat when Peter shows you
properties on the island. With minimum lead time, he provided
us with a professional looking portfolio containing each
house listing with tabs, photos, property information, tax
records, and an itinerary! A nice take-home item for future
reference as you reflect on all the houses you viewed.
"Peter really does “know the Vineyard”
as he claims. His knowledge about real estate, the island,
the other realtors, the neighborhoods, the towns, contractors,
attorneys, moving in logistics, etc. has a tremendous value
in and of itself that should not be overlooked. One of our
highpoints each week prior to our purchase was receiving
Peter’s weekly property Inner Circle newsletter and
looking at Peter’s Picks. (We ended up purchasing
one of Mr. Peter’s Picks!)
"Peter does not hesitate to offer his opinion about
real estate, and we valued this very much. In my general
experience, it is common for dual agent realtors make an
effort to understand what their “clients” hot
buttons are, and then downplay them to try to make a sale.
Not so with Peter. No sugar-coating. He speaks his mind,
even if it will turn you away from a property you are interested
in. I never sensed an ounce of selfishness on his part.
There is no doubt in my mind that Peter had a genuine concern
that we find the best house for us. What more could a home
buyer ask for?
"At times I disagreed with Peter, yet it was always
in a mutually respectful manner. Peter stands up for what
he believes in and he has a true passion for real estate.
When someone has a passion, you need to expect that passion
to show through from time to time. Buying a property is
serious business, and Peter understands this fact. His passion
has the effect of making sure you make the right purchase
decision.
"Peter
not only represented our interests in the most loyal manner,
he also stepped up to the plate when we ran into difficulties
jeopardizing the purchase of our dream house. When the going
got tough, Peter, who was already “going” full
steam from when we first engaged him, next kicked it into
overdrive. He was our warrior; he put our interests first
and foremost, and we were able to achieve our goal. He followed
my directions to a T, he offered his own advice, he exhibited
good judgment, he never gave up, and we succeeded in achieving
our goal!
"And
even after we successfully closed on our house, Peter remains
ready, willing and able to assist us, and in fact does still
assist us as of the date of this writing. Peter remains
a valuable resource to us, and, aside from this, we hope
to have the fortune to stay in touch with Peter indefinitely
as friends.
"In
sum, we feel very fortunate to have engaged Peter as our
exclusive buyer’s agent -- he is a true professional.
"It is without question that I will refer each of my
friends, colleagues, clients and acquaintances who are interested
in a Vineyard real estate purchase to Peter Fyler of SplitRock
Real Estate!"
Jason & Silke D., Bala Cynwyd, PA and Martha’s
Vineyard
“Peter
Fyler, where do you start, when you have been working with
someone on one of the most important decisions of your life?
Yes, buying a home whether it’s your first or second
is still a very big decision. So having someone by your
side that you can trust is so important. We started the
process 3 years ago and it has taken many trips back and
forth and a great deal of patience to get where we are now.
That is to be proud owners of our dream home on the Vineyard.
Peter throughout this time has been a friend, confidant
and advisor that we could not have done without. I think
his position to only work one side of the deal is both smart
and comforting. I could not praise him more in all of our
dealings. Peter, thank you…."
Ian & Margaret S., Ridgewood, NJ and Martha’s
Vineyard
“Peter
Fyler is far and away the best realtor with whom I have
worked, and I have worked with several realtors in the past
and am not the easiest person to please. He was diligent
in the real estate search, knew each property, helped me
define what I wanted and had clear opinions about each property.
He is extremely trustworthy and loyal.
“I
recommend Peter particularly for off-island purchasers,
as he does a lot of legwork both before and after settlement
and will make the process as easy as possible for you. He
also has an extensive list of reliable and honest contractors
and island resources to help you before and after settlement.
I would not even think about buying on Martha’s Vineyard
without an exclusive buyer's agent, and Peter Fyler is definitely
the one to choose.”
Mark R., NYC, NY and Martha’s Vineyard
“We
first visited Martha's Vineyard in 1994 at the suggestion
of a friend and we have returned almost every year since.
We had been looking at real estate recreationally for about
10 years when, last year, we came upon Peter's web site.
We liked what we read so we arranged to meet with him during
our vacation and decided that his unique services were exactly
what we needed to move forward comfortably and leisurely,
without pressure. We hired Peter and eagerly anticipated
his weekly Inner Circle newsletter. Reading it thoroughly
became a Saturday morning ritual. Over the following year,
we would occasionally write with a question and Peter would
consistently respond with his insight immediately. We thought
we knew the island well but Peter provided us with invaluably
relevant, critical back stories on every property that we
never could have known or would have received from a traditional
seller’s agent. We were fully prepared for this process
to take years, but he very quickly sized up our needs and
our lifestyle so our time was not wasted with a shotgun
approach to finding a place.
“Then,
last summer, while there on vacation, we asked if he could
show us a few places that interested us. He quickly arranged
for the showings but also suggested a house that had just
come on the market which he thought would be perfect for
us. Immediately upon seeing it, we knew that this was the
house we had been looking for and, with Peter's input, constructed
a bid. He then arranged for a "buyers" home inspection,
the kind no seller wants to see. When the inspection revealed
issues, Peter produced craftsmen to provide assessments
and estimates for repair, and issues were resolved to our
satisfaction. He spent countless hours at Town Hall researching
records to insure that we would minimize any unpleasant
surprises after taking title. Issues were uncovered and
subsequently cleared up. He provided an edited selection
of attorneys, bankers and insurance companies for us that
he knew were reliable. We had many questions and Peter responded
to our incessant e-mails immediately.
“Although
we have now successfully closed, Peter continues to follow
up with us regularly providing recommendations for plumbers,
landscapers, electricians, carpenters, housekeepers and
caretakers. His service did not end at closing. We have
bought and sold a half dozen homes over the years and can
state without qualification that we have never experienced
such extraordinarily professional, competent, candid and
friendly service from a realtor.
“We
simply cannot recommend his services highly enough and we
will never buy a home again without using an exclusive buyer
broker person.”
Phillip & Deborah W., Darien, CT and Martha’s
Vineyard
“Much
has been said about Peter's professionalism, but perhaps
not enough has been said about his kindness and generosity
with his time.
“My
needs were incredibly specific: I needed a house very near
my father, at a price so low that few properties were within
my budget, and the house had to be one that I could quickly
modify to accommodate my son's wheelchair. After an initial
search I went back to Boston in despair, but Peter found
my house. He then spent a full day taking measurements and
emailing diagrams so that I would be sure a wheelchair could
pass easily.
“On
top of all that, not only did Peter help me accomplish every
one of my specific requirements, the house is in a lovely
green setting, minutes from VH, well built, and beautifully
maintained.”
Linda G., Martha’s Vineyard
“I
would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your
services and tell you how glad my wife and I are that we
chose you as our Exclusive Buyer Agent.
“Moving
to the Island full time was no small task, especially given
that our particular purchase was no “cut and dry”
matter. Having you on our side with real estate matters
as well as some other incidentals that popped up alleviated
much stress and made the transaction that much smoother.
Thanks again."
Christopher & Tara S., Martha’s Vineyard
“Peter
Fyler found my house for me and provided all of the contacts
for services I needed to settle in at the Vineyard. I appreciated
his honesty when he deterred me from looking at some houses
he considered inappropriate for my needs.
“After
the closing he was still helping me organize all of the
details for my new home. Peter made an incredibly stressful
process much easier for me, especially because I live in
New York.
“I
hope to maintain my relationship with Peter because he is
a responsible, dedicated, and capable real estate broker
in addition to being a very nice person.”
Penny & Daniel T., Rye Brook, NY and Martha’s
Vineyard
“We
decided that we wanted a house on the Island – easy
peasy, so many realtors it’ll be a doddle –
just pick one and off you go – yeah right and pigs
fly.
“We
set about finding a representative – we had spent
hours pouring over the real estate freebie guide that resembles
a phone directory and too many hours on the web looking
at sites and listings. It was during one of these research
journeys that Stephen looked at the SplitRock Real Estate
website, he was impressed. He said to me I think we should
chat to this guy he has a lot of information on there, not
the usual blurb either. I’d never heard of a buyers
agent before but it makes perfect sense to me – I
mean what realtor that you know of has pictures of the water
heater and breaker box that he’s going to send you
in an e-mail.
“So
we made a list of our requirements – some essential,
some wishes. Arranged to talk with Peter over the phone
and see if we thought he was as good as his website (some
times people can have a wonderful website but be as thick
as two short planks and be completely wrong for your needs)
Anyway we talked to him and arranged to meet when we went
back. We had already decided to go back to the island for
another 2 weeks and do some house hunting.
“In
the meantime he sent us e-mails of houses that he thought
we may be interested in because of our previous discussions
along with tons and tons of pictures to help narrow down
our list.
“We scheduled 2 days of viewing – some we had
requested to see and that Peter agreed with and some that
Peter suggested and also some that we wanted to see that
Peter didn’t think were what we needed but took us
anyway just to prove his point.
“Found
a house, Peter helped us organize an inspection, a very
thorough inspection. Lawyers, electricians, engineers, organized
the Radon test and then basically fought (I mean negotiated
with) the seller to the end to get everything corrected
and adjusted. Peter took as much time/effort and care as
he would if it was going to be his house. Throughout the
process he made sure that we were informed of the progress
or at times lack of it. So much so that he understands our
English sense of humor now and some of our slang phrases.
“Now we are looking forward to our first trip to our
new home – in time it may become our only home - if
we ever buy another home on the Island we would use Peter
again in a heartbeat. If we ever buy a home anywhere else
I would only ever use an exclusive buyer’s agent.”
Stephen & Kerry T., Houston, TX and Martha’s
Vineyard
“Peter
Fyler, our exclusive buyer’s agent, was our biggest
advocate during our home buying experience. He didn’t
try to sell us a house. Instead, he helped us find a home.
“We
quickly realized that Peter’s services included more
than just informing us about properties. At times, he was
our motivational speaker, voice of reason, handyman, and
father figure. Peter offered his professional opinions on
properties – good and bad.
“He
was always prepared and knew who to speak with to get our
questions answered. Peter paid close attention to every
detail of the sale. We wholeheartedly recommend SplitRock
Real Estate to every home buyer.”
Chris S. & Mary Jane A-M., Martha's Vineyard
(First Time Home Buyer)
“When
I was finally past window shopping and ready to make a purchase
on the Vineyard, I looked into the two buyer brokers on
the island. I perused both web sites, called and talked
to both and for reasons to my advantage, chose the best.
One was a little too full of too many people and too little
information and the other was just one bold guy who knew
what he was talking about. Being from the South, I wasn't
too trusting of Yankees in general, but logic and an innate
curiosity had me sign up for his general mail list, and
was I ever impressed!
“But
that was just the beginning. Get to the second level and
sign him up as your agent and you get a real education.
When you read his Inner Circle e-Newsletter, you have a
wealth of information to work off of, straight talk about
the housing market and what to look out for. And what does
it cost you to get all this? Absolutely nothing! He works
off the normal commission of the real estate sale, if and
when it happens.
“Peter
and I whittled down the list over email and telephone. I
asked a lot of questions and he answered them all. My wife
was on the Vineyard attending an artist’s workshop,
so I asked her to spend a day with him. The great thing
was I hadn't been there for five years, and between them
both, I had two sets of eyes with diverse viewpoints. I
was definitely there in spirit and was able to visualize
everything happening. They looked at fifteen properties
on that day. Out of the fifteen, there was only one I considered
buying from a distance, as the location and neighborhood
just felt perfect for us.
“Funny
thing about this dude is that he's not just happy to get
a sale; he's happy to get the best deal for his client.
When we found the one property we wanted on that day and
after some initial negotiating, he couldn't help himself,
as he successfully eked out a couple more grand for me.
He would rather lose a sale than put you in the wrong property.
It boils down to decades of experience in the housing market
on Martha's Vineyard, coupled with integrity. You will not
be steered wrong.
“And after the sale, whether you live on the island
or off, his newsletters keep coming if you so wish, not
only keeping you abreast of the market, but keeping you
entertained as well. Thus, another reason I don't need television!
“At the risk of stating the obvious, I will recommend
the only knowledgeable buyer-broker on MV, Peter Fyler's
SplitRock Real Estate!”
Paul and Rebecca T., New Orleans, LA and Martha’s
Vineyard
“We
recently closed on a wonderful home in Edgartown. Peter
Fyler's professionalism, expertise and knowledge about Martha's
Vineyard's real estate made for an overall first rate experience.
“From the beginning of our relationship, Peter took the time to understand our requirements and focused his search to meet these requirements. He was always available to answer our questions and spent the time researching information for us.
“Peter
is objective, measured and balanced in offering his opinion
and insight, which was very much appreciated and welcome
given the recent turbulence in the real estate market. Peter
was well prepared for our visit, as he greeted us with a
comprehensive book detailing the homes he arranged for us
to visit. The value of that book was not completely appreciated
until we returned home and used it as Bible over the next
several months as we continued our search.
“Peter
went to great lengths to be sure our every question was
answered and every need met. The purchase process was handled
professionally from the initial bid right through a flawless
closing. Peter's recommendations for an attorney, bank and
insurance company were also key to a successful close.
“Our relationship with Peter did not end at closing. He made sure we were well acclimated with the area and continues to inform us of items important to Island living. We recommend the services and experience of Peter Fyler and SplitRock Realty without any reservation.
“Today, we have our dream home in Edgartown as well as a great friend.”
Brad, Aurora & Nicholas H., Pound Ridge, NY and Martha’s Vineyard
"In looking back, I know there were countless
times throughout the process that I told you how valuable
you were to Dave and I, but I'm not sure I ever conveyed to
you that there is absolutely no way we would have ever
bought a house on Martha's Vineyard had it not been for you.
"We
had wrestled with the idea many times before. Dave and
I became discouraged because anything that looked interesting was
"gone" before we got to it. And then an acquaintance
suggested we meet you. You took the time to build a relationship
with us and were well aware of our parameters. You gave
us a much needed "heads up" when something
you believed met our criteria became available, and then provided
us with more photos than we could ever imagine plus a complete and
accurate written description of the property.
"We had NO time to waste to come and preview the house.
We had to trust you. Let me say again our family are not risk
takers. Buying something sight unseen was unheard of.
But by now we had come to appreciate your judgment, your knowledge,
your thoroughness and your quick wit. We
knew it was NOW OR NEVER.
"I think what amazed us most in this process was that
you didn't disappear once the deal was made. Your "concierge
service" was truly memorable. You were the "go to"
guy for EVERYTHING. To this day we still scratch our heads
and wonder what our attorney did. We have NEVER encountered
someone as professional as you in any real estate transaction we
have made in the past.
"We wish you all the best and hope that others are lucky enough
to work with you."
Dory, David & Ben R., Montclair, NJ and Martha's Vineyard
"I
am one of that group close to retirement, but far from tired,
who has been searching the coasts of the planet for a place
to buy. I looked at St.Lucia, Blue Hill, Caye Caulker, Devon,
Kerikeri . and one day found myself at the SplitRock Real
Estate site. Within 2 days I had made an offer on a place
I had seen only through Peter Fyler's eyes.
"All that endless searching and anxiety has turned
into euphoric expectation. Peter with great aplomb and competence
has made my future feel like the greatest of adventures.
Everything about the sale and follow-up has been handled
smoothly and with delightful humor. I highly recommend using
the services of Peter Fyler, it just makes it all so wholesome
and fun... not to mention astute."
Amy V.G., Los Angeles, CA
"When we initiated our search for our Vineyard home, we
thought we could do some homework online, make a few calls
and choose our spot without the assistance of a professional
on the island. We were completely wrong.
"Luckily, before our frustrations boiled over, we met
Peter Fyler. Peter helped us to find the perfect spot, but
more importantly to navigate us through the headaches and
peculiar intricacies associated with buying on Martha's
Vineyard. Most telling, Peter never acted as if we had to
buy a house; he made us feel as if he was more interested
in us achieving our dream. I can say without any hesitation,
that we could not have succeeded in the buying process without
Peter. Thanks Peter, and we look forward to having you over
as soon as the last brick is laid."
Brendan & Susanne T., Washington, DC
"For anyone considering buying property on Martha's Vineyard,
I strongly recommend using Peter Fyler as your buyer's agent
on the Island. We recently purchased a home there and Peter
was our representative.
"Peter was much more than just an agent showing us listings
off the computer - he was an invaluable consultant throughout
the entire process of searching out, evaluating and purchasing
our new home. Peter took the time to get to know us thoroughly
and assess our needs and preferences, and then showed us a
range of properties to compare and helped us understand the
pros and cons of each. He previewed several houses before
we arrived for our first and only trip to look at property,
which made our time spent on the Island very efficient.
"Once we had identified the house we wanted to buy, Peter
provided important counsel and advice through each stage of
the process. Our deal was very complex, with a difficult seller
and several contingency issues, and Peter's guidance and insight
was extremely important from the drafting of the initial offer
through the closing months later. He has intimate knowledge
of the Island's quirky politics and regulations, and was able
to steer us around potentially deal breaking issues on several
occasions.
"Moreover, Peter is well-known and respected by other
professionals on the Island, and through his relationships
we retained a top flight attorney, surveyor, contractor, inspector
and lender.
"I had never used a buyer's agent before, but after my
very positive experience with Peter and his firm, SplitRock,
I cannot imagine buying a home without one, especially from
long distance. Thanks to his professionalism, skill and constant
diligence, the challenging process of buying a home in a distant
market was made much easier."
Phil & Lynn A. , Washington, DC and Martha's Vineyard
"Sharon and I wanted to express formally our great appreciation
for all your help in our West Tisbury home purchase. Your
patience, attention to detail and zealous advocacy of our
interests made this a comfortable experience for us, especially
considering that it was done mostly from 3000 miles away.
"We are especially appreciative of your willingness to
"go the extra mile" to insure our peace of mind in what can
be a nerve-wracking experience.
"We feel that not only have we acquired a house that
will bring us great pleasure, but that we have made a valued
friend. Please feel free to use this letter and us as reference
in your work."
Michael & Sharon K., Los Angeles, CA and Martha's
Vineyard
"I've bought several homes over the course of my life,
and Peter Fyler is the first broker who truly listened to
me. He didn't waste my time with houses that I wouldn't like
or couldn't afford. Peter worked tirelessly for me. We both
knew it may take a while to find the right second home for
me, but Peter was willing to stick with me as long as it took.
Because I was remote, on the mainland, but wanted a Martha's
Vineyard home, I needed a trustworthy agent to do the legwork
for me. I never felt out of touch.
"Peter's
"fault", if he has one, is that he is very honest.
If a house wasn't in great shape, he didn't sugar coat it,
he told me the honest truth. This saved me time and money
- I only visited the Vineyard to see properties that really
matched what I was looking for. As a result, I visited properties
twice with Peter and the second time his phone call to me
had excitement - he claimed to have found the perfect house
for me and said I must come see it. Boy did he hit the nail
on the head - the house wasn't yet on the market, and I
got the first look and scooped it up. Peter found my dream
home within my price range (and I don't have millions, not
even one). I would highly recommend Peter and SplitRock
Real Estate."
John P., Westford, MA and Martha's Vineyard
"We shared our search criteria and objectives with Peter
and he took it from there. We had a limited amount of time
to view properties on the Island so Peter helped us plan and
organize our search. We started by narrowing the scope of
our search by exchanging information about property listings
over the Internet. Then on our first day of our arrival on
the Island, Peter met us with a well thought out plan. For
example, he provided directions and maps that organized properties
geographically so we could drive around quietly by ourselves
and not waste any time trying to locate a property. Peter
combined his knowledge of the Island property and our criteria
to help us be more effective in our search. He also reviewed
his role as a Buyer's Agent making it clear that our interests
come first.
"Once we narrowed our choices to a manageable amount,
Peter took us to view each home. As we toured each home, Peter
always provided his opinion with our interests in mind. It
was comforting to know that someone was in our corner. We
found a home we loved and made an Offer on our last day in
the Island. So with some trepidation, we returned to Los Angeles.
However, our concerns about conducting such a significant
life transaction from coast to coast were soon alleviated
--- Peter Fyler was on the job! He served as our "eyes and
ears" on the Island throughout the process. For example, after
the standard house inspection some corrective work was required.
Peter was very much involved and helped to coordinate with
contractors. After the work was done, he sent us digital photographs
so we could "inspect" the completed work. Peter did a wonderful
job! He followed through when he said he would and was always
available to address any questions/ issues.
"We could not have done this without the help of a true
professional, Peter Fyler. Knowing Peter always put our interests
first made the process of purchasing our new home from such
a distance so much easier. Yes, he served as our buyer agent
and made us feel confident in his abilities to help us meet
our goals, but he also made us feel at ease with him and we
consider Peter much more than a buyer's agent but a new found
Island friend. The personal touch makes such a difference!
Our sincere thanks and appreciation to Peter Fyler."
Joan & Marcos C., Martha's Vineyard
"Buying a house is not easy, especially on the Vineyard!
It began as a very stressful experience. I remember saying
that I was not going to use my heart to make any more decisions,
and Peter would remind me that the heart is the most important
thing to use. I was ready to give up on the purchase, and
Peter told me: "Don't worry, if it is a rose it will bloom"!
It did bloom and now everyday I stand on its petals and thank
God for it. I am very thankful to Peter Fyler for all his
support and services. He was not just a real estate agent
he was a good friend."
Danubia C., Martha's Vineyard (First Time Home
Buyer)
|