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Raving Fans

"In just six weeks, we met with Mark, listed a property, and closed with a financing buyer. Even more amazing, the buyer was our second position. Absolutely unbelievable. Mark took care of every detail and even put up with me in the process."

- Justin Chase

"I am currently a sophomore at Boston University, but my family lives in Italy. During my freshman year, my parents decided to buy a condominium in Boston so that my sister could move to the States for school and we could live together. In our case, location played a key role – it was important to select a property close to campus. Mark was very helpful in indicating which areas we should consider, and I had the chance to see nearly 30 properties, from October '09 to May '10.

As a client from overseas, communication was pivotal, so Mark always made sure my family back home was aware of the progress we made together in Boston. As I found properties I liked, my father would fly to the States to see them. In the end, we found the perfect condominium. My father agrees with me on the fact that Mark is a very serious professional who makes sure everything works smoothly and quickly while still paying attention to detail. We are very pleased with Mark’s method, especially his incredibly high standards and his dedication to our best interests – Mark only wants the best for his clients!"

- Riccardo

"Mark is an exceptional Real Estate Agent! This is evident by the way his Buyers and Sellers have the utmost confidence in him. He is very professional, and as a Mortgage Banker, I know Mark's sales will go smoothly. It is very refreshing to work with someone like him. I highly recommend him to anyone buying or selling a home."

- Thea Simolari, Mortgage Broker at the Mortgage Network, Woburn, MA

"Mark helped my partner and I find a great condo in Boston to use as a second home, even though we had to do it in a very limited time frame because our primary residence is in upstate New York. Mark's knowledge and expertise throughout the process were crucial in guiding our decision, and we couldn't be happier with the result. If you're looking for someone to help you navigate the Boston real estate market, Mark is the man for you!"

- Tim Wilde

"I decided one day to sell my penthouse condo in Back Bay and buy a single family house on Beacon Hill. I called Mark for help as I knew that he could get me through the process. He served as both the selling broker and the buying broker – and did a wonderful job at both. He worked tirelessly, guiding me through every step, advising me on how to get the best results, and being attentive to all of my questions and needs (and fears). Mark also did a wonderful job helping me to stage my condo. He suggested many low-cost changes that made the condo look so much better. He was always gentle but firm with his advice. And as I look back on it, every one of his ideas was a good one – many of which I wish I had done years ago!"

"Throughout the process, Mark was organized, professional, and always cheerful. He acted as if I was his one and only client. He communicated at all hours of the day (and night) and never let any details drop. It was a pleasure to work with him and his team member, Tread Strickland. Together, they make an unbeatable team! They know the real estate market extremely well and how to position and market a property. Mark created an amazing Web site for my condo and even worked to get the condo featured in an article on the front page of a local real estate magazine. He was there at Sunday open houses (looking and acting very professional, always dressed in coat and tie, always cheerful). By the end, I’m sure he knew my condo better than I did. I would encourage anyone who is thinking of buying or selling a property in Boston to call Mark. You will not be disappointed!"

- Abby

"Mark worked with me for nearly a year-and-a-half as we searched for the perfect place. He showed the kind of patience and care for the result I was hoping for when I first contacted him. And in these difficult financial times, it was not easy to find the ideal place for the right price. But we did. If I decide to re-enter the market at some point, there is no doubt Mark will be my first call."

- Mark W.

"I was so impressed with Mark when he sold me my condo, that, when it came time for me to move, I made sure he was my listing agent. And, as expected, he worked tirelessly on my behalf to make sure that my home sold quickly (3 weeks) at a price I was comfortable with. He put together an outstanding custom website, and aggressively marketed my home online. While my home was on the market, I spent most of the time traveling. In the meantime, Mark went out of his way to make sure everything went smoothly through the whole process, making many decisions on my behalf, always giving me timely status updates. He did far more than any realtor would ever be expected to do. I couldn't recommend Mark more highly."

- John V.

"Mark Strickland has recently been my realtor assisting me in both the sale of a home as well as purchasing a new property. During that time I found Mark to be a highly competent and knowledgeable professional who operated in a highly ethical manner. In all respects he was a true professional.

His intelligent approach to selling my property which included a thoughtful marketing plan was exceptionally well done and presented my home through several platforms and vehicles. I was very pleased and proud of the way he presented my property to the market through these multiple platforms and methods, ensuring the maximum exposure, frequently at his own doing and expense. Equally important, Mark was a great representative both before and during open houses. He again presented the house in a manner which established its value and uniqueness. He held frequent open houses using various windows of time to attract the largest potential market, and always worked with me to ensure that the house looked perfect. He was polite and polished in his manner during these open houses, and did not come off as the pushy salesperson, but rather a confident resource.

As for his assistance in purchasing a new property, Mark not only provided me with the tools required to keep on top of the market on a daily basis through MLS and other tools, but additionally was extremely helpful and available to arrange and travel with me to frequent showings in several diverse neighborhoods. I was very glad to have him along on those showings, as he has an excellent “eye for detail,” often noting things that I failed to see. He represented my interests in establishing and reviewing offers throughout the sale and purchase.

Mark also often operated independently of frequent direction, as during critical times during both the purchase and sale I was out of the country. Mark continued to manage the process effectively from a distance, and I relied on his first hand knowledge to make critical decisions.

I find it a pleasure to endorse Mark Strickland, and would be more than happy to provide you with any other information you need in making the critical decision of who is going to assist you in such important circumstances. Mark has won a well-deserved recognition for his professionalism and I am sure he would be a valuable asset to you should you require a realtor’s service."

- Michael P. Berry

"We met Mark when we were looking to move into our first condominium in the South End of Boston. Though Mark was not our agent during this search, he accomodated our our-of-town scheduling issues and was always professional, courteous and attentive. A few years later when we had outgrown that condo, we realized there would be no one better to call upon to put our home on the market than Mark. We certainly do not regret that decision. Mark tirelessly put his energy and experience to work for us in what was perhaps the most difficult real estate market of a lifetime. Despite the "doom and gloom" surrounding the market, Mark helped us keep a positive attitude. His perspective and local market knowledge were invaluable tools that led to the sale of our unit. Mark brings more than professional aptitude to his clients - perhaps even more importantly, he brings his refreshing personality and genuine caring and respectful nature to all that he did on our behalf. Thank you very much, Mark. As those who have been on both sides of the transaction with you, we appreciate your integrity, effort and approachability."

- Scott and Soojin

“After many years of living in Hingham (quite happily) but often pining for a taste of city life, we recently decided to purchase a pied-a-terre in the Back Bay. An old friend referred us to Mark Strickland of Keller Williams and described him to us as the "consummate professional", a broker with his finger on the pulse of both the Back Bay and the South End. The truth is that Mark was not only the most competent real estate professional we've ever used, but he also turned out to be to be a genuine pleasure to work with. His attention to critical details was really valuable and we found him to be remarkably conscientious. The bottom line is that we couldn't recommend Mark more.”

- Pam and Fred Copeman, Hingham

“My wife and I were very fortunate being referred to Mark while in search of a Back Bay property. Besides being an incredibly pleasant person Mark is highly professional, diligent and possesses an immense knowledge of Boston real estate market. Keeping up with everyone's busy schedule Mark constantly managed to be on time. Mark did a marvelous job orchestrating the entire process of search, negotiations and purchase. Going above and beyond his professional duties Mark provided priceless information on shopping in the area, helped us to understand general characteristics of neighborhoods, and assisted in identifying a designer who could help with remodeling. We would gladly recommend Mark to any person in need of professional help to navigate Boston real estate.”

- Alex and Oxana

“My work brought me from London, U.K. to Boston. I was introduced to Mark Strickland having chosen to buy rather than rent. What impressed me with Mark was the time he spent gaining a thorough understanding of my requirements and then only sending me properties which matched those. Time was never an issue for Mark, who will spend as long as it takes to make sure you find the right property. He is in the relationship for the long term and he knows that his business has been built on a quality service to his clients. I am delighted to recommend Mark to any prospective client looking for real estate, and in particular to those moving here from abroad who need to place their trust with a very good professional.”

- Paul O'F.

"Mark was the best possible agent I could've asked for! Throughout the entire three-month process, he devoted substantial time and effort to my search for the perfect home, and made me feel as if I was his only client. He was always on point, on time and on the ball, and I'd go back to him in a second. Communication was always precise and timely, and he clearly went out of his way to set up appointments and showing times for the many condos we saw together. Choose Mark, and you'll pretty much get, at the very least, the best service and the best deal around. Thanks again, Mark!"

- Dan P.

"Mark was a terrific buyer’s agent. My wife and I are both doctors, so we’re both pretty busy. We met Mark at an open house when we were looking for our South End condo; we were also hoping to find a great buyer’s agent. We didn’t find the right property that day, but we knew we had found in Mark the buyer’s agent we were looking for. He was honest and insightful and had a refreshing sense of humor. Most of all, we could tell that he has extremely high standards: he clearly expects a lot from himself as the agent, and he expects a lot from a South End condo!

We were first-time home-buyers, so we really appreciated Mark’s methodical approach. He led us through the home-buying process and advised us, without ever trying to take over. He would often remind us of our respective roles, as buyers and buyers’ agent, and that helped us keep things in perspective.

Mark’s professionalism and communication skills are unmatched. It was great knowing that Mark would take care of problems as they arose, and that he would always keep us in the loop. Phone calls and emails were always returned promptly.

Mark really took care of us through the entire home-buying process, which began when he took the time to get to know us and what we were looking for at our initial visit. He quickly found several attractive properties that met our needs. He helped us to formulate a competitive offer and find a great mortgage broker and real estate attorney. He was always there to educate us, and if he didn't know the answer, he would take the initiative, find out and follow up with us with meticulous attention to detail.

Most importantly, when unanticipated speed bumps occurred along the road from offer to closing, Mark’s communication skills really helped. Potential conflicts and problems were rapidly resolved, not only through great communication, but also by keeping our interests at heart, and keeping everyone focused on the deal. After the closing, Mark continued to follow up with us, making sure that we were happy in our new home.

We would strongly recommend Mark as a buyer’s agent to any potential home-buyer. We think he represents the very best of the profession!"

- Patrick and Corrie

“My husband and I had the good fortune to run into Mark Strickland at an open house in the South End last fall, when we had just begun to look at condominiums in the South End and houses in the area. We had not yet contacted a real estate agent or broker to work with us in searching for a home. Our conversation with Mark motivated us to begin our search in earnest with Mark as our Realtor and guide. Our intuition at that first meeting, that this was a professional whom we could trust and would be easy to work with, was confirmed right away.

Throughout our search for a home, Mark was informative, patient and committed to helping us find just the right house. His research of the areas that we were considering was substantial and he was most helpful in educating us about each property and the context of that property. Having only recently moved to Boston from New York, we relied on his knowledge and his guidance.

From the many weekends viewing available homes, to placing a bid, house inspection, the closing and beyond, Mark made the process both pleasant and manageable. We were quite grateful and delighted to have worked with a professional of such integrity, good humor and acumen. Should we ever be in the position of moving again, Mark would be the first person we would call to assist us in a sale or new purchase. He made what can be an arduous and aggravating process, a great pleasure.”

- Rachel S.

“Mark was very helpful to me in listing and selling my condo on Marlborough Street in the Back Bay this past fall. He helped me decide on an accurate listing price. In fact, the listing price was so accurate, that the condo went under agreement within one week, at full asking price. I could not have been happier!! Mark’s coordination and general management of the entire selling process were greatly appreciated by me.”

- Matthew S.

“Mark Strickland is a true professional with high integrity who goes the extra mile for his clients. This is why I selected Mark to be my selling and buying agent. I was not disappointed. From the beginning and in every step of the process, Mark would let me know what to anticipate and describe the possible outcomes. He takes a proactive stance in communicating with his client. It was very comforting to work with Mark as he gave me the confidence and security that he knew what he was doing and would be there to answer any of my questions or take care of any problems that would arise.

Mark initially went through my South End property room by room and gave me a list of things that needed to be done to prepare my unit for sale. He saw things that I never would have thought of. He even gave me the name of handymen and others as needed throughout this process. He has great contacts! This really paid off. This really helped to sell the property more quickly within my price range. Mark, by the way, was right on target with the asking price. I went to many open houses during this period and was surprised at how poorly some of the units showed. I told Mark they should have had him as his agent. I understood why the preparation was important. I also noticed how Mark’s marketing surpassed other agents that I met during open houses; in advertising my property, the handouts given in open houses, and how he showed the home to potential buyers.

I viewed Mark as my personal real estate consultant, not just someone processing orders for properties. He took extra care and time in every detail and would give me advice that proved to be very helpful in getting a good market price for my property as quickly as possible in this challenging market.

From the buying side, Mark continued to exceed my expectations. Before he presented me with possible properties to purchase, he took the time to understand what it is I was looking for. He helped to refine specific criteria to select properties to view. He then set up a schedule of appointment of properties for me to view ahead of time. He would then pick me up with a schedule and drive me to those properties and Mark always had a way of making this a fun outing! He has a great sense of humor!

Overall, Mark takes professional pride in delivering exceptional customer service to people selling and buying homes. He understands the anxiety this process can cause and helps with allaying or addressing any concerns. Mark is proactive about keeping in touch with his clients and the few times that I had to contact Mark, he was very responsive. I would highly recommend Mark in helping anyone with their real estate needs.”

- Nancy Moore

“Mark was great help to me in finding my first home. I called him, and within the same day I was getting properties to view on the Internet. He checked up on me a week later to see if I saw anything I liked. I explained to him what I was looking for and he took me out to see properties. I found my home that day! Mark is professional, helpful, and is intelligent in his field. I have recommended him to friends and family and they are looking forward to working with him. I always felt that real estate agents were out for themselves, but Mark really cares that you find the home of your dreams, no matter what the price range is. I thank Mark for his hard work and his dedication he gave to me!”

– Elizabeth A.

“I would like to share my experience with Mr. Mark Strickland. After many months of unsuccessful searching for a condo in Boston, Mark was a breath of fresh air. I had worked with another real estate agency in town, which will remain unnamed, and was not satisfied. Mark took time to sit down with my fiance and myself to listen to our needs, help us with our concerns and do all of the scouting for us that we had been bogged down with during prior months with the other agency. Being a first time buyer, Mark explained the whole process to us backwards and forwards until we felt we can go out and sell real estate ourselves! Mark sat with us, called us of new prospects and was patient with us in visiting places two and three times. Mark was able to show us our eventual home the morning after it came on the market. Mark was in touch through the full process and we were able to close the deal before the open house the following morning. I would have to say if you are a first time buyer Mark is the agent to speak with. He knows all of Boston backwards and forwards. If you are a buyer or seller who has lived in Boston for years and this is your second or third house, give Mark a call because he will give you the attention and follow through as if you were his only client.”

– Kristin F.

“Mark recently sold my penthouse condominium in the South End. He was great about communicating with me, which was very important since I live out-of-state. His marketing was terrific and my home was featured on just about every website imaginable with multiple photos, and he did regular Sunday open houses. Mark’s knowledge of Boston real estate is phenomenal. I had complete faith and trust in Mark right through the day of closing, and this was a great comfort since I was never in Boston. I would recommend Mark in a heartbeat. He is honest, thorough, dedicated, knowledgeable and responsive – a true professional in every way.”

- Vanessa Daalling

“It was a pleasure to work with Mark Strickland. After visiting a few condos on our own which didn't exactly match our expectations, Mark helped us review our "dream home" description, and showed us several units which we had initially skipped and that indeed were much closer to what we were looking for. At this point, we quickly found the right property for us. In addition, we were very happy with Mark's recommendations for service providers such as mortgage brokers, home inspectors and contractors. During the entire process, Mark was very timely and accommodating, often visiting us at home or in our offices. He was a great help in the negotiation process and we strongly recommend him.”

- Cristina Gavrilescu and Milan Borkovec

"Buying a condo in Boston over the past few years has been a moving target and honestly, a little scary. Keeping on top of market fluctuations, interest rates, mortgage options, and keeping your personal emotions in check can be tricky. Relying on the sound of advice of a trusted realtor is a key component to making a sound investment. I was very fortunate to work with Mark Strickland when I dove into the market this past summer. Mark and I had been friends for a number of years, and it was perhaps fate when we bumped into each other on the street after not seeing each other for a couple years. I mentioned that my personal living situation had changed, that I should be in a position to look for a condo in the summer of 2006, and I asked if he would be interested in helping me out. It had been several years since I had been in the Boston real estate market, and boy, things had changed!

Mark began the process with a consultation meeting to get a sense of what I was looking for, my price range, time frames, etc. I found that step to be very valuable in establishing reasonable expectations and to bring me up to speed on the state of the South End. He established an account for me through the Keller Williams computer system, making recommendations and allowing me to narrow down the available properties in my price range that met most of my criteria. We then spent several Saturdays—that always seemed to be downpours! -- looking at properties. During this time, he also put me in contact with a terrific mortgage officer and a real estate attorney so we would be able to move quickly when the right property came along. It took about 3 months to have the stars align, and my offer was accepted.

Through a bizarre set of circumstances involving the seller, that deal fell through, and I was looking at being homeless in less than a month. Mark once again mustered the resources of his team and put together a new deal that stuck, which was incidentally a much better property for me. Patience on both our parts certainly paid off! It’s now four months after the closing, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the outcome. Mark saw me through every aspect of the process, always providing sound advice, a little nudging when needed, and he was always thorough and professional.

Mark has a unique way of following up on every detail while keeping the needs of his client in the forefront. I was particularly impressed with his relationships with other realtors we encountered along the way. His background in human resources, insurance, and consulting no doubt have provided much valued aspects to his approach to real estate and working with clients. Well after the sale was completed, Mark has continued to check in with me to see how things are going with the condo - something I truly appreciate. I can only give him the highest recommendation, and I trust that when the time comes for me to sell, I can turn to Mark and know that I will be well taken care of."

- John Whittlesey

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