Reviews have been a mainstay in many industries for consumers to screen potential service providers, from contractors to hotels to Realtors. Are they reliable? I think as much as they can be. There will always be some shenanigans, but I believe those get watered down with enough honest reviews, which have become quite prevalent.

I use a number of review sites to help vet contractors before I give out to clients now, and have for a number of years, especially with my Home Central business (home and design management) which specializes in that. Of course, there are some contractors who are small and there are very few reviews to find, as they may not have a website (a mainstay for Google reviews), Facebook page, use Angi, or just be too new. They may still be a reliable contractor or vendor, it just takes a little more digging, or some personal knowledge of their ability.

With Gary Hoeferkamp and Hoeferkamp Real Estate, you do not have to worry about lack of reviews to help screen me, or to confirm your choice. If you google "Hoeferkamp Real Estate reviews", on a scale of 5.0 being the best, you will find a 5.0 rating from 24 Google reviews; a 5.0 from 50 Zillow reviews, a 5.0 from 4 Facebook reviews; and a 5.0 from 4 Realtor.com reviews. You can click on individual reviews from there to read: hoeferkamp real estate reviews - Google Search

These are legitimate reviews that I have asked for from clients after we close a sale, and it has taken several years to gather this number, as many people just don't take the time to complete them, as we are bombarded with requests for reviews, and very few people will send to more than one source requesting them. So having a total of 82 reviews from past clients takes some time. And the important part is the 5.0's. I take my profession seriously and try my hardest with each client to give the best service possible, as I know that the home they are buying or selling is very important to them, and may be the largest transaction they make in their lifetime, plus making the process easier and assisting in other ways.

It is a crucial decision of who your Realtor will be. You can feel confident in choosing me, and if I cannot give you my best, whether the property is not my forte (commercial or farm), or the area is outside my comfort zone, or I have a full calendar of clients at the time, I will tell you upfront and try to find someone who can.

As we head into late summer, the current housing inventory ROSE 9% from July. Here is an update on local, existing home sales activity as of August 20th:

  • Manchester had 15 homes available and 27 under contract
  • Ballwin had 38 homes available and 59 under contract
  • Kirkwood had 67 homes available and 66 under contract
  • St Peters had 86 homes available and 92 under contract
  • Arnold had 29 homes available and 29 under contract
  • Florissant had 99 homes available and 80 under contract

All of these areas except Arnold rose in inventory. The ratios range from .8 to 1.8 pending sales for every 1 available, averaging 1.1 pending to every 1 available. My last comparison of these areas in July was 1.4 to 1 (and 2.8 to 1 in June 2022) with the available home supply UP 46% from April. That shows the market continuing to slow and inventory rising, not uncommon for a late summer market, but we are now approaching a balanced market, which is great for buyers to see heading into the fall. Manchester and Ballwin again tie for best seller's market, with Florissant the only balanced market, almost in a buyer's market. Buyers, with fall fast approaching, and mortgage rates down a bit to the mid 6's, you should get serious about home shopping NOW!

To move or improve in 2025, contact Gary to sell or buy (HRE), or for ongoing home and design management (HHC) in your current or new home.

Happy reviewing, and have a great end-of-summer!