Avvo Review Score

3.0 /5.0

2 Client Reviews

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Commercial (1) Real Estate (1) Residential (1)
What Clients Mention
Cost of Services (1) Professionalism (1) Recommendation (1) Staff & Support (1) Trustworthiness (1)

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Residential

Posted by Alexandra | July 26, 2017 | Hired Attorney

Poor closing experience

I used this firm as my closing company for a personal, residential purchase. I was charged $550 for closing fees as the buyer of a house, about twice the fees one would expect for a house this price. I requested an invoice of what was included in the closing fees. After a heated discussion, Ostli...e replied that he doesn't question what I charge in my profession for my services, though he isn't a my client. Finally, he asked if I was looking for breakdown of "ancillary costs and the wire charges and the cost of staffing the closing and calling the lender." I replied that indeed, that is what I'm requesting, to which he replied, "Well, I'm not going to do that." The seller was assessed no closing cost, as it was the sibling of Ostlie. Clearly passed the buck to me. Nepotism at its finest. Thankful that his paralegals were punctual and helpful, but I would not recommend his services.

Jeffrey Ostlie

Replied last July 26, 2017

Dear Ms. Betrone-Harpst: I am sorry that you felt it necessary to post this review. I suppose it should not surprise me since you threatened to do it if I refused to lower my fee when we spoke the day before closing. The fee that you were charged is the standard fee that we charge all buyers when we close a mortgage loan in connection with a residential real estate transaction. The fee was disclosed on a preliminary closing statement over a week before closing, and you did not question it until the day before closing. It is a fair price and in-line with other attorneys and title companies that perform similar services; I offer no apology for the rates I have set for my firm. As you have noted, the seller in this transaction happened to be my sister. Accordingly, I waived the closing fee that would normally be charged to the seller because of our relationship. In no way did this affect or increase your charges. If anything, it enabled her to provide you a lower price on the purchase of your home by reducing her transactional costs. Thank you for your kind words about my paralegals, they are indeed punctual, and I appreciate you recognizing that they accomplished your closing timely and in a professional manner. Sincerely, Jeffrey D. Ostlie

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