In January 2003, I made the decision that I wanted to purchase property in Whistler, but had one problem - I live in Singapore. I was going to have to buy sight unseen, with only pictures and a really good real estate agent to guide me.
I selected Laura Barkman based on a couple of email dialogues with her. She was clearly trustworthy and honest. I knew that she would work hard to find the right property to suite my goals, and that she wouldn't rush me based on "making a sale" versus finding the perfect fit.
This was my first purchase in over ten years, and Laura guided me expertly through all the steps, providing me with excellent contacts in terms of legal and financing support. In addition, Laura permitted me to ship bedding and furnishings to her home address, and was fully available to support me through the hiccups of possession. The phone line had been cut and there were faulty installations of appliances. She worked diligently to make it as painless as possible, and as a sounding board for my frustrations.
In summary, Laura went above and beyond the call of duty on many occasions. We have, and will, remain friends, a testament to the personal touch she puts on the agent-buyer relationships. Laura prides herself on "service" and this clearly shows in everything she does. I would highly recommend Laura as a real estate representative for anyone looking for property in Whistler, whether it be investment based or the home that dreams are made of.
Sincerely,
Laura Mellanby
VP of Programming
ESPN STAR Sports
Singapore
Laura Barkman is a professional with a great sense of the local Whistler market. She helped us quickly understand the benefits and issues associated with the many locations and options for property at Whistler. She was very knowledgeable regarding what to expect in many areas and properties and helped us refine our search. Once we found the right location she helped create a transaction which required some creativity and resulted in our purchasing the property we desired. She continued to follow through well after the purchase of the property helping us as "seasonal owners" to get established.
Richard Fade
Seattle, Washington