Caroline & Marty Collins testimonials

February 22, 2011   Dear Caroline & Marty, I am writing this letter today on behalf of my husband and myself to express an extreme amount of gratitude to the both of you for helping us out of our real estate downfall.  We like thousands of other homeowners bought into the real estate market at the peak of sales and within two years of our purchase we were struggling to make ends meet and were so upside down on our home that we felt no other choice but to "short sell" our house.  I met Caroline, thru a situation that occurred next door to us, and she was the chosen one to represent that bank owned home.  We immediately became email acquaintances and soon she had convinced me the only way my husband and I would ever retire is to "short sell" and start over.  She stated that she would be our fighting power with our bank and that she would do everything in her power to make it work.   We realized quickly that Caroline was the correct person to represent us.  She fought hard for us and on January 31, 2011, escrow closed on our home.  I feel certain without Caroline´s knowledge and persistence with our bank, we would not have been able to accomplish the short sale. That is the reason we were able to sell and not be foreclosed. Today, the feeling of guilt and failure on our part is fading away and we are now continuing our new journey of our marriage & life together.  We still have some long roads ahead of us but will forever be grateful for that hot summer day in August of 2009 when we met "CAROLINE COLLINS". Recommendation to anyone who is looking for a knowledgeable Realtor would be Caroline. Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you! Pat & Ed Dagan, Alberhill Ranch, Lake Elsinore

Please read this true story to the end. August 2010. The story of Ryan Price, who lost both his legs at the age of 22 years, in the war in Afghanistan. This is a letter sent to Congresswoman  Mary Bono Mack's office in August 2010. It was ignored. Dear Ms. Bono Mack,   I'm appealing to you for assistance for Ryan and Leslie Price. I have enclosed a letter I wrote to USAA Federal Savings Bank which outlines briefly the issues facing Ryan Price, who is a Purple Heart recipient from horrible injuries he suffered in the war in Afghanistan. Ryan is a local hero in Hemet. He lost both legs to a roadside bomb in 2008. Due to his various hospitals stays in two different countries he simply didn't receive his mail. He had 2 lates on a VISA credit card with USAA Federal Savings Bank during this time, while having surgery and prosthetic legs fitted. The credit card has long since been paid in full and is now cancelled. The credit card issuing bank, USAA Federal Savings Bank, is refusing to write him a letter explaining the lates, which would greatly help Ryan because he could send a letter from USAA to the credit reporting agencies, and a new mortgage loan company,  and very possibly get the lates removed right away, or at least explained. The bank says "rules are rules, and the lates will continue to show on his credit report for seven years!" What this means is that Ryan and Leslie are just too low on his FICO score to be able to qualify for a VA government loan to buy their first home. This young man has lost both legs in service to his country and never complains about anything. I think we owe all wounded servicemen and women a much better display of caring and respect and I'm asking you to intervene on Ryan's behalf to get USAA to write a simple letter of explanation to help him move on with his life and buy his "American dream". Please contact me for any further information. I would greatly appreciate your help for Ryan and Leslie. I personally find the bank's reaction to be disgusting on many levels. I represent Ryan and Leslie as their real estate broker. Yours truly, Caroline Collins The response - Nothing. No reply. No help for Ryan and Leslie. There was no help from anyone for Ryan. Everyone said the same thing "That's awful!" and moved on with their own lives!  February 2011 Ryan and Leslie close escrow on their first home In spite of being treated as though they were of no importance and receiving no help whatsoever from USAA Federal Savings Bank or any other high office official who might have helped him - but didn't, Ryan and Leslie are now homeowners - in spite of everything! Thanks to a seller with a vacant home on an acre in Hemet, who agreed to rent to them until they could qualify for a new loan, and thanks to an outstanding loan officer, Ryan got a new VA loan and now escrow is closed. It took a team of people who came alongside Ryan and Leslie. We all got excited about  helping them and instead of just saying "NO, you don't fit the guidelines" we said "How can we help to get this done for them".    Attitude is everything! I want to thank Ron Perrot, Manager of Envoy Mortgage in Temecula, Amy his processor, and the underwriting team at Envoy Mortgage in Houston, Texas. Leslie now has her dream and it keeps her very busy- a small ranch with a very nice 32 year old horse we rescued-who needed a new home, a heifer, sheep, 5 chickens, 3 dogs and 3 rescued kitties! Ryan has his "dream dog", a loving family and  his own home- finally! It's the least he should have! There must be thousands of other wounded service men and women who need the same respect, love, care and help! Shame on USAA Federal Credit Union, but with help from people who cared and wanted to make a difference, he got there anyway. In spite of this finance company who maintains they really take good care of servicemen! Oh yeah! Caroline Collins

To: Caroline Collins Since you were the listing broker on my recent transaction, your name came up several times throughout the course of my escrow. I have never purchased an REO before and I found out that you never know where you are in the process. Thanks for your part in getting this escrow to finally close. I appreciate having such a nice house to fix up and make whole again, and at a price that takes into consideration the cost of the work needed to be done. I also appreciate having such an honest and helpful salesman as Ray Berry, who doesn't give up - when I have rejected many houses to purchase. Ray is always available to help you out. Joseph Manfredi, La Jolla

Caroline & Marty Collins      I don't know where to begin, My husband and I have tried 2 other times to purchase a home without any success...We got our credit improved to where it needed to be, then started all over again...We were bound and determined to do it ourselves...So we scoured through the free listings and started to call Realtors to see if the homes they had listed were available...To our wonderful luck a lovely lady called me back and said yes she would show us one of her homes...We went, we saw, and we met Caroline!. We told her we didn't have a Realtor and she said she would be glad to be ours!!!! Unknowingly to our wonderful surprise it was the best decision we made...She and Marty are the nicest people I have met in a long time. We started our journey together 8 mos ago and believe me it wasn't easy, but today we are closing escrow!!!! Without the help of Caroline and Marty we would not be home owners today. We ended up purchasing a short sale, and Wow!!! for a while there I didn't know if we were coming or going, but thanks to Caroline we made it through....I always tell her God chose her for us....Praise God!!!  It was a rough road, but now we are done. We have made 2 new friends and now have a life long Realtor and friend....I will recommend Caroline and Marty to anyone I know purchasing a home..... Dallas & Dawn Elek Temecula home owners!

Caroline & Marty Collins I want to tell everyone how much your help and friendship has meant to Kirk and I during our recent journey. It was a very crazy ride, beginning with listing our home and ending with an approved loan modification! We listed our home with Caroline and shortly thereafter my husband was forced to move to Wyoming to find work, due to the poor economy. I stayed in our home at our horse ranch in the Sage area of S. Hemet. It was a  lonely time that lasted over 18 months. Caroline and Marty invited me to dinner many times and many times I just needed someone to talk to - and they were always there to listen. We applied for a loan modification and even though Caroline and Marty would not make a cent if the modification was approved, they freely gave advice,  encouragement and help with the endless modification process.  In the end that was successful and we can stay in our home after all - which is really what we wanted. Now Kirk has a new job in Hemet. The very, very best part of this whole journey is.....  we found God! I regard Caroline and Marty as family. I can say without reservation  that you just won't find a better Realtor. Sincerely, Joanie and Kirk Longnecker.

Marty and Caroline Thank you so much for your hard work on our  FHA/HUD  short sale with Bank of America. We  believe that we would still be trying to sell our home if not for you both. You went out of your way to make things easier for us and we will forever appreciate you and all you did for us. Thank you so much, Vincent & Sandy Martinez, sellers See message below from their property buyer, Terri Tomlinson

Just a short eight weeks ago, I met the whirlwind known as Caroline Collins, and today I get the keys to my first house. My experience with Caroline has been nothing short of amazing. I had put my dream of being a homeowner "on the shelf"- I thought I had years of work ahead of me before I would be able to accomplish it.  Caroline told me she could make it happen, and here I am, ready to move next week.    Both Caroline and the lender she recommended for me, Ron Perrot of Spectra Funding in Temecula, have helped me along, guided me every step of the way, and made this process unbelievably easy! Caroline goes the extra mile as a matter of course, the moment you meet her you know this is a woman that gets things done. Caroline's tenacity and savvy resulted in bank approval in an astonishingly short time for a short sale property. Ron Perrot, of Spectra Funding, has been amazing, finding every option and benefit available to me to help make this work. Words cannot express how grateful I am to have met Caroline and Ron. Their combined knowledge of the ins and outs of the procedures involved, looking out for the best interests of all concerned, and fantastic "can do" attitudes, not to mention their tremendous professionalism,  have made my dreams come true. I recommend them both unreservedly.   Sincerely and with deepest gratitude,   Terri Tomlinson

Caroline, I want to thank you and let you know that all your hard work for me is much appreciated! It's been an honor to get to know you and your hubby, Marty, and this process of looking for a house has helped me get my finances in order - so Thank You! God Bless Johanna Burnham Hemet

" Our Realtor for life" We have known Caroline for over four years.  During this time we have purchased two houses and sold one with her as our Broker. We have three houses at this time. We have not only found a really good real estate broker, but we have also found a really good friend.  You couldn't ask for a more dedicated Realtor than Caroline Collins.  Many of our friends have used Caroline as their broker and have told me they couldn't be happier with her work. It is a pleasure to know her and Marty.  Curt and Bobbi McKiney Hemet Christian Assembly

Caroline Collins This is the account of our winning lottery ticket!.  The expression of good things happening to good people.   No longer able to afford our Hemet property we had faced the undesirable reality, as many Americans face today, and needed to put our property up for short sale.  Completely clueless of how this process works and having had a difficult and frustrating experience with Wells Fargo Bank,  my wife searched the internet and sent an email to four Realtors asking for assistance.  Two replied within 24 hours.  One with less information regarding assistance - "Hi my name is blank and I would love to help, call me."  The other with a history of their experience and suggestions.  My wife and I simply said "Wow" there's a contrast, and decided to contact the latter.  The latter was Caroline Collins at Temecula Homes and Land.  From this point on good things did start happening to good people.  Caroline is everything you want in a Realtor - the Real thing.  Her care, communication and vigilance as our agent is/was phenomenal.  I want to say her "love".  Because she truly loves helping people, loves what she does and shares that love and wisdom with you.  With my wife and I both working 8 - 5 jobs it was hard to get away and meet during the day.  Caroline was always available after 5:00 (by phone, email or in person) and had met with us after 6:00pm on multiple occasions.  Every step of the way in dealing with the bank and our short sale she has delivered 200% of her time, knowledge and energy.  Were we her only clients?  Probably not, but she made us feel that way.  Always willing to go above and beyond.  If any of you have had the unfortunate "pleasure" of working with banks on a short sale you can attest to the misery and distress this brings.  Caroline has no control over the bank's procedures, decisions and communication - or stupidity.  But what she does do is take the sting out of it.  The unknowing and headache.  She's the heavyweight in the ring fighting for YOU.  Relentless.  She puts the work in.  If you are visiting her website, you can stop searching.  You've found the best.  And by all means when you do meet Caroline, meet her husband Marty as well - also a Realtor.  Marty is awesome!!  He just makes things happen.  We live over 50 miles away from our Hemet property.  Marty oversaw everything in preparing and maintaining the property for sale.  Thank you Marty.  Caroline and Marty are like the left and right sides of your brain - it's sense without thought.  These are two genuine, honest and exceptional people.  By the time this comment posts our  short sale will be closed.  Caroline and Marty, thank you again for all your steadfastness, support and attention in guiding us through this process.  It has been an extreme pleasure working with both of you.  With our misfortune we have found gold. With sincere gratitude, Marc Harris Oceanside PS - Ask her about her "girls".

Hi Caroline,   I just wanted to thank you and Marty for helping us through our recent ordeal.  We met by accident, both at the right place at the right time, luckily for me and my family.  In this day and age, its hard to find people who are as genuine and just  plain nice as you and Marty!   Our purchase can only be called an adventure, thanks to the regulations strictly enforced by the "CITY", but through it all, you both were like family- to me especially.  You stood up for us above and beyond the expected, and made a true friend in me.  Professionalism is a big word but not big enough or good enough to describe how you handled our adventure.  If you are looking for a recommendation from me, I don't know what more I can say.  Dealing with you is what made everything happen for us.  Without Marty's expertise in construction - and in life for that matter- I would have not been able to persevere to the end.  Right now, I am happy in my house, and moving in the right direction.  I can't tell you enough how much I thank you and Marty for making this all come true for us.  Thank you again.........   Tim Elton Hemet   p.s.  Don't forget to tell Marty to call me when he needs help on the ranch!

Caroline Collin's Sale of a lovely unfinished house in an avocado grove in De Luz. "Caroline Collins listed my property as an unfinished house on an avocado grove in De Luz. The construction of the house had been delayed due to numerous and various problems and there was considerable hardship involved. Caroline made it possible to get the property sold for cash, unfinished, and for me to remain as the contractor / builder after closing the escrow, and complete the work that I had started a long time prior. She was very accommodating and objective and assisted in a very difficult situation to get it all done. I appreciated her attention to detail and working with the bank to allow the sale to go through. I greatly appreciated her knowledge, efforts, patience, friendship and understanding.  I would recommend her very highly to broker any  real estate transaction. She helped me through a very difficult time in my life." - Richard deWitte Temecula

We all know the words.  "Honest, caring, transparent, real."  To us these words describe our realtor - and now our dear personal friend - Caroline Collins.  Years of experience make her an expert in real estate - but it's Caroline's character and care that put her a cut above the rest.  We wholeheartedly recommend Caroline and Marty Collins for all your real estate needs. "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:18 -Frank & Norma Eiklor, Shalom International Outreach Wildomar, CA www.shalomworldwide.org

Ray Berry testimonials

To: Ray Berry and Caroline Collins Since Caroline was the listing broker, her name came up several times throughout the course of my escrow. I have never purchased an REO before and I found out that you never know where you are in the process. Thanks for your part in getting this escrow to finally close. I appreciate having such a nice house to fix up and make whole again, and at a price that takes into consideration the cost of the work needed to be done. I also appreciate having such an honest and helpful salesman as Ray Berry, who doesn't give up - when I have rejected many houses to purchase. Ray is always available to help you out. Joseph Manfredi, La Jolla

I have recently purchased a home in Menifee Lakes with the help and assistance of Ray Berry of Temecula Homes and Land. This was a bank-owned property and with it came numerous problems both large and small. I almost gave up the home when some of these dilemmas surfaced but Ray was a comfort to me at all times. Ray has a list of service people who he referred to me for painting and repairing that I utilized and was completely satisfied with their services. Both my son and I have developed a friendship far beyond the normal realtor/client relationship for which I am thankful. As a result of Ray's devotion to solving the many problems that arose I now have a wonderful corner lot home in the master-planned community of Menifee Lakes. I will not hesitate to suggest to my friends who are looking to buy or sell a home that they should consider my personal friend and Realtor, Ray Berry. Sincerely, Paula Knox

We have had excellent service from Ray Berry with Temecula Homes and Land as we purchased one home through Ray in Sun City and sold another home in Moreno Valley with his care and dedication. Not only Ray's expertise was utilized by us, but his wife Jeann also contributed to our successful closed sales by presenting to us a 'womanly point of view.' Consequently, we now include Ray and Jeann as our good friends. They attend the same church we do and we noticed the Christian values they applied to our housing transactions and to life in general. We expect to recommend Ray to anyone who wants thorough and consistent real estate knowledge available in the sale or purchase of a new home. Ray has said that he is not just a real estate agent who sells houses, but that he provides a 'home and shelter' for people. We like that! Santiago (Jim) and Frances Cortez

Ray Berry is an outstanding Realtor who truly cares about his clientele. He is a very kind person who wants to find the right house for the right price for his client. His service is so wonderful it's hard to believe.  I was recovering from cancer surgery and he offered to pick me up, show me houses and then return me home!  And I had never met the man previously.  That kindness was above and beyond the call of duty.  I did find a house that worked for me at that time and Ray made the closing so effortless for me.  In the past I have purchased six houses but not one of my other Realtors could come close to Ray for excellent service and personal attention. Since that original purchase through Ray I sold that home with his help again and then bought another home with my favorite Realtor and now friend for life, Ray.  I highly recommend him to anyone who wants a pleasant and caring real estate experience.   Bette Lowery

I have known Ray Berry for about ten years.  During this period he has handled several real estate transactions for myself and several friends of mine.   At all times he exhibited professional demeanor and held to the highest standards of honesty and truthfulness.   Anyone seeking his services would not only benefit, but feel confident that Ray will handle their affairs with the same integrity that I have experienced.   Sincerely, Donna Pape

To All You Buyers and Sellers Out There May I bring your favorable attention to Ray Berry of Temecula Homes and Land. It was a difficult time for both Ray and me to sell my home.  Particularly for him. One obstacle after another. The loan officer did not act on the loan because of the backed-up loans during the recession.  We lost our buyer. We had to set up the process again, or Ray did. Months are going by and I am paying two loans.  Ray is making calls to the lender, I am making calls.  Any other agent would have thrown in the papers and pencils by this time.  Not this man.  We finally found another buyer and this time it went well.  I have the highest respect for Ray's honesty, knowledge of the business and his willingness to keep me advised at every turn during this transaction. I might add that he had the outside of my home cleaned after a storm because he did not think it looked right for buyers to view.  During the ups and downs I felt comfortable as he left the pricing up to me.  He sold the house during this crisis time in about three months. How did I get this guy?  Through a friend of mine who said, "David, you will not believe this man, he'll be a super worker for you."  She made a believer out of me! Truly, David Hitchings, 707-839-4694 Btw: You may call me in northern CA to further chat about my agent. It would be worth your time.