I have known Jeff for over 7 years and worked with him a couple times for personal purchases on homes. I have also referred him to several friends over the years to provide home purchase/selling services. The biggest draw when I moved into the Kansas City area was his local knowledge both in and around the area. This isn't the day to day knowledge that most realtors learn, such as school, crime rates and things of this nature. The items that impressed me was his involvement within local organizations and communities. This was something that a lot of realtors are not involved in, he wasn't about this local area has this and that, it was more items that the different regions/communities were involved in. Items I mention where more this is the kind of legislature is happening with this local area and/or group. This is what these community services have to offer in the way of project planning for future urban growth. Item he was able to bring to the table were not from just reading about things or listening to the local news but being part of these events. Over the years I have known Jeff, I have only purchased 2 properties, however I have contacted him for several other items such as questions about zoning questions, contractors he has had personal contact with and/or he organizations that might be able to offer assistance on community related events/planning.
Some of the other items he brings to the table is being what I like to call "Real" if he doesn't know something he states he doesn't know. He doesn't give up at that point, he makes sure he can find the information through contacts or helps gather what is needed to help answer the question. This includes, items with me who I might have needed to contact about zoning, area programs that can offer assistance, people that could help correct known issues on dilapidated properties such as foundation repair/jacking, removing undesired pests/animals, and many other things I have reached out on previously.
Purchased - new home moving in from out of state in 2007 - (Previously lived in Oregon City, Oregon), looked at about 25-30 homes - found 1 home that was 25k more than within my requested price range (was a model home in a subdivision I was looking at for the lesser priced homes not planned or even thought about based on my requirements to him - had to go here to get access to the houses in the price range I was looking for). Had another 20+ homes to view, completely rebuilt a search list including house with the new price ranges within a hour of us meeting back up to continue searching the following day.
Purchased a second property in 2014 - 10 acres with barn, external garage, house all needing an extreme amount of work. Weighed pros and cons - with me, and helped secure the property.
Will be selling my original 2007 purchase with him later in 2015 once the newer property is renovated.