When Jonny Ballesteros and his fiancée, Jen, began house-hunting, they weren’t sure what to expect. It was the first purchase for the couple, who are both 29, and in the competitive San Diego-area market where they lived, they needed some hands-on guidance.
But the real estate agents they contacted were no help. They appeared to be too busy to offer the kind of service the couple wanted. They decided instead to work with a new company that offers flat-fee brokerage services for buyers.
While the cost savings was helpful, Ballesteros also felt he and Jen got the support they needed: suggested homes that matched their criteria, viewing appointments, and online chats about everything from scheduling to questions about process…