"I think choosing to work with BJ is the best decision you could make as a first time home buyer!
BJ helped my wife and I find and purchase our first home in JP 4 years ago. He worked with us for nearly a year as we insisted on seeing every property in and around Boston. BJ was always accommodating and happy to help, no matter how long it took.
Once we finally decided to make an offer, BJs expertise really paid off. He recommended an amazing lawyer and inspector to work with. But it was BJ who actually caught the leak in the main waste line. He insisted that the seller agree to fix it if it broke in the next year. It did, and they had to take care of it for us.
Most importantly, BJ will provide his insight and professional opinion, but will keep his personal opinion to him self. He will respect the fact that this is your home and your decision, and you will feel comfortable and well informed moving in any direction you choose.
Tammy, I can not say enough good about BJ. We are working with him now to sell our current home and find an upgrade. And years down the line, we will be working with him to do it all over again. If you choose to work with BJ, I am confident it wont be your last time."
- Chris V.
Jamaica Plain
"BJ helped us find and purchase our first home in Somerville. He's great.
Warren Buffet once said, "The nice thing about having as much money as me is that you never have to work with people you don't like." Even though I don't have as much money as Buffett (yet), I have adopted that philosophy as my own.
BJ is knowledgeable about the market. He's interesting. He's nice. He's on the stick. And importantly, he cares. You can tell this isn't just a J-O-B for him. He brings his passion.
He was patient with us as real estate newbies; let us talk ourselves out of bad ideas; and helped navigate us through a difficult closing. He's a professional and works with a great group of professionals.
It was a pleasure doing business with him, and I look forward to many more in the years ahead. I give him my highest recommendation."
- Michael N.
Somerville, MA
"As first time home buyers, my wife and I expected it to be nerve wracking experience. BJ took the time up front to explain how the process worked and understand the property we THOUGHT we were looking for. He then viewed multiple properties with us, showing us how to spot both good and bad workmanship and assess each property's fair value. He spoke with us in detail about what we liked and disliked about each property we saw.
Through these conversations, we came to understand what we REALLY wanted in our first home (which was different, in both location and features, than we had originally thought). After we made an offer on a property that met all our needs, BJ helped guide us through a multiple bid process. He provided us with detailed comparable data so we could make an informed decision about each bid we made, and never pressured us to offer more than we thought the property was worth. In fact, he encouraged us to stand firm and let the property go if we couldn't get it for a price we felt was fair.
After our offer was accepted, BJ helped us understand and deal with the complexities of the mortgage approval and closing process. He was there whenever we needed him for as long as we needed him. If you value personalized service, independent advice, and high integrity, I highly recommend you give BJ a call."
- Dave P.
Jamaica Plain, MA
"BJ is really great! He provided professional advice and assistance and helped us to get our dream house. For a first-time home buyer, we are extremely lucky to get his help to go through the whole process, and eventually got the best result out of it. I can't think him enough for helping us to get our house. Thank you again BJ!"
- Samantha H.
Somerville, MA
"BJ appears to work almost exclusively by word-of-mouth, and it's easy to see why. As first time home-buyers, he was recommended as a good educator as well as a good realtor, and we are happy to continue the tradition! BJ is patient, engaging, and funny, and we could not have asked for a better introduction to the world of home-ownership. At every step of the home-buying process, BJ made sure we were making informed decisions. He never pressured us to choose one way or another, but his expertise in home-buying and the people involved was invaluable. Every person he recommended exceeded expectations and was as dedicated and passionate about their job as BJ was. Above all else, BJ was as engaged in the process as we were. He was never more than a phone-call or email away, and he always made sure to explain the reasoning behind his opinion and the context for the
options that we were pursuing. BJ’s advice worked wonders at streamlining the home-buying process, and we cannot show sufficient gratitude for his approach."
-Anna Gartsman & Greg Castañón
Jamaica Plain, MA
“BJ is a highly energetic, incredibly intelligent, professional. He succeeds at everything he takes on. I worked with BJ for many years while running a small business and he consistently over-delivered on everything we asked him to do. He approaches his work with tremendous energy and enthusiasm. Last fall he helped my daughter search for, find, and purchase her first home. There again, he was dedicated, smart, strategic, and followed through on all the details so that she was able to get the home she really wanted. I highly recommend BJ as a realtor, manager, promoter, and friend.”
Kathie Mainzer, Co-Owner, Bella Luna Restaurant and the Milky Way Lounge
Roslindale, MA
“I owned a two bedroom condominium in Jamaica Plain that I had purchased using an agent from a different company before I met BJ. During the three years I owned the unit, I had some struggles with and, consequently, many questions and concerns with condominium living. As a friend, I looked to BJ to help me with these challenges throughout my three years there. And although he wasn’t technically my realtor at the time, he helped me, without fail…a lot. He responded immediately with answers I needed — and if he didn’t have the answer to any of my many questions, he found out and got back to me right away. In other words, he went above and beyond to help me succeed in that living situation — without even being my Realtor at the time!
When it came time for me to sell my condo, without question, I contacted BJ. With our history and knowing his background in real estate, I already trusted him and he delivered. We met a few times and talked on the phone regularly; he showed me data on the market, explained them in layman’s terms and gave me thoughtful recommendations and options to help guide me in making the right decision about price and selling time. I trusted him 100% and as a result, within ONE week of being on the market, my place sold at the price I wanted and in a timely fashion. Without BJ, I don’t think anything could have gone any smoother than it did.”
-Liz Laneri
Jamaica Plain, MA
“BJ Ray gave me an honest, spin-free assessment of the real estate market in Boston for a story I reported for NPR. I was impressed with his knowledge of the market and his willingness to give his unvarnished take. This guy will tell you what he really thinks in polite, but clear, terms.”
Elsa Partan, NPR
“Our family wanted to stay in Jamaica Plain but had out-grown our condo. We had a short list of hopes for our next home–including finding a single-family that was in our price range. BJ worked with us for over a year to find exactly what we were looking for. He was so patient with us and really worked hard to get us into houses even when our off-hours schedule made it a little tricky.
We would walk into a house and feel confident that he was working for us. He’s the kind of person who notices all the little things about structure and style, and has the knowledge-base to back it up. We ended up finding the exact home we were hoping for and can honestly say that BJ Ray is a wonderful real-estate agent and a sincere down-to-earth individual. We are so thankful that we had such a great experience!”
-Molly & Mark Mariano
Jamaica Plain, MA
“It was great to work with BJ. He is a good person and very friendly. He had the patience to show us lots of locations before we purchased our first home. He introduced us to the neighborhood and we love it! Every tip and information that he gave us was true, useful and unbiased (even for music recommendations…)”
Tamara Kremer Mecabell
Jamaica Plain, MA
“BJ was the selling agent when we bought our condo. Honest and co-operative, he worked with us to get the deal done. He’s definitely the person you want on your side of the bargaining table.”
Roman Dvoskin
Jamaica Plain, MA
“BJ offers a rare mix of skills – enthusiastic and creative, yet realistic. When we hired BJ to sell our house, he presented a thorough analysis of the market, gave expert advice on physical improvements to make, and marketed the listing successfully. The end result – the house sold within one week at price 10% higher than we thought we would receive, all during a recession. To me, that is an excellent performance, and one that will keep me coming back to BJ Ray.”
Walt Averill, President of Wines West
San Francisco, CA
“BJ was a true asset in helping me find and purchase my home. His patience, industry knowledge, and hard work was truly appreciated and exemplary. I would highly recommend BJ for your real estate needs.”
Aaron Israelski
Cambridge, MA
“As a first time home buyer, the most difficult part of the home buying process for me was determining where I wanted to live. BJ was a great resource to have as I visited all of the different towns in Massachusetts. We went up to the North Shore together. We went down to the South Shore together. All through Boston and out to the suburbs. Town after town, house after house, BJ never got frustrated or pushy.
No matter how busy he was, BJ was always willing o make time to join me on a trip to see a new property listing and after each property his advice and his counsel were incredibly perceptive and helpful. BJ would talk to me about what he liked and what he didn’t like for each property we saw, helping me to build my own list of things to look for when I went to open houses on my own.
Of course, the neighborhood where I ended up buying my home, in Fairmount Hill, Hyde Park, hadn’t even been on my radar. I didn’t know anything about the area, but on our trips to Dedham and West Roxbury, BJ kept pushing me to drive through the neighborhood with him. One day, I gave in. We stopped to have coffee and a quick breakfast at a local restaurant and then went to see some houses that were listed. Just like that, I had found my home. I’m close to work, I’m close to friends, I’m close to family, I’m close to the city, and I’m close to some great outdoor areas and hiking locations. I’m happy and I’m comfortable.
Without BJ’s patience and constructive suggestions, I never would have known of this house that has made me so happy.
In my dealings with him as a buyer’s agent, BJ seemed more like a friend than a salesman. I honestly got the sense that everything he was doing, he was doing on my behalf. He also seemed to know when to be aggresive and when to slow the process down to let me absorb everything.
I am ever so thankful for BJ for helping me to find not just a wonderful deal or a great piece of property, but my home.”
Andy Ferguson
Hyde Park, MA
“BJ Ray has been my Realtor for several years in both sales and purchases. Perhaps the best testament is his sincerity. When the recession began, I was saddled with several renovated condos that would only sell at a loss. To cut my losses, I tried to sell on my own by setting up a website, advertising, and paying to list in MLS. During that time, I met BJ and he advised me on the intricacies of marketing and didn’t ask me for a fee. He gave me advice on mailing newsletters to Realtors, generating buzz for open houses, and offered many computer savvy details that would help the listing succeed.
I learned about his large database, his attention to every item, his know-how in marketing. I ultimately signed with him as my realtor. The problem condos sold within weeks and I have used him on every real estate transaction (buying and selling) since.
I referred a friend to BJ and she hired him as her buyer agent. Though I watch the daily updates on real estate every day, he spotted the perfect condo for her, a first time home buyer. He helped her through the entire sale and kept up her spirit through the difficult decisions she had to make, from the offer and home inspection, through negotiations, P&S, and final sale.
BJ is the most computer competent realtor I know. He answers calls, texts and emails immediately. He is always informed and other parties recognize the skill he brings to negotiations. I feel completely supported when working with him and would recommend him to buyer or seller.”
Frederick Vetterlein
Jamaica Plain, MA
“Working with BJ was like attending a graduate seminar in real estate!
At the very first home he showed us, we learned how to look at a basement and see structural deficiencies; how to evaluate the age and condition of critical home systems; and how to spot important but subtle signs of neglect.
BJ is diligent, persistent, and tenacious. There wasn’t a neighborhood we mentioned that he didn’t have complete details about already in his head. His knowledge of real estate trends, construction goings-on, and neighborhood gossip is unparalleled.
Best of all, though, is his personality: BJ treats everyone with respect, kindness, and a wry but gentle sense of humor. After six months of working with BJ, I’m smarter, I’m savvier, and best of all, I now own the home of my dreams.”
Steve Hoey
Somerville, MA
“BJ goes way above and beyond to sell a property and I couldn’t recommend him more. As a property owner who lived on the West Coast he made the sale of our house in Roslindale as simple and straightforward as it could possibly be.
From a delinquent tenant we wanted to move out and his offering to help find her new rental accommodation, to figuring out a contractor to prep our property for sale, to helping the workers gain access to the property to do the work, to keeping on top of all the requirements (smoke detectors etc) he was a tenacious bulldog. I can’t even list off all the situations where he went way above and beyond the role of a Realtor.
He kept us fully informed throughout the whole process and found us a lawyer to work with that was just as hardworking and efficient. We had an offer on our house in 2 days and a closing date only a month after that.
We were very pleased with the price we sold for at a time when many others thought the property would sell for less and be on the market for a long time. We can’t thank him enough and we’re glad he was our bulldog not the new owners.
Don’t think twice about hiring this consummate professional.”
Maire Murphy
San Fransisco, CA
“It’s hard to trust a stranger with one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. But BJ Ray is so honest, thoughtful, and smart that I think he’s the perfect real estate agent for any first time home-buyer.
On our first few showings, BJ taught us how to evaluate a house, showing us now to identify water damage, old pipes, strange lolly poles, out-of-date wiring and anything that might lead to headaches later on. He walked us through the process artfully, explaining each step in advance. He was a great sounding board when we weren’t sure whether to make an offer on a house, and once we decided to make an offer, his negotiation skills enabled us to get a fabulous price. BJ Ray is incredible. I urge you to work with him.”
Joshua Rosenstock & Sarah Phillips
Somerville, MA
“In August of 2008 BJ sold my South Boston condo in a very short time and sold it above asking price! Not an easy feat in a down market.
I prepared my property as he suggested. Once the property was ready to show BJ began a marketing campaign specifically tailored to my property resulting in multiple offers. BJ knew who to target and obviously knew where to find them because the process was short and sweet.
BJ is honest, easy to get along with, hard working and reachable. I would highly recommend BJ as a buyer’s or seller’s agent with no reservations.”
John Goll, Goll Insurance Agency – President
Winthrop, MA
