Smart Source Realty

Chris has posted a review making it seem that everything is our fault. He is only correct about the fact that we ended the contract early. I had to move closer to my parents because my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I have become his caregiver. We explained this to Chris and his response was basically «well we all have problems» and he showed no sympathy for our situation. WE FOUND THE NEW TENANTS FOR HIM AND PAID ALL FEES REQUIRED PER THE LEASE. Also, the new tenants we found for him DID NOT sublease as he claims. They signed a completely new one year lease and he raised the rent, which we also have documentation of. Chris also asked my husband NOT to post the house on certain apps/​websites (ex.
) because the homeowner’s daughter worked for him and he didn’t want them to see the listing! As far as his allegations about the condition of the home when we left, I have attached pictures documenting the condition of every room, cabinet, floor, wall and ceiling because we knew he would make false claims. We did not get a professional cleaning and we were NOT required to. My husband and I worked so hard cleaning that house and mowing the grass – both of which we were charged for anyway. The extensive painting and repairs he mentions were due to damages that were ALREADY THERE when we moved in (including the damage to the backyard from the previous owners’ pets) and were all things he refused to fix, though he promised he would as long as we hurried and signed the lease, and I have this in writing as well. I also have numerous emails, texts and pictures documenting the condition of the home upon move-​in, and the poor treatment by him and his employees. We reported the closet & master bath a/​c being out because the duct work is DENTED, which he refused to even have someone look at, claiming we were being obnoxious (in the middle of the summer in Texas). We made sure to make him aware that the lack of a/​c in these rooms was causing extreme humidity to build up in the closet and restroom (we had five damp rid canisters in there at all times and they would have to be refilled constantly) and we were concerned about the possibility of mold and wall rot, but he still refused to submit a work order. He makes a lot of assumptions and doesn’t follow through with requests. We have kept in contact with the new tenants and I know for a fact that they have reported the air conditioning not working upon move-​in. I have attached some of the pictures we took when we moved out and of a few of the repairs that were never completed as promised. We have enough pictures and documentation to prove that his allegations are completely false.

Beware of any business whose owner writes a rambling response for EVERY negative review!

I highly recommend Chris Warren and team for property management. Being first time property investors we were very lucky to have found Chris. He was very detailed in explaining to his what his company did and what we needed to know when it comes to managing a property. Once we signed with him he quickly got the house in shape and listed. He kept in touch with me via email and phone and gave us updates on the status of the rental.
Everything is automated and electronic, which is an extra plus!

Chris Warren at Smart Source realty just sold my house and helped me buy my next house.
First of all, he sold my house for free. I know, right?!
Secondly, he is an awesome Realtor. In today’s market, where consumers have access to all homes in MLS online, what is the most important thing your Realtor can do for you? Advocate.
In negotiations during both selling and buying, Chris really went to bat for us. We got the best possible outcome in both scenarios, entirely because of Chris’ ace negotiating skills. I was shocked and impressed at the results he got, and couldn’t be more happy.
As an added bonus, Chris is easy going, fun to talk to, and he really makes stressful decisions fun!
Thank you, Chris!

Karl Jennings is by far the best landlord. I have lived in Austin for almost 5 years now. I have moved every year, I’ve had my fare share of landlords. Mr. Jennings is a straight shooter, no «BS» is the best way to describe his work ethic. He might come off as a little rough or stern which is accurate, that’s how he keeps all of his tenants 1 – % contented and taken care of. All he asks is for tenants follow your lease agreement and he will treat ya right! Mr. Jennings does require tenants to email him about any issues that need to be addressed. I have always strongly disliked emailing to get things around my condos fixed or repaired. I feel like emailing takes forever for a response or action. This was always the case with my past landlords, no problem with Mr. Jennings. So just follow your lease agreement. If you have any questions or maintenance issues shoot him a email. Things will get done fast and done right. 5 stars for sure, no doubt!

Copied from my review on Chris Warren Realty.
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I had the similar experience like Chloe.
I hired Stuart Mencher from Chris Warren Realty in 2009.
It went well initially. Stuart was able to recruit a tenant in the slow season of September fairly quick. I signed a 9-​month lease with the tenant hoping to re-​list the property for lease in a better time, as the tenant was going to buy a house.
The truth about Stuart at Chris Warren realty unveils when the lease ends…
1) It took Stuart 10 days after the tenant moved out, to get the house cleaned and yard mowed.
2) Stuart did not even go check how exactly the work was done. The back yard was a jungle.
3) The house sat there for 3 months. There was traffic, but nobody wanted to rent it
4) Throughout the duration, it was hard to reach Stuart, really difficult. He usually returned my call in 1 or 2 days, if he happened to return the call.
5) Feeling bizarre, I went out to the house and found out the back yard was a big problem.
6) Stuart declined to be responsible for his own mistake. I paid out of my pocket to get the yard back to what it is supposed to be, for $ 200.
7) In a couple of days, the house was rented out. The tenant specifically mentioned that the yard is one attraction.
This is how much Stuart at Chris Warren realty cost me:
1) 3.5 months vacancy
2) sky high electricity bill ($ 400 for a month — the house was put on a commercial account and A/​C turned on all the time)
3) $ 200 to repair the yard, which is supposed to be paid by previous tenant
4) I had to pay him 80% of a month rent for getting me a tenant. I probably can recruit the tenant a lot quicker, if I did it myself. Anyhow, it was the common commission structure.
5) A garage door remote control — apparently he didn’t do inventory check.
The conclusions:
1) Stuart at Chris Warren really DO NOT care his property management customers
He ever made a remark, which I regret not pay enough attention, «property management is easily, you just get a computer, hire a person, to collect rents and do some paper work». Of course, it is easy if he does not do what they are supposed to do – manage the property.
2) Stuart was not capable/​professional. He didn’t even perform the basic check on the house and inventory.
3) It seems like their side goal was to let you spend more money on repairs as they run a handy man company.
I will never do business with Chris Warren Realty. I’d recommend the same to anybody.