Michael Schafer

3 weeks ago

My experience with Michael Schafer was extremely concerning and nearly resulted in the loss of our home and earnest money due to missed deadlines and poor representation. I believe it is important to share the specific events that occurred so other buyers can make an informed decision. A time-sensitive “Notice to Perform” from the sellers was not shared with us for two days. Michael later stated in writing that he delayed sending it to avoid “panicking” us. Because of this delay, we lost most of our contractual response window and were placed at risk of default. Multiple referrals provided by Michael raised serious red flags. Based on our review of publicly available records, mortgage lenders he recommended were either not authorized to operate per NMLS records or were subject to state consent orders for regulatory violations. Contractors he referred us to included one with a suspended license and another company with documented workplace safety violations. We discovered these issues ourselves through public records. After we independently located comparable sales and sent them to Michael for review, his response by text was: "If you are looking for comps to justify offering a lower price, we are wasting our time." Rather than advocating for us during negotiations—particularly after septic issues were identified—he disputed our concerns and attempted to minimize documented problems. We ultimately contacted the septic company directly to confirm the issues. After reporting these concerns to his Branch Manager, Debbie Ramos, and the designated broker, Jerry Martin, the transaction was handled by Debbie Ramos. However, no remedy was offered by the brokerage, and we were told we risked losing our earnest money if we did not proceed to closing. Based on our experience, we would not recommend Michael Schafer or RE/MAX Northwest to buyers who expect transparency, advocacy, and adherence to fiduciary responsibilities.

10 months ago

We had the absolute pleasure of working with Michael Schafer for over a year, and we cannot recommend him highly enough. From the very beginning, it was clear that Michael is not only incredibly knowledgeable about the real estate market, but also deeply committed to helping his clients find the "right" home—not just any home.Throughout our journey, Michael demonstrated endless patience as we navigated a long and thoughtful search. Never once did we feel rushed or pressured; instead, we felt genuinely supported and listened to every step of the way. His attention to detail is unmatched—he caught things in listings and walkthroughs that we would not have noticed, always advocating for our best interests. He was always available to answer questions—often anticipating them before we even asked—and his responses were prompt, clear, and incredibly helpful. His calm demeanor made what can be a stressful process feel smooth and manageable. But Michael didn’t stop at just helping us purchase our home. After closing, he went above and beyond to help us settle into the neighborhood. From recommending reliable local vendors to sharing tips about the community, his guidance made our transition not only easier, but truly enjoyable. We’re so grateful to have worked with him and wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.

1 year ago

I went through three agents and two years of searching with no results. I was more confused about what I wanted and which neighborhood I should live in until I met Michael Schafer. He is extremely knowledgeable about all the neighborhoods in Seattle and on the Eastside, as well as market trends for condos, townhouses, and single-family homes. I was overwhelmed with finding the right condo, but Michael patiently helped me understand different neighborhoods, along with the pros and cons of various property types and locations. He guided me every step of the way, from the initial search to closing, and even post-closing, by patiently answering all my questions in detail. He was transparent and always available, especially when things were urgent. Throughout the process, he was respectful of my decisions, provided facts and pros and cons, and never pressured me into making a purchase. I would strongly recommend Michael Schafer to anyone looking for a home in the Greater Seattle area or on the Eastside!

1 year ago

Working with Michael and his team was an incredible experience for my wife and I as we navigated the complex process of buying a new home and selling our first one. Michael's extensive experience in the Pacific Northwest and his background as an appraiser made him the perfect guide for our journey. From our initial conversations, Michael helped us understand our financial options and connected us with knowledgeable contacts. His detail-oriented and diligent work ethic was evident as he devised a step-by-step plan to address potential selling issues, utilizing his professional and cost-effective network. We opted for a buy-first, sell-later strategy with a one-month turnaround goal. Thanks to Michael's preparation and guidance, we executed this plan smoothly, maximizing our home's potential and ensuring both a happy seller and buyer. When it came to purchasing a new home, Michael was with us every step of the way. He pre-filtered options and provided initial feedback on properties, allowing us to focus on homes that met our criteria. Michael scheduled tours according to our availability and provided valuable insights during visits, respecting our space and listening to our feedback. His expertise was evident in his analysis of resale value, neighborhood dynamics, material quality, and pricing competitiveness. When we found our ideal home, Michael offered expert opinions on its appraisal, supported by detailed notes and data. His communication was perfectly balanced—neither overbearing nor insufficient. Even when personal obligations arose, Michael's team ensured we were always informed and prioritized. Their efficient communication and teamwork prevented any issues from slipping through the cracks. Overall, working with Michael and his team was a seamless and enjoyable experience. Their knowledge, support, and efficiency made our home buying and selling journey stress-free. We highly recommend Michael and his team to anyone looking to buy or sell a home. They truly go above and beyond to ensure their clients' needs are met and expectations exceeded.

1 year ago

I worked with Michael to buy my first house, and it was exceptional. He provided thorough guidance, patiently explaining every aspect of the properties we toured. His dedication to educating us about the process was invaluable, ensuring I felt confident and informed throughout. Being out of state, he went above and beyond to tour houses virtually and gave us detailed video commentary about the houses so that we could easily shortlist the ones we wanted to see in person. Even in person, he never rushed us from one house to another and answered all our questions. He was very knowledgeable about the market and provided us with multiple strategies on structuring the offer for higher chances of success. We were debating between a few houses and one had an offer review date with a tight deadline. Michael was always available to negotiate/update offers and he never pushed us to sign a contract that we weren't comfortable with and I really appreciated that. In addition to buying a house at a price that we really liked, we are grateful to have built a relationship with Michael that allows us to be confident in any future real estate transactions with him.