Business ProfileforCherie Miller & Associates

Cherie Miller and Assoicates is ran by Broker Madelaine L* ****. Well known locally to be a nightmare. We were unaware when we hired their services to sale a place near their office. They are unbelievable unprofessional. They aren't up to date with advertisements, and they will betray you to make a buyer happy. I would describe their service compared to other real estate offices I have hired over the years to be LAZY, INCOMPETENT, UNHONEST. They broke our front door; they were cheap about fixing it according to locksmith. Because they were so cheap the home was unsecured for 6 days. I had to repeatedly demand they fix it. Agent told us door was secure as she put a chair behind it. Sheriff report shows door was open and home was unsecured. They had zero concern for our home security. If that wasn't bad enough agent said no inspection as it was an "as is" purchase with an expected 21-day escrow close as requested by the buyer who was pressured to move. The agent didn't get permission or even inform us of a SURPRISE inspection while we were in the middle of wrapping up repairs and making sure fresh batteries where in smoke detectors and such. Agent fought with inspector about who would pay for door. Inspector gave picky inspection/some of which we have had to pay money to deem not true...buyer backed out to purchase another property from agent. We put in writing all these avoidable issues to Broker and not only did she not respond she cancel us on the spot and is now holding MLS as collateral for releasing full EMD to buyer who did not valid reason to dump escrow. DO NOT HIRE THIS AGENCY. There is a reason they are not accredited with the BBB.

Our company has served the Morongo Basin since 1990. Madelaine L*****, the broker since 2004, has consistently been rated among the top agents of Riverside/San Bernardino Counties, with numerous accolades, positive reviews and happy clients. Madelaine has taught real estate courses professionally, and is commonly asked for advice by other brokers. Our office and agents do more advertising than any other office in the Morongo Basin/Joshua Tree areas. All advertising is reviewed by the Broker, assistants and the editors of each publication. We pride ourselves on having very few mistakes that make it to publication! We also self publish our own magazine, which no other local brokerage does! We also work hard for our clients, with most of our agents rarely getting any days off the last couple of years. The words LAZY, INCOMPENTENT and “UNHONEST” do not begin to describe anyone in our office. The verbal abuse this customer has shown this entire process with multiple agents (and the buyer), speak volumes about her character. Customer ******* ******, who is not a resident of the park (she evicted her father from the residence) spoke with Kathy originally on September 23rd, 2021. She sent photos, as well. She decided to try to sell the property herself, and contacted Kathy again to sell the property in March, after she evicted her father in November from the home. Customer said “they will betray you to make a buyer happy.” Which buyer is the customer referring to? The seller’s agent, Kathy G****** represented both buyer and seller. The seller did not disclose known and severe issues with the property on her disclosures, even after Kathy advised her to do so. The seller withheld pertinent information regarding condition of property. As Realtors, we are not legally allowed to withhold information bearing on the purchase of a property. The agent may not lie for the seller or buyer, may not deny contractual inspections, and may not mislead a buyer on the condition of the property. We have a duty to disclose, regardless of seller’s personal behavior. The offer was written with a 17 day property investigation period, which is standard. The seller accepted the offer as written, and was informed of the dual agency and buyer due diligence periods. This also includes access to the property. The seller was aware of the inspection period. The agent explained she would need fresh batteries or new smoke/co2 detectors for the inspection. On May 16th, 2022, the inspector finished the buyer’s inspection of the property. They texted photos that the front door handle lock was broken. The seller was informed the same day. She refused to pay for a new lock on her 1978 manufactured home (with mostly original hardware). On May 19th, 2022, Kathy sent a locksmith (BOK locksmith). They changed out the lock on the door. Due to the age, the locksmith was unable to repair. He wanted to use a different method, but the seller wanted to order a new lock, in lieu of the locksmith’s suggestion. On May 23rd, the locksmith returned to finish with a special order of the new lock requested by the seller, which caused the delay in repairing the door. The locksmith invoice, including special order part, was paid by listing agent, as seller refused to pay. Our office has never been given a copy of the Sheriff’s report. As to our knowledge, the seller has an undisclosed hidden camera in the home. The property had no personal items with value. All residential contracts in the State of California using California Association of Realtors paperwork list a property as “As Is”. With that being said, the buyer STILL HAS THE RIGHT TO CONDUCT AN INSPECTION PRIOR TO PURCHASE, AS PER CONTRACT. He was also legally entitled to cancel, and did so on 5/18/2022. The buyer chose his own home inspector, who is also ethically and professionally required to call out items of concern. The inspector did not work for the seller. The buyer was fully entitled to the return of their earnest money deposit as they had not removed contingencies, the seller misled the buyer on disclosures, and the condition of the home was not what the buyer wanted to continue with. Seller refused to sign cancellation until 8/1/2022, and held buyer’s money in escrow, lying to the new listing agent that she had already signed the cancellation. The new selling agent also cancelled the listing with ******* ****** and had equal lack of cooperation and bad behavior from ******* ******. You are welcome to contact Realtor Steve T***** to confirm.