DOLBY PROPERTIES INC. Orlando Area Real Estate
Investment Properties, Second Homes and Vacation Homes
Disney area, Orlando, Kissimmee, Davenport, Clermont
TESTIMONIALS- Buyers from other US States
Vince and Joanne from Schenectady NY
Our first experience with Lesley and Steve was almost 20 years ago. We were looking for a vacation home for rental income and part time personal use. With their expert guidance we purchased the perfect home and kept it for 17 years. Over those 17 years Lesley and Steve kept in contact as caring friends, asking how we were and how our lives were going, not your typical sales people at all. Last year when we wanted to sell that home and find something in an area closer to the beach our first thoughts were to contact Lesley and Steve. They sold our vacation home literally in hours! We had no doubt they would come through again, and they did! They found us the perfect area, Palm Coast. We are only 7 minutes to the beach by car and 15 minutes by boat to the river! We couldn’t be happier with our canal home! Their no pressure, personal touch makes all the difference. Thank you Lesley and Steve for your expertise, but most of all that you are our friends.
Vicki and Simon from California
Steve and Lesley were great! We were only in Orlando for a week but they still managed to help us find the right investment property. While we are at the amusement parks having fun with the kids, they did all the research to find houses that met our needs and did the calculation to help us understand if it was a good investment. They made things so much easier for us. Steve even checked on us to make sure everything was going fine and asked if we needed help during escrow and closing. We would definitely recommend Steve to others who are looking for a realtor. We are happy owners now!
The Roe family from Ohio
Steve was great to work with. He always made time to respond to questions and emails and was very patient with us (and our potential sellers) throughout a long process. I liked how he was able to set up multiple excellent properties for us to see on our whirlwind trips to Florida – he was super flexible to give us undivided attention during those visits. He deserves a gold star for patience and helping us move on to the house we finally purchased. I would highly recommend Steve.
James and Anne from New Jersey
We had a great experience working with Dolby Properties and Steve and Lesley. Being out of state, we wanted the process of buying an investment property as smooth as possible. They helped us achieve that.
Steven and Lesley looked at properties for us and looked at ROIs that would be acceptable to us. They got a feel of the type of homes we liked and we were able to close on the exact house we wanted.
Communication is key working with an agent long distance and it is clear that they are very experienced with out of state buyers.
We were especially appreciative of Steve's follow up with his contacts for inspection, insurance and property management companies. We ended up using all of them.
Thank you Steve and Lesley for the great experience! The house is already rented and the property management company has been great so far!
The Goodsell Family, Stratham, New Hampshire
My wife and I, along with her sister and brother-in-law decided to look into buying a Orlando area vacation property and spent a considerable amount of time researching real estate agents to help us. Being from the Northeast, we were extremely careful because we were not that familiar with the market in the Orlando area and wanted someone who would represent our interests. After contacting several agents we decided to go with Dolby Properties and could not be happier. Lesley Dolby assigned Steve Schaffer to work with us directly and I have to say I have never been so impressed with a real estate agent.
From the start, Steve provided us with detailed information about purchasing a property in FL and was as honest and direct as any professional I have ever dealt with. We were also contacting lawyers to help us through the process but soon discovered that Steve and Lesley's information was so honest and concise that we didn't need to waste time and money on a lawyer. From the start, Steve represented our interests and worked hard to ensure that our needs were addressed with every property we reviewed. We made a trip to Orlando to tour properties with Steve and after the first day he sat down with us to review what we had seen and what other properties fit our needs so that he could set up additional visits. I have to say that Steve went above and beyond our expectations and was constantly pointing out the good, as well as the negatives of every property we visited. Steve spent an entire long weekend with us and was as patient and knowledgeable as anyone I have ever dealt with. Additionally, on every step of the way, Lesley was involved and provided input. Once we decided on our choice, Steve actually contacted the seller and selling agent and requested additional information. We were amazed as Steve never stopped providing information and contacts to help us ensure we had a property we could easily move into and enjoy. Steve, set us up with contact information for all the services we would need to put in place. At no time did I feel Steve or Lesley treated us in a way that was not professional, but at the same time made you realize they were behind your need s 100%.
I cannot say enough about Dolby Properties and these two individuals in particular. At the outset of this process we thought we would be dealing with people that only had their interests in mind and our attitudes quickly changed once we realized how lucky we were for picking Steve and Lesley to represent our interests.
Chad Zarbaugh, Flat Rock,Michigan
Lesley, I wanted to send you an email in regards to our working relationship with Sam: I cannot say enough great things about Sam. I felt that buying a property thousands of miles from our home would be stressful, but Sam took all of the stress out of the buying process. She is very persistent, and demonstrated excellent follow up whenever a concern would arise. Sam's knowledge of the real estate market in the Disney area, and her ability to listen to our wants and needs allowed her to pinpoint communities that were a good fit for our family. While I had done a great deal of research prior to flying down to Florida, Sam's preparation made the most of my time, which ultimately resulted in my family and I purchasing a vacation home that far exceeded our expectations.
Thank you Sam, and thank you Dolby Properties! If all goes well with the new vacation home, we may be in the market for another property, and will not hesitate to contact you.
Paul Guess, Greater Chicago, Illinois
My wife and I highly recommend Dolby Properties and one of their fantastic agents, Steve Schaffer. We chose Dolby Properties because of their expertise in dealing with out of state buyers. We had the extremely good fortune to work closely with Steve before, during, and after our purchase. We have been very impressed with how hard Steve worked for us. We will tell all of our friends about how wonderful Dolby Properties and Steve Schaffer are. Thanks again Steve!
The Meleedys, Newburyport, Massachusetts
As always, Sam was so great! We feel like she is family and she is a wonderful asset to your business. She is always efficient and right on top of things. She offers so much insight into the local communities and always has well thought ideas on each individual property. When asked a question, Sam is very quick to get all the answers. As an out-of-state buyer both Sam and your agency have always made us very comfortable. Thank you for giving us that peace of mind in a situation that can be very stressful at times. We would highly recommend you to our friends.
Caroline Doswald, Dulles, Virginia
We are very pleased with the home we bought and were extremely happy with the service provided to us from Dave. He went out of his way to show us additional homes he thought we may be interested in during our very short 2 day trip to Orlando. We will certainly recommend you to any of our friends who are interested in purchasing a home in the Orlando area.
Vince and Joanne Touhey, Guilderland New York
We made a decision to buy a vacation home in the Orlando area and began by surfing the internet. We came upon Dolby Properties' site and sent an e-mail inquiring about one of the properties shown. Leslie e-mailed back the requested information and also asked us detailed questions about the type of home we were looking for. We e-mailed back and forth for about a month, narrowing our search. We flew down to Orlando from New York on a Saturday. We met with Leslie and Steve the next day. They arranged for us to look at several lovely homes, but they had one particular home in mind that they thought was exactly what we were looking for. They were right. The minute we walked in the door, we knew they had found us the perfect place. We put in the bid on Monday and flew home on Tuesday with a signed contract from the seller.
Leslie and Steve made the whole process so easy, especially helping us through the maze of closing on a house when the buyers are located out of state. They continue to keep in touch with us and offer advice on maintaining our investment.
Lesley, Frank, Kamryn and Jaydn Beahm, Washington DC
We would like to take this opportunity to send out a huge thank you to Sam for her commitment to helping us accomplish our dream of our owning our first investment property. Working with Sam was an absolute pleasure every step of the way, and the purchase, even from another state, was such a smooth process that we often found that when we had questions, she was already one or two steps ahead of us, and no query ever went unanswered. Sam was completely dedicated, and went out of her way to make sure we found the right house in the right area, even in tough market conditions. She even arrived at our hotel with snacks and games in hand for our two little girls to make sure they were well-occupied during our endless hours of driving!
From the time of our initial contact with Dolby, to the quick 2-day house-hunting trip to Florida, Sam quickly made us feel very comfortable about each and every decision while providing us with sound guidance and honest advice along the way. Even though we live in Washington DC, and were buying a house in Florida, it felt great to know that we could rely on Sam as our proxy, and that she would act in our best interests. We are so thrilled to have found such a fantastic agent, and someone we look forward to keeping in touch with whenever we are down in Florida enjoying our new vacation home. Many thanks Sam, and Dolby, for your true professionalism and much-appreciated enthusiasm and personal service. We will not hesitate to recommend Dolby Properties to our friends.
The Mathews, Harrison TWP, Michigan
I want to take a minute to express our gratitude and satisfaction with your organization. We talked 4 years ago, Lesley didn't forget about us (all those "keep in touch" e-mails), Steve hit the target the first time out, and Amy has been very quick to respond to all of our questions. And ALL of you worked as a team to make us feel very secure in transacting business 1200 miles away. It simply doesn't get better than that!
The Fontaines, Canton, Michigan
Our experience with Leslie and Steve has been gratifyingly positive. They are experienced, professional, courteous and energetic. They actually return phone calls and e-mails promptly, and excel in "service after the sale." Their local knowledge and honest recommendations have been a huge help to us. We can't recommend them highly enough.
Frank & Joanne, Naperville, Illinois
We would highly recommend doing business with Paul and Cindy. We purchased a second home in Florida and by a good luck coincidence we were connected with Paul. We gave him our criteria, inexpensive but great, and told him to use his discretion. He looked for a property for us as if he were looking for himself. He wanted a good location and a good value. We feel we got both. Due to his diligence and thoughtfulness, we had no trouble letting him take care of all the details. We purchased a property sight unseen, on his recommendation. We have never had any reason to question his judgment. He took the time to photograph the rooms and the exterior so we felt we knew what we were purchasing.
When we finally saw the property several months later, it was exactly as he had told us. He took the trouble to inform us of his thinking and we feel he did a great job for us. On his recommendation we purchased a property that has doubled its value within a year and a half. When we are ready to purchase another home in Florida we would go to no one else but Paul and Cindy. When Florida was plagued by several hurricanes, they took the time to check out our property and ease our minds as to damage. For these and many more reasons, we not only trust their real estate instincts, but consider them as friends.
Mandy Haigh, Phoenix, Arizona
A decision to purchase a property abroad or out of State is never an easy one. Even once the decision is made, the processes involved may deter potential buyers. It is with great satisfaction, therefore, that I can recommend Dominique Campbell-Combe and Dolby Properties as the realtor for properties in the Orlando area. The whole purchase process was carefully explained and help given when any matters were not clear. When we visited Orlando to select our house, Dominique was most welcoming and helpful. Properties meeting our specification were pre-selected and visits arranged. Full details of all the properties were available and walk-throughs helped us to make our final selection. Once we had found our ideal house, Dolby Properties were instrumental in easing the financial transactions.
The route to ownership was not pain-free and without awkward moments - house buying never is - but Dominique made it as easy as it could be. Once everything is finalised, many realtors will drop their former customers like hot bricks and have nothing further to do with them. This was definitely not the case with Dominique, whose after-sales attention is second to none. I can heartily endorse Dolby Properties as the ideal realtor for Orlando and the Disney World area.
The Denis Family, Walnut Creek, California
Thank you very much for your e mail and more generally for the exceptional service your company has provided throughout this process. Michelle has been so very helpful and professional, I could not have wished for better service. Back in the UK I used to run a business and my number one priority was always giving the client MORE than expected, ie always going the extra mile to serve customers beyond their expectations. I can truly say that we have had that from Dolby, and I know there are not many companies out there who pride themselves on such a high level of customer service. Congratulations to all of you!
Sankar, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
We recently bought an investment property in the Kissimmee area with Dolby Properties as our Realtor. As an out of state, first time investor's in the Orlando area it was great to have Steve Schaffer & Lesley Dolby on our side. Steve is a thorough professional with a wealth of local knowledge. His quick responsiveness to issues and questions throughout the search, purchase and closing process was commendable. For a pleasant, satisfying real estate buying or selling experience I would strongly recommend the Dolby team.
Mitchell A, Marlboro New Jersey
I met Paul at Dolby Properties through the internet when I saw an investment townhouse I liked. I can not believe how easy and secure he made us feel in this purchase. The year before I went through a sale of my primary home and that nightmare continues still, and that was local in N.J. Paul was honest, I trusted everything he recommended, the mortgage company, the closing, and even the costs all worked out over the mail and computer. It was amazing. I would and will do it again. Thank you .
The Seiders, Warrington, Pennsylvania
Working with Sam and Dave has been a great experience. Because we did not live in Florida, we thought that the process of buying an investment property was going to be very difficult and time consuming. Sam and Dave made the process an enjoyable and memorable experience. They were very knowledgable and knew exactly what we were looking for; and found it! Their clear instructions and guidance combined with their ability to handle the transaction quickly and efficiently made the process simple and run smoothly. It was easier than buying a house in our home town! Thanks again! We really appreciated working with you.
The Perlas, Daly City, California
The Perlas spent their last summer vacation (2004) in Central Florida and we loved it so much that we want to buy a vacation home. Our dream was to have our own home for our next summer vacation (2005) in the Disney World, Orlando area. I searched the Internet for short-term rentals and subscribed to many on-line real estate services for more than seven months, but I never received the services that I was looking for. It was not until I contacted Dolby Properties on a Saturday night February 5, 2005 that I really began enjoying every moment of a long process for buying a second home in a different state. That was my lucky night; I received an e-mail in less than 24 hours from Dolby Properties explaining with great detail all the necessary steps that I needed to do in order to become a Floridian homeowner. I was assigned a personal real estate agent and I began my great happy journey. It doesn't have to be painful as long as you choose the right company.
Dominique contacted me by phone and set me up with the company's property search database system. My wife and I loved to work with Dominique because she was always there for us. When we asked her to drive, sometimes to more than six properties in one day, and take more pictures so we can discuss which house would be the best for us. Dominique never said no. Her answer was: 'I will be happy to help you purchase your dream house and answer any question you may have.'On April 29, 2005, we became the owner of a beautiful 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms two-story house in Lake Davenport, Davenport, Florida. Thanks to Dolby Properties and the excellent work of Dominique who always was willing to go the extra mile, we will fulfill our dream of vacationing this summer in our own home. We plan to market the house for short-term rental and use it as a vacation home at least three times a year. When my wife and I retire, we plan to live six months in Florida and six months in California.
I would recommend Dolby Properties for any real estate needs. If we can own a piece of land in the Sunshine State, you can also do it. It has been a pleasure working with Dolby Properties.
Richard Hallas, Dunwoody, Georgia
I had been looking for a property for a few months and I had Sam recommended to me from a previous client she had. This is the 4th house I have bought in the US and I can honestly say the standard of customer service and individual treatment I received from Sam over and above what I would expect from a Realtor was amazing. I could not believe the hard work and effort she put into looking and cross checking houses, the attention to detail and honest feedback with regard to resale. I eventually bought a house without even seeing it, that is the level of trust Sam built with me, knowing everything I wanted by using her ability to listen, question, understand and perform. If Sam is not my realtor in future, they had better be ready for a mass of comparisons as I don't think anyone else could live up to the standard she set and the support from the Dolby office!
The Snyders, Romulus, New York
Thanks for everything. We were very happy with Dolby and especially with Sam. She was great! Things worked absolutely flawlessly from your end and I would definitely recommend you to friends interested in doing a similar purchase in the Orlando area.
Nancy & Gene Carruthers, Brooklyn, New York
Dear Lesley, I must take this opportunity to thank you for having such an exceptional sales agent working for you by the name of Dominique Campbell-Combe. My family and I will forever be indebted to you. With the help of realtors in the past, I have purchased several properties but have never encountered an agent dedicated in helping me find the perfect home for me and my family. Dominique was referred to us by a friend who lives in Florida. We were told that she was an absolute professional, an honest person who would find the right home for us. Well that was an understatement! When you look up the word professionalism in the dictionary, a picture of Dominique should be there.
Before our first meeting Dominique called to find out what we were looking for in a home. She asked detailed questions, she didn't let me be indecisive. Dominique knew that we lived in New York City and promised us she would not waste our valuable time showing us homes that were not suitable for us. She kept her word. Dominique takes the word commitment to a higher level. When we had an appointment she was always on time if not early, she would greet us with cold bottles of water and snacks for those hot Florida days. Her enthusiasm was contagious. Whenever we went out to look at homes we were so excited, one would think we were going to Disney World. Earlier this year in February Dominique showed us a house, my husband and I thought it was right for us, but after a few hours, we decided it was not. It was during this trip to Florida that I contracted Necrotizing Fasciitis/Myositis (flesh-eating disease). We told Dominique we were sorry about the house and left for New York. Directly from the airport my husband took me to the hospital and I underwent emergency surgery. While recovering I phoned Dominique and told her we would be back to find our 'Dream Home'. Dominique was happy to hear from us but her main concern was for my health. She told me to just concentrate on getting well and that she would take care of the rest.
Lesley, let me tell you Dominique the Miracle Worker worked her magic. When we returned to Florida in July, Dominique had found our 'Dream Home'. Being the absolute professional that she is, Dominique showed us several homes that met our criteria but allowed us to make up our minds without any pressure what-so-ever. That is one of the many things that we love, about her. She is not a pushy sales person. Dominique takes you to homes that you will love answer any questions that you may have, then stands back and let you and your family make 'your' decision. It was no a surprise to me that the home Dominique loved for my family is the one we chose. Our new home met all of our needs and more!! After signing the contract we came back to New York and waited for the closing date. Unfortunately due to the back-to-back three history making Hurricanes, our closing date was postponed several times. I was getting depressed here in New York; I wanted to move into my beautiful new home. Dominique kept in touch with me by phone and fax. She was able to talk me out of my depression and once again I looked forward to the move.
Dominique worked extremely hard to make our closing possible. She went above and beyond the call of duty. We closed in New York and the next day we were on our way back to Florida. We were only able to stay a few days because again, I was scheduled for surgery in October and November I had eye surgery. I am writing this letter on the eve of my November surgery. After each surgery it rendered me unable to read or write for weeks and I could not let another minute go past without telling you about my Hero and extraordinarily realtor Dominique Campbell-Combe. The 'Miracle Worker' was able to accomplish all of our objectives in spite of three major obstacles, one, Mother Nature; two, my health, and three, finances (I have Champaign taste and beer pockets). For all the abovementioned and more, I nominate Dominique for Real Estate Sales Associate of the Year. She is definitely heads and shoulders above the rest, Dominique is definitely the best! Forever Grateful.