Testimonials

We cannot say enough about Jolenta Averill. She was the selling agent for the house we fell in love with. We had not planned on finding a house to purchase when we did; therefore, we were not ready to sell our house. We were now on a deadline to sell our home (with a baby due in three months), and we decided we needed Jolenta’s expertise. She offered us some very affordable improvement ideas and shared with us her marketing plan. She understood our goals in both selling our current home and purchasing the new home. Our house sold in three weeks, which is almost a miracle in this market! We moved into our new home within two months from the first time we saw it. Jolenta truly helped change our lives for the better. We recommend her to everyone! 

Steve & Jill Sonntag
Primrose, WI

Jolenta provided professional real-estate services that went full circle. She successfully formed an involved marketing plan to quickly sell my house in a saturated market with few buyers. All along aiding me with her expertise to find a house that was right for me to move into. During my whole experience she was my advantage and leverage when dealing with selling as well as purchasing. I was extremely pleased with her thorough work ethic and would recommend her to anyone.

Luke Zei
Madison, WI

Jolenta worked long and hard to find us just the right house. She listened to what we wanted in a home, and found just the right one. She has a great understanding of the neighborhoods in Madison. She suggested we look in places we hadn't considered, but once we saw them we liked them. We love our new house, and our new neighborhood. She did a great job selling our house, in what could have been a tough situation. Thank you Jolenta, for all your hard work.

Mark & Melissa Roeder
Madison, WI

I recently relocated to Madison from the East Coast. Jolenta helped me to get to know the area by providing me with in-depth knowledge about a variety of neighborhoods. She patiently showed me numerous homes of all styles and price ranges until I was able to narrow down the search. She is always accessible, personable and punctual. Her negotiating skills are unmatched by any other real estate agent that I have ever met. I would HIGHLY recommend contacting her if you are considering selling or purchasing real estate.

Michelle Stephanick
Madison, WI

Ask anyone who has sold a home and they will tell you it is an emotional experience.  After listing our home with two different real estate agencies, however, we realized that not all real estate agents seemed to understand this.  Between missed appointments and misinformation, we found our initial experience to be frustrating.  We feel very fortunate to have met Jolenta Averill, of Restaino Bunbury, when we did.  Upon the very first phone call, we knew we were dealing with a professional.  Her extensive background in real estate and finance made us comfortable knowing our agent understood the difficult market we were in and the best course of action to take despite the conditions.  At every turn Jolenta was attentive and had our best interests in mind.  Whenever we had a question she was quick to respond and when she was unsure of something, which was rare, she made sure she had clarification before going on.  Given her attention to detail and knowing what a potential buyer would want to see, Jolenta recommended reasonable changes that made the house more attractive and, therefore, more saleable.  Jolenta was willing to work with us in selling our very unorthodox home.  We had many different "green" components to the home that made many potential buyers walk away without truly understanding the benefits.  Jolenta took it upon herself to learn as  much as she could about the technicalities of our home so that she could explain it correctly to her clients. We were very impressed with her drive to know all the details.  In our opinion, Jolenta did the impossible. She sold our unusual home in an incredibly challenging market and for that we are very grateful. We are now in our new home, thanks to Jolenta, and we feel like we have gained a new friend in the process.

Dineen Seymour-Nahn & Gregory Nahn
Madison, WI

You have provided exceptional service to Mom and to all of us. You promised exceptional personal service and you delivered. Simple as that. As out-of-town sellers, we haven't been there to arrange for all the repairs and services that have been needed to get the house ready for sale. You graciously offered to arrange for all those things. I know you spent many hours and visits to the house to make sure everything was done properly. These things simply wouldn't have happened without your personal attention. Your attention to detail is noteworthy, as is your willingness to keep us informed. What else can I say at this point except a big "Thank You"!

Craig Johnston
Annandale, NJ

Jolenta is good at what she does. She was engaged to sell our house and she gave good recommendations and ideas on how to show the house well. She kept track of all the little details needed to make the sale smooth. Jolenta is very personable and is punctual. Will recommend her for sure.

Khiang Seow
Fitchburg, WI

I worked with Jolenta for the first time only a year ago, and I was very impressed with the way she went about her business. She uses her business background and education quite well in being an advocate for her clients. I have since referred several clients her way, and look forward to continuing to work with her for years to come.

Rick McKinley, Mortgage Loan Officer
U.W. Credit Union, Madison, WI

Exceptional results indeed -- Jolenta sold my home in one day and bought me another the same day! Getting that result required expert strategy, flawless coordination, business savvy, industry connections, immaculate timing, (possibly) a little luck, and Jolenta delivered it all. As a seller, I was concerned about the "buyer's market", but Jolenta helped me understand the forces at play, and her expert pricing advice netted me a quick top-dollar (over list price) sale. Getting noticed wasn't a problem either; her innovative web and print marketing campaign filled the open house with interested buyers, and her professional staging techniques made my home look fantastic. As a buyer, Jolenta always showed me listings that met or exceeded my needs. And as a person in over his head, she looked after every detail of each transaction -- selling, buying and moving all within 3 1/2 weeks -- and was always available via mobile phone or mobile email for consultation and encouragement. Moreover, Jolenta was kind, thoughtful, warm, generous, creative and courageous if needed, and fun throughout. She was the perfect ally -- the gold standard of Realtors -- and a real joy to work with at every level. I highly recommend her if you are seeking an ethical Realtor who will deliver unsurpassable service and top-notch results.

Craig Hopkins
Madison, WI

Buying a house is never an easy affair, and finding the perfect house is even less so. Lucky for us we found Jolenta. We were in our first house, and after 8 years, numerous improvements, and several job changes, we decided it was time to move. We knew we wanted to sell our house ourselves, but we thought we could find one by ourselves as well. You would think we would know better seeing as we bought our first house without representation and things weren’t exactly on the up and up.

Friends of ours that were in the realty business pressed us to sign up with a buyer’s agent and shortly thereafter we met Jolenta at a house she was showing. We were chatting about the house when she asked us if we had any representation. We answered, that no we did not, so she handed us a card and asked if she could send us links to some houses she thought would interest us. She never mentioned signing a buyers agreement instead she allowed us to make up our own minds as to whether or not we would go with her. Well we did and we’re glad for it. She stuck with us through very specific demands, a budget ceiling we refused to go above, and a failed offer to buy. In the end she found us the house of our dreams, at a price we could afford, with top notch inspectors that she not only recommended but set up, and she chased quotes for us on the few repairs that needed to be done. That’s why I’m writing this and why I recommend her to people I know. Honesty, skill, and hard work should always be rewarded.

Kevin and Cheryl Conard
Madison, WI

For first-time home buyers like us, looking for a house can be a very daunting task. Jolenta patiently answered all of our questions, made smart recommendations, and guided us through the entire process. Even though we were house-hunting from out of town, Jolenta made the task a manageable one. With her help, we found a house that we are very excited about. She was enjoyable to work with and extremely knowledgeable. She was also very accessible, rapidly responding to emails and phone calls. If we someday need to move in Madison again, we will not hesitate to ask for her assistance. We heartily recommend her to anyone who is looking for a house.

Stephen Bruinsma
Madison, WI

As a real estate agent, I know how a good agent when I see one. When my brother and sister-in-law relocated to Madison Wisconsin, I wanted to help them find an agent who would treat them as I would have if they'd moved to West Michigan. Jolenta was that agent.

Peter Bruinsma
Grand Rapids, MI

We were most impressed with Jolenta's ability to understand our specific and unique requirements in a home and subsequently show us a high percentage of quality listings in our price range.

David Waisman
Madison, WI

If you are searching for a broker to find your next home, I would advise you to look no further. In our experience, Jolenta Averill proved to be a first rate professional . We were out of town buyers, which added its own difficulties. She arranged numerous viewings and always listened to what we liked or did not like about each house. We did not make it easy for her! When we found exactly what we were looking for, she knew we had to have it. She put together our offer, and then she made the deal happen. We left a trail of smoking fax machines and cell phones in our wake, since we initiated the process while on vacation. The transaction was complicated by being part of an estate, with no one to give a condition report. Jolenta made sure we knew where we were in the process all the way through. Things took some unexpected turns at times, but we learned we could count on her to get everything done right. We love our home, and are extremely satisfied with the work that Jolenta did for us. I would strongly recommend her to anyone seeking a real estate professional. You will not be disappointed.

Thomas and Pamela Braddock
Monona, WI

We had recently moved into the area from Europe and weren’t initially looking to buy a property in Madison. However, when we saw something that we set our hearts on Jolenta helped us find a mortgage, research comparable properties for reference and negotiate an offer that was acceptable to all parties, all within six weeks. She answered all questions we had, and reminded us of some we hadn’t thought of. Overall, the professionalism, persistence and service we received were exemplary. I would recommend Jolenta to anyone who wished for a quick, stress-free, non-protracted house purchase experience.

Dan Davies, Agent
COUNTRY Insurance & Financial Services
Monona, WI

We chose Jolenta Averill as our Realtor because we had met when we both attended UW Madison and I knew of her advance degrees and international finance career. We felt that her being a Madison native combined with her education and international experience would serve her well as a Realtor and we were not disappointed. Jolenta’s enthusiasm, knowledge of the local market, attention to detail and willingness to be dogged in pursuing our best interests made our home buying experience as smooth and as stress-free as possible. Her ability to advocate for us and advise at critical junctures were qualities we came to rely on and appreciate. Should we move again within Southern Wisconsin we would definitely use her services again and will strongly recommend her to any friends and acquaintances looking for professional real estate services.

I would highly recommend Jolenta Averill to anyone who is buying or selling a home. Faced with the task of selling the unique home I grew up in designed by my father in the Hill Farm’s area from out of state quickly became a daunting task in a very slow market. We had other representation and it became clear that it was not a good match for the property. Jolenta was able to step in and sell the house within six weeks after having it sit on the market for almost a year. Her expertise, Internet savvy, knowledge and dedication to her work place her leagues above her peers. Within the space of the first three days, Jolenta was able to revamp the listing and do more for us than had been done in the prior year of representation. She went the distance, holding multiple open houses, advertising, web marketing, bringing us multiple offers while keeping us informed on every aspect of the transaction. It truly is not the size of the property that makes the difference, it is the size of the heart, and Jolenta truly cares about her customers. You are an expert in your field and have become a true friend. Thank you for transforming a difficult situation into a successful sale.

For first-time home buyers like us, looking for a house can be a very daunting task. Jolenta patiently answered all of our questions, made smart recommendations, and guided us through the entire process. Even though we were house-hunting from out of town, Jolenta made the task a manageable one. With her help, we found a house that we are very excited about. She was enjoyable to work with and extremely knowledgeable. She was also very accessible, rapidly responding to emails and phone calls. If we someday need to move in Madison again, we will not hesitate to ask for her assistance. We heartily recommend her to anyone who is looking for a house.

I would like to recommend Jolenta Averill of Restaino Bunbury to anyone who is looking to buy or sell a home. Faced with selling my home and finding a new one, Jolenta turned what could have been a daunting, frustrating experience into a smooth, professional, and uncomplicated one. I found her advice in pricing, marketing, and other matters regarding selling my home to be right on target, culminating in a quick sale. Her attention to detail, like taking the pictures herself to show my home in the best light, impressed me. Use of her website to advertise my home with these pictures and descriptions brought in many showings from people (many from out of state) who could not only afford my home, but could appreciate it for many of its unique and eccentric qualities. Whether it be returning my calls, or following up on showings, she kept me informed throughout the entire process in a way that was always prompt, pleasant and courteous. She stayed on top of the transaction with my buyer, making sure that deadlines, inspections and commitments were kept, anticipated any problems, and was proactive in fixing them before they became major difficulties. I never had a feeling that I was just another client or an interruption. My goals were her goals. In finding a new home for me, she listened carefully to my wants, needs and abilities, and arranged showings in an efficient, timely manner. She took the time not only to answer my questions, but to make sure I understood the answers. Her advice helped me in my decision making process. Also most helpful was her network of ancillary services (lenders, inspectors, repair people, etc.). To summarize, I would not hesitate to use Jolenta should I have any need of a real estate agent in the future, or to recommend her to any of my friends or family.

The sale of my home was made much easier due to the professionalism and care shown to me by Jolenta Averill. Her attention to detail, helpful suggestions and timely responses helped to bring the transaction to a swift conclusion even though various obstacles were encountered from time to time. Jolenta is very good at problem solving. Circumstances were such that I did not choose Jolenta to be my Realtor; however, I feel I was very fortunate to have her represent my interests. I genuinely recommend her services, especially to anyone who does not have the time or energy to deal with details--Jolenta will see to it that the “I”s are dotted and the “T”s crossed.

The effort to sell my house in 2005 coincided with what turned out to be a "slowdown" of the real estate market in our area, especially in the second half of the year. However, the process was made easier by Jolenta Averill's professional experience. When I had to travel out of the country following the acceptance of an offer, her attention to detail and willingness to "go the extra mile" and work hard on my behalf ensured that the deal went through without problems. I was very fortunate to have Jolenta represent my interests and will gladly recommend her services in the future.

Ricardo Gonzalez
Madison, WI

We really appreciated all of your upfront assistance on getting the house upgraded to “appealable” quality. I will recommend you to my clients as the new norm that a Realtor should provide. You had the perfect hit list of upgrades we needed to do and you provided the avenues to get the needed changes done. And then you carried the ball to get the work done. I know this was a big time commitment so you will continue as my number one Realtor. 

In summer of 2005, after over 25 years of living in Madison, we found ourselves headed to the West Coast for a job change. We had only a short time to sell our beloved home. We thought it would be easy because we had a unique property, a great location; close to the university, bike trails, centrally located, and a wonderful neighborhood with terrific neighbors. So, with high hopes, on our own, we put our home on the market at the beginning of June. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. We received one offer at the end of June, but the deal fell through the first week in July due to the potential buyer. Never having sold a home on our own, we had entered into an agreement with no recourse when the buyer reneged on the offer. So, we had wasted a lot of what precious little time we had and we still had not found a buyer for our home. After unsuccessfully trying to sell our house on our own, we contacted Jolenta Averill who was recommended by a friend just a few days before we had to leave for the West Coast. Jolenta came in with some original and fresh ideas as to how to market our home. She helped us prepare our house for sale.  She also clued us in to the downfalls of trying to “sell it yourself”. Jolenta went above and beyond expectations, and much further beyond our experiences with realtors in the past. She arranged for prepping and minor repairs after we had moved out West, in order to get our home in “move-in” shape.  Her decorating suggestions and impeccable taste definitely helped us sell our home in an incredibly tough buyers market. The market had slowed to a crawl, yet we still had interested buyers coming to view our home and we still had interest in our home due to Jolenta’s efforts.

In a reasonable time frame we found a buyer for our home, who loves it as much as we did. We received a fair price for our home and we feel that Jolenta Averill is the major reason for our successful sale. We highly recommend Jolenta Averill unequivocally.

We recently purchased a second home to be used as a rental property for our daughter and her family to live in.  Our real estate agent, Jolenta Averill, with Restaino Bunbury & Associates, was extremely helpful in not only locating a suitable property, but in advising and handling all the details along the way.  Interestingly, we were on a vacation out of state when the home became available.  Jolenta realized it was a property that fit our requirements, so she contacted our daughter who then tracked us down.  Much of the initial information and necessary forms were acquired and returned via telephone and fax messages, and we were able to make an offer and get it accepted while still out in Utah.  When we  returned to Madison,  Jolenta was very efficient at scheduling a home inspection, arranging for several minor repairs to be completed, and making suggestions regarding financing the mortgage. 

This was only the second home purchase that we have been involved with, but it could not have been any more organized or gone any smoother than it did.  Throughout the entire procedure, we felt that we were kept well informed and were being treated not only with courtesy and respect, but also as friends. 

We would highly recommend Jolenta Averill to anyone in need of a professional Realtor.

This is to express our appreciation for the intelligence, professionalism, and personal warmth of Jolenta Averill who brought us a qualified buyer and worked intensely to make each side see the benefit of compromise. After the sale, Jolenta told us she’d just begun her career as a Realtor. We were truly surprised because she performed the job as if she’d been doing it for 20 years! Congratulations on hiring an individual who will generate many compliments and much appreciation for your company.

We all want to thank you for all you have done for us. We are very happy with the new condo! It is SO comfortable and quiet and roomy. You were a big help in showing our son around. He felt secure with your opinions and never pressured. We knew that you were taking care of details there that we could not. I can't believe it was your first closing! You are going to be good at this. We enjoyed meeting you on a personal level, too. I wish we lived in the same town--I think we would be friends.

As a first-time homebuyer, I was apprehensive about the home-buying process! But Jolenta did wonders to assuage my fears. She researched possible listings, showed me homes that caught my eye, even sat down with me to work out a monthly financial plan to ensure how I could make the most of my money. Best of all, she found me a beautiful home and worked hard to get me the best possible deal. Jolenta is a joy to work with - I would recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell a property.

There are few people in any field who are skilled at the details and build genuine relationships. You seem to be one of few. I think what makes the difference is focusing on the person and striving to accomplish their objective over just trying to make a buck. Your clients see that in you. You obviously follow the concept of: You'll get everything you want in life when you first help enough other people get what they want.

Thank you for your assistance with the inspection for Jason & Stephanie Salas. As always, it was a pleasure to work with you. Your expediency with attending to inspection issues is just amazing. There is no wonder to why the Salas are so pleased with you. Once again, thank you very much for your assistance. Congratulations on such a quick sale and closing!

Kimberly St. Louis

A-Pro Home Inspection

Madison, WI

Thanks for making the home buying process smooth and easy on us.  We really appreciate it and were glad to have you on our side.

Tom & Melissa Williams

Madison, WI