I found the best in CT! If you're looking to buy or sell a home in CT and need a realtor, then you should look no further than Greg Hanner of Garden Realty. I found Greg to be extremely well organized, very knowledgeable about housing trends and the local area, and exceptionally tech savvy. For point of reference- this is my 7th home purchase. I am from California and was being transferred to CT. I have never lived on the east coast and did not know much about the homes in the area. I had to rely on Greg 100% to educate me and steer me in the right direction. I flew to CT for a 3 day trip with the goal of hunting down that house that I would live in for the next 3 years. I sent Greg a list of 16-20 homes that I was interested in. He met with me on Zoom the weekend prior to my arrival and he went over each home. By the time we were done, we had narrowed it down to 8. When I arrive on Tuesday afternoon, we immediately go to work. He had scheduled a viewing at each property 30 minutes apart. We saw every house and a couple of extras- on schedule! By the end, I had a house in mind. The next day I told Greg to make the offer and again relied on his advice. The following day the offer was accepted. Mission accomplished! Of course the accepted offer is not the end. Remember, I'm living in California- so I need Greg to handle the entire sale from offer to closing. I was so impressed with Greg, that I have already told him that I will use him to sell that same property when it comes time for me to leave. No need to shop around for another realtor. I found the best in CT, so I'm staying with the best. Go with Greg, and you'll be glad you did! read more

The Best Realtor in CT!!! From the moment we first reached out to Greg Hanner, the realtor for 20 Riverhead Lane, we knew we were in great hands. His responsiveness and willingness to go the extra mile set him apart from other realtors we've worked with. Greg took the time to answer all of our questions in detail, making sure we were comfortable and well-informed every step of the way. When we were notified that our offer had been accepted, he guided us through the entire process with patience and expertise, ensuring everything went smoothly from start to finish. What really made Greg stand out, however, was his background in the building industry. Unlike many realtors who may only have a general knowledge of homes, Greg's hands-on experience gave him an in-depth understanding of every aspect of the property. Whether it was answering questions about the home's structure or recommending trusted contractors for repairs and upgrades, Greg was always able to provide clear, knowledgeable answers in real time. He knew exactly who to call to bring in top-notch professionals for any job, saving us time and stress. Even after we closed on the house, Greg continued to offer support and has since become a true friend. His commitment to his clients goes beyond just making a sale; it's about building lasting relationships and providing ongoing value. We couldn't be more grateful to have had the chance to work with Greg--not just as our realtor, but as someone we now consider a friend. We only wish more realtors had the same level of dedication, integrity, and expertise that Greg brings to every transaction. read more

July 22, 2021 This is perhaps the most challenging review I have ever written. I feel a bit like Bob Seger in Against the Wind with the line "what to leave in and what to leave out." But in this case it is truly all good. Here goes: Our experience working with Greg was in his capacity as a buyer's agent. Greg stood with and behind us every step of the way for one month short of two long years of looking at countless resale houses and three builders. And, yes we did find our gem in the end! Not once did Greg ever get frustrated with our exacting standards and expectations. Greg is exceptionally organized and productive. His enthusiasm is contagious, attention to detail extraordinary, and energy legendary. My wife and I have stood in awe of the incredible consistency and effectiveness that Greg brings daily to his job. I never once experienced Greg in a bad mood or off his game. Greg is without equal in his understanding and utilization of the most effective and latest real estate software and tools. And, this is the just the beginning! Greg brings a rare expertise gained in his capacity with BROM builders as a project manager; with this expertise he brings unique knowledge and a skill set that allow him to quickly evaluate the build quality of any potential home. This wisdom provides unusual confidence for his clients and truly sets him apart from his peers! Finally, in the ultimate test of a business relationship, I am proud to now call Greg a treasured friend. Sincerely, Tom Cannon read more

My wife and I had the privilege of working with Greg Hanner for almost a year as we searched for our forever house to raise our family. If you are looking for a dedicated, knowledgeable, thorough, patient, and accommodating agent, look no further. Greg is the consummate professional. His wealth of knowledge and his disposition make him the ideal agent for people from first timers to seasoned home buyers. Greg showed us at least a dozen houses over the course of 10 months and my wife and I learned something new with every encounter. He entertained every one of our questions with enthusiasm and wanted us to be as informed as possible. During our preliminary meeting we described in detail what we were looking for, and we found it. In an otherwise anxiety inducing process, Greg's stress free approach allowed for transparency and informed decision making. He advised us constantly on what updates or upgrades would need to take place, on what structures were unsound, and on what unseen maintenance issues would arise on each property we toured. He guided us through the finances and was open and honest about what he thought were reasonable and unreasonable list prices. The entire process can be frustrating, and we were outbid on 5 houses but Greg's unbridled optimism enabled us to ultimately find our new home. Do yourself a favor and contact Greg Hanner and find out for yourself. read more

This is the third time I have had the pleasure of working with Greg, and once again, he has exceeded my expectations. From the very first time we connected, he took the time to understand my needs and preferences, patiently listening to my thoughts and concerns. We spent a couple of months discussing potential homes, and Greg personalized my search to match what I was truly looking for. In a market where properties can fly off the shelves in a matter of days or even hours, an agent's ability to stay calm, focused, and thoughtful is critical. It's not just about finding a house--it's about finding the right one for you. Greg understands that difference and is never in a rush to push a sale. He takes the time to explain the details, from assessing property conditions to understanding the long-term value of a home. His expertise in construction allows him to highlight things that most agents might overlook, giving me peace of mind that I'm making a well-informed decision. In a world full of agents eager to close deals, Greg stands out as someone who genuinely wants to ensure that the homes he helps clients buy will be the right fit for years to come. I couldn't be happier with the experience. If you're looking for an agent who combines deep real estate knowledge, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to his clients - Greg is the one. Highly recommended! read more

Greg is the best of the best of the best realtors I have been experienced with my first-home purchase...! He is always an energetic, passionate, gentle, considerate and patient person as a human. He is also a very professional, knowledgeable, wonderful communicator and negotiator. I just was so amazed how he can resolve any issues between seller and us with the great wisdom to satisfy everyone! He also has a very good relationship with other realtors in the region. So, when we negotiate with the seller, he showed the best job to us! Since he has a lot of experiences to build the several hundreds houses, it was most helpful for the first-time home buyer like us to know the structure, function and check-list of the house to buy it. We could learn a lot about house in the engineering, structural and practical aspects with him... Thanks to his wonderful performance and advice, we could buy the house within 1 month in this difficult home-buying season. About his time management, although he is so busy, he donates his precious time whenever we call him. My husband and I were so surprised how he can make a time for us!! ^_^ We just love him!! I already recommended him to my friends a lot. I definitely recommend him to anyone who read this review! Just stick to him and then you will get more than what you want... ^_^ read more

Greg Hanner was the best realtor I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He was extremely professional and kind and always made me feel like I was taken care of during the home buying process. This was my first time buying a home and he thoroughly explained everything in a way that made sense. I feel like I understood every stage of this process with his guidance and he always had my best interest at heart. The most important qualities Greg showed were honesty and integrity and I never felt like he was taking advantage of me. He was open and honest about things that were less than favorable about certain homes and he explained things that I would have overlooked had he not specifically highlighted them to me especially in regards to using a VA loan. I felt like he always told the truth and was not interested in just getting me into just any house. He helped me purchase my first home and I could not be more thankful for him and his invaluable advice. I would highly recommend him to anyone buying anything but specifically someone that is new to this process that may be skeptical about everything. He gave me piece of mind and helped me find the perfect home for my family and I am so grateful. read more

With Greg's professional background as a building developer he was able to quickly point out areas of concern with many homes we looked at. We as buyers became more knowledgeable about framing, windows, siding etc. by the time we found our new home. Everyone seems to know Greg and with that comes a level of recognition red carpet treatment from other agents around the coast of Connecticut. We were often able to tour homes before anyone else. The home we eventually fell in love with hadn't even gone on the public market yet and if it did my wife and I feel as if we wouldn't have had a fighting chance with all the competitiveness at this time. Greg was always available by phone or email, day or night. He is hard working and doesn't seem to stop. We loved that about him. Anyone who gives Greg a chance will notice that he doesn't sugar coat anything and would rather tell you how it is and not just what you want to hear. There are plenty of disappointing realtors out there but Greg surely isn't one of them. Even after the closing he stopped by to ask how we were and if we needed anything. He's truest an over achiever!! Thanks Greg read more

As first-time home buyers, we can't overstate how grateful we are that Greg Hanner from Garden Realty was our realtor! From our very first phone call, it was clear that he was tech-savvy, organized, and abundantly patient with all of our questions. His past experience as a builder helped to educate us during each of our showings, and he gave us the information we needed to help us decide which houses might be more work than we wanted to take on. He encouraged us to wait for the house that would be the best fit for our family, and we never once felt rushed. Throughout the entire process, he was quick to respond and went above and beyond to help us, even during the home inspection. Thanks to Greg, our offer on a wonderful house was accepted - even in such a challenging housing market for buyers - and we couldn't be happier with our first home. If you are looking for someone to represent you who has your best interest in mind, cares about their clients, and has a phenomenal reputation and network, then we can't recommend Greg enough! We'll definitely be referring him to our friends and family members. read more

I got connected with Greg just by luck when I requested information on a property through realtor.com. From our first conversation, which was long, helpful, and thorough, I felt confident that I could not be working with a better realtor in the SE Connecticut region. Greg knows the area and market so well, as well as the nuts and bolts of houses - with experience building them himself - and that proved incredibly helpful in his assessment of properties I was interested in. He also has great relationships with all the professionals you need throughout the process (lenders, inspectors, lawyers) which made the process much easier. I thought I'd be looking for a long time given current market dynamics, but within about a month of being set up on an MLS search, Greg flagged a special property to me. I visited the open house and it felt like my dream home. Through his savvy offer and negotiation skills in a competitive offer situation, I was able to land the house, and couldn't be happier. I highly recommend working with Greg if you're looking for a home in SE CT! read more

We take online reviews very seriously and hired Greg because of his awesome online reputation. I'm so glad we did!!! Greg operates Garden Realty with the utmost integrity and professionalism. He is very accessible and responsive and is totally technically savvy which we liked. From the initial Zoom meeting, we knew he would be easy to work with throughout. When touring homes with us, Greg brought his years of home construction experience as well as his real estate knowledge to thoroughly investigate every corner. I think this really differentiates him from other agents that might be great at most aspects of real estate, but not have the construction background that Greg offers his clients. He provided both positive AND negative opinion as to what we saw in each property. We found that to be very reassuring, and he never made us feel pressured. He got to know our likes and dislikes, and was flexible at all times. He explains everything clearly and thoroughly. You can trust Greg to be your buyer's agent, and you won't be sorry! read more

We've worked with a number of real estate agents over the years, and Greg Hanner is by far the best. He is responsive, upbeat, honest and thorough. Most agents are either good at the big picture or attentive to details. Greg is superb at both. But aside from all of this, the most valuable aspect of working with Greg is his thorough knowledge of house construction. As a buyer's agent, he approaches every property as a detective, eager to figure out why something is the way it is, whether or not it works correctly, and how it can be improved. We have never had an agent whose knowledge is more impressive than Greg's. Even a month after our closing, Greg came to our new home to figure out why the heat wasn't working. And he did figure it out, even telling us what to tell a technician (and what part to bring to the service call) to save time. We feel fortunate to have found Greg at the beginning of our search, and highly recommend him as a buyer's agent. We'll have no hesitation at listing our house with him either, when that time comes. read more

We have been incredibly lucky to have Greg help us with the sale of our house. He is undoubtedly the best of the best among realtors, and a very easy choice to make: we decided to work with him as soon as we met him. His approach is very different from other realtors we had seen previously: instead of pointing out just the strong selling points of our house, he showed a great technical expertise and recommended some things to improve, in order to increase our chances of a strong, sound and smooth sale. He went above and beyond the call of duty and made sure our house was priced right, did a fantastic job with pictures and 3D videos, as well as communication, marketing and the like. He thought about EVERYTHING while we moved across the country, taking the burden off our shoulders. We were able to accept an offer and sell the house on the first day it went live! It was such a relief to have someone like Greg handle the sale of our house, and we would recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell. read more

Greg Hanner worked with Allie and I for over a year while we took our time buying our first home. Greg was recommended to us as a Dave Ramsey Endorsed Local Provider bc he closes a high number of deals compared to other real estate agents and he has the heart of a teacher, always listening to our concerns and telling us the "why" behind his recommendation. Watching Greg represent us and work with the seller's agents was quite impressive. His experience and polish became obvious soon after we met him. Always knowing what to say to keep the deal moving, even when it seemed there were no other options. Greg was quite often closing on other houses while we were working together which told us he was a high-octane real estate agent. No matter how busy Greg was, he always treated us like we were his most important clients and he kept the deal moving - even if it was 10 O'clock at night! If you are a buyer or seller contact Greg Hanner now to get started buying or selling your home! read more

I would highly recommend Greg Hanner, Garden Realty. He was very professional in all aspects of the sale from my first contact to the closing. I was especially impressed with the Sale Package he prepared, from the professional photographer to the video tour, aerial photography, and promotion of the property. The length at which he prepared for perspective buyers to fully appreciate and showcase the property, resulted in the property being on the market for less than a month. Greg answered all my questions and was knowledgeable about selling a property connected to probate proceedings. The ease of all paperwork available to be signed electronically, was extremely helpful. I would highly recommend any buyer/seller contact Greg and benefit from his years of knowledge in Real Estate, understanding current market trends and familiarity of the Connecticut Communities. read more

Look for my previous review explaining what a great experience we had with Greg finding our forever home. But that was only half of the process. When it came time to sell our first home we loved for 32 years, Greg was a wealth of information and insight of what we owned and how to maximize our sale price. After 32 years all homes need a little TLC, and mine was no exception. Through his expertise in the building industry he was able to recommend local professionals to provide quotes and great service where needed. And no, it didn't cost an arm and a leg. In the end, we were offered more than we were asking for. And just like the closing of our new home, the selling and closing of our old home was seamless. If I ever have to recommend a realtor to anyone, it'll be Greg Hanner. read more

I've used Greg twice within the last year and had exceptional service both times! As a retired military veteran with more than 15 household moves, I can vouch that Greg is The Best realtor I've ever had the pleasure of working with, across 9 different states. He's a former general contractor (GC) who forms a lifelong connection with those whom he works with. His GC capabilities came in handy a number of times as I had not previously lived in a home with its own well and some of the other HVAC generation systems. He not only helped explain some of the systems, but also performed minor maintenance when I was physically unable to do so. He's a rare amalgamation of compassion, caring and technical competence that will cause me to recommend his services to anyone, anytime. read more

I'm one of the little guys, probably on the low end of the buying spectrum when it comes to buying a first home, and we were moving from Long Island to CT. Greg never made us feel that way, he put up with all of our inexperience and confusion (it also happened to be a difficult time, personally). If we had questions, if there was something bothering us about the experience, if our ignorance kept us from looking at things in a property we may have missed, Greg supported us. We had him crisscrossing counties, taking him outside his area, looking at windows and heaters, and all the while Greg was wearing a smile and educating us. The experience will never be perfect, but know you have someone on your side striving to make improvements at every turn. read more

My wife and I have used Garden Realty for several purchases over the years and have always been incredibly impressed with this company. Broker Greg Hanner is by far the most knowledgable agent we have ever worked with, and he goes the extra mile to always exceed expectations. He sold our East Lyme home in 8 hours at full asking price! Next, he helped my sister find an outstanding Niantic oceanview townhouse that was only on the market for 1 hour. Simply put, Greg does his homework and knows the business better than anyone. Additionally, for over 30 years Greg has been a project manager with BROM Builders, the finest home-builders in the region. An EL native, he really knows the local area and the real estate industry better than anyone! read more