Augello & Matteliano, LLP

In my opinion this was the most unprofessional experience I had in the process of closing on my house. Tom Agnello was supposed to hold back $2500 in a non interest account at closing so that once the in ground pool was opened in the spring it could be determined if the buyer would receive the money if there were issues with the pool. Tom did not hesitate to question the problems that seemed to arise when the buyers finally opened the pool and so we reluctantly gave up half the money being held. I waited the entire summer for the other half of the money to be mailed to me. Once fall came I continued to question when the check for the remaining money would be sent to me. When I asked Tom personally he told me the check was in the mail. To my surprise 10 days later I received an email from him stating that he actually forgot to put the escrow money in an account and that not only was I not getting a check but that I needed to send him the money he needed to give to the buyers now! THIS IS NOW ONE YEAR LATER AFTER I CLOSED!! AND SIX MONTHS AFTER THE POOL WAS OPENED.! This firm claims to be a small firm that provides the quality and expected results of big firms. They claim to specialize in real estate transactions and say they are ready to continue serving the legal needs of the Buffalo-Niagara Area for another 20 years. Maybe they need to define SPECIALIZING! I thought closing on a house meant CLOSED! It would have been more professional for the firm to eat the cost in my opinion! I wonder if the roles were reversed and I made a "mistake" would it simply get passed off as "mistakes happen?" Im pretty sure I'm paying a lawyer (a house closing lawyer) to do exactly that! No use trying to go up against lawyers so all I can do is put out my personal opinion on this firm.... Terrible and Greedy....

Seemingly very disrespectful of their clients as I was told my file was misplaced when I asked for all the signed documents to forward to my new mortgage company. The documents that were sent were not signed and then I was told that I was “wasting their time” in asking for them. I also had to ask for my $250 from escrow a few times after paying my final water bill. Simply not impressed.

I have done my business with Tom Augello and will gladly again. Thanks to his experienced skill set I do believe I was in the best of care in my real estate transaction as well as other related paperwork filled through his office. Highly recommend!