PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

WHAT'S NEXT? 

Our innovative marketing strategies are unparalleled. Marketing your home is much more than just placing it on the MLS and putting a sign in your yard. There is a lot that goes into the process of getting the word out about your house and a team of trusted experts that help us. We have three phases of the marketing process: Marketing Preparation, Marketing Execution, and Marketing Conclusion. Every listing and every market is different, so every marketing plan is different, but this article gives an overview of the art of the possible.

Marketing Preparation:

First, we meet with you and see the property to look at its features, details and learn about its history. We review the market and identify improvements, alterations and cleaning that needs to be done. We prepare a Comparative Market Analysis and advise on the price point that will garner the most exposure and generate the highest offers. This analysis is based on recent sales of comparable properties in the neighborhood.

We then write the description of your property, verify the square footage and other facts, and prepare your home for photography. Photo preparation may be full staging or helping to create a neat and clean home by removing personal items and moving a few things around. Our cleaning crew and stagers always get gold stars from our clients.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Our photographers are very experienced and will create beautiful photos of your property. Depending on the property and the market, we also purchase virtual tours, single-property websites, floor plans, or drone shots and footage.

Marketing Execution:

Once we have all of that done, we submit your property to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), exposing the listing to other Realtors with interested buyers. We then create a page on our website for your property and feature it on our home page as well as our listings page and its own page. In addition to our website, your house appears on real estate websites including Realtor.com, Zillow.com and Trulia.com. This is super-important because 99% of buyers start their home search online.

Our team advertises your property on social media, so you will see it on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other platforms. They also create our exclusive client newsletter and include your home with links back to the website. We then create and deliver printed marketing materials, including flyers, door hangers and newsletters featuring your home. We also work with the press to feature properties in the news. If we're holding an open house for your property, all of these advertising efforts get kicked up a few notches, plus we create and print property booklets and place open house signs around the neighborhood.

The process isn't static, though. We follow up with all agents and buyers who have visited your property for valuable feedback and keep you informed with updates and activity reports. We discuss any price adjustments necessary with you to keep your property competitive, and make those changes on our digital products, advertising, and websites.

All of this effort sets you up to present your home in the best light and gets your property noticed by buyers and their agents. Once we get prospective buyers, we ensure that they have lender approval and proof of funds for closing costs and down payment. We represent and advise you on the presentation of all contracts by cooperating agents and negotiate the best possible price and terms for you.

Once you jump into escrow, our team makes changes in the MLS and across all websites, social media, on newsletters, and other digital platforms to reflect this status. We handle follow-up and keep you informed, after the contract has been accepted, on all lender, title, and other closing procedures, until close of escrow.

Marketing Conclusion:

Finally, we declare success and deliver your closing package, including any net proceeds to you. The active marketing of your home is done, but we are not. Once your home is sold, we again make changes on all digital platforms to show that the property is off the market.

PRICING VS TIMING

intelligent pricing

Timing is extremely important in the real estate market. The above graph illustrates the importance of placing your property on the market at a realistic price and terms from the very beginning.  A property attracts the most excitement and interest from the real estate community and potential buyers when it is first listed; therefore it has the highest chances of a sale when it is new on the market.

Pricing your property competitively will generate the most activity from agents and buyers. Pricing your property too high may make it necessary to drop the price below market value to compete with new, well priced listings.

How do I determine the value of my home?

You are not the one who decides the value of your home-- the market does. Location, condition, competition, and lending/mortgage rates are all factors that determine the value of your home.

Can I still sell my home even if I have only lived there for a short period of time?

You can sell whenever you wish, but you will more than likely lose money if you buy a home and sell too quickly! The payments you make in the early part of your loan mainly go to the interest portion of your loan, not the principal. If you sell early in the process, unless you have made extra principal payments, got the home at an extremely low price, or made a large down payment, you will most likely have to bring money to the closing table in order to sell.

What should I consider when selling a home?
The most important factors are condition, price and exposure. We look for areas where we can cosmetically tweak the look of the home and add perceived value. A great example would be painting the front door to prepare for sale; you can then seek to settle on a preferred listing price. Listings rarely sell at exactly the listing price. Therefore, we view listing price really as just a marketing tool that we can manipulate to our client’s advantage. Finally, to ensure exposure the home needs to be seen: be it open houses, broker open houses or attention from marketing -- great advertising across all mediums only adds to a home's bottom line.

Should I make the repairs?
Since buyers often include a contingency “inspection clause” in the purchase contract which allows them to back out if numerous defects are found, completing minor repairs before putting the house on the market may lead to a better sales price. Once the problems are noted, buyers can attempt to negotiate repairs or lower the price with the seller. Any known problems that are not repaired must be revealed as a material defect. Part of what we offer is to help the sellers to come up with a strategy to avoid potential issues.

ESCROW PROCESS

WE ARE DEDICATED TO FINDING YOUR DREAM HOME AND SEEING YOUR BEST INTERESTS ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

We have an unrivaled expertise in the area, and with our extensive brokerage experience, you’re in good heads every step of the way from the beginning searches to closing.

THE SEARCH FOR YOUR DREAM HOME SHOULDN’T BE LIMITED, THAT’S WHY WE CREATE ALL OF THE POSSIBILITIES FOR YOU.

Because of our strong ties with other brokers and agents in the area, we are the first to know about off-market properties, giving you exclusive access to homes other buyers don’t know about. 

Do you have access to foreclosure lists?
Absolutely, and these days, the best foreclosure deals are here and gone in the first week. The public internet usually only gives access to foreclosures that are overpriced and have been sitting on the market for months. In order to find the best foreclosure deals, you need a team scouring the market for the best deals as soon as they hit the market.

Do I need a Real Estate Agent?
Real estate agents can help you narrow your housing options. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recommends the use of a real estate agent. Make sure the agent works for you so the agent will be working for your interests. Your agent can take your criteria for a home, including cost, neighborhood, schools, home size and amenities, and match it with the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which lists all of the homes for sale in a particular area. If you’re purchasing government housing, such as a HUD home, you must have an agent. Remember, finding the property is the least of what an agent does, especially with the internet. Having a good negotiator on your side can still make or break a deal, and is the most important part of getting a “good deal”. This is why it is still so crucial to choose your agent early in the process. You should choose an agent that you believe can negotiate well on any property of interest.  

What are lender fees and what should I expect?
Lender fees can range from .5% to 1.5% percent of the purchase price, depending on the rate and program that the buyer is choosing. The buyer usually has options available that can secure him a lower lender fee in exchange for a higher interest rate, and vice-versa.

What is a down payment, and do I need to send this money in right when my offer is accepted?
You are responsible for two upfront costs when you buy a home. First, there is earnest money, which is a small deposit that lets the seller know you’re serious about buying the home. Earnest money can be usually anywhere up to the 3% of the purchase price (eventually going towards your down payment). The second is the down payment, which is a percentage of the cost of the home, that doesn’t need to be sent to escrow until 2 days after closing. Lenders have different requirements for down payments. Traditional lenders usually seek a down payment of at least 10%. Lenders backed by the government can seek less, if you qualify. FHA has a program where you are only required to make a 3% down payment.

What Happens at Closing?
Closing is when you sign all of the loan and ownership paperwork and take over the home. At closing you will be responsible for taking care of some costs, including lender's title policy and points to lower the interest rate on your mortgage, along with fees for loan origination, loan applications, appraisals, housing surveys and even your first month of homeowner’s insurance. These costs can be around 1 - 1.25%, and are largely costs related to obtaining your loan. In addition, please remember that during the inspection period, you will also need to additionally budget to pay for the inspectors you hire. A general inspection costs around $400 and a budget of $1500 for inspection costs is general a good rule of thumb.

Above and beyond our expertise in buying and selling,
we also provide services for relocation.

We are always staying educated on the array of options, and we are here to provide all the help you need. From giving simple tours to a more hands on facilitation, you and your loved ones will be taken care of.

Along with our personal services, we’ve cultivated a team of caring and knowledgeable experts who will help with all of the intricacies of the process. Our Residential Solution Agent for Seniors will lead the way to all of the wonderful options that are available.

We are full service and family-oriented. Wherever you want to go, we have the knowledge and passion to take you there.