Among other interests, we are a "local" Real Estate Company with an old fashioned commitment to quality service. We represent both Buyers and Sellers in Real Estate transactions. If you need the job done right, your search is over! Let us assist you in the largest acquisition of a lifetime. Our proven abilities will assure you of a smooth transaction.
Please learn how we differ from the other real estate companies, and how we can provide you with service that really has value.
“Putting Your Best Foote Forward ”
It's
not only our business philosophy, but also a life long commitment to providing
you with exemplary personalized service beyond your expectations.
It is also our philosophy to listen, hear and truly understand your
needs, a quality of business conduct that seems to have been forgotten in
today’s highly automated society.
We view it as our opportunity to not only understand
your needs but respond to them promptly, professionally and with integrity.
It is our pledge to provide you with sound Real Estate advice, helping
you to understand the strategies of decision making and the future implications
of the decisions you make.
We hold ourselves accountable to provide all of our
clients with a relationship they have grown to trust.
Our goal is to provide value and service after the transactions so that
the changing needs of each of our clients are addressed on a continuous basis.
We know you have goals and expectations of us, and
you can count on us to tell you if we can’t fulfill them for you.
If we decide to work together, it’s a team effort… therefore our
business also has certain goals and expectations of you,
and we need to be able to count on you to tell us if you can’t fulfill them.
Unlike most Real Estate practitioners, our business
is built on long-term relationships and referrals. We're looking for a
relationship not just a “transaction”.
We will not take you for
granted… and we will provide you with the service you deserve.
Your home is perhaps the most important financial and emotional
investment that you will make in your life.
Make a careful decision when choosing an agent to represent you and your
investment. The real estate
industry has an abundance of salespeople who are selfishly focused on making a
quick sale and getting onto the next one, rather than providing attentive and
caring service that consciously seeks to build a long term client relationship.
We are 100% committed to service your every need, because unlike other
real estate salespeople, our business is built from referrals.
Our business grows only if we
provide superior service and results, and you are so delighted that you
cheerfully tell you family and friends about how we’ve served you.
We want you to know that we are
committed both professionally and personally to helping you save the most money
possible when you sell or buy your home, and having you pleased and delighted
with our service as well!
If you are genuinely pleased with the extra service and caring we provide, we rely on you to tell your family, friends and associates about us, so we can be of service to them too!
“Buying and Selling” a home is possibly the
largest financial and emotional decision that the average person makes in his or
her lifetime. Transactions of this
magnitude require the highest degree of attention to detail, effort, and energy,
and should not be entrusted to anyone other than a knowledgeable, full time, top
producing real estate professional. Matthew Foote understands this, and constantly strives to provide
conscientious real estate services, which are unsurpassed by others in the
industry.
Experience
· Licensed Broker/Owner - Great Lakes Realtors, Inc. - Fair Haven, MI 48023
·
Licensed
Realtor and Broker - Re/Max Advisors,
Inc. - Chesterfield MI 48047
·
Licensed
Realtor - Realty Executives - Shelby Twp.
·
Licensed
Realtor - Isles Realty - Clay Twp.
·
12
years of Marketing Experience prior to
Real Estate.
Education
·
4
Year Degree - Wayne State University.
·
Realtor
License - Michigan
·
Broker
License - Michigan
·
GRI
Designation - GRI I,II,III -
Nationally awarded designation by the Graduate Realtors Institute.
·
ABR
Designation - Nationally awarded
designation by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council.
Achievements
/ Awards
·
Producing
an unheard 4 year average of 44% Dual Agency! Matthew brings the buyer to the purchase, reducing
commission to the seller by an average of over $5,000 per
seller for those listings.
·
Consistent
winner of Regional and Local sales achievement awards.
·
“Top
Office Realtor” - Numerous monthly awards received.
·
2nd
Highest Producing Realtor in Re/Max
Office 1997
·
1997
& 1998 & 1999 Re/Max Executive Club
Plateau – A regional Award based on level of sales.
Achieving
this level requires knowledge, hard work, commitment and integrity.
Memberships
·
N.A.R.
- National Association of Realtors
·
M.A.R.
- Michigan Association of Realtors
·
M.C.A.R.
- Macomb County Association of Realtors
·
S.O.C.B.O.R.
- South Oakland County Board of Realtors
·
Real
Matrix - Michigan MULTIPLE LISTING
SERVICE
·
RMLS
– Wide coverage Multiple Listing Service in Michigan
·
Macomb
County Chamber of Commerce
·
R.E.B.A.C.
- Real Estate Buyers Agent Council, Inc. Designation “ABR”.
· Completed educational requirements for Michigan Licensed Builder
Interview Questions to Ask All Agents Who Want to Sell Your Property.
1.
Are your sales more than double the
average? Do you sell your listings to your own buyers nearly 50% of the time?
(and reduce commission expense to the seller?)
2.
Are you a licensed Real Estate BROKER
as well as a salesperson?
3.
Do you work as a full-time Realtor, and
provide both buyer and seller agency?
4.
Do you have a full time Licensed
Realtor Assistant who can help me if you're not available?
5.
What areas and in what aspect of the
market do you specialize?
6.
Do you have a GRI Designation by the
National Association of Realtors?
7.
How many millions do you close yearly?
What % of dual agency? How much do you reduce the commission cost to the
seller?
8.
Do you have a market plan specifically
designed to sell my property?
9.
How do you market properties directly
to buyers?
10.
Will you produce an informational flyer
of my home with multiple pictures displaying my home?
11.
Do you have a written business plan?
12.
Have you earned a business based on
referrals - built on competent business practices and exceeding client
expectations?
13.
May I cancel the listing at any time -
if you do not keep your promises?
14.
How will you let me know what you are
doing to market my property?
15.
What other marketing techniques will
you use to get my property sold?
16.
What can I do to help sell my property?
17.
How confident are you that you can sell
my home? Why?
18.
What percentage of your listings sells?
19.
What is the market trend now?
20.
Based upon what you know about my
situation, should I sell?
21.
Do you provide an exterior Brochure Box
located on your yard sign with pictures and feature sheets that advertise my
home 24 hours a day?
22.
Do you have a 24-Hour Toll Free Listing
Information Center that provides potential buyers with a free-recorded message
about my property? Will you fax an informational sheet if requested by the
caller?
23.
Do you utilize the “Talking House”
wireless transmitters to deliver your message 24/7?
24.
Do you create, operate, and maintain
your own Internet web site - advertising your services? Will it offer a
unlimited full color pictures advertising the interior, exterior, landscaping
and the street scene?
25.
(strictly
for the tech agents) Do
you produce a web site which specifically markets my home, but that attracts
visitors from other advertised domains or sites of your own? Will my listing be on at least 5
different MAJOR real estate web sites, and in numerous links from other sites?
26.
Do you advertise in the Homes
Magazine, and weekly in other local papers?
27.
In what other mediums do you promote
your properties and your services?
28.
Do you provide the seller with a
professional Market Analysis to aid in the pricing of the home?
29. Do you provide the seller with a written estimate of closing costs and cash proceeds, at the time of the listing?
30.
Upon accepting an offer, do you provide
updates including inspections, appraisals, loan progress, etc.?
31.
Do you provide a post service
questionnaire for your sellers to perfect your business?
32.
Do you follow up with clients to
guarantee continued satisfaction after the closing?
Article
by Ron
Schmeadick, CRB Co-Owner and Associate Broker, Realty Executives, Eugene,
Oregon.
Can a real
estate agent really help me in selling property? The answer is YES!
When
you're ready to think about selling your property, you need to ask yourself the
following questions: Do you have the time, energy, sources of information, and
contacts to do the job yourself? If you were one of the 'do-it-yourself' people,
would the results be as good or better than they would be if you had
professional assistance? Would it have gone smoother? Would it have given you
more personal time? Would you have purchased for less, or sold for more, if a
real estate agent was involved? Read the following information and learn how a
real estate agent can help you understand everything you need to know about a
real estate transaction.
Selling
Real Estate
Pricing
This process generally begins with a determination of a reasonable asking price.
Your real estate agent can give you up-to-date information on what is happening
in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms, and condition of competing
properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best
price, quickly and with minimum hassle.
Marketing
The next step is a marketing plan. Often, your agent can recommend repairs or
cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of the property.
Marketing includes the exposure of your property to other real estate agents and
the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales
are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in
the buyer. Your agent acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information
about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing
Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc.
The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative
relationships when they benefit their clients.
Advertising
is part of marketing. The choice of media and frequency of advertising depends a
lot on the property and specific market. For example, in some areas, newspaper
advertising generates phone calls to the real estate office but statistically
has minimum effectiveness in selling a specific property. Overexposure of a
property in any media may give a buyer the impression the property is distressed
or the seller is desperate. Your real estate agent will know when, where and how
to advertise your property.
There
is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent
contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends and family, and personal
contacts.
Security
When the property is marketed with the agent help, you do not have to allow
strangers into your home. Agents will generally pre-screen and accompany
qualified prospects through your property.
Negotiating
The negotiation process deals with much the same issues for both buyers and
sellers, as noted above under the buying process. Your agent can help you
objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing
position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of
appraisals, inspections, and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your agent
can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely
to make it through the process.
Monitoring,
Renegotiating and Closing
Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may
arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a
cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming
for most sellers. Your agent is the best person to objectively help you resolve
these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).
How
Do Real Estate Agents Get Paid?
Real estate agents or brokers are generally paid through the sales commission
paid by the seller when a transaction closes. Agents have expenses and financial
obligations just like you, so it will be to your mutual benefit if you choose a
real estate agent and stick with that person. The agent will respect your
loyalty and respond with a sincere commitment to you.
Why
A REALTOR®?
All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are
members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®.
They proudly display the REALTOR "®" logo on the business card or
other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all
parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of
ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process
of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of
home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.
Using a
REALTOR®
You
Be the Judge!
Real Estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most
people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000.
If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it
without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal
with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and
the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate
without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®!
It is my objective to have as many qualified buyers as possible exposed to your property until it is SOLD. I will communicate the results of our activities to you on a regular basis, and I will assist you in obtaining the highest dollar value for your property with the least amount of problems. Finally, I will constantly seek the best possible methods of exposing your property to potential buyers in the market place. In the event my promises are not fulfilled during your 6-month listing agreement, I agree to give you an unconditional release upon your request – My commitment to superior service and exceptional results.
The following
is my PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE for
marketing your property:
1.
Marketing
·
Submit your property to TWO MAJOR Multiple
Listing Services currently servicing over 7,000 realtors.
I will continually monitor our computer base for all buyer prospects
matching the criteria of your property.
·
Build you a web page on our own Internet
Web Site including a color picture tour of your home with unlimited
pictures. This web site with full
description and pictures of your property will be mentioned in all ads.
Your home will be seen on at least 5 more Internet Web Sites, with
numerous links from additional sites.
·
Prepare Informational
Flyers with photographs of the property, the features and benefits.
The cooperating agents will use these flyers to demonstrate the property
to their potential buyers.
·
We have Sign Mounted Brochure
Boxes to display informational Flyers.
The brochure box gives immediate and 24 hour information to all potential
buyers driving by your property.
·
Placement of a Large
Yard Sign with both top and bottom riders, for maximum exposure.
Attached brochure box, and directional “lead in” signs when
appropriate. We can add secondary
informational signs to help draw attention.
·
I advertise weekly in the Macomb Daily
and monthly in the Homes Magazine, – without
exception. I will determine
advertising in other local newspapers depending on the location of your home.
After helping dozens of families annually achieve their real estate
goals, I have determined the best return for the dollar.
·
Other areas of marketing can include Direct
Mail or Tele-market
owners /
renters in the surrounding area to see if they know of potential buyers for your
property, featuring your home in a Newsletter
/Mailings sent to past and present clients, and other mailing areas, and
“Talking
House” Wireless Transmitters to radio broadcast the features of your
home to buyers in the comfort of their cars.
2. Communication
·
Update you regularly with the
number of showings and feedback from the showings.
I will survey all salespeople who have seen your property for suggestions
and changes to make the property more marketable to a buyer.
·
Update you to changes in your
market and their effect on the sale of your property.
Pre-approve, when possible, all potential buyers to save time and energy.
Represent you upon the presentation of all contracts by the cooperating
brokers and assist you in negotiating the very best possible price and terms for
you.
·
Complete an estimate of “CASH
PROCEEDS” upon listing your property and for each offer presented.
·
Handle follow-up and keep you
informed after an offer is accepted, on all inspections, appraisals, loan
progress etc.
· Have your check delivered at the closing!
I
have spent many years working with the bigger franchises, and the cost of doing
business with them prohibited me from advertising as thoroughly as I needed to.
This section covers Realtor income and expenses, and how costs impact the agent's ability to advertise effectively. Commissions are referred to, so it is important to point out that there is no "set" commission. Offices may set a minimum commission for the agents to charge, but beyond that they are negotiable. The rates mentioned below are for the purpose of example.
If an agent works for C-21, Re/Max, or another brokerage, they pay fees to that brokerage in one of two ways.
1. The first scenario is a commission split arrangement ,where the broker charges the agent up to half of each commission, which leaves the agent with 1/4 of the original commission paid by the seller - and that is normally before any other business expenses such as advertising, faxes, copies, auto expenses, secretarial work, signage, web design and hosting, MLS fees, mailings, etc.
2. The second situation allows the agent to keep a full commission ( for ex. 1/2 of original commission paid by the seller). Companies will typically charge an agent a desk fee of $1000/month or more (still before all other business expenses previously mentioned). How much money does that leave the agent to advertise?
I know for a fact that I am able to advertise much more broadly and effectively than most other agents working for brokers.
Most Realtors will advertise in the MLS. Realtors in this area use the same MLS. It's called "Realmatrix" or "Realcomp" etc. We belong to the MLS and utilize it to the fullest extent. Beyond the MLS, it is the responsibility of the individual agent to advertise his or her own listings. The large firms do not advertise your specific listings for you. You might see a big franchise “generic” commercial on TV, but the advertising of your particular home is up the your agent. Then the question is, who can better afford to advertise your home, an agent paying a broker, or a broker/owner?
Advertising is the most costly expense of a realtor, and therefore is the first area to become neglected. I work hard to produce advertising feature sheets and an Internet presence, that I feel is second to none. I see other realtors' feature sheets every day. The majority of agents don't even produce one, much less a good comprehensive one. Most do not utilize feature sheet boxes mounted to yard signs. Most agents do not create and maintain their own web sites, and fewer have control over the overall content or number of pictures. Most agents do not offer a toll free phone number. Most agents do not use oversized yard signs with top and bottom riders, nor do they have a dedicated full time licensed realtor/assistant to help promote your home. These are a few of the means by which I am able to better market your home and attract buyers. Make no mistake, there are agents who do a very good job, but few who cover as many bases in terms of the scope of their marketing.
With regard to how buyers respond to yard signs of big agencies vs. small agencies, vs. for sale by owner signs:
If
the buyer is interested in the home, they will call - regardless of the name on
the sign, period. The opportunity
here is to have the biggest professionally designed signs, with top and bottom
riders, and brochure boxes.
Another issue that isn't discussed enough is the fact that most agents use
listings as a way to attract "buyers" for other homes. In
the business it's referred to as conversion. This is why there is
most always a vital piece of information missing from the advertising of their
homes. If you look at ads in a homes magazine, you'll invariably notice
that either the location of the home or the price is missing. The agent is
hoping to "convert" the person calling on your home into their buyer
for other properties. Buyers are less likely to call on these ads for two
reasons:
1. The Buyer assumes that the price or location won't meet his
or her needs.
2. The Buyer doesn't want to get involved in a "buyer
agency" sales pitch from an agent.
According to “Agency Relationships”, the listing agent has a duty to
represent the seller. How is it in the best interest of the seller if the
buyers hesitate to call? I know this business very well. I know
buyers. The buyers want information. Missing information in
advertising is a waste of the buyer's time. The buyer doesn't want to be
talked into something. They want the price and location. I give them
the price, location and directions. Our web site address is listed in
every newspaper or homes magazine ad. Your web page clearly indicates the
price, location and directions to your home. I am selling YOUR home.
I advertise to sell your home. I offer an 800# so the buyer will be more
likely to call, especially if they don't have access to the internet.
·
Unheard of average of 44% dual Agency.
Matthew's attracts his own buyers through his extra marketing,
advertising, and promotion.
·
Matthew is then
able to reduce the
commission to the sellers, because he is the sole agent involved in the transaction.
·
The sellers saved an
average of nearly $5,000 - each,
in commissions. I can provide a list of many of these sellers, along with
pictures of their homes.
The
reason that I have brought the buyers so often is because I have been able to
attract them through my massive advertising campaign including Mass Mailings,
Internet Sites, Toll Free 800#, Area Newspapers, Area
Homes Magazines, Flyers, Sign Mounted Brochure Boxes, Newsletters, Restaurant Placemats, Personal and Professional Affiliations, etc.
Most
of these homes were priced higher than the perceived market value range, and
sold at the high end of comparable properties in the area.
Fact 1:
It takes more time,
effort, and money, to
promote the property aggressively and to handle both sides of the selling and
buying transactions.
Fact 2:
Many Realtors will not list a home at a price that they believe is
higher than the fair market value. This
is because they cannot count on a fast and easy sale – (a sale where another
Realtor brings the buyer).
Because I sell homes for top dollar, I also have to work closely with the
appraisers to substantiate the selling price of the home, or property – by
providing comparable sales and insight. Since
I work closely with appraisers, I have learned about the special and often
overlooked adjustments that can be made to substantiate the higher selling
price of YOUR home.
I welcome the opportunity to sell your property for top dollar!
THE
REALITY OF REALTY.
1.
Matthew has no control over the market, only the marketing plan. Matthew
can't "make" someone buy your property.
Only proper pricing and a proven marketing plan will attract buyers.
2.
If the other approx. 7000 agents in the Multiple Listing Service, are not
showing your property, they’re probably getting a better buy for their
purchasers somewhere else.
3.
Never select an agent based on the list price.
4.
Be Aware of your market. Market trend is as important as pricing.
5.
Many kinds of numbers are used to represent the approximate value of
your home.
·
City/Township/State
Equalized Value – Basis for tax rate
·
Insurance
Value – Can be Replacement Cost
·
Cost
– The price paid plus capital improvements.
·
Price
– The Amount the seller wants.
·
Value
– The Amount that a buyer is willing to pay.
·
Market
Value – The Amount that a willing buyer and seller will agree upon.
6.
Regression, Progression and Substitution:
·
Regression
- the phenomenon of an expensive house being valued less, because of the lesser
desirable homes / property around it.
· Progression - the phenomenon of a home selling for more than its worth due to more expensive property or more desirable area around it.
·
Substitution
-The value of an amenity is based upon what it will produce not what it will
cost.
7.
Reasons for overpricing:
·
Over
improvement - You cannot normally get all of the money of improvements out of
your home. It is financial suicide to over build in an area. The
value of your home will be dictated at least partially by the value of the homes
in the area.
·
Need
- the need or desire for money does not increase property value.
·
Original
purchase price was too high.
·
Lack
of factual comparable sales.
·
Allowing
room for Bargaining.
·
Move
isn't necessary.
·
Corporate
buy out.
·
Serious buyers look in the price
range that has been pre-determined by their down payment and monthly payment
ability. Unless your property is priced correctly, the down payment and
monthly payment requirements will not be competitive.
·
A buyer, who is looking seriously, soon
becomes very knowledgeable in their price range. An unreasonable asking price
only discourages them from looking and considering your property.
·
Buyer’s purchase by comparison and a
property priced above the competition does not "compare" favorably.
Inviting a buyer to make an offer could indicate that a fair selling price has
not been established.
·
If you plan to adjust your price at the
time of an offer, it is better to adjust the price now and attract serious
buyers. Many times you will have more than one buyer interested in your property,
and competition is good!
·
It is very difficult to obtain a
reasonable offer on an over-priced property. The buyer feels he should be just
as unreasonable in his offer as the seller in their asking price.
·
By contrast, offers are much easier to
obtain on a reasonably priced property. You can then choose which offer to
accept with no obligation to one that does not meet your requirements.
·
Your home MUST appraise for full value
by the buyer's lender. When
overpriced listings do not appraise, the price must be adjusted after
negotiations have been completed.
You don't want to be in this position.
·
It is a mistake to believe that you
will get more for a property by asking more. You usually get less, because fewer
buyers will consider it when it’s placed on the market. The right buyers will
not see it. It then remains on the market too long and becomes viewed in a
negative light.
·
To obtain proper market exposure, it is
an absolute necessity to be competitive in price, terms and Conditions with
similar properties that are selling in the area.
Contrary to seller's expectations that
buyers will simply bid less than what they're asking, most buyers won't make an
offer on a home priced too high for the market. Instead, buyers prefer to wait
until the price is reduced and test their options elsewhere in the mean time.
But there are other reasons that
sellers don't receive offers on overpriced homes.
For example, buyers may not want to upset or offend the seller by
offering a substantially lower price than the one being asked. Also, buyers tend to know the market better than sellers do,
since they've been looking at comparable homes and the prices and features of
them.
Sellers who over price their homes will
usually alienate themselves from buyers and real estate agents, who will choose
to search for more realistic asking prices. Buyers agents dislike showing
overpriced homes because the buyer will rarely make an offer. A Realtor wants to
show the homes with the perceived "best value". They want to
sell a home, not show homes...
Benefits of Proper Pricing:
·
Faster
Sale, saves the seller costs of maintaining the property.
·
Less
inconvenience from showings, Shorter process is good :-).
·
Exposure
to more Buyers. Traditionally there are more
buyers in lower price ranges.
·
Increase
Cooperating Realtor Response.
·
You'll
get a greater response from advertising.
·
You'll
get a higher offer due to increased competition.
Appraisers
base value on the comparable homes sold within 1 mile and within 1 year. This is the standard
information appraisers are allowed to use. There's virtually no point to
pricing your home over what it could appraise for.
The greatest showing activity occurs during the first 2 or 3 weeks of a
newly entered listing. This is the time when the home is "new"
on the market. People are curious and interested because it is a new
listing, and they know that if the home is priced right - it will sell in a
matter of days.
Once the home has been on the market for a month, most "active" buyers
and agents are aware that your home is for sale. They've seen it
advertised on the Internet or in the newspapers, homes magazines, MLS systems,
or they've seen the yard sign.
Matt’s rule:
every single home sells when the buyers perception of market value is close to
the asking price.
Now, since the buyers are aware that the home is for sale, it's a matter of
bringing the "price," and their perception of the "market value
of the property" together.
Normally this can be accomplished in some combination of the following two
ways:
My advertising expenses are high. That is why I ask you to continue to work with me, and re-list your home if it should approach the expiration date (if not every 90 days as described above). I make a large investment in the marketing and promotion of your home, and I do not get paid unless it sells. I don't mind listing a home at the high end of the market value. I do, however, ask the seller to work with me, understanding that it may take longer to find the “right buyer.”
·
Buyer's
Agents - Buyer agents represent the buyer's
best interests in any sale. Do Not disclose any information to ANY agent showing
your home, regarding the reason for selling, deadlines for selling or if you may
have an offer on another home, etc. Revealing your motivations to other agents
places you at a disadvantage in negotiating a favorable outcome.
·
Don't
Crowd
the Buyer - Avoid having too many people during
buyer viewings or inspections. The potential buyer will feel like an intruder
and will hurry through the house.
·
Music
is
Nice - But not when showing a house. Turn
off the blaring radio or TV. Let the salesperson and buyers talk, free of
disturbances. Background "soft
playing" music only.
·
Your
Pet - As much as you love your pets, it is
important to keep pets out of the way and preferably out of the house. Many
people are uncomfortable around animals.
If possible leave the premises with your children and pets.
Let the buyer be at ease and let the agents do their job.
·
Don't
Over Communicate - Be courteous but don't force
conversation with the potential buyer. They
want to inspect your property, not pay a social call.
Buyers do not want anyone to "sell" them on your home.
They want to examine your home (many times in silence) and
"absorb" all the features. If they are interested, they will ask their agent or myself
any pertinent questions. Never apologize for the
appearance of your home. After all, it has been lived in. Let the trained
salesperson answer any objections. This
is their job.
·
Never
Stay in Your House with Buyers - Let
the agent handle it, and remove yourself if you possibly can. Remember the
buyer’s agent has worked with these people and knows what they're looking for,
and how to work with them. Let the
agent do their job without interference. You
may feel that an agent isn't showing the important features of your home to the
prospect, but the agent knows people aren't sold by details until they've become
emotionally involved with the big picture of your home. The presence of members
of the seller's family distracts the buyer from their aim of finding the right
house. It often prevents a sale. Don't put this obstacle in your path. If
possible, please leave when buyers are coming to see your home.
· Leave it to the professional - Let the agent discuss price, terms, possession and other factors with the prospect. He or she is qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion.
Let your home WELCOME buyers!
·
First Impressions Are Lasting - The
front door greets the prospective buyer. Make sure it is fresh, clean and
scrubbed looking. Keep the lawn trimmed, edged and the yard free of refuge.
·
Decorate for a Quick Sale - Faded walls
and worn woodwork reduce appeal. Why try to tell the prospect how your home
"could look" when you can show them by redecorating? You won't find a
better investment than a few cans of paint, or even some new carpeting to update
the look of your home.
·
Brighten it Up! - Open draperies and
curtains and let the prospect see how bright your home is. Turn on every
light, especially in closets. Don't make buyers try to figure out where
lights are. Dark rooms are not appealing.
·
Fix Plumbing Issues - Dripping water
discolors sinks and suggest faulty plumbing, among other issues..
·
Make Other Necessary Repairs - Loose knobs, sticking and
squeaking doors and windows and other minor flaws take away from your home's
value. Have items fixed. Many buyers believe there will be many more problems
they haven't noticed for every one problem they do see.
·
Clean it Out - Display the full value
of your attic, closets and other utility space by removing all unnecessary
articles. If you planning on moving, get rid of the junk now.
·
Keep an Eye on Safety - Keep stairways
clear. Avoid cluttered appearances and possible injuries.
·
Bathrooms Help Sell Homes - Check and
repair caulking in bathtubs and showers. Make this room sparkles!
·
Arrange Rooms Neatly - Remove excess
furniture. Use attractive bedspreads and freshly laundered curtains.
·
Fine
Tune Everything - FM radio or stereo on softly, TV
off. All lights on, day or night. Drapes open in the daytime, closed at night.
Keep rooms at a comfortable temperature.
·
Eliminate Odors - Most people are
turned off by even the smallest amount of uncleanliness or odors. Get rid of
pet, smoking or garbage odors.
· "Pride of Ownership" has incredible value. It’s called cleanliness, and cleanliness has more buyers than used dirt. Shampoo carpets, wax floors, put sparkle in your bathrooms and kitchen and you'll reap the rewards!
PHONE: 888-716-0070 / 586-716-0070