Secrets For Selling Your Home For Top Dollar With or Without A Real Estate Agent
How To Sell Your Home For The Most Money The Market Will Pay, AND On Your Terms And Time Frame…
There’s No Such Thing As “Luck” In Real Estate!
Dear Homeowner,
Do you remember the good old days, when anyone could sell their home at any time and make thousands…perhaps tens of thousands in profit?
Maybe you do or don’t. But I do.
Even though today’s financing programs make it easier than ever to buy a home, times have changed. Buyers are more sophisticated. They’re more discriminating in what they buy. And they’re more skeptical.
Today, they have information sources available…like the Internet…that simply weren’t available five or 10 years ago.
No question about it…the “easy sell” days are over.
If You’re Trying To Sell Your Home Today
…With Or Without A Real Estate Agent…
You Could Lose Thousands Of Dollars, And
Take An Enormous Amount Of Time
If You Don’t Know What You’re Doing
That’s why I wrote this report. Every day I see home sellers lose money, and waste precious time because they make critical mistakes they didn’t have to make. Here are just a few…
¨ Not getting accurate information about how to price your home correctly.
¨ Not getting a “total picture” of the entire market before you start to sell your home.
¨ Selling your home in the 2000’s using the outdated marketing techniques and methods from the 1980’s and 1990’s.
¨ Trying to add costs of home improvements on top of your sales price.
¨ Not understanding how to “dress” your home, so it shows like a model home, and commands top dollar.
¨ Using worn-out, ineffective “image” advertising to promote your home.
¨ Opening yourself up to crime by not tracking visitors to your home.
¨ Hiring a real estate agent who tries to sell their “multi-million dollar producer” pitch instead of demonstrating skill and proficiency in marketing homes.
¨ Letting a real estate agent seduce you into their services by promising you an over-inflated sales price.
¨ Not having bridge financing or other contingencies if you are on a time deadline.
¨ Hiring anyone who isn’t willing to educate you on a systemized approach to selling your home…AND can back up their analysis with FACTS, not opinions!
¨ Not understanding whether you should sell your home yourself. (It may be to your advantage to go it alone, OR it may save thousands, and end countless headaches to use a REALTOR®.) How do you know?
There are many “old school” real estate companies that still believe all you need to do is put your home in MLS, pop up a sign, and the sellers will flock to your door. Or who say things like “we give you the highest level of quality, trust, integrity, and service.” (Isn’t that the least you should expect from an agent?)
Or those agents who inflate your home’s value to “trick” you into listing with them. Or the ones who tell you, “I’ve got a buyer right now who would love your home, and if you list with me right now…”
You Need To Watch Out For These Dinosaurs, Because As Well-Intended As
They May Be, They’re About To Cost You Thousands And Waste Your Time!
Selling a home today requires a total integrated approach many real estate agents are simply not aware of.
You should expect detailed FACTS…not simple promises, opinions, and fancy pictures. And you should expect straight answers, not “sales pitches” or other hype that seduces you to hire a company that boasts they’re “the biggest” or “the best.”
In fact, there are six important marketing steps in the home selling process YOU need to know about. We’re going to delve into each one right here, so you’ll know what you’re doing, and can receive Top Dollar proceeds for your home—whether you use a real estate agent or not.
Step #1: Understand What The TOTAL Market Is Doing, And Get The FULL FACTS.
Understanding these parameters will save you thousands of dollars when you list your home for sale. I perform both of these analysis for my sellers, in an easy to understand format, so you know EXACTLY what your home is worth.
With real world FACTS, not opinions!
Step #2: Set The RIGHT Price For Your Home From
The Start
Every seller wants to realize as much money as possible when selling his or her home. The natural inclination is to price your home high, thinking you can always come down in the future.
But a listing price that is too high can be a disaster, and frequently nets the seller LESS money then they ever anticipated—even after paying a real estate commission!
Why is this?
Because buyers will reject your home in favor of other homes in a reasonable price range. And if that doesn’t frustrate you, think about this: Buyers will use YOUR home to compare and justify the purchase of a similar, but correctly priced home.
But the problem gets worse…
It’s a fact that 96% of all homes are sold by REALTORS®. So whether you sell your home yourself, or through a professional, you MUST be able to attract the REALTOR® community to your home.
Problem is, agents who otherwise would readily bring buyers through your home will automatically cross it off their showing schedule because it’s priced too high. They don’t make money showing homes…they make money SELLING them.
They know market values in your area. And if your home is priced too high, they’re not even going to waste their time showing it.
And word spreads with the agent community. If your home gets “branded” as overpriced, not only will agents NOT show it, BUT you’ll have to lower the price further than you ever expected…just to get them back!
Agents Simply Will NOT Show Overpriced Homes
Because They Work By Commission.
Showing Overpriced Homes That Will Never Sell
Means They’re Working For FREE
When you’re showcasing your home for sale, it’s going to look very different from the way it looks when you’re living there. Here are a few tips for showcasing your home for sale:
Ø First impressions set the tone for a buyer visit, and they’re LASTING! Approach your home in your car like any buyer would. Examine the outside as you’re approaching. How does it look? Are shrubs away from the home? Oil in the driveway? How does the grass and landscaping look? Cluttered looks detract from the architecture of the home. A clean, polished landscape says your home is valuable and well-maintained!
Ø Take a look at your actual home. Is the paint fading or chipping? Is the color outdated or impersonal? How does the roof look? As you drive up to or away from your home, what do you see first?
Ø Now go inside just like a buyer would. You want to be aware of four senses: smell, touch, sight, and hearing. Go through room by room and test all four senses. Check flooring and carpet for stains, overall wear, and odors.
Most importantly: Pack away all appliances, get rid of excess furniture, put away useless dishes, and make your home neat and orderly. If you’ve ever visited a model home, you’ll notice it’s clean and uncluttered. You have to move anyway, so you might as well pack early, and make your home more saleable. Go to the garage and make sure it’s neat.
Ø Hire someone to professionally clean your home. Top to bottom! Cleaning and cosmetic fix-ups, especially in the kitchen, bathrooms, and master bedroom, can many times yield you up to $10 in extra sales price for every $1 you invest.
Ø Pets should be out of sight (and smell!). Get rid of pet odors for showings. Remember the four senses. Also, some people are uneasy around pets, and they may distract attention from the features of your home.
Ø Pay particular attention to lighting. During the day, open all your blinds and curtains. If it’s cloudy out, turn on all lights for showings. At dusk, leave your front drapes open and turn on all the lamps and lights.
At night, do the same, but close your blinds and curtains. When showing your home, turn off all appliances, television, radio, and anything that will distract attention from your home.
You might want to play a little light music to enhance the emotional experience for your buyers. Remember, you want it to feel like “home.”
Most importantly, if there are any problems with the home or clear title, you must DISCLOSE them to any potential buyers. If you’re using a REALTOR®, they can help you sort out these issues, and disclose them in a way that will minimize their impact on a buyer.
Step #6: Negotiate The Best Deal And Close Your Sale
You’ve been handed an offer. It’s so close to your desired price, but not quite there.
What now? How do you negotiate your way to the deal you’re looking for?
If you’re using a REALTOR®, they will guide you though the negotiation, providing support documentation and other helpful back-up to justify your price. But if you’re going it alone, you will have to hone your negotiating skills.
The first step to a successful home negotiation is when you priced your home to begin with. If you set a fair asking price, you should have the confidence to justify it.
If you overpriced your home (remember… “so I can come down in the future”), you will have trouble convincing a bona fide buyer to up their offer.
Now, the second step for negotiating is to KNOW THE BUYER.
And that’s one reason why you need a REALTOR® representing you during any transaction. The middle person alone will help save you money.
So take a look at your BUYER. Pay attention to their comments and body language when they’re visiting your home.
Ø Did they make positive comments when viewing your home?
Ø Did they come back to visit your home at least three times?
Ø Did they make positive sighs and other body language when walking through your home?
Ø Here’s an important tip: TAKE NOTES about the features buyers like about your home. Then, turn the features into Lifestyle Benefits of living there to “wet their appetite.”
If a young couple looks starry-eyed because they feel they’ve found their dream home, YOU will most likely have more negotiating power. Clearly, THEY are more emotionally motivated.
So you decide to make a counter offer to your buyers. Make sure you back up your offer with FACTS…real reasoning. Show examples of similar home sales in your neighborhood. Look at the notes you took by observing the buyers, and REMIND them of the features and benefits they like about your home.
You may go back and forth several times before arriving at a price. But remember, if a buyer comes within $1,000 of what you want for your home, you’d better think hard before turning it down!
Once you’ve agreed upon a price, you should call in the help of a professional, such as a real estate attorney. If you have a REALTOR®, they’re usually trained to handle further items for negotiation, and have excellent contract forms that have been tested for years.
But remember, NEVER sign a contract until you completely understand ALL of the terms and conditions. A lot of real estate “mumbo-jumbo” can make you feel overwhelmed. Using a real estate attorney or a REALTOR® can make the process easier for you.
OK, you’ve now arrived at a sales price. You’re now about to enter into a new phase of the transaction: ESCROW and CLOSING YOUR SALE.
If you’re using a REALTOR®, they will be worth their weight in GOLD with the next phase of the deal (if they haven’t already saved you thousands in pricing, dressing, and negotiating your home).
Here’s a list of items you (or a REALTOR®) needs to handle:
1. Coordinating the completion of contract requirements: Home Inspections, Termite Inspections, Seller property disclosure statements, etc. – with reputable inspectors.
2. Verifying buyer financing is secure (this one is HUGE!).
3. Ensuring any contingencies have been completed: Remodeling, repairs, etc.
4. Ensuring any hold-backs or reserves are met.
5. Coordinating cleaning and maintenance that may be stipulated in the contract.
6. Handling any other special contingencies that may arrive up to the final hour.
It can be an awesome task. Don’t take this process lightly. If you’re going it alone, make sure you get educated, and use a real estate attorney if you’re not using an agent.
Do you remember the old riddle that goes, “What do you call the person who graduated dead-last in their medical school class?”
Answer: “DOCTOR!”
Well, it’s the same with REALTOR®. Someone with vast experience and extraordinary professionalism usually costs the same as someone with little or no experience, or with compromising standards. You need to know how to tell the difference up front.
Bringing competence and experience into your transaction may mean the difference between a higher negotiated sales price and losing money, selling in less time or in more time (costing you potentially thousands in added interest), and experiencing problems and hassles or a problem-free transaction.
Our community is loaded with agents who are WRONG for you, your area, and your home. Some agents are in business part-time for a little extra cash. Others are subsidizing other businesses or careers. And then there’s your “cousin Harry,” who you may feel obligated to because he “really needs your business.”
Selling your home is probably the most important financial transaction you will ever make. That’s why I take my business so seriously. It’s also why I have developed customized home marketing programs meant specifically for your situation.
WHY ME?
Here’s why you should consider my services to market your home:
Ø I am a well-educated full-time Realtor and intimately familiar with Northern Fairfield County. I have a complete resume for your review, and make it a priority to educate YOU on every aspect of your transaction.
Ø I have a list of references, past clients, and professional associations whom you can call at any time to discuss the quality of service I have provided to other people just like YOU.
Ø I have developed an EXCLUSIVE 30 Step & beyond marketing plan that is unequalled by anyone in the business. I do this because my dedication to selling your home is also unsurpassed. There’s no other way I can live up to that expectation without extraordinary marketing capabilities.
Ø I have specifically designed marketing tracking systems for every home I sell. I also have specific update systems so you are fully aware of ALL activity and progress updates on your home on a weekly basis. You will NEVER feel out of touch with me!
Ø I guarantee everything I do! If you’re not happy with me, you may fire me. This places the burden of risk to perform on ME, not you.
Ø I have references for reliable financing sources many agents are clueless about, insurance companies, inspectors, attorneys, and others directly relating to your transaction. If you choose to use any of them, you won’t be dealing with arbitrary people. These are professionals I have used personally in other transactions.
Ø I schedule showings around your schedule, and to respect your personal and family time. This requires special planning and forethought most agents do not consider.
Ø Each day, I speak with over 50 people directly related to real estate buying or selling. This allows me to create a communication link of properties to people.
Ø Most Importantly: I generate over 80% of my clients through referrals alone. I do very little traditional marketing. Instead, I focus 110% of my efforts into providing such outstanding service, my clients are inclined to refer my services to family, friends, and acquaintances.
On the surface, it may seem there are lots of REALTORS® to choose from.
But just because there are lots of Realtors out there doesn’t mean they can all do the same job for you...
All REALTORS® Are NOT The Same!
I have enclosed with this report a special coupon. By simply calling me at 203-520-0355, I’ll share with you my exclusive “Maximum Home Value Audit”. Here’s what you’ll get, absolutely FREE and without obligation whatsoever:
Ø I’ll conduct a careful, thorough valuation of your home, based on real world facts, in an EASY to understand format. You won’t get any inflated values just to pressure you into listing with me.
And you won’t get anything like “I have a buyer right now who’s interested in your specific home, and if you list with me, I’ll bring him by right now.” With me, you’ll get NO pressure. No arm twisting. Just a real world, honest, fact-filled analysis.
Ø I’ll tour your home to identify items that could negatively affect your selling price. As I mentioned earlier, some of my findings could bring as much as $10 in extra sales price for every $1 you invest. By the end of my tour, you’ll have a checklist of strategies designed to “position” your home to sell for the most money possible.
Ø I’ll share with you my 30 Step Top Dollar Marketing Plan. My plan will give you insider secrets on how to promote your home properly, how to handle buyers, how to avoid crime, and much more.
Ø I believe in incentives, so here’s one just to “sweeten the pot.” If you call before the expiration date marked on the coupon, AND if you select me to market your home, I’ll provide a FREE HOME INSPECTION by a licensed inspector to identify potential problems that could kill a sale. That’s a $400 value I’ll include absolutely FREE.
Ø PLUS, I guarantee everything I do. If any other agent won’t guarantee their services, ask them why? You’re staking the successful sale of your home on their abilities, why shouldn’t they stake their commission the very same way? I place my priorities in the same place as yours. We’re in this together!
Ø When selling your home, the LAST thing you need is added pressure. That’s why I’ll answer all of your questions. And give you one less thing to worry about during these hectic times.
But Don’t Wait!
You’ll notice I placed an expiration date for your Free Home Inspection on the attached coupon. I did this for a very good reason.
I enjoy working with clients, and sometimes my practice gets booked up fast. In order to make sure I have undivided time for you, I need to hear from you immediately so there are no conflicts in scheduling our meeting.
Plus, I know there’s a natural tendency to procrastinate and put off important decisions. But the more you procrastinate, the more pressure ultimately rests with you.
By Not Acting Now, You Could Open Yourself To
Losing Thousands Of Dollars
So call now at 203-520-0355 and I’ll immediately arrange a convenient time to meet, and share with you my Maximum Home Value Audit. It’s Free. It’s FAST. There’s no obligation whatsoever. And it could save you thousands on your home sale.
Sincerely yours,
Dan Firda
RE/MAX Right Choice
(C): 203-268-1118, (F): 1-888-507-6697, Email: Firda@sbcglobal.net
P.S. Once you have read this report completely, make a list of areas you would like to discuss. Call me at 203-520-0355 to schedule your Maximum Home Value Audit. My exclusive audit could save you thousands of dollars. And it’s Free, and without obligation, pressure, “pitches,” or games. So before you get distracted, call now!
Send me a quick email if you would like this report in an electronic or hard copy version.
Firda@sbcglobal.net
Coupon
Sell Your Home For TOP DOLLAR, Eliminate Costly Pitfalls, And Get A FREE Home Inspection $400 value…
Maximum Home Value Audit
COUPON
The bearer of this coupon is entitled to receive a Free, No Obligation Maximum Home Value Audit. Your audit will include:
Ø A complete, fact filled, easy to understand valuation of your home.
Ø I’ll tour your home to identify items that could negatively affect your selling price. Many of my findings could bring as much as $10 in extra sales price for every $1 you invest.
Ø Reveal to you my exclusive 30 Step Top Dollar Marketing Plan designed to sell your home for every penny it’s worth, in YOUR time frame, and with the least pressure and hassles!
Ø A RESULTS Guarantee of my services.
Ø SPECIAL BONUS: There’s no obligation whatsoever, but if we end up working together, I’ll provide a FREE HOME INSPECTION, a $400 value. Identify potential pitfalls that could jeopardize a successful sale and cost you thousands. You’ll feel confident your home’s ready to sell!
But don’t delay, this coupon expires ___6/10/09___. Call now at 203-520-0355.
Dan Firda, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Right Choice. (203) 520-0355