Pre-Listing Kit Instructions

This helpful home selling guide is provided by:

Ron Bolton Keller Williams Realty

www.GCHouses.com

www.ronbolton.net For Sale By Owner Headaches

I don’t have to tell you what the headaches are, because you’re probably already living them. • The late-night and early-morning phone calls. • The interruptions during dinner, family time and just about anytime. • Feeling like you’re married to the telephone and the ad department at the local newspapers.

Hang in there. With any luck it will be over soon!

I’m a REALTOR®. Why don’t I get these headaches? Because this is my livelihood. I’m good at it and I love the success of a smooth sale.

I have a team of people to help with the phone calls and paperwork. I put a lot of hard work and hours into the sale of each house for which I’m responsible. And it works!

So, before you make one more price reduction on your home or pay for one more advertisement, call my office and let us assist you.

We may just make the one adjustment that works and gets your home SOLD! Get the Facts Before You Sell Where do homebuyers come from?

18% Knew the real estate agent.

17% Have completed a former sales transaction with the company.

12% Were recommended to the real estate agent by a friend.

11% Choose the real estate company for its reputation.

9% Called on an ad, but purchased another property with the real estate agent.

7% Were referred to the real estate agent by a relocation company.

6% Visited the real estate agent at an open house, but bought another.

80% SOLD THROUGH A REAL ESTATE AGENT

Serious homebuyers work with an Agent, because:

• An AGENT CAN expose homebuyers to more properties.

• An AGENT CAN familiarize homebuyers with the area.

• An AGENT CAN assist homebuyers in locating the right property.

• An AGENT CAN act as a liaison between the homebuyer and seller.

• An AGENT CAN recommend financial alternatives.

• An AGENT CAN write a purchase agreement.

• An AGENT CAN explain the forms and agreements. Is Saving the Commission Worth the Hassle of Selling Alone? Good question. Our experience has taught us that you may save, but not until you’ve suffered price reduction after price reduction, window shopper after window shopper, unqualified homebuyer after unqualified homebuyer. Here’s where your greatest disadvantages may come from …

Five Types of Home Shoppers • First-Time Homebuyers: Younger homebuyers who have a strong need for guidance and reassurance. Most do not understand the home buying process and are afraid or unaware of how to make an offer. These homebuyers almost always use a REALTOR®.

• Transferees: REALTORS work with homebuyers relocating from other cities all the time. These customers make up a good portion of purchasers. Transferees do not know the city and there is a good chance they won’t drive through neighborhoods before they move here. They generally don’t have the time to play the FSBO game. They want the confidence of knowing that their transaction will be handled professionally and that they won’t have to stay in town throughout the entire process. They often use the services of a REALTOR.

• Move-Up Homebuyers: Mainly professionals and executives. They are busy and don’t have time to sift through hundreds of small classified ads or just drive around searching for For Sale signs. This group will call a real estate professional who has access to all pertinent information and can assist them in a prompt, efficient manner. They, too, use REALTORS.

• Investors/Speculators: Many prey on FSBOs. They are shrewd business people with an eye for a steal – something on which they can make a good return. They only buy if it’s a great deal.

• Looky-Loos: The nosy neighbor or perpetual shopper. They rarely buy and will waste your time.

Unfortunately for individuals selling their own homes, the first three home-shopper types make up most of the purchasers. Facts About FSBOs Who wins in a “For Sale By Owner” transaction? A seller sells their home on their own to save the commission. A homebuyer buys a FSBO to save the commission. But who wins? Trying to save on commission makes it tempting to skip the REALTOR® when considering selling a home. Chances are, though, that you will invest a great deal of time, effort and expense creating ads, signs and flyers. You’ll have to pay attorney fees. And you’ll have to put up with a lot of aggravation. In the end you may not save at all. The fact is, you may even lose money.

Put a REALTOR on your side. We can make a difference!

FSBO Checklist • What is my property really worth on today’s market? • Can I prequalify a prospective homebuyer? Will I be able to question where they work? How much they earn? What their debts are? How much cash they have? • Can I eliminate the lookers from buyers? • Can I follow up on prospective homebuyers without appearing anxious? • Am I prepared to expose my family to any stranger that knocks on the door to see my home? • Am I available on a 24-hour basis to prospective homebuyers? • Can I show my home effectively and answer objections without offense? • Can I negotiate a deal, get a substantial deposit and keep the deal together? • Am I familiar with today’s financing options, down payment requirements and closing costs? Am I willing to pay any portion of these? • Do I know all of today’s legal contract intricacies and disclosure laws, thus protecting me from any potential lawsuits? • Am I willing to take all these risks, possibly endangering my family personally and financially? Perhaps a REALTOR can sell my home faster, safer and for more money after all. Why have a REALTOR®? Studies have proven that 90% of FSBOs would have netted more money if they had used a REALTOR. Here are some of the many reasons why FSBOs are offered less for their properties.

• Homebuyers know the seller is not paying a commission. • FSBO properties attract bargain hunters and speculators • Homebuyers, unsure of property values, will offer less than your home may be worth. • Homebuyers have no one there to help them make their decision. • FSBO properties have less exposure to potential homebuyers.

Greater Exposure = SOLD!

Local Broker

My Guaranteed Marketing Plan will insure that your home is getting the greatest exposure, so that it will: Sell as fast a possible … … for the highest price … … with the best terms.

I am committed to excellence and will get your home sold! A to Z – Benefits of Using a REALTOR®

A dvertising: The real estate professional pays all the advertising costs. B argain: Research shows that 77% of sellers felt their commission was well spent. C ontract Writing: REALTORS supply standard forms to speed the transaction. D etails: REALTORS free you from handling the many details for selling a home. E xperience and Expertise: In marketing, financing, negotiating, and more. F inancial Know-How: REALTORS are aware of the many options for financing a sale. G lossary: REALTORS understand and can explain real estate lingo. H omework: REALTORS do the homework on how best to market your home. I nformation: REALTORS are qualified to answer tough real estate questions. J uggle Showings: REALTORS schedule appointments and handle all showings. K eeps Your Interest in Mind: It’s a REALTORS’ job. L aws: REALTORS are up-to-date on real estate law. M ultiple Listing Service (MLS): The most effective means of bringing homebuyers and sellers together. N egotiations: REALTORS handle all price and contract negotiations. O pen Houses: REALTORS schedule and man these popular marketing techniques. P rospects: REALTORS have a network of contacts that can produce potential homebuyers. Q ualified Homebuyers: Avoid opening your home to curiosity seekers. R EALTOR: A member of the National Association of REALTORS who subscribes to strict code of ethics. S uggested Price: REALTORS do market analysis to establish a fair market price. T ime: One of the most valuable resources to a REALTOR. U nbiased Opinion: Most home owners are too emotional about their home to be objective. V IP: That’s how you’ll be treated by a REALTOR. Wisdom: Knowledgeable REALTORS offer the wisdom that comes with experience. X Marks the Spot: REALTORS are there to assist you all the way until you sign the final documents. Y ard Signs: REALTORS provide a special sign that encourages serious homebuyers. Z ero-Hour Support: Selling a home can be an emotional experience. REALTORS are there to help. Tips to Market Your Home Successfully The secret to selling your home at the best possible price in the least amount of time with the least amount of stress is to price it right in the first place.

Without access to the necessary information you may find this difficult. You can always call our office and we would be happy to assist you with a Comparative Market Analysis. It will show you other properties that have recently sold in your neighborhood, which will help you decide on the right price. Call today … a properly priced home is practically sold!

• Place an ad in your local newspaper. Include the area of town, the sales price, and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. These are the most important considerations to a homebuyer.

• Design a flyer or brochure for your property. A photo and description of the home is important.

• Know at least three different financing options, including rates and points, available for your home. Assumable loans, seller-assisted financing, fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages, and gift-money programs are good examples. Homebuyers want to know the total cash required to purchase your home.

• Know your current annual taxes, homeowners’ association dues and homeowner’s insurance amounts.

• Consider having an appraisal performed on your home to determine current value. Homebuyers typically offer less than you are asking, because they know a savings of the commission is often built into the price. You need to know what the full market value is. Moving Checklist BEFORE THE MOVE Address Change • Post office: Give forwarding address 4 to 6 weeks. • Charge accounts, credit cards • Subscriptions: Notice requires 6 to 8 weeks. • Friends and Relatives • Employer • Clubs/Memberships • Veterans Administration

Bank • Transfer funds, arrange check cashing in new city. • Arrange credit references.

Insurance • Notify company of new location of coverage for Life, Health, Fire and Auto.

Utility Companies • Gas, light, water, telephone, fuel, garbage. • Get refunds on any deposits made.

Delivery Service • Laundry, newspaper, changeover of service.

Medical, Dental, Prescription Histories • Ask Doctor and Dentist for referrals: transfer prescriptions, glasses, X-rays, etc. • Obtain birth records, medical records, etc.

Pets • Ask about regulations for licenses, vaccinations, tags, etc.

Things to do • Empty freezer, plan use of food. • Defrost freezer and clean refrigerator. Place baking soda inside to dispel odors. • Have appliances serviced for moving. • Remember arrangements for TV and cable. • Clean rugs or clothing before moving. • Check with your Moving Counselor: insurance coverage, packing and unpacking labor, arrival day, various shipping papers, method and time of expected payment. • Get children’s school transcripts. • Make arrangements for care of children and pets on moving day. • Return library books. • Assemble a moving kit to take to new house (hammer, nails, pliers, masking tape, tape measure, flashlight, fuses, rags, scissors, and first aid kit). • Return borrowed items. • Round up things borrowed from you.

ON MOVING DAY • Carry enough cash or traveler’s checks to cover cost of moving services and expenses until you make new banking connections. • Carry jewelry and important documents yourself, or use registered mail. • Let close friends or relatives know route and schedule you will travel incl. overnight stops; use them as message headquarters. • Double check closets, drawers, shelves to make sure they are empty. • Leave old keys, garage door openers, broiler pans, landscape/house plans and instruction manuals needed by new owners with Realtor.

AFTER THE MOVE • Obtain certified check or cashier’s check necessary for closing Real Estate Transaction Check on service of telephone, gas, electricity, water and garbage. • Ask Mail Carrier for mail he/she may be holding for your arrival. • Have new address recorded on driver’s license. • Visit city offices and register to vote. • Register car within five days after arrival in state or penalty may have to be paid when getting new license plates. • Obtain inspection sticker and transfer motor club membership. • Apply for state driver’s license. • Register in your new place of worship. • Register children in school. • Arrange for medical services.