How long does it take to sell a home? There is no easy answer – some homes sell in a few days, others may take several months. Recognizing the key factors that influence marketing can give you significant control over the time it takes to sell your home. The proper balance of these factors will expedite your sale.
Price
– If your property is not properly priced, a sale may be delayed or even prevented.
– Distinctive Properties will research the market place and assist you in determining the best possible price.
Terms
– The more terms available, the broader the market, the quicker the sale and the higher the price you’ll receive.
– Terms structured to meet your objectives are important to successful marketing.
Location
– Location is the single greatest factor affecting the value of your home. – Neighborhood desirability is a key to a property’s fair market value.
Condition
– Property condition affects price and speed of the sale.
– Optimizing physical appearance and advance preparation maximizes value.
Competition
– Buyers compare your property against competing properties.
– Buyers interpret value based on other available properties.
Timing
– The real estate market may reflect a seller’s market or a buyer’s market.
– Market conditions cannot be manipulated; an individually tailored marketing plan must be developed accordingly.
Marketing Your Property
You benefit by marketing your property using the Distinctive Properties, Inc. marketing approach.
Staging the Home
Distinctive Properties, Inc. will assist you in effectively staging your home.
– Attention to the exterior and interior appearance of your home may reduce market time.
– Proper staging increases final sales price.
Information Sheets
Amenity sheets prepared with information on your home enhances the marketing process.
– Buyers and other agents are made aware of the unique features of your home.
Preview
Property information is immediately distributed to all Distinctive Properties, Inc. agents.
– Our computer network links us with all other real estate offices in the Tri-Cities.
– Our sales associates tour all of our listings.
Multiple Listing Service
We are an active member of the Multiple Listing Service, which greatly improves your market position.
– Your property is available to other real estate agents representing other real estate firms.
Advertising
Distinctive Properties, Inc. advertises in numerous medias:
– The Tri-City Herald (direct advertising)
– Homes & Land Magazine (direct advertising)
– Our yellow page advertisements in the Local and US West yellow pages reach
thousands of buyers.
– Our ad in the Washington Realtor Periodical is in all Real Estate Offices in Washington State to assist other Realtors in placing their relocating buyers.
– The Visitor Guide is in every hotel and motel in the Tri-Cities.
– RELO Relocation Services with 45,000 REALTOR members have access to all of our listings, for their relocating customers.
– Distinctiveprop.com website with all our listings on the web.
– Realtor.com – all of our listings on this nationwide site of Realtors.
Controlled access to your property
– The multiple listing lock box has numerous benefits. With your permission, all cooperating REALTORS will have access to your property, to highlight the benefits and features of your home while you are away. The lockbox access pads are monitored for your protection.
Showings
It is to your advantage to schedule showing appointments when your home is presented at its best.
-REALTORS will call first to set appointments for showings, this is for your convenience, privacy and protection.
– Easy access increases marketability and shortens market time.
Keeping Informed
You will be kept informed of all marketing activities.
– Comments from agents and their potential buyers are passed on to you until the house is sold.
– We will update your market statistics from time to time and let you know when and how the market changes.
Buyer Qualification
We pre-qualify all our prospective buyers to help us determine their ability to buy, their motivation, and their needs. We can then urge them to buy when appropriate.
DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES, INC. is affiliated with:
– RELO Relocation Services, dominate in over 400 markets with 45,000 REALTOR affiliations.
– Burlington Northern Relocation Services, Inc.
– Relocation Resources, an independent Relocation company.
– Member of Employee Relocation Council.
– Member of Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau.
– Member of Kennewick Chamber of Commerce.
– Member of TRIDEC – Tri-Cities Industrial Development Council.
As you can see, we are truly as Distinctive as the customers and clients we serve, and together we get our homes sold!
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Our Marketing Program
The Objectives
We will be representing you throughout the listing and selling process.
* Obtain the highest and best value possible.
* Complete the process in a most reasonable period of time.
* Accomplish the sale with the least amount of convenience to you.
The Competitive Market Analysis
You will receive a written estimate of a value, based on an analysis of:
* Similar homes for sale now.
This shows what homes you are competing against. Buyers compare your home to these homes.
* Similar homes recently sold. These tell what buyers are willing to pay for this kind of a home, in this area, at this time.
* Expired listings and similar homes unsold for 90 days or more. Illustrates problems of overpricing.
The Marketing Process
You receive an individual marketing plan developed exclusively for your property, including:
* Advice on how to stage your home (video).
* Information sheets.
* Area-wide staff preview.
* Local Multiple Listing involvement.
* Advertising.
* Open Houses for REALTORS and the public (upon request).
* Special marketing techniques as appropriate.
Consistent Communications
You receive regular communication on marketing progress, including:
* Buyer and agent feedback.
* Consistent counsel and guidance.
* Market analysis updates.
Presentation of Offers
We will present all offers to you. We will advise you, counsel you, and represent you.
* Review the documents with you.
* Assist in qualifying purchasers.
* Help you make the appropriate response.
* Assist in drafting counter-offers when necessary.
* Handle all negotiations.
Financing
In today’s ever changing financial market, we know the best sources for real estate financing:
* We have relationships with numerous mortgage brokers and lenders. We can get the loan through when others fail.
Escrow and Closing
The transaction is not complete until you receive full payment, the deed is delivered and the buyer takes possession of the property.
* We will follow-through until the keys are turned over to the
new owner.
* We will keep you informed of the progress.
* We will be with you at the signing of the closing papers.
* We will turn over the keys.
Consider the following:
LET US REPRESENT YOU AND YOUR INTERESTS
* We will try to obtain the highest value for your property, in a reasonable time, at the least inconvenience.
* We offer professional, and practical advice, counsel and
guidance.
* We follow our sales to closing and turn over the house to the new owner.
* We are the largest independent real estate office in the
Tri-Cities.
* Service to the greater Tri-City area since 1978.
* Local representation for RELO Relocation Services,
dominant in over 400 markets with 45,000 REALTOR
affiliations.
* “Leading Real Estate Companies of the World” – a Relocation
company dealing with world-wide relocation.
* Member of Employee Relocation Council.
LOCAL COMMITMENT
* We do a food drive for the food bank’s of the Tri-Cities every year.
* We are involved in numerous charities, including United Way.
* Two of our associates have served as Presidents of the Tri-
Cities Association of Realtors.
* Our Broker has served on the local Board of Directors from 1986-1994 and is serving on the State Association from 1989-2005.
* Our Broker served 2 terms as a Real Estate Commissioner
for the State of Washington. She is serving as a Trustee for WSU (Washington State University) Real Estate Research Center.
OUR PEOPLE
* Our full time professional sales associates hold many
professional designations, including Certified Real Estate
Broker – C.R.B., Certified Real Estate Specialist – C.R.S.,
and Graduates of the Realtor Institute – G.R.I. We have two Recipients of the “Realtor of the Year” award.
* Received the Washington Association of Realtors achievement.
* Our firm was honored by Genesis for outstanding performance,
and was named one of the “TOP 100 REAL ESTATE COMPANIES
IN THE COUNTRY FOR RELOCATION SERVICES”.
The Seller’s Role:
With a little help from you, your home can be sold more quickly and at a better price. These tips have proved invaluable to owners and are worth your special attention:
Preparation for Showing:
* First impressions are lasting. The front door greets the prospect. Make sure it is fresh and clean. Remove clutter from the yard.
* 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 him by redecorating? A quicker sale at a higher price will result.
* Let the sun shine in. Open draperies and curtains and let the prospect see how cheerful your home can be. (Dark rooms do not appeal).
* Fix the Faucet! Dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty plumbing.
* Repairs can make a big difference. Loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers and other minor flaws detract from home value. Have them fixed.
* From top to bottom. Display the full value of your attic, basement and other utility spaces by removing all unnecessary articles. Brighten dark, dull basements by painting walls.
* Safety first. Keep stairways clean. Avoid cluttered appearances and possible injuries.
* Make closets look bigger. Neat, well-ordered closets show that space is ample.
* Bathrooms help sell homes. Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers. Make this room sparkle.
* Arrange bedrooms neatly. Remove excess furniture. Use attractive bedspreads and freshly laundered curtains.
Showing the Home:
* Can you see the light? Illumination is like a welcome sign. The potential buyer will feel a glowing warmth when you turn on all your lights for an evening inspection. * Three’s a crowd. Avoid having too many people present during showings. The potential buyer will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house.
* Music is mellow. Turn off the television and have only soft music on the radio or stereo.
* Pets underfoot? Keep them out of the way, preferably out of the house.
* Silence is golden. Be courteous, but don’t force conversation with the potential buyer. He wants to inspect your house, not to pay a social call.
* Be it ever so humble. Never apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it has been lived in. Let the trained salesperson answer any objections.
* In the background. The salesperson knows the buyer’s requirements, and can better emphasize the features of your home when you don’t tag along. You will be called if needed.
* A word to the wise: Don’t oversell. Your house will sell itself if it’s what the buyer is looking for.
* Remember the Golden Rule. Treat your prospective buyer the way you would want to be treated if you were in their place. You will never go wrong.