SElLer’s guide
ABOUT KEN RICHTER
Top Selling Calgary REALTOR® A native Calgarian, Ken has witnessed Calgary grow to a population of over one million people and develop into a prosperous and dynamic city. In 1985 Ken launched his real estate career and over the years has consistently proven to be among the top 2% of Calgary’s MLS® Real Estate Agents. In 1997 he joined RE/MAX Real Estate (Central), the #1 RE/MAX Office Worldwide for the last 16 consecutive years, and since 1998 continues to be one of the top agents in this high producing office. In recent years Ken has been awarded the prestigious RE/MAX Chairman’s Club award (top 1% of all RE/ MAX REALTORS®) and the Lifetime Achievement Award. Recognized as a respected leader in the real estate industry, Ken is known for his excellent negotiating skills along with honesty and integrity. A proven professional for 30 years and a real estate investor himself, Ken brings valuable experience and results to the table on every transaction. His vast and widespread database includes a full range of clients from 1st time buyers to serious investors with many of them repeat customers and referrals. Early in life, Ken developed a true love for the game of hockey leading him to being a most valuable player for Mount Royal College’s hockey team. A dedicated real estate professional and family man, Ken believes in giving back and supporting his community. As a proud father and sporting enthusiast he volunteered for 9 years as a minor hockey coach guiding young athletes to experience numerous team championships and learning important life skills. Ken’s extensive knowledge, professionalism and strong commitment to his real estate career and team have established him as a top selling REALTOR®!
Ken Richter Office: 403.630.6363 Email: ken@kenrichter.com www.kenrichter.com
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VIVAN RICHTER Office Manager
Vivian was born and raised north of Edmonton, Alberta and moved to Calgary in 1978. A Mount Royal College graduate in Leisure Education, she pursued her career as a recreation program coordinator working with all age groups including senior citizens. Dedicated to her family, she also volunteered countless hours over the years to various organizations, community schools and her children’s competitive sport teams and clubs. Vivian’s accomplished leadership skills and keen interest in real estate prompted her to join RE/MAX as a licensed REALTOR® assistant from 2000-2008. Presently, she continues to be an integral part of their successful family real estate business providing office management and marketing and program development. Known for her enthusiasm and genuine interest in assisting people, Vivian also brings the personal touch to the client-oriented service that Team Ken Richter strives to maintain. Today, Vivian also enjoys the adventure of travel with family and friends. A wife, mother and now grandmother, Vivian’s true passion for family reflect on all her endeavors! Email: vivian@kenrichter.com
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ABOUT NICOLE SLUSAR Office Administrator
Nicole is originally from the province of Saskatchewan now enjoys living in Calgary. Over the last 6 years, working for Team Ken Richter as a Real Estate Office Administrator, Nicole continues to provide excellent administrative services. Nicole’s advanced computer skills and technology, strong work ethic and high level of commitment allows her to learn and adapt quickly to the daily demands in the real estate industry. Continuing to advance her education, Nicole strives on assisting with business strategies, program development and research. Her work experience, selfconfidence and team spirit are truly revealed in all her accomplishments. An outdoor and sporting enthusiast, Nicole also enjoys spending valued time with family and friends. Email: team@kenrichter.com
ALEXANDRA WOLFE (HOLDEN) Office Assistant
Alexandra grew up in Calgary, Alberta. She has worked off-site for Team Ken Richter as their Social Media Coordinator for three years and, as of Spring 2017, has taken on the role of Office Assistant. Alexandra recently graduated university with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, giving her a keen eye for editing, branding, and clear and creative communication. Alexandra’s fresh take on things and her desire to learn are evident in the work she produces. Now she contributes her expertise to Team Ken Richter full-time. When Alexandra isn’t writing her next book, she enjoys going to the movies with her husband and dreaming about Nashville—her favourite city. Email: team@kenrichter.com 07
SELLER’S INFO OUR GUARANTEE Selling your home is a major financial decision. Give yourself every opportunity to come out on top by partnering with Ken Richter. Ken Richter has been one of the finest Calgary real estate agents for 30+ years, and when it comes to selling your home, you want to know you’re working with the best. Get All The Viewings Team Ken Richter will market your proper on every available platform 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until it is SOLD. We will be in regular contact with all potential buyers and other real estate agents to ensure your property gets viewed and gets offers. Benefit from the highest calibre of home marketing. Inside Information As your REALTOR®, Ken Richter will give you step-by-step explanations of everything involved in the home selling process. Benefit from our complimentary Current Market Analysis and weekly detailed updates and statistics on your listing. Professionals on Your Side Ken Richter will represent you from start to finish to get you the best deal possible. Our Home Selling Team of dedicated professionals are available to answer all questions you may have. If you want to achieve top dollar for your home and work with an experienced Calgary real estate agent that delivers exceptional results, contact Team Ken Richter today, and receive service nothing less than 10/10 on the Scale of Excellence.
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M A R K E T I N G OUR MARKETING PLAN When it comes to selling your home, having a strong marketing strategy is extremely important. This is why at Team Ken Richter we are committed to marketing your home to its fullest potential, using all available resources. Our tried and true marketing plan ensures that great properties get matched with great buyers. Our Marketing Plan Our comprehensive marketing plan will get your home seen by thousands of motivated buyers. The Right Price Properties priced at market value generate more buyer interest. We will complete a comprehensive market analysis to make sure that your home is priced right the first time. The Right Exposure We will use every available resource to make sure the perfect buyer sees your property. Our nation-wide network of professional real estate contacts and buyers will see your listing. Effective Internet Marketing We use the internet and our innovative website to make your listing highly visible. With more than 80% of buyers checking the web first when looking for a home, this is a part of our marketing strategy that you can’t afford to miss. The Best Deal When we list your home, we represent you during the emotionally charged negotiating process and ensure that you get the best price with favorable closing terms. We will take care of all the paperwork and have your best interests at heart.
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MARKETING TIPS GET THE VALUE YOU DESERVE For most of us, our home is our biggest investment. When it’s time to sell, get the value you deserve with the help of a professional real estate agent. If you’d like to discuss your next home sale today, please contact us anytime.
THE TEAM KEN RICHTER 10 POINT MARKETING PLAN: 1. Your property will be listed on the Calgary Multiple Listing Service (MLS), granting over 5500 real estate agents access to it through Realtor.ca 2. Buyers are confident in the trusted Team Ken Richter brand. With our name attached to your listing, you have a leading edge. 3. Your property will be marketed worldwide on KenRichter.com, generating hundreds of inquires each month. 4. Team Ken Richter supplies consistent listing statistics and feedback to ensure your property is reaching its potential. 5. We will provide you with professional property feature sheets that include high quality pictures to make your listing stand out. 6. Team Ken Richter’s “Just Listed” and “For Sale” signs will be marketing your property 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 7. When we work with buyers, we tend to sell our listings first. Listing with us gives your property an advantage. 8. You get all of Team Ken Richter for the same price as hiring a single agent. This means full-time customer service from start to finish. 9. We don’t just list houses, we sell houses. You have a 98% chance of selling your property with Ken Richter, compared to the MLS average which is only 40-50%. 10. When it comes to listing your home, you want to know you’re working with the best.Ken Richter offers you the highest standards of real estate services.
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HOME WORTH OPINION OF VALUE There are many factors that determine what your home is worth in today’s market including: - area above grade and total number of bedrooms - recent renovations, upgrades and/or updating - basement development with a bedroom and/or a suite plus walkout - number of garage parking stalls - location in the community: quiet or busy street, cul-de-sac, across from a park or green space, views, proximity to neighbours, etc. Another important factor is the opinion of value. Properties priced too high will sit on the market and become “shop worn.� Ideally, the property should be priced at Comparable Market Value. Studies continue to show that a property listed at 15% over market value has a 20% probability of sale; 10% over market value has a 30% probability of sale; 5% over market value has a 50% probability of sale. Properties priced at market value have a 95% probability of sale. The method most often used in evaluating single family homes is the Comparable Method. A property is worth what the buyer is willing to pay for it and this is determined by the basic laws of supply and demand. These two factors are evaluated by comparing the home with similar homes that have sold within the market area, with appropriate consideration given to location, amenities lot size, condition, and financing terms.
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H O M E P R E P PREPARING YOUR HOME TO SELL The following are a couple of factors to keep in mind when listing your property for sale: 1. CURB APPEAL Keeping your landscape pristine, and adding creative touches to your yard, such as colorful flowers, palm trees, trimmed shrubs, etc., will create an immediate impact on passers-by and potential buyers. 2. PROPERTY REPAIRS Simple upgrades such as window repairs, polishing the doorknobs, and a fresh coat of paint in the most frequently used rooms will instantly brighten up the property. 3. CLEANLINESS AND STAGING Keep your property uncluttered, sweet-smelling and well-lit from top-to-bottom. Pay attention to details: put away the kitty litter, place a vase of fresh flowers near the entryway, pop a batch of cinnamon rolls in the oven, have your carpets cleaned. Our experienced agents will scan the property before it is listed for sale to see how you can improve the staging and overall appeal of your property. 4. DISCLOSURES AND INSPECTIONS We are very familiar with the legal procedures involved in disclosures and are ready to help you develop a thorough disclosure statement beneficial to both you and the buyer, as well as suggest home improvement measures before placing your property on the market (such as termite and pest inspections). 5. SHOWTIME. Presenting your property to potential buyers is a job that we will take care of for you. Buyers feel more comfortable discussing the property with the agent, if you are not there. Moreover, your agent will know what information will be most useful in representing your interests when speaking with prospective buyers.
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SELLING TIPS PRICING YOUR HOME There are many factors involveds that lead to the successful sale of your home. However, there are three very key components that stand out from the rest. These components are an essential part of the process.
ATTRACT BUYERS NOW! Pricing your home correctly is so important. An overpriced home can be detremental in the end, while an undervalued property certainly doesn’t always generate the buzz it needs. Pricing your home properly takes an experience team that understands the market and has a track record of success. The last thing you want is for your home to stay on the market longer than expected. At that time, interest starts to diminish and perception of the home could go from positive to negative. Below shows the best time to sell and your window of opportunity. By taking advantage of these models, you can price your home properly, create a buzz and gain traffic to your home. Attract buyers immediately. Sellers and agents tend to experiment with price by starting high and dropping it over time. This rationale is not the best approah.
Activity (Amount of Interest)
A listing gets the most attention on its debut. As the WALL STREET JOURNAL reports, the week that a listing goes on the market, we estimate that it gets nearly four times more visits on real estate websites than it does a month later, which is when most sellers will initiate a price reduction.
Highest Potential
Lost Potential Multiple Offers
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Dangerous Risk Gamble
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Time on Market (Weeks) Your Asking Price
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THE OFFER ACCEPTIONG THE OFFER THE PRICE IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT “The higher the price, the better the offer.” Do not let yourself be fooled by this popular misconception. Price is not always the determining factor when accepting an offer for several important reasons: the initial offer is usually not final, and there are a number of terms and conditions that may influence the final outcome of a price. You can trust me to help you thoroughly evaluate every proposal without compromising your marketing position. NEGOTIATING THE RIGHT WAY I’ll take the ethical responsibility of fairly negotiating contractual terms very seriously. It is my job to find a win-win agreement that is beneficial to all parties involved. You may even have to deal with multiple offers before ratifying the one you judge to be the most suitable for you – and as your agent, I will guarantee a thorough and objective assessment of each offer to help you make the right choice. THE INITIAL AGREEMENT AND DEPOSIT An effective agreement is a legal arrangement between a potential purchaser and the property’s seller. Laws vary but in order to be a legally binding agreement, the agreement may require consideration. This consideration (initial and additional deposit) is to be held in trust pending the fulfillment of conditions or contingencies in the effective agreement. KEEP WRITTEN RECORDS OF EVERYTHING For the sake of clarity, it will be extremely useful to transcribe all verbal agreements including counter-offers and addendums, and convert them to written agreements to be signed by both parties. I will assist you in drafting all the paperwork for your sale and make sure that you have copies of everything.
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GET ONLINE! WEB SYNDICATION Our innovative site connects sellers with buyers and gives you access to potential listings that fit your criteria before they are exposed to the masses. Our team uses the Internet and all online tools to help find the home that best suits you. With more than 90% of buyers checking the web, getting online is the most effective and efficient way to find your next home. Our web presence and online network will help speed up this process. 99% of people search for a home using three main search engines. We make sure to connect to these sources in order to utilize every avenue, including our own, in order to find that ideal home for you. The internet has provided us with great access to view homes on line and made the home searching process more efficient. However, it is important to view homes in person as well. As the buyer, it is important to get a larger perspective and better feel of the home you are interested in buying and seeing it live and in person give you the best perspective.
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WHERE DO BUYERS
COME FROM?
FIRST STEPS
BUYERS TAKE WHEN LOOKING 51% Internet (home searches & research) 34% REALTOR® 4% Call on yard sign 4% Friend/relative/neighbor 4% Open House 2% New Builder 1% Local newspaper & magazines
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TESTIMONIALS “We chose you for our real estate agent because you were a neighbour and a contributor to the Bowness Community. But when I called to tell you I was locked out one day or the rainy night that we were broken into...you were there, right away, to help. We now consider you a friend.” -Vance & Susan R “Ken Richter has been my realtor for many years, with buying and selling... referrals for other properties... I can honestly say that Ken has always had my best interest at heart. He makes sure you stage your home for a seller and I can say, it works. His expertise is bar none, spot on with efficient staff to help. He is one of the best and his record shows it. Go Team Richter” -Madeleine C “Team Richter really delivered! From the moment we started our journey to sell our home and purchase another property, Ken was there to guide us through the processes. He listened to our needs and provided exceptional service. Ken’s knowledge and experience were evident and helped make selling our home a positive experience. On a personal note, we found Ken to be a genuinely nice person and it was easy to like him. We enjoyed doing business with him and would highly recommend him to anyone who is looking for a real estate agent. We will certainly use him again when we are ready to make another leap!” -Jim & Sheryl T “I had a property that was difficult to sell. The team did their best to present it in its best light. Team also ensured an appropriate time frame for me to move to my new living quarters.” -Yvonne H “I was very happy working with Team Ken Richter. They were attentive and very supportive. There were a couple extra matters needing attending to and they went the extra mile for us on both of them. Thanks Team Ken Richter!” -Colin R & Cindy U “I would rarely compliment or write a testimonial for a realtor—but in this case Ken is much more than a realtor—he is now a neighbor and a friend all because I can trust him and the information he gives me. He and his team are true professionals. They never engage in using high pressure tactics—just timely and frequent communications when appropriate. I will continue to use Ken for any future real estate purchases.” -Dr David Chalack, DVM
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RE/MAX Real Estate (Central)
PHONE: 403.630.6363 I FAX: 403.776.4797 #206 - 2411 4TH STREET NW, CALGARY AB, T2M 2Z8