S E L L E R ’ S P R E S E N T A T I O N
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t h e sz a b o d i ffe re nce
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SZABO GROUP REAL ESTATE. REAL SMART.
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ADRIENNE SZABO PRINCIPAL, OWNER Uncompromisingly passionate, focused and diligent, it’s not hard to see why Adrienne Szabo is one of DC’s most trusted and successful real estate agents. She has made a name for herself by mixing her professional expertise and savvy business insights with an upbeat approach and positive attitude. Adrienne’s passion for Real Estate dates back to her childhood in Hungary- playing Monopoly with her father at age 5, she developed a passion for property. She learned that there is an art and a process that must be mastered in order to win the best property in the best location. While the rules are somewhat different in the real world, the essentials are the same: it takes a combination of vision, patience and keen negotiating skills to get the right property at the right time.
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VICTORIA HALL SALES SPECIALIST Victoria is a native of the Baltimore/Washington area whose career has spanned that of an educator, fundraiser-publicist, and marketing-communications consultant, prior to becoming a REALTOR. To that end she is always teaching, collaborating and seamlessly guiding her clients through the often complex maze of the home selling and buying process. She has built her business entirely on the referrals of enthusiastic, loyal, thrilled with the results, repeat clients, their friends, family members and colleagues. Victoria has resided on Capitol Hill for the past twelve years as a REALTOR, specializing in a continuum of real estate services ranging from the sale of “Extraordinary Homes” - to advising the “First-Time Home-Buyer” - including New Construction, Historic, as well as “Waterfront Homes” from DC to Alexandria, VA.
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MARJORY HARDY
BUYER SPECIALIST
Marjory is a native Washingtonian with multi generational roots, which gives her an advantage in navigating the city and today’s complex real estate market. She truly enjoys educating first time buyers and helping them through the process of purchasing their first home. Her goal is to provide her clients with the highest level of service every step of the way. Having raised five children, Marjory is the true maternal, nurturing member of the Szabo Group. She lives in Palisades with her husband and black lab, Zoe.
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DERRY HAWS SALES SPECIALIST Derry Haws is a great believer in always learning and adapting. Early in her career in film and television with the BBC she was taught that it was important to be able to work together in a positive professional way to achieve the very best outcome. Working under pressure, meeting deadlines and caring for people are just as much a part of Derry’s experience as a REALTOR today as when she was a makeup artist. Derry’s international experience, keen ear for listening to her clients’ needs and keen eye for helping her clients visualize possibilities are just a few of the qualifies that Derry brings to the table. She is passionate, caring, knowledgeable, professional and able to find creative solutions to challenges.
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MICHELE WORTHINGTON ADMINISTRATOR
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NICHELLE JOHNSON ADMINISTRATOR
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SIMONE SMALLING CO-OWNER FRESHTAKE MARKETING Freshtake Marketing was founded on the belief of quality customer service, awesome designs and unique branding concepts. My personal portfolio includes many administrative roles as well as design, but I excel in making sure our products are continually growing and expanding to suit your needs. We believe marketing matters. We believe in the overall success of clients and want them to succeed. If they succeed, we succeed...it’s that simple. If you are looking for a company that takes pride in it’s work, in the details, and true customer service, look no further! We are accessible, reliable, and creative enough to add that “wow” factor to your business.
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ALDIN SMALLING CREATIVE DIRECTOR My professional portfolio includes many things, however, I pride myself in creating cool concepts, branding and marketing ad campaigns, and being a visionary. I believe that if you imagine it, we can bring it to life! Either on paper, print, or presentation form online. info@freshtakemarketing.ca 587.432.8253 I 403.796.9173 www.freshtakemarketing.ca
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S TA N T O N V I E W A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE We understand the SVD Group is an experienced and respected building and civil construction firm in the Washington DC. For over a century, you have been transforming the ideas and visions of your clients into award-winning projects. We know you build with the intention of exceeding your clients’ expectations for safety, quality, functionality, and aesthetics, and deliver finished products that stand the test of time. We see that your core values remain true to the same principles on which your company was founded which is to provide superior service to your clients, to put safety first, to creating opportunities for our people, while always delivering exceptional work, fostering innovation, acting with integrity, and strengthening your communities. Like us, your success is defined by the success of your clients. With each project you undertake, we know that you seek to earn your clients’ trust and respect, as do we. We also can identify with you in wanting to develop relationships that endure and leave a lasting impression. Your innovation, integrity and quality is something that we highly value and emphasize as professionals. Because above all else, we believe in people, value and achieving excellence through accountability, quality and care. Together, we can create something new and innovative from the principals we both hold strong to. p
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SELLING WHY CHOOSE OUR PROFESSIONALS? You may opt to sell your property independently. There are many excellent reasons, however, why you should choose us to assist you in this important undertaking. We will ensure that you maximize your opportunities in the current real estate market. With our extensive contact networks that we have developed through the many national and international organizations, of which we are members, as well as our current and past clients, we will employ the most effective marketing and advertising strategies for your property. We will also guide you through the complicated paperwork involved, from the initial agreement to the final documents. In some cases, finding an agent can be easy, however, finding the right agent with the qualities that create success is a completely different story. FACTORS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN LOOKING FOR AN AGENT 1. Education. The most important factor in choosing a real estate professional is their education in the real estate industry. Our professionals have advanced training and education, allowing them to be among the top agents in the world and earning prestigious designations in the various fields of real estate. 2. Experience and Expertise. You want a full-time agent who is familiar with your area and with the type of property you intend to sell. Does he or she employ a diverse range of marketing and advertising strategies? How tech-savvy is your agent? How many similar properties has he or she been able to sell in the past? 3. Availability and Commitment. Your agent should be capable of prompt and decisive action during the course of selling your property. Does your agent make it a point to keep in touch with you constantly? Can your agent easily be contacted in case of emergencies or even for the simplest questions? Is your agent available on the weekends or in the evenings when most buyers are out looking? 4. Rapport. Does your agent take the time to listen to your goals and clarify your needs? Can your agent understand your unique situation and be genuinely concerned about the outcome of the process? Your listing agent will be your guide and partner in this crucial decision, so it is important to find one with whom you can get along.
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W H Y S E L L? WHY CHOOSE OUR PROFESSIONALS? So you have decided to sell your property. Before anything else, it is a good idea to sit down and clarify your motivations and draw up a basic time frame for the selling process. WHY SELL? Why do you want to sell your property? Do you intend to simply find a larger property, or do you plan on moving to another neighborhood, school district, city or state? You might think your reasons are obvious, but it would do well to consider the implications of each option for your lifestyle, opportunities, and finances. Being clear about your intentions for selling will make it easier for us to determine the most appropriate option for your specified financial, lifestyle, and real estate goals. WHEN SHOULD I SELL? You should immediately establish your time frame for selling. If you need to sell quickly, we can speed up the process by giving you a complete market analysis and action plan to obtain all of your goals. If there is no pressing need to sell immediately, you can sit down with one of our expert real estate agents to thoroughly review the current market conditions and find the most favorable time to sell. WHAT IS THE MARKET LIKE? When you work with us, you can be sure that you will have our knowledge, expertise and negotiating skills at work for you to arrive at the best market prices and terms. We will keep you up-to-date on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and conditions of competing properties. With us, you will know exactly how to price and when to sell your property. HOW DO I OPTIMIZE MY FINANCES? Deciding to sell your property demands a serious consideration of your current financial situation and future possibilities. With the help of our qualified agents, you will be able to effectively assess the cumulative impact of these changes, estimate potential proceeds of selling your property, and plan effective tax savings and estate planning strategies. We will ensure that you not only take control of your finances, but use them to their fullest potential.
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SUCCESSFUL SALES APPROACH he sales approach at the Szabo Group is simple — we do what it takes to sell your home in a timely manner.
COMPREHENSIVE: While our sales approach is comprehensive, communication is the vital component to our success. As a sales team, we are committed to involving you in every step of the process. Whether it is establishing a sales price, holding open houses, accepting offers, or closing escrow, we will communicate with you on a regular basis. As our results on the following page will indicate, our sales approach simply works. INSIDE THE NUMBERS: As we dissect the numbers, you will see how choosing the right agent can seriously and significantly affect your bottom line. TRUSTED ADVICE SEE WHAT’S ON THE MARKET 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, I have the experience, expertise and innovative marketing plan to help you successfully sell your home.
START HERE PRE-LISTING > Schedule Appointment > Meet with Szabo Group and Discuss Selling Strategy > Formal Listing Presentation
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PRE-LISTING > Execute Sales Agreement & Appraise Home > Design Team Walk-thru > Marketing Analysis > Establish Sales Price
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LISTED & ACTIVE > Start Marketing Campaign & Install Sign > Submit Listing to MLS & Launch Property Website
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LISTED & ACTIVE > Create Marketing Products (Brochures, Just Listed Cards) > Start Direct Mail, Phone & Email Campaign
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UNDER CONTRACT > Offer Received & Negotiated > Offer Accepted (Inspection & Appraisals Complete) > Contingencies Removed > Property Closed > Please Refer!
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HOME PREP PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SALE You can do a lot to increase the appeal of your property and to create a lasting impact on potential buyers. WHAT TO DO TO PREPARE 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 annuals, 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. Your agent will scan the property before it is listed for sale to see how you can improve the staging 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. WHAT IS YOUR PROPERTY WORTH? Without a professional agent, most independent property sellers tend
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THE OFFER ALL ABOUT ACCEPTING 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 our professionals to help you thoroughly evaluate every proposal without compromising your marketing position. NEGOTIATING THE RIGHT WAY. We take the ethical responsibility of fairly negotiating contractual terms very seriously. It is our 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 agents, we 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 from state to state, 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 the closing agent’s escrow account pending the fulfilment 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. We will assist you in drafting all the paperwork for your sale and make sure that you have copies of everything. STICK TO THE SCHEDULE. Now that you have chosen your offer, you and the buyer will be given a timeline to mark every stage in the process of closing the real estate contract. Meeting the requirements on time ensures a smoother flow of negotiations and also ensures that each party involved is not in breach of their agreements. During the process we will keep you constantly updated so you will always be prepared for the next step.
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S A L E S R E S U LT S SALES INFO - DAYS ON MARKET: Lowering the number of days on the market is an essential asset to helping you move on with you life efficiently, financially and responsibly. It could be the difference between 10’s of 1000’s of dollars and can give you the piece of mind and comfort needed while making the next step in your life. AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET
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SZABO GROUP- 8 DAYS MARKET AVERAGE - 35 DAYS
DAYS LESS
SALES INFO - LIST TO SALE PRICE: It’s one thing to close quickly, but most agents that have quick closings usually end up costing you more money and are typically below the market average. Even agents who are well-known and well-established see themselves quick closing slightly above the market average. However, it takes a dedicated, well-organised, well-informed team to close quickly for above average list to sale price. The difference can be thousands of dollars in your pocket.
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LIST TO SALE PRICE RATIO SZABO GROUP - 103%** MARKET AVERAGE - 79%**
+24%
**ratio based on luxury listings $1m and over
EXAMPLE GIVEN: Imagine your monthly mortgage payment is $2000/mth. The Szabo Group’s average days on market is almost one month difference of the market average in Washington DC in early 2015. Although, this may not always lead to a savings of $2000, wheras in some cases it does, having that financially flexibility is priceless. Planning for the market average is the responsible thing to do. But knowing the probability of a quick sale and closing to help you get your things in order for your big move is a bonus when having a strong team such as the Szabo Group to represent you.
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INSPECTIONS & APPRAISALS Most buyers will have the property inspected by a licensed property inspector within the time frame that was agreed upon in the effective contract to purchase. Some buyers will have several different inspectors inspect the property, if they wish to obtain professional opinions from inspectors who specialize in a specific area (e.g.. roof, HVAC, structure). If the agreement is conditional upon financing, then the property will be appraised by a licensed appraiser to determine the value for the lending institution via third party. This is done so that the lending institution can confirm their investment in your property is accurate. A buyer of a commercial property may also have a complete environmental audit performed and/or soil test, if required by the lending institution. THE CLOSING AGENT. Either a title company or an attorney will be selected as the closing agent, whose job is to examine and insure clear title to real estate. After researching the complete recorded history of your property, they will certify that 1) your title is free and clear of encumbrances (e.g.. mortgages, leases, or restrictions, liens) by the date of closing; and 2) all new encumbrances are duly included in the title. CONTINGENCIES. A contingency is a condition that must be met before a contract becomes legally binding. For instance, a buyer will usually include a contingency stating that their contract is binding only when there is a satisfactory home inspection report from a qualified inspector. DEPENDING ON THE OUTCOME OF INSPECTIONS, 1 OF 2 THINGS MAY HAPPEN: 1. Either each milestone is successfully closed and the contingencies will be removed, bringing you one step closer to the closing; or 2. The buyer, after reviewing the property and the papers, requests a renegotiation of the terms of contract (usually the price). How do you respond objectively and fairly to the buyer when a renegotiation is demanded, while acting in your best interests? This is when a professional listing agent can make a real difference in the outcome of the transaction. We guarantee our expertise and total commitment to every customer, no matter what their situation is.
O N L I N E FA C T S & CHRISTIE’S We use the Internet and our innovative website to make your listing highly visible. With more than 90% of buyers checking the web first when looking for a home, this is a part of your marketing strategy that you can’t afford to miss. Below shows that 99% of people search for a home using three main search engines. We make sure to be as visible as possible on these platforms.
81% 12% 6% CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE The World’s Leading Luxury Real Estate Brand supported by the esteemed art business, Christie’s International Real Estate is a global network offering exclusive home and luxury real estate services to buyers and sellers worldwide. LOCAL CONNECTIONS, INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION. Our worldwide network includes 135 Affiliated brokerages operating from 1,200 offices, with 32,000 real estate professionals in 45 countries. LONG & FOSTER REAL ESTATE As the nation’s No. 1 privately owned real estate company, Long & Foster has guided people home since 1968. We’re a full-service brokerage, offering residential and commercial real estate, mortgage, settlement, insurance, property management, corporate relocation and vacation rental services. WHERE OUR FOCUS LIES... A focus on exceptional service to clients and support for our agents means being tech-savvy and digitally connected. Our part ownership in Moxi Works, a real estate technology company, keeps our agents on the cutting edge.
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TESTIMONIALS We were originally referred to Adrienne as she was well-known in the community for being a successful real estate investor. What we learned from Adrienne far exceeded any expectations we had. Adrienne not only guided us through the entire legal process of real estate investing but he also helped us develop a complex strategic investment plan that we continue to follow to this day. We now have six rental properties and earn more cash flow passively then with both our full-time jobs combined. We are financially secure and cannot thank Adrienne enough for all he has done for us. - BRIGITTE AND DEREK I have known Adrienne for years and have seen firsthand what real estate investing has done for her quality of life. She has security and freedom all because of her efforts in real estate. In 2015, I decided to take the plunge and get started myself. Adrienne helped take away all the inhibitions I previously had about investing and taught me all I needed to know to be successful in real estate. I now on 4 properties and have plans to continue investing. - JASON My wife and I had the pleasure of working with Marjory on the purchase and sale of our first home, and the purchase of our new home. Marjory always went out of her way to make sure that he understood our requirements, and was critical in walking us through both the purchasing and selling process. Marjory has a great sense of humour and upbeat personality which makes the entire buying and selling process run smoothly. I would highly recommend Marjory for your real estate needs. - ADRIAN & AMY My spouse and I approached Kate in the fall of 2015 to be our representative as we were looking to purchase our first home. From fighting for the right price for us, to even taking care of us by our side during the worst storm Washington has seen in years with our car in the ditch after a viewing, She has been attentive every step of the way. - CHRIS & MEG