Betsy Hargreaves A Leader in Luxury
Betsy credits her successful real estate career to her business background and customer service commitment. Her technical experience includes working with Johnson & Johnson for 15 years in M&A, a private overseas joint venture in New Business Opportunities and multiple tax certifications. With her varied business experience, she confidently assists her clients in assessing the marketplace and securing the best deal for them and their family. As a Dover and Chatham resident for over twenty years and an active participant in her communities and several professional associations, her fingers are on the real estate pulse and her networks are alive and working for her clients. Her business acumen and dynamic personality helps her to be successful with all your Real Estate needs. Let her assist you in your next real estate transition! Additional Degrees and Certificates: MBA, CNE, CMA Licensed Tax Preparer, IRS PTIN P01314163 Betsy.Hargreaves@GibsonSIR.com 508-243-8082 544 Boston Post Road, Weston
Organizations and Committees and Community Involvement: MWBA - Metro West Business Alliance - Member NAR - National Association of Realtors - Member GREB - Greater Real Estate Board Member Boston College Alumni REal Estate Association - Member Dover Sherborn PTO and Boosters - Past Officer Dover Sherborn Youth Lacrosse Program - Past Officer Chatham Yacht Club - Past Officer
Services Pre Listing & On Going Services •
Help with determining the best selling price for your home maximizing your profits.
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Suggestions and help in preparing your home to be in top selling condition
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Design services for 1 hour with an interior / staging contact.
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Developing a strategy to show your features and benefits of the home.
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Updates and progress reviews periodically and as needed.
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Current notifications on changes in the market climate.
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Featured in Multiple Listing System, professional photographs, create extensive social media campaign and web-site along with print advertising.
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Implement the enclosed marketing plan.
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Presentation of all offers promptly and assistance in evaluating them.
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Updates and monitor progress toward closing when a contract is accepted.
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Updates and monitor the appraisal and buyers loan approval.
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Immediate action on any events that may threaten closing.
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Coordinate and monitor the settlement process.
Showing Tips: When an appointment is made agents from many real estate firms will want to show your home. Please allow any agent who calls to show your home at the suggested time. If you are not frequently available, it is suggested that you allow a lockbox to be installed on your door. You will increase your odds for a sale by allowing more qualified buyers to see your home. You do not want to miss an out-of-town transferee because your home was not able to be shown.
During a Showing: •
Open all draperies and window shades even in daylight, kitchen & bathrooms should sparkle.
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Open windows one half hour before showing to circulate fresh air.
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Open all the doors between rooms to give an inviting feeling.
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Some tips: Place fresh flowers on kitchen table and/or in the living room and bake cookies or bread to add an inviting aroma.
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Turn on all lights and replace bulbs with high wattage bulbs where needed.
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Pets should be confined or restricted from view. Eliminate pet odors. Not everyone may share your love of animals. Some people may be allergic to them.
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All jewelry and small valuables should be stored in a safety deposit box or in a locked closet.
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Replace any items not included in the sale, or list them appropriately with me as “to be replaced with…” or “not included”.
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Beds should be made & clothes picked up. Bathrooms should be clean, with towels folded and toilet lids down.
Betsy Hargreave’s Code of Ethics
Betsy’s Code of Ethics is based on integrity, confidentiality and communication at all times.
Client Recomendations “Betsy was truly amazing!! From the moment I contacted her to look for my new home until the final signing of my new home, Betsy was there for me every step of the way. On our first meeting to view homes she asked me lots of questions in regards to what I was looking for. This included wants, needs, location, budget and much much more. Going into this was all uncharted waters for me being a first time home buyer. We viewed many homes and she just asked questions about things to the selling brokers I would have never even thought to ask. She really inspected things in these homes! She even as far as climbed up into ceiling attics to be see if there was any evidence of water or damages. I just knew she had my best interest in mind and she never even had to say it.... It was obvious! When we finally found the home of my dreams Betsy was off like a rocket! Negotiating and for lack of better terms, holding my hand every step of the way to be sure I got the best final deal I could get. She also explained thing to me that the mortgage company was talking about that was like a foreign language and I was so confused! Seriously I am not sure what the outcome would have been if I hadn’t had Betsy in my corner through all of this. I highly recommend Betsy Hargreaves to anyone buying a new home! First time buyers or not... Betsy is top notch!!” “Betsy was an absolute pleasure to work with from start to finish! We didn’t really know much about the area and cast a VERY large net at first. She patiently paraded us all over Dover, Westwood, and Medfield to countless properties until we found our perfect town and perfect home to raise our family. When it came down to the purchase and closing process she was efficient and so helpful arranging the details when we were too far away to make the trip. Would work with her again anytime and would highly recommend!” “We had a great experience working with Betsy to sell our family home in Dover. She did Open Houses on weekends, gave us valuable feedback, was energetic and replied to us promptly whenever we had questions. We highly recommend Betsy.!”
“We choose Betsy to help us find a home based on her proven track record. She worked diligently to find us the home we were looking for, even though we were not exactly sure where we wanted to be. Betsy took us all over, including towns that were outside her normal area. We ultimately found a great home with her help.”
Preparing Your Home for a Photo Shoot Whether your home is being shot for a real estate sale, a home magazine article or to show off the architecture or interior design, you will want to ensure your home is “parade ready”! Here are some important and helpful tips to help you help your photographer get the most incredible photographs of your home. The “client” (the individual that signed the MLS terms agreement) is not required to be present at their home while the photographer is on-site. Betsy Hargreaves, the agent is the person you are leaving in charge of your home. Betsy will point out special features of your home that may not be obvious as well as assist with last minute home preparation needs during the shoot. The photographer will focus on ensuring your home’s greatest attributes are photographed to their best advantage.
In the up-coming days to the shoot focus on making sure these tasks are complete: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Lawn is mowed and raked Flower beds/pots are wedded and cleaned Garbage cans are out of sight from the street and backyard Driveways, sidewalks, decks, porches and patios are swept and clutter removed Lawn and garden equipment is put away and out of sight Rooms including the bathroom are de-cluttered (rooms excessively furnished do not photograph well) Counters and other surfaces cleared of clutter, bookshelves organized and streamlined Refrigerator is cleared of photos, papers, magnets, etc. The day of the shoot check on the completion of these tasks: Pets should be contained in areas not being photographed Dishes are removed from the sink, fresh seasonal flowers are a nice touch for a splash of color Floors vacuumed & counters cleaned, store all jewelry and valuables Laundry and clothes are put out of sight, closed organized especially hall closet for Open Houses All beds are made and bedrooms tidied, limit personal items & pictures Indoor trash cans empty and put out of sight, install odorizers keep not visible if possible Newspapers and excessive magazines are removed from sight Vehicles are removed from view (out of the driveway and front & back of the home)
During the Shoot: • •
Remove and replace waste baskets and other distracting items off counters, desks & beds etc. Remove items such as towels on oven doors, shampoo containers, ensure toilet seats are down, etc.
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Reposition blinds, turn on/off lights and replace any lights out using maximum wattage allowed
Preparing Your Home for Sale Preparing Your Home has just one chance to make a great first impression with each potential buyer. And it can! The following “tricks of the trade” will help you keep track of what needs to be done. The whole idea is to present a clean, spacious clutter-free home--the kind of place you’d like to buy. Accomplish a little everyday, and before long your home will be ready to make the impression that can make the sale. Your Home’s Overall Curb Appeal •
Mow lawn , trim shrubs & edge gardens and walkways
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Weed and mulch, sweep walkways and driveway, remove branches, litter or toys
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Add color and fill in bare spots with plantings
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Remove mildew or moss from walls or walkways with bleach and water or other cleaner
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Take stains off your driveway with cleanser or kitty litter
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Stack woodpile neatly
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Clean and repair patio and deck area
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Remove any outdoor furniture which is not in good repair
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Make sure pool or spa sparkles
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Replace old storm doors
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Check for flat-fitting roof shingles
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Repair broken windows and shutters, replace torn screens, make sure frames and seams have solid caulking
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Hose off exterior wood and trim, replace damaged bricks or wood
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Touch up exterior paint, repair gutters and eaves
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Clean and remove rust from any window air conditioning units
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Paint the front door and mailbox
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Add a new front door mat and consider a seasonal door decoration
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Shine brass hardware on front door, outside lighting fixtures, etc.
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Make sure doorbell is in good working order General Interior Tips
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Add a fresh coat of interior paint in light, neutral colors
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Shampoo carpeting, replace if necessary
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Clean and wax hardwood floors, refinish if necessary, clean and wash kitchen and bathroom floors
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Wash all windows, vacuum blinds, wash window sills
Preparing Your Home Cont. •
Clean the fireplace
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Clean out & organize closets, add extra space by packing clothes/items you won’t need until after you’ve moved
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Remove extra furniture, worn rugs & items you don’t use; keep papers, toys picked up--especially on stairways
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Repair problems such as loose door knobs, cracked molding, leaking taps and toilets, squeaky doors, closets or screen doors which are off their tracks
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Add dishes of potpourri, or drop of vanilla or bath oil on light bulbs for scent
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Secure jewelry, cash and other valuables The Living Room
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Make it cozy and inviting, discard chipped or worn furniture and frayed or worn rugs
The Dining Room •
Polish any visible silver and crystal
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Set the table for a formal dinner to help viewers imagine entertaining here
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The Kitchen
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Make sure appliances are spotless inside and out (try baking soda for cleaning Formica stains)
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Make sure all appliances are in perfect working order
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Clean often forgotten spots on top of refrigerator and under sink
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Wax or sponge floor to brilliant shine, clean baseboards
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Unclutter all counter space, remove countertop appliances
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Organize items inside cabinets, pre-pack anything you won’t be using before you move
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The Bathrooms
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Remove all rust and mildew
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Make sure tile, fixtures, shower doors, etc. are immaculate and shining
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Make sure all fixtures are in good repair
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Replace loose caulking or grout
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Make sure lighting is bright, but soft
The Master Bedroom •
Organize furnishings to create a spacious look with well-defined sitting, sleeping, and dressing areas
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The Garage and Basement
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Sell, give away, or throw out unnecessary items and tidy up by discarding or pre-packing
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Tidy storage or work areas and sell, give away, or throw out unnecessary items
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Organize and create more floor space by hanging tools and placing items on shelves
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Clean water heater and drain sediment and change furnace filter
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Make inspection access easy
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Clean and paint concrete floor and walls and clean oily cement floor
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Provide strong overhead light in the Attic and throughout the house
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Make sure energy-saving insulation is apparent and make sure air vent is in working order
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Provide strong overhead lighting