Property Presentation
GUIDE
Professional Service, Personally Delivered
Welcome! Congratulations! You’ve taken the first step towards selling your home. Thank you for choosing Showcase Realty/The Nancy Braun Team to represent your interests during this important process. We understand that selling your home is a significant and often emotional event in your life. We are committed to providing you with an experience that is as positive and stress free as possible. This guide is designed to serve as a road map of sorts, taking you stepby-step through the selling process, describing what you can expect, and providing you with tips for showing your home in its best possible light. If at any time in the process you have questions or would like additional information, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to working with you and providing you with the service and personal attention our clients have come to expect. Make It A Great Day!
Nancy Braun
Owner and Broker In Charge, Showcase Realty LLC
showcaserealty.net | 704.997.3794
What Showcase Realty offers Our ultimate home selling system, which gives you a whole team of professionals (versus a single agent) Listing Coordinator Closing Coordinator Operations Manager Administrative Assistant Market Researcher Accounting/Bookkeeping Client Development Listing Specialists Buyer Specialists
Step 1: Pre-Selling & Inspections Our pre-selling process is designed to give you an overview of our philosophy, our marketing system, and what we plan to do to get your home Sold FAST. Throughout this process we will: >> Meet with you to fully explain our Marketing System, how it works, and what we plan to accomplish. >> Submit your property address to our research specialist, who prepares an Equity Evaluation to help us determine an appropriate list price. >> Arrange a meeting with our listing agent, who helps prepare your paperwork, measures your rooms, installs your lock box, and delivers directional signs. >> Contact a home inspector to schedule your optional Pre-Inspection >> Schedule the Virtual Tour, which may take up to a week to complete. We will call you to confirm a date and time, and you do not need to be present for the tour >> Begin planning marketing materials for your home, including the full-color Home Brochure, your for sale sign, seller business cards, and much more >> Start listing your home on various web sites, including Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow, showcaserealty.net and a host of other real estate related sites.
showcaserealty.net | 704.997.3794
Step 2: Preparing your virtual tour One of the most important marketing pieces in our arsenal is the virtual tour. We will call you to schedule a convenient day and time for our photographers to come into your home. In order to produce the best possible tour, please: >> Clean and de-clutter your home as much as possible (including kitchen counter tops) before the photo crews arrive. Please note that you do NOT have to be present for the tour preparation visit. Our photographers can be directed to access your home via lock-box or by prior arrangement. Once there, they will: >> Thoroughly review your home and outline all of the important features, updates, etc. >> Take professional interior and exterior photos of your home.
Please allow at least an hour for the crew to take pictures of your home. Great photos ensure that your home is presented in its best light, and that all of its important features are showcased properly. Once the photographers are finished, a virtual tour will be developed. The virtual tour is basically a short video presentation of the home. We post the virtual tour as soon as it is complete, and it can be accessed 24 hours a day. It’s basically like having an open house for your home all day, every day!
Step 3: Preparing your listing After the tour is complete, our marketing team picks up your home’s listing information and posts it on our web site: showcaserealty.net. We then prepare a listing for your home on Showingtime.com, where agents can leave comments about your home after they’ve shown it. Finally, we submit your home to our Area Wide MLS. Each step in this process plays an important role in getting the word out about your home, both to the public and to other real estate agents. During this process, you may be asked to provide additional information about your home, including features you would like to highlight, things that you believe make your home stand out, and other issues to help us market your home most effectively. The listing information and the details you provide are compiled into our full-color Home Brochure. The goal of this marketing piece is to showcase the very best features of your home, then package them in a way that helps potential buyers remember what they loved about your home once they’ve left a showing.
Sample Brochure
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Checklist 1: Listing Paperwork Completion Please ensure that you have completed all necessary paperwork and provide all documents to The Showcase Realty/Nancy Braun Team: Seller Information Form (Sent to you via email to fill out) List of utilities (gas, electric, etc., with monthly cost estimates) A copy of your property tax information (if you have one)
Seller’s Disclosure Statement Form, Mineral Rights & Lead Based Paint (if applicable Forms* (Completed in Full) A copy of your property survey (if you have one) A copy of floor plan (if you have one) Copy of covenants & restrictions for the HOA if applicable Copy of any marketing materials that were used if home was previously on the market An extra house key ready to place in the lock box
*Failure to complete and submit the above referenced paperwork will result in a delay of the marketing, listing and sale of your home.
Step 4: Preparing your home for showings To ensure that your home looks its very best to potential buyers, it’s helpful to ask yourself these questions: Exterior >> Does the yard appear well-maintained? >> Are the trees and bushes trimmed? >> Is your lawn mowed and edged? >> Is your lawn free of weeds? >> Are the decks and patios clean? >> Does your home need painting? >> Are there any exterior holes or cracks? >> Are your walks and porches clean and in good repair? >> Does your roof leak or sag? >> Are any roof shingles or tiles missing? >> Is your chimney in good condition?
Carpeting/Walls/Ceilings >> Are your carpets clean and in good condition? >> Do your carpets need stretching? >> Are there any pet or smoking odors? >> Do your walls have any cracks or holes? >> Do your walls need painting? >> What about that wallpaper? >> Do your ceilings have any water stains, cracks or peeling? >> Do your ceilings need painting?
showcaserealty.net | 704.997.3794
Step 4 (continued) Preparing your home for Showings To ensure that your home looks its very best to potential buyers, it’s helpful to ask yourself these questions:
Kitchen >> Are your appliances clean and in good working order? >> Are your cabinets in good condition? >> Are your counter tops in good condition? >> Is your tile grout clean? >> Is your sink stained, chipped, or in need of re-caulking?
Bathroom >> Do your faucets turn off completely? >> Do your sinks drain freely? >> Are your toilets in good condition? >> Are your shower doors clean? >> Do your tubs need re-caulking? >> Is your floor in good condition? >> Are your vanities and mirrors in good condition?
Step 4 (continued) Preparing your home for Showings To ensure that your home looks its very best to potential buyers, it’s helpful to ask yourself these questions:
Living Room >> Is your fireplace clean? >> Is the fireplace screen in good condition? >> Are all draperies, shutters and shades clean and working properly? >> Do any window screens need repairs? >> Do all the windows open and close easily? >> Are the windowsills clean? >> Are your doors in good condition? >> Do any doors sag or stick? >> Do the locks work? >> Is the paint in good condition? >> Do the doors seal tightly?
showcaserealty.net | 704.997.3794
Step 4 (continued) Preparing your home for Showings To ensure that your home looks its very best to potential buyers, it’s helpful to ask yourself these questions:
Basement/Attic >> Are they organized? >> Are they well lit? >> Are they clean? >> Are the stairs in good repair? >> Do the doors open and close easily? >> Are there any signs of insects or rodents? >> Is the exterior of the furnace and hot water tank clean?
Garage >> Is it clean and organized? >> Is it well-lit? >> Is the floor swept? >> Are there oil spots or other stains on the concrete?
Step 5: Showing your Home >> Showingtime will contact you when an agent requests to show your home. It it very important that you respond promptly to these requests, and be as accommodating as possible. Our goal is to show the home to every potential buyer who shows interest. >> We also recommend that you leave the house during these showings. Agents and clients need to see the home without any added distractions, and they need to be in an atmosphere where they feel they can evaluate the home and speak freely >> Once an agent has shown your home, you will receive feedback via Showingtime.com within that same week. Please note that this time line is largely dependent on whether the agent responds to the request for feedback in a timely manner. >> Every other week, you will receive a market snapshot via email. This weekly report tracks the real estate activity in your immediate area, including new listings, current listings, changes in the market, and much more. >> You will be contacted to discuss your home’s showings, current market conditions, the marketing process, and to answer any questions you might have.
showcaserealty.net | 704.997.3794
Checklist 2: Once Listed Once all of your listing paperwork is signed, please ensure that you have completed the below items: Please contact us as soon as you receive your pre-inspection report, and review the items that need attention (if applicable). Please e-mail a list of all items on the pre-inspection report you plan to correct (if applicable). Please call our marketing coordinator when you need more home brochures or seller business cards. When a showing is scheduled, turn all lights on, open draperies and blinds, and try to de-clutter a bit. Fresh scents from candles or scented plug-ins are also helpful. *Failure to complete and submit the above referenced paperwork will result in a delay of the marketing, listing and sale of your home.
Step 6: Our Unique Marketing Program Our goal is to sell your home fast and for top dollar. Our unique marketing program and tracking systems help us achieve that goal, while our in-house sales and closing teams work to make sure that selling your home is a smooth and efficient process >> We recommend that you pre-inspect your home to help distinguish it from the competition. This shows potential buyers that your home has nothing to hide, and that you are confident in the integrity of your home. >> We recommend a Home Warranty to distinguish your property from a majority of homes currently on the market. This warranty is a comprehensive program that protects you prior to the sale of your home, and protects the buyer for one full year after the sale. >> We conduct a thorough review of your home, which allows us to highlight and market all of its most important features and updates >> We provide you with professional photos to ensure that your home is presented in its very best light! >> We post your Virtual Tour with interior and exterior photos so that your home can be viewed 24 hours a day. It’s like having an open house all day, every day! >> We change the front photo every month on the MLS >> We use our International Realtor.com to generate the greatest possible amount of buyer interest. >> We price your home competitively, which helps open the market to the largest pool of potential buyers.
showcaserealty.net | 704.997.3794
Step 6 (continued) Our Unique Marketing Program >> We promote your home at our team meetings every week to make sure that our agents know the unique characteristics of your home and can better match your home to our pool of potential buyers with our Buyers-In-Waiting Program >> We market your home to every qualified buyer, including past clients, our sphere of influence, and every other buyer in our database to give your home maximum exposure in the marketplace >> We install a high-security computerized lockbox at your property so that agents and clients can show your home even when you’re not there. This lockbox automatically tracks the agents who show your home, and requests feedback from them once the showing is complete. Once feedback is received, you can access it directly via Showingtime.com and review comments from the showing agents. >> We create a full-color brochure, complete with photos of your home, a link to the virtual tour, and pertinent details such as room sizes, features, inclusions, etc. This information is also available electronically, and can be sent to a prospective buyer via email within minutes. >> We use the latest technology to track agents who have recently shown homes similar to yours. We then contact them at regular intervals to see if their buyers are still available. >> With the help of our Buyer’s Agent Network, we contact all of the top agents in your area and let them know that your home is for sale.
Step 6 (continued) Our Unique Marketing Program In addition to providing all of the “traditional� real estate services, The Showcase Realty/ Nancy Braun Team provides everything shaded. We truly believe in doing WHATEVER IT TAKES to sell your home.
The Showcase Realty
showcaserealty.net | 704.997.3794
Step 6 (continued) Our Unique Marketing Program The Showcase Realty/Nancy Braun Team works with the industry’s top marketing experts and her team of internet marketing experts for the very best advice and assistance with their web sites. That UNIQUE EXPERTISE is applied directly to marketing your home as well. The Showcase Realty/Nancy Braun Team invests a substantial amount of money each year on advertising in order to attract and pre-qualify buyers, and maintain our exclusive Buyers-In-Waiting Program. This program sends email alerts to potential buyers notifying them of the homes we have available. Our Marketing Department writes the copy that becomes the powerful, full-color Home Brochure, complete with photographs. Getting this piece “just right� is an important part of presenting your home to both buyers and other real estate agents. Like the full-color Home Brochure, the Seller Business Cards are designed by our Marketing Department. Give these cards to friends, relatives, and business associates to help generate buzz (and buyers!) for your home.
Step 6 (continued) Our Unique Marketing Program >> Team Structure & Specialization
>> Strategic Suppliers & Affiliates
>> Reverse Offers
>> Changing Front Photos
>> Equity & Price Evaluations
>> Awesome Property Presentation Guide
>> Professional Photography
>> Find Charlotte Houses Search
>> Countless Websites
>> Short Sale Expertise
>> Custom Yard Signs & Riders
>> 30 Day Marketing Plan
>> Buyers-In-Waiting Program
>> Video Blog & Social Marketing
>> Home Feedback System
>> Settlement Statement Mailing
>> Pre-Inspected Homes
>> Pre-Selling Communication
>> Seller Guarantee
>> Continuous “Boot Camp� Training
>> Every Day Open House
>> YourPropertyWebsite.com
>> 1-Day Listing Agreement
>> Professional Home Brochures
>> Home Warranty
>> Bi-Weekly Market Snapshot
>> 1-Day Buyer Loyalty Agreement
>> Client Development Team
>> Craigslist Program
>> Right Price Promise
>> Reverse Prospecting
>> Donation to Boys & Girls Club of Greater
>> Pre-Selling Our Listings
Charlotte
showcaserealty.net | 704.997.3794
Step 6 (continued) Our Unique Marketing Program Online Marketing >> According to the NAR Profile of Home Buyers, over 90% of potential home buyers are searching online for real estate. We list your home on hundreds of websites, giving you unprecedented exposure. >> In order to obtain the farthest reach for your home, we utilize one of the most advanced syndication networks — ListHub Pro. It is one of the leading platforms nationwide for listing management.
>> Our “branded” website, showcaserealty.net, is where we use top SEO practices. We use multiple URLs to drive traffic to our websites! >> Many of our URLs direct traffic to our “less branded” websites >> showcaserealty.net offers no-cost, no-obligation real estate information, and uses NONE of the sales tactics common on so many real estate websites. >> We post your home and many of our “less branded” style advertisements on lots of additional web sites. We constantly update these sites with new and creative lead capturing systems, and fresh advertisements for your home
Step 6 (continued) Our Unique Marketing Program Online Marketing >> Our marketing department spends time each and every week searching for new places to advertise your home, so we are constantly adding value and trying new things. >> We list every one of our properties on the Area Wide MLS, which is the primary tool that agents use to match homes with buyers in their local Area. From this site, every real estate agency can pull information about your home and post it on their site. >> Area Wide MLS and their reciprocal sites are all authorized to share information about your home, which greatly increases your home’s visibility on the web. For a little extra marketing boost, we place your home on the “top” sites so that it can be found almost immediately by buyers, anywhere on the web! >> We utilize Facebook Targeted and Boosted Advertisements, which helps us capture buyers for your specific geographic area.
showcaserealty.net | 704.997.3794
Step 6 (continued) Our Unique Marketing Program Print and Email Marketing >> We send out both “branded” and “less branded” postcards and other direct mail pieces to entice prospective buyers to contact us. >> We use the latest tools for tracking and capturing buyers. Our Buyer Lead Capture System tracks and captures the contact information of every buyer that shows interest in your property. >> Our Advanced Email Tracking System sends an email to every agent that has ever shown your home, advising them of status changes, changes of price, or any valuable information. >> We use the same email tracking system with all of our buyer leads. Again, the goal is to match your home with a buyer as quickly as possible. >> Showingtime.com allows you to see feedback from all of the agents who show your home. This information is so important…it really helps us to determine how your home is stacking up against the competition. If a price correction is necessary, it allows us to quickly and efficiently notify all of the agents who have already shown your home.
Step 6 (continued) Our Unique Marketing Program Print and Email Marketing >> If an agent doesn’t respond after three (3) email requests for feedback, we call and attempt to get their feedback over the phone >> Whether the feedback we receive is negative or positive, we follow up with a call to the showing agent to make sure the agent’s opinion of the property is clear, and that they have all the information they need about your home. >> We use an Equity Evaluation to determine the fair market value of your property, and create a detailed written market analysis for you and your potential buyers. >> We install eye-catching signs with calls going directly to a live staffed personnel. >> We supply directional signs to help drive traffic toward your home.
No One
DOES MORE
to Sell Your Home!
showcaserealty.net | 704.997.3794
Step 6 (continued) Our Unique Marketing Program Print and Email Marketing >> We place an Open House Everyday sign on your home, which provides buyers with a non-threatening, no obligation way to make an appointment to view your home. This makes your home available for viewing 7 days a week! >> With approximately 50 to 100 “For Sale” signs visible all day, every day, we generate more prospective buyer calls per week than typical agents generate in a year! >> We contact all buyers who have recently viewed homes similar to yours and/or contacted us about homes similar to yours in the area via our exclusive Buyer’s In Waiting Program. This cutting edge technology lets us know where the buyers are, and allows us to easily contact them with our latest and greatest listings. >> Our VIP Buyer Program allows us to be able to contact every one of our buyers on a regular basis with video emails, mailings and phone calls. This program is customized to fit each and every buyer’s unique home buying criteria.
We never stop looking for a buyer until your home is sold!
Step 7: Negotiating the Offer Once we receive an offer for your home, we will: >> Call you to discuss the terms of the offer, assist with any and all negotiations, and offer advice on how to proceed. >> Get the contract signed by both parties and pass it along to our transaction coordinator. He or she will contact you to discuss what needs to be done to close on the sale of your home. >> Send a member of our marketing department to your home to post a “PENDING� sign. >> Have our transaction coordinator stay in contact with you regarding all other aspects of the closing process. >> Have our transaction coordinator contact you a few days prior to your scheduled closing to review the closing disclosure >> Be available for you and review your final closing disclosures. We will arrange to have the closing package mailed to you and any proceeds from the sale of your home can be wired directly into your checking account. >> Call you with our CONGRATULATIONS once the closing is complete!
showcaserealty.net | 704.997.3794
The Property Presentation Guide We hope that you found our Property Presentation Guide helpful. And yes, it contains a lot of information. But we feel it’s so important to hold ourselves accountable and let our clients know exactly what we are doing to earn their business. No bragging. No empty promises. Just a dedicated team of professionals who do whatever it takes to provide our clients with a positive and stress-free real estate transaction. Please keep this guide for future reference. If at any time in the process you have questions or would like additional information, feel free to contact us at 704-997-3794. We look forward to working with you, and providing you with the outstanding service and personal attention that you deserve. In the meantime, please be sure to check out our client testimonials throughout the book, where you’ll find out even more about who we are, what we do, and why we’re different… in our clients’ own words. Make It A Great Day!
Nancy Braun Owner & Broker-in-Charge Showcase Realty LLC 704-488-3109 704-625-2361 (fax) nancy@showcaserealty.net
Showcase Realty LLC 704-997-3794 1430 S. Mint St, Suite 106 Charlotte, NC 28203
showcaserealty.net