Why Use A Realtor by Montana Standard

Don’t risk it. WHY USING A

SALES PRO CAN BRING YOU A

HIGHER PRICE, QUICKER SALE

FACT:

The average home listed by a real estate agent sold for $211,000 in 2008, compared with just $153,000 for a “for sale by owner” listing. SOURCE: 2008 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® PROFILE OF HOME BUYERS AND SELLERS

Use a professional AN EXPERT KNOWS WHAT IT TAKES TO SELL YOUR HOUSE

n today's economy, people are trying to save money wherever they can. Whether bringing a sack lunch to work, cutting back on your daily latte, or shopping at discount stores, it makes sense to be frugal. When it comes to selling your home, though, trying to cut corners could potentially turn into a huge mistake. For some people, it may be tempting to try to avoid paying a real estate agent’s commission by listing your home yourself. How hard could it be to put a sign in the yard or an ad in the newspaper, after all? If only it were that simple. In reality, selling a home requires a lot more experience and sophistication than most home owners are able to provide on their own. Many people who try to sell their own home end up getting a lower price and taking a longer time to close because they don't have the help of a good agent. There's a reason homes listed by real estate agents fetch higher prices than their "for sale by owner" counterparts. It has nothing to do with the sign in the yard, and everything to do with a sales professional’s connections and experience. When you list your home with an agent, you're not just getting someone to advertise your home. You're also getting an

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expert on the local real estate market, someone who can give you straight advice about how to price your home and present it in a way that gets top dollar at the closing table. Even more, you're getting someone with a whole network of co-workers in the real estate industry. When you hire an agent,

you're in essence hiring all the people they interact with — other real estate professionals, service providers and advertising outlets — and you can get good, honest advice about other companies that you might need to hire to get your house sold. It's the connections an agent has that often get the deal done, not just them per-

sonally. That's why it's important to pick the right agent to list your home, someone with more insider knowledge and a good rapport with other agents who can find the perfect buyer. Doing otherwise could mean you settle for a lower price or keep your home on the market far longer than necessary.

FACT: FACT: Don't

“For sale by owner” houses only accounted for 13 percent of home sales in 2008. The vast majority of homes are sold successfully by real estate agents. SOURCE: 2008 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® PROFILE OF HOME BUYERS AND SELLERS

risk aSave nightmare yourself the hassle Nearly half of all “for sale by owner” properties — 45 percent — were not placed on the open market. They were known as “closely held” transactions between people who knew each other in advance, such as friends or relatives. SOURCE: 2008 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® PROFILE OF HOME BUYERS AND SELLERS

Enjoy montana’s wildlifE in your own backyard!

Sheri Broudy

406.490.4069 • www.sheribroudy.com

• Choosing your realtor can be the most important decision when buying or selling a home.

110 SolItuDe Dr.

Beautiful home on private road only minutes from town. 3 level home includes a basement with a great rec room and wet bar. Kitchen with great storage. Ideal home for your family featuring 4 bedrooms and three baths. Priced at $329,000, call Denise today for further details!

'FOR SALEABY OWNER' COULD MEAN MORE WORK FOR WORSE RESULTS SELLING HOUSE CAN BE MORE COMPLEX THAN Denise KellyYOU THINK here's no question

T 498-0344

that selling your homewant is a lot f you toofgive yourself a work. Aside from stagreading — and fully ing headache, your home totry leave Selling Homes One Yard At A Time the understanding best impression — all the paperwork Member of the involved with selling a home. with buyers, there's the Proud complex matter of National tying Association of REALTORS® ® estate transactions. if it's a minor For many people, the sale ofThe their Montana house Association ofEven REALTORS up legal and change, using the wrong form —® or filling it is the all most the complex legal procedure they The of REALTORS outBoard in the wrong way — can lead to big will face in their lifetime. are disclofinancial looseThere ends to Butte problems down theMLS road. sures required by the state and federal gov- and the BUTTE There are also requirements for what ernment, mustdeal be properly makepapers surethatthe is information must be disclosed to the buyfilled out to protect yourself, and a comcompleted without aServing plete contract that must be written to stand ers before they purchase the house. If you Buyers and Seller’s with don't give the buyers the correct discloup to any potential problems down the problem. sures,Honesty such as information about mold, lead road. It's not easy. Knowledge, and Patience

paint or flooding, you could be setting That's another reason to find a good real estate agent to sell yourfound home. If you to sign yourself up for a lawsuit years in the future. In fact, once you've a buyer You need to consider assume canShea dothat's all the work your the salesyou contract, just theon beginning. Specializing in… all the other Jennifer aspects of selling a home, too, such as getown, you might be putting yourself at risk Buyers, especially those who aren't very Residential, Condo, Land,and Commercial, ting title insurance having the deed Broker/Owner by not using in thereal right forms, using the will experienced estate transactions, recorded and properly at theSales. courthouse. Unless wronghave wording sales contract, orRecreational not likely a lot in of the questions about the Ranch REALTOR®/GRI you work in real estate, you probably filling outFor theexample, paperwork correctly. process. they may find there's haven't had to do those things before, and Professional real estate the a minor problem with the agents title or are thatinthe Certified Workforcean agent can help the process run problemperfectwill position torepairs help you navigate the home require in order to obtain Housing Specialist free so that your only concern is what size process. Since they real financing. They maydeal ask with you to fillestate out the check will be when you get to the clostransactions all the time that's their propaperwork that you're about. 406-560-5366 cellnot—sure ing table. fession, after all — an experienced agent They might even come to you with awk406-723-5455 office Selling your home doesn't have to be a has seen all kinds of problems you ward questions about the sale, that something ® want to rest easy durrisky prospect. If you need watch out for,and andemotional they can steer madeto more stressful when REALTORS ing the sales process, and also for years you toward theobjective, safest, most up-do-date there's not an third-party buffer afterward, consider using an agent to make methods for selling a home in your state. to help make the sale go through successsure you gethead. all the details right for selling For example, some states frequently with a level fully. your specific house yourhome, specific change types of forms in real When buyers tourinyour forlocation. examThat'sthe when a real estaterequired agent can be ple, they're going to feel a lot more comespecially valuable. Because an agent has experience keeping fortable if the current owner is not home. They wouldn't be able to talk freely in your buyers satisfied and the knowledge to presence about what they like and what answer their questions, they're more likely

For information on all properties listed in the Butte MLS visit my website WWW.BUTTEMONTANAHOMES.COM My Email: jennifer@shearealtors.com

• Sheri Broudy puts your listing in front of buyers: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter & more!

• View all Butte area listings online at www.sheribroudy.com • Voted “Best Real Estate Agent” The Montana Standard Readers Choice Awards

2827 Lexington Ave. • Butte, MT

• Over $30 Million Dollars in Sales since 2005!

Professional... Knowledgeable... Dedicated. With Over 200 Years of Combined Experience.

Let Our Experts Pay Attention to the Details. • Abstracts • Mining Titles • Guaranteed Sale & Loan IMAGE © CHRISTIAN KIEFFER, 2010 | USED UNDER LICENSE FROM SHUTTERSTOCK.COM Closings stress in your life, too. Home sellers who try bers — including how the average home • Title Insurance by a real estate agent sold for "for sale by owner" report they have special listed IMAGE © LARISA LOFITSKAYA, 2010 | USED UNDER LICENSE FROM SHUTTERSTOCK.COM • Home to the original and $211,000 in 2008, compared with just challenges that make the process more dif& Title Company ficultonly Tract Indexes — such as selling the home within the $153,000 for a "for sale by owner" listing — right time frame, getting the right price2961 Nevada Butte, MT 59701 | (406)-533-0433 and it's clear that choosing a qualified, experifilling out all the right paperwork — so hav- enced agent makes sense. Serving Silver Bow County Since 1902, Family owned & Operated since 1930’s

Montana Abstract

Why Turn to an SRES®?

OPEN HOUSES SUNDAY, FEB. 26 11:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M. 1814 Four Mile rd., Butte Hostess: AlAnA lARock Sellers will look at all offers! 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, full basement, brick, oversized double garage. $120,000 Mls# 100069

(Seniors Real Estate Specialist®)

You’re thinking about selling your home. Maybe you’re retiring, downsizing or a major life event has made you consider a move. A Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) has unique training and experience in helping home buyers and sellers in your situation. Why ask a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® to assist you? • An SRES® understands that the decision to sell can be difficult. • An SRES® can patiently support you through each step. • An SRES® will stick with you throughout the entire process. • An SRES® can draw upon a network of other professionals focused on 50+clients. • An SRES® also has ties throughout the 50+ community.

Judy Kivela

Broker, CDPE, CRS, ePRO, GRI, SRES, WHS

1617 Harrison Ave., Butte, MT 59701 • 406-782-4800 www.GreatDivideRealty.com

Hostess: PAt coles Spacious 4 bedroom, 3 bath two story home on 5 lots near the Country Club Golf Course. $179,000 Mls# 110900

You can count on an SRES® to guide you through the process of selling your home, making the transaction less stressful and more successful.

1:00-2:30 P.M. 855 MiSSoulA Ave., Butte Hostess: louise cHAndleR McGlone Heights home, 3 good sized bedrooms with beautiful hardwood floors, basement, new paint, electrical and insulation. $87,000 Mls# 110812

Alana LaRock 560-1155

1:00-3:00 P.M. 3105 S. MontAnA Street, Butte

Broker, ABR, CRS, WHS

Ruth Morrow 491-2074 Sales Associate

Hostess: RutH MoRRow rare 2+ bedroom, 1 bath home, detached double car garage, carport, 24’ x 36’ shop and fenced yard. Bonus is original log 2 room cabin. $185,000 Mls# 120060 www.3105Montanastreet.com

Patricia Coles 491-7653 CRS, GRI, Broker/Owner

Diana Morris 491-8117

Alana LaRock

Sales Associate

Louise Chandler 491-0746

1:30-3:00 P.M. 3110 AMHerSt Avenue, Butte

CRS, GRI, Sales Associate

Broker, ABR, CRS, SRES, WHS

406.491.5777 406.560.1155 Butte Plaza Mall

11:30 A.M.-1:00 P.M. 3750 Green lAne, Butte

1617 Harrison Ave., Butte

Hostess: diAnA MoRRis 3 bedroom, 2 bath home plus recent 1000 sq. ft. addition, 4 lots. $189,000 Mls# 110901

Mortgage rates are less than 4%. Call today!

Working with a CRS Makes a Difference

IT’S LIKE THE Ph.D. OF REAL ESTATE! Sherry

You know you are working with the most Bradanini, CrS qualified real estate agent when you work Harrison Avenue Realty MT 59701 with a Certified Residential Specialist. Butte, Phone: 1.406.490-7651 CRS stands for experience, knowledge and professionalism. Less than 4 percent of the more than 1 million rEALTOrS® working today can call themselves a CrS Designee. This group represents the elite performers! Judith Kivela, CrS Kivela Real Estate Butte, MT 59701 Phone: 1.406.491.5777

Louise Patricia Chandler, CrS Coles, CrS Great Divide Realty Butte, MT 59701 Phone: 1.406.491.0746

Great Divide Realty Butte, MT 59701 Phone: 1.406.491.7653

Debbie Fisher, CrS

Irene Humber, CrS

Alana Larock, CrS

Mike Mcleod, CrS

Janel Morgan, CrS

Melva Munson, CrS

Great Divide Realty Butte, MT 59701 Phone: 1.406.560.1155

McLeod Realtors Butte, MT 59701 Phone: 1.406.560.5263

McLeod Realtors Butte, MT 59701 Phone: 1.406.490.5171

Harrison Avenue Realty Butte, MT 59701 Phone: 1.406.490.7945

Harrison Avenue Realty Butte, MT 59701 Phone: 1.406.494.2200

AIM Realty Anaconda, MT, 59711 Phone: 1.406.563.2170

406-782-1703

loren@whispercreekmontana.com chris@whispercreekmontana.com

STOP DREAMING AND START BUILDING with

LOG HOMES

Loren 491-7307

CUSTOM LOG HOME Beautiful Country Location

EXTREMELY PRIVATE OFF GRID Want to get away?

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT 4.5 Acres, Water rights

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BU-20301471

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Reputation Built on Experience, Friendship, & Trust"

SOLD Call for a free market analysis

494-2200

3000 Harrison Ave. Butte, MT

V i e w a l l M L S l i s t i n g s w w w. h a r r i s o n r e a l t y. c o m

EXECUTIVE HOME 5 bdrm, 3 ba, designer touches. Granite & tile accent kitchen & baths. Landscaped, spectacular views. 2+ acres. $469,000

SOLD

SPACIOUS 4 bdrm, 2 ba, kitchen w/ island & eating area. Full finished bsmt w/high ceilings. 4+ c/gar. Corner lot w/circular drive. $199,000

Irene Humber Broker 494-2200 BU-20301483

QUALITY THROUGHOUT 4 bdrm, 3 ba, 3 levels of living accented by high ceilings, windows & natural light. Views on 1 acre. $299,000

GREAT FAMILY HOME Spacious 4 bdrm, 3.5 bth, fireplace, finished basement, Hillcrest area. $182,500.

AMAZING SETTING! 4 bdrm, 2.5 ba, open living/dining/kitchen w/ fireplace. Attached 2 car + det 2 car garage on 1.43 acres. $299,000

UPDATES THROUGHOUT this 3 bdrm, 2 ba, with a desirable location. Fenced yard and detached 2 car garage. $175,000.

JUST LIKE NEW 3 bdrm, 2 ba, hardwood floors throughout. Full unfinished bsmt. Att 2/c gar. Landscaped w/sprinkling system. $219,000.

GREAT AREA! 3 bdrm on large fenced yard w/ dbl car oversized garage. Newer hot water heat, carpeting and roofing. $146,000

Mary Anne Mahood Broker 490-3935

Janel Morgan Broker 490-7945

Nathaniel Dugdale Sales Assoc. 490-7559

WELL MAINTAINED Open floor plan accented by brick fireplace 3 bdrm, 2 ba. Fam rm, covered patio, landscaped. $138,000

QUIET CHARM! 2 bdrm, w/fireplace in living room. Detached garage, bunkhouse, & shed. 1.75 acres. Opportunity. $159,000

SOLD

Sherry Bradanini Broker 490-7651

SOLD

STYLE & CHARM Orig. wdwk/ beam ceilings accent this 3 bdrm, 1.5 ba craftsman. Basement, deck & private yard. $115,000

Angie Spolar Sales Assoc. 498-1146

Rick Franklin Sales Assoc. 498-0698

CRAFTSMAN Beautiful woodwork and beamed ceilings, 4 bed, 2 bath, 4 fenced lots, 2 car garage, next to park. $139,900

CLOSE TO MT TECH 3 bdrm, 1 ba, spacious living/dining w/ fireplace, 3+ detached gar, large landscaped lot. $132,000.

FACT:

The sheer size of the echo-boom generation — the children of the baby boomers — indicates strong household growth in the years ahead, which is going to create more demand for housing. SOURCE: STATE OF THE NATION'S HOUSING 2009 (HARVARD UNIVERSITY)

They know the market REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS CAN HELP YOU PRICE AND ADVERTISE YOUR HOME

ne of the most important aspects of selling a home is setting the price. Unfortunately for most home owners, that's not an easy thing to do.

Many people assume their home is worth more than it actually is. They want to get the very best price — which is totally understandable — so they tend to set the initial price too high with the hope that they can get a strong offer. After all, they can always come down on the price if it doesn't generate much interest, right? Actually, that's one of the biggest mistakes home sellers can make. Most of the interest in your home will occur within the first few weeks — usually just 21 days — and pricing your home a little too high means you'll miss out on the big rush of buyers that would come for an appropriately priced home. Price it right, and lots of buyers will be interested. Price it too high, and buyers won't even notice. The problem with home owners deciding the sales price on their own, without any objective input, is that they are already emotionally involved with the home. They have memories and deep feelings about the home that make them see the sale as something more than a business transaction. That's why it's important to have objective, third-party pricing advice from a real estate agent. A skilled agent will not only be able to recommend a good, solid, realistic asking price — something more than a

pie-in-the-sky wish — but also the data to back up their rationale. They can look at the latest sales statistics for similar homes in your area to do a "comparative market analysis" that explains why they set the price where they did. Even better, that same in-depth market knowledge that lets an agent know the price for a house also helps them sell your home to potential buyers. If they know all the details about what your neighborhood offers, such as big backyards, good schools or specific amenities, then they'll be able to relay that information to other real estate agents and their clients. They may even have connections to a market you hadn't considered: real estate investors. Most home owners think of selling to individuals like themselves, but there is actually a sizable market for homes that are sold to investors. If you're wanting to sell your home quickly and it could serve as a good rental property, your agent may have connections with people who invest in real estate. No matter who ends up buying your home, it's important that you set the right price and put the sales information into all the right circles. And the person best capable of doing that is a qualified, experienced professional.

ARE YOU

LIVING

UNDER THE CLOUD of an

UNMANAGEABLE MORTGAGE

Prepared Exclusively for: John Public

Provided by: Judith Kivela Kivela Montana Realtors 3100 Harrison Ave., Butte, Mt 59701 (406) 491-5777 Contact me today for a confidential Sold@judykivela.com http://judithcanhelp.com/

For FREE Report visit www.JudithCanHelp.com consultation!

406-491-5777

JUDY KIVELA BROKER, SRES, CDPE, CRS, GRI, WHS, ePRO

Unmanageable Mortgages Continue to Cloud Family Finances and Real Estate Recovery Butte, MT – 2/26/2012 – “The stress of an unmanageable mortgage can cloud everything,” said Judith Kivela, CDPE Kivela Real Estate. “With nearly onefourth of all homeowners owing more on their mortgage than their home is worth, the nation’s overall stress level is in the stratosphere,” Kivela added. Connected to a network of professionals committed to solving the nation’s foreclosure crisis one homeowner at a time, Judith’s message to financially strapped homeowners is…. “More help is available than ever before. Since 2007, 7.9 million homes in the United States have been lost to foreclosure, and my mission is to stem the tide of foreclosures within our COMMUNITY. A Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), Kivela is knowledgeable of the entire landscape of foreclosure avoidance options and is distinctly qualified to negotiate with banks and help financially strapped homeowners to regain peace of mind and a sense of stability for the future. Kivela has developed a FREE report entitled, “Are You Living Under the Cloud of an Unmanageable Mortgage? that is accessible from her website, www. JudithCanHelp.com. The report provides an overview of qualification criteria for the most common foreclosure alternatives, cites red flags for scams, and reminds homeowners why avoiding foreclosure needs to be a top priority. Upheaval on Wall Street has received a lot of attention, but until recently, homeowners have been left to their own devices. Judith Kivela is on a mission to change that. If you, or someone you care about is looking to get out from under the cloud of unmanageable mortgage contact me today for a confidential consultation! 406-491-5777

A success story

Every day, REALTORS� throughout the nation fulﬁll the role of valued real estate professional. Buyers count on you for guidance in achieving their homeownership goals. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage shares your mission. No matter the day, or the geographic region, our home mortgage consultants strive to help buyers become owners. Together, we can make homeownership possible for more customers and make a difference in the communities we serve.

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is dedicated to your success. Denise Horne Home Mortgage Consultant ��-��-�� NMLSR ID ��

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