D I SCOVER A N EW LEVEL O F M ARKETIN G EXC ELLENCE WITH DIANE MARTIN Your Real Estate Marketing Specialist
A PREVIEW OF DIANE MARTIN
MEET DIANE MARTIN I grew up in San Antonio, TX and moved to the Houston area 23 years ago. During this time, I have had the opportunity to work as a sales manager in the IT industry, renovate houses, and become a real estate agent. I chose real estate as a career path because it allows me to use the customer service skills I acquired during my 20-year career in IT and home renovations. I have been a real estate agent since 2013 and earned my Broker’s license in January 2018. I am a customer service-oriented real estate broker helping home buyers and sellers in and around Houston, TX. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, I can help you do it the right way. If you’re looking for an agent with patience, perseverance, and a passion for helping people, you’ve just found her! To sell a home quickly, you must present it to a specific audience while highlighting its best features. I have a lot of experience in this area. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find another real estate agent who shares my creative background. I previously worked as a decorator in Houston for years and renovated homes — many times taking them down to the studs. It was my job to showcase these renovated homes to generate interest among buyers. This experience serves me well as a real estate agent. More importantly, it will serve you well, when you work with me in the sale of your home. I have six beautiful children whom have attended high school in the area and gone onto graduate college.
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DIANE MARTIN Broker Associate
281.844.0863 DianeMartin@HousesByDianesTeam.com www.HousesByDianesTeam.com
Keller Williams Clear Lake 18050 Saturn Lane Houston, TX 77058
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FULL SERVICE REAL ESTATE When you hire Diane Martin, she will become your home’s:
MARKETING MANAGER
CLOSING MANAGER
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• Providing information to the buyer in a timely manner • Liaising with buyer’s agent and Title company to ensure closing happens on time • Facilitating answers, resolving any issues during the closing process, and ensuring the process is completed seamlessly
Showcasing your property with the finest marketing Developing and implementing a customized marketing plan Determining the best price in line with market forces Communicating regularly so you are informed
LIAISON MANAGER • Introducing new buyers to your property • Pre-qualifying the buyers to avoid time wasters • Providing you with timely updates on viewings and feedback
NEGOTIATOR • Presenting and negotiating on your behalf with potential buyers • Advising you on the merits of each offer • Always keeping your best interests as first priority
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CONCIERGE • Providing you with access to experts, including legal advisors, insurance experts, builders, landscapers, interior designers, rental experts, home stagers, painters, handymen, home inspectors, and moving services
IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU My real estate business is built around one guiding principle: it's all about you.
I WILL HELP YOU BY: • Taking the time to understand your wants, needs, and expectations; answering your questions; returning your phone calls and emails on the same day, and being honest with you at all times. • Helping you obtain the highest possible price for your house in the shortest amount of time. • Advising you on pricing and staging once I have evaluated your home thoroughly against the market. • Implementing a comprehensive marketing plan to expose your house to buyers through as many channels as possible. • Coordinating the home-showing process with your family's needs in mind. • Presenting all offers and advising you on the terms and contingencies contained within. • Negotiating on your behalf for the best offer. • Scheduling and coordinating completion of contingencies and inspections, and monitoring the buyer's loan process. • Coordinating and communicating with you during the closing process. • During the entire listing from start to finish, always representing YOUR best interests.
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WHY CHOOSE DIANE MARTIN AS YOUR AGENT? KNOWLEDGE - UNDERSTANDING THE LOCAL MARKET
ATTENTION TO DETAIL
Staying up-to-date on the latest topics in real estate and in the local market allows me to service you, my client, more effectively. I am passionate about understanding market trends to ensure your home sells quickly and at the highest price possible.
Paying attention to detail is imperative for a real estate agent. Since there are many laws and regulations that must be followed for a deal to close, missing one item could cost the seller money at closing or worse — losing the deal all together. I am organized, an excellent communicator, and pay close attention to every detail.
HONESTY AND INTEGRITY Selling or buying a house is stressful, and you need an agent who will be honest with you every step away. This means telling you the bad along with the good. I will present all options available to you and explain the advantages and disadvantages about those options. I put honesty and integrity above all else.
HUSTLE AND TENACITY I know that selling homes is a full-time job. You need an agent who has a great work ethic. I have the tenacity to pursue every lead and the hustle to aggressively market your property in order to get it sold. It is not about the length of time — it is about working smart, putting in the right amount of time, and doing whatever is necessary to close the deal.
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PROBLEM SOLVER AND EXPERT NEGOTIATOR For over 25 years, I have been negotiating. As a sales leader in the technology industry, I managed clients across the globe and was responsible for a $100M portfolio. I have developed the art of negotiating with all sorts of individuals, in easy as well as tough situations. You need an agent who not only knows how to listen but who will find creative ways to get through any obstacles that may arise.
PASSION Having a true passion and interest in houses, design, and architecture is important in this industry. I turned my passion into a career. My passion along with my sales and marketing experience is a winning combination that will get your home sold.
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THE POWER OF KELLER WILLIAMS
WHY A KELLER WILLIAMS AGENT? TECHNOLOGY
KNOWLEDGE
Leading-edge tech tools and training give me the edge in effectively marketing your property online 24 hours a day, seven days a week! Through the exclusive Keller Williams Listing System (KWLS), your property is fed to more than 350 online search engines and is available on KW’s web network of more than 76,000 sites. Best of all, because of Keller Williams Realty’s “My Listings, My Leads” philosophy, every single internet inquiry on your property will come directly to me so that I can follow up with those potential buyers.
Keller Williams Realty helps me stay ahead of trends in the real estate industry through its comprehensive, industry-leading training curriculum and research resources. It’s what prepares me to provide you with unparalleled service.
TEAMWORK Keller Williams Realty was designed to reward agents for working together. Based on the belief that we are all more successful if we strive toward a common goal rather than our individual interests, I’m confident that every Keller Williams professional shares the common goal of serving you, my client, in the best way possible.
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RELIABILITY Founded on the principles of trust and honesty, Keller Williams Realty emphasizes the importance of having the integrity to do the right thing, always putting your needs first. It reinforces my belief that my success is ultimately determined by the legacy I leave with each client I serve.
TRACK RECORD I’m proud to work for the world’s largest real estate franchise by agent count. It’s proof that when you offer a superior level of service, the word spreads fast.
THE LARGEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY IN THE WORLD Keller Williams is not your traditional real estate company. That is why it is not surprising that it is the fastest growing real estate company in North America and is #1 globally. Our phenomenal growth is only part of the story: • • • • • • •
Largest independent real estate franchise No. 1 in units and sales volume in the United States A network of over 186,000 real estate consultants 975+ offices in the U.S. and Canada (50 Major Markets) Excellence in cutting-edge real estate training, real estate coaching, and real estate education Most Innovative Real Estate Company – Inman News Offers comprehensive services to investors, property owners, tenants, and developers around the world
Keller Williams Realty has an established network and a proven model that sets a framework for profitability in many markets across the globe. We know that the strongest enterprises are driven by top talent, and our growth strategy is completely centered on getting into business with the very best people in the real estate industry across the globe. With more than 186,000 real estate agents worldwide, operating in more than 975 market centers across the globe, Keller Williams is currently the largest real estate franchise by agent count in the world!
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MARKETING YOUR HOME
DETERMINING THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME INFLUENCES ON THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME In a neighborhood of similar homes, why is one worth more than another? That’s the question that has teased buyers and sellers for ages — but the answer is simple. Every home is different. When a home is sold, a willing seller and a willing buyer have just announced to the world the value of that home. From there, other similar homes are benchmarked, but other factors come into play. The most important are:
LOCATION
CONDITION
The closer a home is to jobs, parks, transportation, schools, and community services, the more desirable it is.
The closer a home is to new construction, the more it will retain its value. It’s perceived as more modern, up to date, and perhaps safer. Homes that are not updated or in poor repair sell for less. It’s a good idea for homeowners to keep their homes updated and in top repair.
SIZE Square footage impacts home values because they’re built using more materials. Larger lot sizes mean more privacy.
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND BATHS Over time, median homes have grown larger. Decades ago, household members shared bedrooms and baths without complaint, but today, families want more privacy. The median home purchased today is a three-bedroom, two-bath home.
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CURB APPEAL From the street, the home looks clean, fresh, and inviting. Fresh landscaping and flowers won’t change the size or location, but they certainly add charm.
FEATURES AND FINISHES
When two homes are identical in the same neighborhood, a higher price may come down to something as simple as views, or paint colors, or the overall taste of the homeowner.
Features such as outdoor kitchens and spa baths make a home more luxurious. A home finished with hardwood floors and granite countertops is going to cost more than a home with carpet and laminate countertops.
Valuing a home will never be an exact science, but if you buy wisely, keep your home updated and in good repair, you should recoup most if not all of your investment.
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MARKETING FOR MAXIMUM EXPOSURE Selling your home can be a very exciting experience, but it can also be an emotional one. As a Realtor, I have found the best way to sell your home is through partnership and teamwork — combining the understanding of your requirements and goals with my knowledge, expertise, effective marketing strategies, and extensive brokerage resources. Together we will: • Prepare for the “Window of Opportunity”
• Promote your home locally, nationally, and internationally
• Leverage the attributes of your location
• Maximize your home’s web exposure
• Prepare and present your home ready for sale
• Prepare your home so that it is always ready to be shown to potential buyers
• Highlight your home’s features through professional photography • Showcase your home to the market through professional and strategic marketing
• Discuss and review the market’s analysis of your home — feedback is essential to knowing the perceived value and potential for negotiation
• Maximize the exposure of your home through our extensive network
• Communicate and network with other agents to find buyers instead of waiting for them to come to us
• Leverage the brokerage’s reputation and recognition
• Finalize your sale
• Cooperate and communicate to maintain your home’s perception of value
• Find your next dream home
• Aggressively market open houses versus just sticking a yard sign with balloons in the front
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THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY The “Window of Opportunity” is the period in which your home will receive its maximum exposure, typically when your home is new on the market. In order to capitalize on this window it is crucial that we prepare your home for sale — that it's priced it at Fair Market Value, it has been prepared to showcase its features and attributes, and a we implement a marketing strategy to further increase its exposure.
ACTIVITY
(Amount of Interest)
MAKING THE MOST OF INITIAL INTEREST
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TIME ON MARKET
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(Weeks)
- Graphic for Illustrative Purposes Only -
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PREPARE TO PRESENT YOUR HOME First impressions are lasting. Preparing your home is one of the most difficult, emotional, and critical steps to maximizing its value — together we will review, recommend, prepare, and create an environment that is appropriate for the type of buyer looking to purchase your home. No matter how stunning, loved, or well-maintained your home is, it is important that you view it with critical objectivity. Whether it needs simple changes or major repairs, these should be addressed before the home is listed.
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY Photography must reflect your property. Whether in print or on the web, these photos are often the first impression that a potential buyer will receive. A photo shoot is the time when a home must shine — both figuratively and literally. A fully prepared home that is clean, tidy, with clear sight lines, and shot in its best natural light will speak volumes to the viewer before and after the home is visited. Take advantage of new technology to showcase the true essence of the property within its environment, especially if your buyer is from outside your local area. Videos provide a realistic depiction of the intended space and livability.
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PROFESSIONAL AND STRATEGIC MARKETING Sophisticated and professionally prepared marketing is essential to maximizing your home's exposure and requires more than just listing your home for sale on the internet and the local MLS — it needs to be a carefully prepared and strategically implemented plan. I will market your home to create the maximum impact, create the right exposure, and reach the right buyers.
YARD SIGNS AND DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE The trusted yard sign is the #1 way to show your home is for sale. It is fast, effective, and easy to spot. Directional signs help guide people to the home. I use both of these tools in the marketing of your home.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SHOWINGS Broker tours, open houses, and caravans are great ways that other real estate agents see your home and recommend it to their potential buyers. This is why preparing the home is so important — sometimes real estate agents are more particular than buyers.
NETWORKING AND REFERRALS I have a large database and network with other agents to find buyers for your home. My referral network is an effective tool to help my clients find homes to buy and homes to sell.
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NOTIFY TOP LOCAL AGENTS
VIRTUAL TOURS / ONLINE VIDEO MARKETING
Contacting and connecting with top local agents is key in helping my clients — they will know if there is a potential buyer or a listing available for purchase.
Creating a digital experience and footprint is an integral part in advertising in the 21st century.
LOCAL ADVERTISEMENTS Advertising your home locally can be the best way to generate interest. I will ensure we highlight the features that are particularly important to the local community members.
WEB EXPOSURE 95% of buyers look at homes online as their first step in the home-buying process. I will place your home online so that it will be exposed to local, national, and international buyers.
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PROFESSIONALLY PRINTED MATERIALS AND DIRECT MAIL The power of showcasing your home and its unique features through professional photography and sophisticated marketing materials is crucial to setting your home apart from the competition. My professional promotional materials that feature your home will be mailed to your neighbors, buyers, and other agents in order to spread the message that your home is for sale. Your neighbors will be the first to tell their friends and family about your home — they already love their community so they are your biggest advocates. Also, knowing where the potential buyers are locally is powerful — after all, 78% of homeowners purchase within close proximity to their present home!
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A PLATFORM FOR 24/7 WEB EXPOSURE With nearly 95% of home buyers beginning their search on the internet, we will want to ensure that your home will receive maximum online exposure. As part of my marketing plan, your home will receive unparalleled exposure to consumers and Realtors across the globe through my extensive online partnerships.
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE
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SHOWING THE HOME Your home needs to be ‘show ready’ at all times, which I understand can be difficult to balance if you are still living in the home. However, we must ensure preparations are done up front — unnecessary items removed, space has been created, and a plan has been implemented for the best times to show the home — then the final prep and inviting touches are easy for me to add around your busy schedule.
SHOWINGS AND OPEN HOUSE CHECKLIST • ELIMINATE CLUTTER Not only is clutter unattractive, it’s time-consuming to sort through and expensive for you to move. If you have a lot of stuff, collections, and family mementos, you would be better off renting a small storage unit for a few months.
• BE HOSPITABLE You want your home to look like a home. Stage it to show the possibilities — perhaps set the dining table or put a throw on the chair by the fireplace with a bookmarked book on the table.
• KEEP, DONATE, THROW AWAY Go through your belongings and put them into one of these three baskets. You’ll receive more in tax benefits for your donations than pennies on the dollar at a garage sale. It’s faster, more efficient, and you’ll help more people.
• HAVE A FAMILY PLAN OF ACTION Sometimes showings aren’t convenient. You can always refuse a showing, but do you really want to? If you have a showing with little notice, get the family engaged. Everyone has a basket and picks up glasses, plates, newspapers, or anything left lying about.
• REMOVE TEMPTATIONS Take valuable jewelry and collectibles to a safety deposit box, a safe, or store them in a secure location. • REMOVE BREAKABLES Figurines, china, crystal and other breakables should be packed and put away in the garage or storage.
• GET IN THE HABIT Wash dishes immediately after meals; clean off all countertops; make beds in the morning; keep pet toys and beds washed and smelling fresh. • CLEAN OUT THE GARAGE AND ATTIC Buyers will want to see what kind of storage there is.
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MARKET ANALYSIS The market analysis report is compiled from a system that tracks your showings, all Realtor and buyer feedback, as well as my marketing effectiveness on your home. I will provide you this report which features an in-depth analysis and a comprehensive list of actions, recommendations, and objectives.
FINALIZING THE SALE A myriad of details must be attended to before the sale becomes final including offers, counteroffers, inspections, disclosures, contingencies, loan documents, insurance, mortgage approval, and escrow items. This final step can be overwhelming with all its moving parts. Whatever the next step may be, know that I am here to guide you through this final process — to keep in constant communication, track the proceeding, and to keep things on schedule.
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DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT JUST ASK DIANE’S CLIENTS: RAVENCREST “Diane was a pleasure to work with. She is knowledgeable, has great people skills, provides first-class service to her clients, and is a very reliable representative of your interests. She worked hard to find what we wanted, worked quickly through the process, took care of all the details, provided all the information we asked for, and much more we didn’t think to ask for. At no point did we have to wait for anything or feel like the process had stalled. We highly recommend her services.”
AMBER LANE “Diane can identify with the buyer and seller. In addition, she is keenly aware of the market, and putting those things together makes for a successful formula and overall experience! Diane is dedicated to ensuring the business transaction is accurate and satisfies the objective, and she always maintains open lines of communication. Though buying and selling can be stressful, Diane keeps it all in perspective and is able to keep the right focus, work through the important details, and resolve issues before they become concerns. Diane is an outstanding professional and asset to anyone with a need to buy or sell a home.”
INDIAN SPRINGS “Diane is always prompt with showings, updates, and follow-ups regularly. Words can’t express the dedication Diane showed in our home search. I’m probably one of the toughest clients Diane has worked with, but she was so patient with my questions and educating me on the housing market and trends. Our home search seemed to be never ending, but the way Diane showed persistence and a ‘never give up’ attitude greatly impressed me. As a matter of fact, our family was so impressed with Diane that when I decided to put an offer on a house, they started asking, ‘What did Diane say?’ instead of asking me what I was thinking about the house. Diane is a Realtor who works with you for your dream home — not a Realtor who works for her. I never felt Diane tried to convince me to buy a property until I was happy. I can guarantee that if you put your realty needs on paper and give them to Diane, she will find your dream home. All you need to do is just see the home and sign the contract.”
TALL PINES “Our agent, Diane Martin, was a godsend as she represented us as the buyer. We cannot understate how important it is to have an agent who can represent your best interests, and she was simply outstanding knowing how to protect these interests. Diane was the best — devoting her time explaining every step of the way. She was always accessible and knew how to guide us the right way.”
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On behalf of myself and my team, I’d like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to present this preview of the marketing services we can offer you and your property. I’d be pleased to assist you with the sale of your present home and the purchase of your next home, and the next one, because I’m not just providing a service, I’m building a relationship. Please let me know when I can be of service. Call me before you make any important real estate decisions; you’ll be glad you did.
Diane
281.844.0863 | DianeMartin@HousesByDianesTeam.com | www.HousesByDianesTeam.com
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