How Coldwell Banker® Meets The Needs Of Sellers While others may talk about customer service, we ask, listen, and take action. Listening to Our Customers
We continually survey our customers to find out what is important to them. For us, the listening and learning never stops. Guaranteed Service Standards
We develop service standards based on what we hear from our customers, and we put our service standards in writing with the Coldwell Banker Seller Services Guarantee. Customized Marketing Plan
We carry out our promises with a Marketing Action Plan specifically designed to meet the needs of each seller. We deliver consistent, predictable, reliable performance — Guaranteed! top
Marketing Action Plan We carry out our promises with a plan uniquely designed for each property. Promotional Strategy
We will work with you to develop a marketing plan to attract prospective buyers to your property. Property Preview
We will conduct an office preview of your property. Price and Terms Offered
A thorough Competitive Market Analysis is the key to determining realistic price and terms. Negotiating and Managing the Sale
We will work to pre-qualify and pre-approve prospective buyers, negotiate terms that are favorable for you, and manage the details of the transaction. Cendant Mobility® Services
Your property can receive additional buyer exposure through North America’s leading global provider of relocation services . Cendant Mobility Services manages employee relocations for nearly 2,100 global clients. Potential Buyers Worldwide
Serves corporate clients, federal agencies, the military, and membership organizations with more than 110,000 transferees annually in more than 140 countries. ColdwellBanker.com
The award-winning ColdwellBanker.com Web site is a leading interactive tool that can expose your property to an increasing number of home buyers who use the Internet in their search. Virtual Tours and Videos
We can create a virtual tour or video of your home that allows users to take a 360 degree, room-by-room tour. Virtual tours and videos can be uploaded to Realtor.com, ColdwellBanker.com, Coldwell Banker On Location (Coldwell Banker's Popular YouTube Channel), Coldwell Banker Elite's Video Library, Social Media sites, and many more websites to increase the listing's exposure. Personal Retriever
The Personal Retriever constantly looks for listings on ColdwellBanker.com and matches them to interested buyers based on their search criteria. When a match is found, the Personal Retriever notifies the buyer via email. This powerful feature gives properties exposure even after users leave the Web site. Fast and Easy Searching
The ColdwellBanker.com Web site makes finding information simple. With just three clicks of the mouse, customers can find details and contact information on any Coldwell Banker® Office, Sales Associate, or property. Ninety percent of all home buyers and 94 percent of buyers aged 25 to 44 years used the Internet to search for homes.* *Source: The 2008 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers Make Your House Stand Out In The Marketplace
The Coldwell Banker® Blue Ribbon Preferred Program. Helps you... - Attract more buyers
- Minimize negotiations for the right price
- Decrease the likelihood of a sale falling through due to unexpected surprises
We’ll help you complete the steps necessary for a Blue Ribbon Preferred program designation. We’ll recommend and contact preferred companies — you select who will work with you. And we’ll promote your house with distinctive yard signs, advertising and a special seller’s marketing packet. Seller Disclosure
Full written disclosure of the property’s condition can be essential to a successful sales transaction. Appealing to Buyers
Complete disclosure attracts more buyers by building buyer confidence and peace of mind. A Stronger Selling Price
By providing a Seller’s Disclosure Statement you make it clear to buyers that the price of your property reflects its disclosed condition. Reduce Misunderstandings
Disclosure helps reduce misunderstandings that can lead to delayed closing, renegotiation, and even litigation. Updated information
It is important to keep the Seller’s Disclosure Statement updated to reflect any changes in the property during the time it is being marketed. Home Warranty
Offering a home warranty will enhance the marketability of your property. A Popular Feature for Buyers
A home warranty builds buyer confidence by providing repair-or-replace coverage for major home operating systems and appliances for one full year after the closing. Protects Your Budget
A home warranty can help protect you from unexpected repair bills. Optional coverage for your property while it is on the market can give you additional peace of mind. Additional Marketing Impact
Special marketing materials will promote your property to potential buyers and help it stand out above the competition. Information Sources Used By Buyers In Home Search
Real estate agents are the primary resource used by buyers in a home search. Your Coldwell Banker® Sales Associate is an educated and experienced real estate expert and your primary information source throughout the home selling process. Coldwell Banker Sales Associates market properties uniquely. We combine the power of our national television, radio and print advertising with our local newspaper efforts and local promotions to offer every listed property unparalleled exposure. ColdwellBanker.com, our award-winning Web site, recorded 1.35 to 2.57 million visitors* per month in 2008 alone. No other marketing vehicle can offer your listing more global exposure. Coldwell Banker yard signs are highly recognizable and convey high expectations about property quality. Yard signs can be customized to provide immediate information, like agent phone numbers and Open House opportunities. REALTOR.com®
We will add your listing to REALTOR.com, the world’s largest database of homes for sale and #1 on the Web. Coldwell Banker Elite utilizes Realtor.com's Enhanced Listings Package giving your property the maximum exposure. One-Stop Shopping
The ColdwellBanker.com system has automatic access to REALTOR.com. This site provides valuable features that let your sales associate track the activity on your listing, enhance the listing with multiple photos and customized descriptions, provide status reports, calculate mortgages, shop for home products, get information on interest rates, prepare for the move and more! top
Home Enhancement We will work with you to develop a custom tailored home enhancement plan that can make a dramatic difference in how quickly your home sells and the price you can obtain. How Buyers See Your Property
Within 15 seconds a buyer has developed an opinion of your property. This is why we will help you look at your house through “buyers’ eyes” and make changes and enhancements that establish the right first impression. Proven Techniques
Coldwell Banker® has developed an exclusive Home Enhancement Guide and Video to provide you with proven marketing techniques to help you prepare your house for sale at the best price in the shortest period of time. Home enhancements can more than pay for themselves in stronger offers from buyers. Below are questions to ask yourself when preparing your home for sale, to ensure it looks the best it possibly can to the buyer's eyes. Home Enhancement Checklist Exterior
- Does your yard look 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 house 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 shingles or tiles missing?
- Is your chimney in good shape?
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?
Kitchen
- Are your appliances clean and in good working order?
- Are your cabinets in good condition?
- Are your countertops in good condition?
- Is your tile grout clean?
- Is your sink stained, chipped, or in need or re-calking?
Bathroom
- Do your faucets shut off completely?
- Do your sinks drain freely?
- Are your toilets in good condition?
- Are your shower doors shiny?
- Do your tubs need caulking?
- Is your floor in good condition?
- Are your vanities and mirrors in good condition?
Living Room
- Is your fireplace clean?
- Is the fireplace screen in good shape?
- Are all drapes, shutters and shades clean and working properly?
- Are any window screens bent?
- 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?
Basement/Attic
- Is your basement/attic 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?
Garage
- Is your garage organized?
- Is it well lit?
- Is the floor swept?
- Are there oil spots or other stains on the concrete?
Special Tips for Showings - Secure jewelry, cash, prescription medications and other valuables
- It is usually best if you can leave while your house is being shown
- If people who are not accompanied by an agent ask to see your property, please refer them to us; we will pre-screen them
Coldwell Banker® Home Protection Plan
You can sell your house faster and for a higher price with the Coldwell Banker® Home Protection Plan. Service You Can Count On
With more than 35 years of experience, AON Home Warranty Services, Inc. offers home warranties to maximize the selling price of your house. Additional Marketing Impact
Home warranties give the seller a better chance of selling, in a shorter amount of time, and for more money. Protects Your Budget
A home warranty can help protect you from unexpected repair bills and give you peace of mind. A Popular Feature for Buyers
A home warranty builds buyer confidence by providing repair-or-replace coverage for major home operating systems and appliances for one full year after the closing. top
What Is The Best Price Obtainable For Your Property? A Competitive Market Analysis will give you a solid foundation for the realistic pricing of your property. Buyers Compare Properties
Home Buyers engage in comparison shopping. They will not pay more for a property than they could pay for another, similar one. Recently Sold
Reveals what buyers have actually paid for similar properties. Currently For Sale
Shows the properties that are competing for buyers’ attention right now. Did Not Sell
Demonstrates what buyers have not been willing to pay under current market conditions. What Affects The Market Value Of Your Property?
In understanding the market value of your property, we must deal with some factors that we have no control over. Physical Qualities of Your Property - Location
- Age
- Size of house and lot
- Floor plan and architectural style
Market Conditions - Interest rates and availability of financing
- Buyer demand
- Prices of recently sold properties
- State of the economy
- Seasonal demand
The Competition - The number of similar properties for sale
- Their prices, financing terms, location and physical condition
Some factors have no effect on the current value of your property: Original Price - What you originally paid for your house
- Needed proceeds
- The cash proceeds you want or need from the sale
Opinions - What people say your property is worth
An Important Message About The Value Of Your House
The price of your house must attract enough attention among buyers and brokers to generate showings and offers. Market Value
Your house has many values to the tax assessor, your lender and insurance company, and to you. It also has what’s called “market value” to prospective buyers. The best price obtainable can only be determined by testing the market and challenging the competition. In the end, the market dictates the value based on current conditions, number of Home Buyers, etc. Competitive Market Analysis
To help determine a price for your home, a Competitive Market Analysis is included in your customized Marketing Action Plan. Buyers do “comparison
shopping” and the Competitive Market Analysis focuses on properties on the market competing for buyer attention. Pricing Your Property
The higher a property is priced above realistic market value, the more time it will take to sell and the less interest it will attract. - If your property is priced right, more buyers will be interested when it first hits the market.
- Since mortgages are based on fair market value, not the sale price, more buyers will be able to consider your property when it is priced competitively.
- If a property fails to appraise at fair market value, it will either force the buyer to make up the difference in cash or cause the sale to fall through.
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Selling a Home in a Buyer's Market
There's no doubt that a buyer's market can be challenging for sellers. Yet it does not mean that sellers cannot enter the market - or that they cannot garner a fair price for their homes. Home sales in a buyer's market may take longer. But a little creativity can go a long way toward help sellers move homes, without having to significantly drop the price. The professionals at Coldwell Banker Elite offer the following suggestions for sellers who want to speed the process: Price Your Home According to the Current Market
Just because a house comparable to yours sold for a very high price last year does not mean you will be able to realize the same price when selling your home now. Work with a full-service real estate professional to determine the appropriate, competitive listing price for your home. Remember that in this market, your sales associate may encourage a list price in accordance with others currently on the market, rather than those previously sold. Visit the Home Value Estimator to get a sense of comparative sales prior to meeting with your sales associate. Be Realistic About Appreciation
Since the housing market began to slow significantly in late 2007, home prices have fallen all over the country. Yet understanding trends in your specific market is critical - as not all areas have experienced the same drops. Some regions of the country have remained more steady relative to prices, and are even back to experiencing modest appreciations. And if you bought your home many years ago, the gains you made in the decades before the downturn may still be far more than recent drops. So speak with your real estate professional to get a realistic view on how your home has gained or lost, relative to its value and potential price. Make Your Home More Marketable
When a buyer sees your house for the first time, a critical first impression is made. If applicable, maximize curb appeal by trimming trees and planting flowers. A fresh exterior coat of paint might also prove valuable. Consider neutral colors for interior walls and carpets. Dark colors on walls, along with unnecessary clutter, make rooms look smaller. Conduct a Full Home Inspection
If repairs are required, it is a good idea to go ahead and fix the problems. Potential buyers will cast an extremely critical eye over your home and, in a situation when more houses are available on the market, they may take a pass on a home that needs too many repairs. Be sure to have the home inspection report available for prospective buyers itemizing all of the repairs that have been made and the associated cost for each. Offer a "Seller's Contribution"
A seller can sweeten the deal by offering assistance to the buyer in ways that do not require lowering the asking price. These tactics can help your home to stand out from the crowd. For example:
· Offer to buy down the interest rate on the buyer's mortgage.
· Offer to pay a portion of the closing costs. · Cover the buyer's mortgage payments for up to the first six months. Depending upon the size of the mortgage, the buyer can save several thousand dollars and the seller still gets the original asking price for the home. It is generally more financially advantageous to do this than dropping the asking price by $30-, $20- or even just $10,000.
· Many condos and houses across the country belong to homeowners' associations that require annual dues. Paying the first year's fees could be a big incentive to a buyer nearing the limit of his or her liquid assets.
· Offer to pay off a buyer's bills. According to Realty Times, some loan programs allow sellers to pay off the credit card debt or auto loans of the buyer which will help him or her qualify for a better mortgage and prevent the need to buy a smaller, less expensive house. Don't Worry
Properly priced homes that stand out from the competition are likely to sell. Speak to your Coldwell Banker Elite sales associate to find out how long an appropriately priced home is expected to remain on the market in your area. top
Personal Touch & Timely Response You will hear from me regularly on the progress of our marketing activities. Results
We will report the results of events such as open houses and property showings. Trends
We will discuss current trends in buyer activity, interest rates and competitive prices. Suggestions
We will share suggestions from other real estate professionals who have previewed or shown your property. Progress
We will provide a weekly progress report on the promotion and sale of your property. Qualifying Buyers
Our goal is to bring you financially pre-qualified buyers through Coldwell Banker® Mortgage Services to help ensure a successful transaction. Prequalification
A potential buyer for your house can be pre-qualified or pre-approved by Coldwell Banker Mortgage, or another reputable lender, for a loan amount necessary for the purchase of your property. Financial information on other buyers
We will seek financial qualifying information on buyers represented by other brokers. A Word Of Caution
In order to maintain the strongest negotiating position, we recommend that you do not discuss the following information with any buyers or other real estate agents. - Reason for selling
- Urgency to sell
- Willingness to consider an offer less than listing price
- Financing terms you would accept
- Personal property you might be willing to include
- Timing and benefits from your company
- Any other confidential information
Closing The Sale
We will negotiate on your behalf to help you obtain the most favorable price and terms, and we will work on your behalf to successfully close the sale. Understanding Your Choices and Meeting Your Needs
Our aim is to reach a purchase agreement that is favorable and protective for you. We will present all offers in an objective fashion, review and explain their terms and conditions (including an estimate of your net proceeds), and help you evaluate how an offer fits your goals. Handling the Details and Keeping You Informed
We will monitor the progress of the transaction, including the satisfaction of contingencies and conditions. We will keep you informed and answer your questions throughout the entire transaction. top
We Are Ready To Go To Work For You NOW! We are prepared to fulfill the promises in the Coldwell Banker® Seller Service Guarantee. Your satisfaction is our top priority. The Coldwell Banker Tradition of Service
You will be backed by the extensive resources and the over 100-year heritage of the premier real estate organization. Our 5 Locally Owned and Operated Coldwell Banker Offices
You will benefit from the marketing expertise of our team of dedicated real estate professionals. Our Personal Commitment
We will devote our energy to meeting your needs, and we will stay in touch with you and keep you informed throughout the transaction. top | 
