Our Marketing Package Includes:

1. Yard Sign with premium quality full-color take-home brochures
2. Thorough MLS Listing (We will enter all information into the MLS allowing full exposure of your home in Realtor searches).
3. Internet Listing (Gives anyone with Internet access the ability to see your home…allows for global exposure on web sites such as har.com, realtor.com + all national real estate chains)
4. Multiple Photo Listings with detailed descriptions (Up to 16 photos can be viewed on the Internet to allow buyers to take a photo tour of your home)
5. Virtual Tour (With our full marketing package, we include a virtual tour with up to 30 pictures of your home allowing buyers to see more than what is listed on the MLS system.)
6. Supra Lock Box (A Supra lock box, as opposed to a simple combo lock, sends a daily list of realtors who have shown the home allowing us to promptly follow up to get opinions and feedback from potential buyers. It also limits access to the property to active realtors only, in lieu of anyone who may know or can guess the combination to the lock. Lastly, the Supra lockbox restricts access to the home during the nighttime hours for security purposes.)
7. Centralized Showing Service (Provides extended scheduling hours for your home and also allows you to go online and preview the showings of your home on a daily basis.)
8. Weekly Reports (Giving you the ability to monitor showing activity with feedback as well as monitor how many people are viewing your virtual tours.)
9. E-Flyer Service (Delivers your premium brochures to over 500 realtor e-mail boxes)
10. “Real Estate Book” (With our full marketing package, your home will be advertised in the Real Estate Book Publication)
11. “Just Listed” Postcards (Notifies neighbors & gives them first chance to pick their neighbors)
12. Agent Tours (Acquaints your home with area realtors)
13. Open Houses (Agent, Office, or Public)
14. Customized Marketing (We will customize our marketing plan to meet your needs.)
15. Coordinate the sale of your home from the offer to the closing table, including reviewing buyer’s contracts and represent you in negotiations and inspections.
16. We will be available to you 24 hours a day and 7 days a week until the home is sold!

What to Expect When Listing With Alan & Beth

Week 1:

• Prior to listing your home, we will preview other homes for sale in your neighborhood in order to shop the competition and price your home accordingly.
• There is a Supra Lockbox placed on the front door.
• Property Listing entered into the MLS system and Websites (Stanfield Properties website, Houston Association of Realtors website, Realtor.com, Yahoo.com + all national RE websites).
• At your convenience, we will be taking 16 pictures for brochures, virtual tour, MLS, and the numerous web sites.
• Stanfield Properties Yard Sign with Premium Quality Brochures attached.
• Welcome Stand/Table in foyer with leather-bound home book, full-color brochures, seller’s disclosures, and business cards.

Week 2:

• Just Listed Postcards will be mailed to your neighbors making them aware of the new house for sale in the neighborhood. This also gives them first pick at their new neighbors.

Weeks 3-4:

• Your home will be featured in the “Real Estate Book” for your area reaching thousands of potential buyers who would otherwise be unreachable.
• We can schedule agent or public open houses during this time period in your listing – if you would like. While open houses can be inconvenient for you, the seller, they do open your home up to more potential buyers.

Weekly:

• We will constantly keep you updated of the traffic in your home. We will call all showing agents to request feedback from them and their buyers and forward that information on to you. You can also sign onto the Centralized Showing Service Website to see the showing history of your home.
• We will review market continuously and keep you informed of market changes, as well as, advise you of possible solutions if your home has not sold.
• We will be here to answer any questions or concerns you may have at any time…

Key Market Factors

How long does it take to sell a home?
There is no easy answer – some homes sell in a few days, others may take several months. Recognizing the key factors influencing a sale can give you significant control over market time.

The proper balance of these factors will expedite your sale:

Location

Location is the single greatest factor affecting value.

Neighborhood desirability is fundamental to a property’s fair market value.

Competition

Buyers compare your property against competing properties.

Buyers interpret value based on available properties.

Timing

The real estate market may reflect a seller’s market or a buyer’s market.

Market conditions cannot be manipdlated; an individually tailored marketing plan must be developed accordingly.

Condition

Property condition affects price and speed of sale.

Optimizing physical appearances and advance preparation for marketing maximizes value.

Terms

The more flexible the financing, the broader the market, the quicker the sale and the higher the price.

Terms structured to meet your objectives are important to successfdl marketing.

Price

If the property is not properly priced, a sale may be delayed or even prevented.

Stanfield Properties’ comprehensive market study will assist you in determining the best possible price.

Which Improvements Add Value To Your Home?

What follows are “best estimates” for the most typically consistent remodeling projects we have seen across the country… Unless otherwise noted, the maximum time between remodeling and re-sale must be five years; otherwise the “value-added” figures are void.

PROJECT	COST	VALUE ADDED	COMMENTS
Kitchen	$15,000 to $20,000-up	80 to 110%	Cost includes new cabinets and countertops and re-wiring; structural changes, relocated plumbing, custom cabinetry, and top-of-the line appliances.
Bathroom	$7,500 to $10,000	80 to 115%	Cost includes new fixtures and fittings, tile floors and walls; structural changes, and relocated plumbing.  High-end materials and fixtures raise the cost.  Note:  adding a second bath can yield more than 100% resale value.
Room Addition	$30,000 to $40,000	50 to 110%	Depends on type of room; a family room or new master suite will add much more value to a home than an office or fourth bedroom.
Converting an attic, basement or garage to living space	$10,000 to $15,000-up	25 to 40%	Cost assumes no structural changes and no new plumbing; value added depends on size of house (smaller house, more value) and type of space created (family room or bedroom, more value than a gameroom or exercise area).
Adding a deck	$5,000 to $10,000-up	40 to %	The warmer the climate, the more value added; size of deck, complexity of design, and added amenities (spa, trelliswork) influence cost.
Re-painted exterior	$1,200 to $1,500-up	40 to %	Assumes old exterior was worn and repainting was done immediately prior to putting house on market:  a new coat of paint probably adds the “best profit” to selling an older home.
In-ground swimming pool	$20,000	20 to 40%	Cost assumes an average-size pool (16’ x 32’) in a rectangular shape; value added depends on desirability to future owner.

Selling Price vs. Timing

Timing is extremely important in the real estate market. The above graph illustrates the importance of placing your property on the market at a realistic price and terms from the very beginning. A property attracts the most excitement and interest from the real estate community and potential buyers when it is first listed; therefore, it has the highest chance of a sale when it is new on the market.

The Importance of Intelligent Pricing

As the triangle graph above illustrates, more buyers purchase their properties at market value than above market value. The percentage increases even further when the price drops below market value. Therefore, if you price your property at market value, you are exposing it to a much greater percentage of prospective buyers and you are increasing your changes for a sale.

Buyers Always Determine Value!

The value of your property is determined by what a BUYER is willing to pay in today’s market based on comparing your property to others SOLD in your area.

Preparing Your Home For Sale

A few great tips on creating an atmosphere that will charm buyers and make them want to buy your home. Remember that you’ll never get another chance to make a first impression. And first impressions are what counts – experts say most buyers make their decisions at first sight! Follow these simple tips and create the competitive edge that may help you sell your home more quickly.

General Exterior

• Prospective buyers will react well to signs that your home has been meticulously maintained.
• Manicure landscaping: mow, edge and water lawn, trim hedges, prune trees, clean out flowerbeds and invest in a few flats of seasonal flowers.
• Keep driveway clean and free of parked cars, and keep the garage door closed.
• Repair or replace loose or damaged roof shingles.
• Minimize cracks or crumbling on walkways, walls, or steps, and keep them clean.
• Items left out such as RV’s, trash cans, and children’s toys can contribute to a cluttered or busy appearance. Keep obstructions out of the front yard, sidewalks and front porch. Make sure that from the street, your property appears clear.
• Inspect appearance of interior window coverings from the curb.
• Repair any peeling paint or loose caulking on windows or other areas.
• Take steps to eliminate insects or other pests.
• Pick up after your pets or neighborhood animals.

Doorway

• While agents work the lockbox for a key, buyers have idle time to notice details.
• Apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door and frame.
• Make sure doorbell is working properly.
• Consider adding pots of flowering plants in the entryway.
• Eliminate cobwebs and groom doorway area windows, porch light, or decorative glass.
• Keep the porch swept and get an attractive mat for people to wipe their feet.

General Interior

• Start by airing out the home. Most people are turned off by even the smallest odor. Odors must be eliminated, especially those caused by dogs and cats; soiled diapers and/or cigarettes.
• Wash all the windows in the home, inside and out.
• If it has been over a year since the carpets have been cleaned, now is the time to have them cleaned. Bare floors should also be waxed or polished.
• Put bright light bulbs in every socket made for a bulb. Buyers like bright & cheery.
• Remember: closets will be opened! Keep your closets orderly and neat. Since you are anticipating a move anyway, consider holding a garage sale or boxing and storing unused belongings.
• If necessary, repaint or clean/replace dingy, soiled or strongly-colored walls, and window and floor coverings with a light, neutral shade. Bright rooms look bigger, and neutral colors help buyers envision their own furnishings and décor
• Repair cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, and wallpaper.
• Make sure that the pull-down staircase is working and there is a light in the attic.
• Make sure rooms are not overcrowded with furniture. Select pieces that look best, and store the rest.
• Keep the kitchen sparkling clean. Make sure all appliances are clean at all times. Straighten cupboards that appear cluttered and keep floors gleaming. Clear kitchen counters of everything other than perhaps a few pretty items. Ask yourself: In a model home, would a professional decorator put your choice of items on the counter?
• Bathtubs, showers and sinks should be freshly caulked. The grout should be clean and in good condition. There should be no leaks in the faucet or traps.
• Clean the ashes out of the fireplace.

For Those Willing To Go The Extra Mile

• There are some things you can do that will really add flair to your home. If your house is the least bit dated, changing out wallpaper in the entry, kitchen or bathrooms and replacing outdated light fixtures adds desirability.
• Fresh paint on interior and/or exterior where needed.
• New appliances in the kitchen can be an exciting feature that can actually make the difference in a buyer choosing your home over another.

Showing Your Home at Its Best

General Preparation

When preparing your home for showing, think about the techniques used to show builder’s model homes or what you might do to prepare for honored guests.

• When you leave the house in the morning or during the day, leave it as if you know it is going to be shown.
• Create as light, cheerful and serene of an environment as possible.
• Open drapes and light lamps including those in closets, basement or attic.
• Add a welcoming touch by filling candy dishes and putting out fresh flowers.
• Turn off the television.
• Keep pets out of the way – preferably out of the house. Many people are uncomfortable around some animals and may even be allergic to them.
• Leave your premises. Take a short break while your home is being shown. Buyers are intimidated when sellers are present and tend to hurry through the house. Let the buyer be at ease, and let the agents do their job.

Bedrooms

• Make beds, put clothes and toys away, keep decorator pillows orderly.
• Turn blinds so slats are uniformly open. Turn on light if room is dark.

Bathrooms

• Put out clean hand towel, fresh soap and soap dish
• Put commode lid down and ensure tissue supply is adequate.
• Potpourri dish can provide a nice sight and scent.

Kitchen

• Put away last minute dishes and conceal countertop articles.
• Simmer a few drops of vanilla on stove.

Dining Room

• Arrange an inviting centerpiece.
• Consider setting the table with fine china and linen.
• Light chandelier.

Living Room / Family Room

• Straighten pictures on walls.
• Adjust couch cushions and throw pillows.
• Dispose of newspapers and drink containers, and polish tabletops.
• Light fireplace in winter.

Entryway

• When exiting just before buyers arrive, turn around at the front door and see what the prospect’s first impression will be. What is the first thing you notice from that vantage point? Is it an asset?

Pool / Spa

• The pool needs to be sparkling and free of leaves.

Warm and Homey

• Subtle scents of potpourri in bedrooms or baths and fresh baked cookies or cinnamon in the kitchen can make your home more inviting.
• Keep an attractive set of towels in each bathroom to be brought out only for showings.

Your Responsibilities

• Complete all repairs and cleaning.
• “Stage” your home to be appealing.
• Keep home ready for showing.
• Hide valuables (also prescriptions).
• Keep marketing information out for buyers.
• Call me if information is depleted.
• Leave premises for showings.
• Call me with any questions.
• Market your home to friends and acquaintances.
• Keep us advised where to reach you or give permission to show if you are unavailable.
• Refuse to discuss terms with buyers or their agents without one of us present.