A SELLER S GUIDE T: 773.698.6648 F: 773.634.8319 fultongrace.com
OUR STORY We are thrilled to introduce you to Fulton Grace Realty! We look forward to guiding you through the process of selling your home and helping you achieve your personal and financial goals. Born during during the economic downturn in 2008, Fulton Grace Realty has grown from a one-man brokerage into a diversified real estate firm employing over 50 full-time real estate professionals. In order to continue to serve our growing client base, we have developed two customized and technologically advanced real estate offices - one in Lakeview and one in West Town. Our unparalleled emphasis on customer service has been the driving factor behind our exponential growth. Our real estate brokers have been trained to provide clients with a higher level of service by communicating frequently, professionally and respectfully. Whether we are representing a seller, buyer or seasoned investor, we understand that effective communication is a key ingredient in building and maintaining successful client relationships. By constantly studying Chicago s evolving real estate market, we are able to provide our clients with sound advice and up-to-date neighborhood market trends. Our clients are able to take advantage of our comprehensive network of other service providers. Over the years, we have forged strategic alliances with other professionals required to successfully close a real estate transaction, such as lenders, attorneys and home inspectors. We at Fulton Grace Realty look forward to serving you and helping you achieve your goals!
SELLER S FLOWCHART - OVERVIEW OF A SALE LISTING TO CONTRACT ACCEPTANCE CONTRACT ACCEPTANCE TO CLOSE *
LISTING AGENT S GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES From Initial Meeting to Listing Activation - Educate & Analyze Provide an overview of the sales process Review & explain listing agreement and disclosures Provide initial staging consultation Prepare comparative market analysis Educate clients on current market trends Establish a listing price Prepare a customized marketing plan From Listing Activation to Signed Contract - Proactively Market & Negotiate Execute the customized marketing plan Arrange and coordinate all property tours Provide weekly updates detailing activity and showing feedback Adapt to market response and revise marketing strategy, if necessary Receive and communicate all offers while advocating for our client s goals Achieve contract acceptance by facilitating successful negotiations From Signed Contract to Closing - Advise & Guide Introduce all key players to the transaction Facilitate post-contract negotiations Ensure a smooth closing
BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH AN AGENT Real estate agents have market knowledge. Because of their access to the most recent market data, agents are able to give you advice on realistic purchase and listing prices. Plus, they can provide you with a report of comparable homes for sale and historic market data, so that you can ensure you re getting the most for your money. They negotiate for you. One of the most difficult tasks whether buying or selling a home, is handling the negotiations. Many times, real estate agents can help you to get creative with your offers, so that you end up with a deal that has your best interests in mind. They coordinate and host your showings. Whether you re buying or selling, real estate agents can be a lifesaver when it comes to doing the hard work for you. When selling your home, it is almost impossible to coordinate showings and open houses in between your work and life schedule. A real estate agent will be there for you when a last minute showing comes up in the middle of the day or when you need to schedule 15 appointments on a Saturday. Agents know how to sell homes. Today, prospective buyers expect professional photos to accompany your listing. Let your real estate agent handle staging and marketing your home across various channels. Plus, let them screen candidates before you spend your extra time cleaning your home for a showing. They will help you negotiate inspections. If you re planning on selling your home, expect for the inspector to find things that need to be fixed before closing. Your real estate agent will help you wade through your inspection report and decide which items should be fixed prior to closing. Real estate agents will connect you with trusted partners. As you buy or sell a home, you may need to hire additional professional services, including: inspectors, lawyers, moving companies, plumbers, title companies and more. Let your real estate agent recommend people that they have a good reputation in your community. Your agent will guide you through the closing process. At the closing table, your real estate agent will be right there with you to explain each piece of paperwork before you sign. It will make you feel more at ease with the process. They will help you stay objective. Whether buying or selling a home, it s important to stay objective during negotiations in order to get the best deal. Great agents will help you buy or sell a home quickly. If you re using an agent from Fulton Grace Realty, you ll know that you re working with the best!
PRICING & ANALYSIS One of the most crucial items in marketing your home is selecting a listing price that reflects its fair market value. Because most of the activity on your home takes place in the first few weeks, it is essential to determine the correct price from the start. Our pricing strategies are designed to maximize your profit and minimize your property s market time. In order to determine a listing price, our real estate brokers evaluate and analyze the fair market values of properties by closely examining comparable home sales and evaluating overall market trends while considering unique characteristics of your property that may impact value. Pricing is an art that combines an intelligent analysis of statistical data with our brokers experience and intimate knowledge of current market trends. A listing price is not something to set and forget. It constantly needs to be reevaluated throughout the life of an active listing to ensure that the property remains competitive in ever-changing market conditions. ESTIMATED CLOSING COSTS Sellers of Chicago properties generally pay closing costs of somewhere between 7% and 9% of the purchase price. The exact amount of closing costs depends on a variety of factors. The most common closing costs consist of the following: Real estate commission: 5% of the purchase price, which is split between the listing brokerage and the buyer s brokerage. Real estate tax credit, which is generally based on 100% to 105% of the last complete real estate tax bill levied by the Cook County Treasurer s Office. Title policy & associated title fees: approx. $2,000 Seller s transfer taxes, city & state: $5 for every $1,000 of the purchase price Approximate attorneys fees: $700
AT FULTON GRACE REALTY WE SUCCESSFULLY MARKET OUR CLIENTS PROPERTIES Work together with sellers to create customized marketing plan that will achieve our clients goals. Utilize our in-house professional photography to showcase our listings. Ensure aggressive online exposure by marketing our listings to thousands of qualified buyers through MLS, Trulia, Zillow, Fulton Grace and nearly every single other real estate brokerage in Chicago. Reach out to our extensive social media following via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn & Pinterest. On-site marketing, i.e., signage, if allowed by the building. Host periodic open houses.
Capture the interest of prospective buyers by supplying professionally designed print and electronic materials created by our in-house graphic designer. Send creatively designed mass email campaigns notifying brokers and buyers of significant events, such as listing activation and open houses. Our email campaigns target agents whose clients may be interested in the property based on their search criteria. EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE WITH OUR CLIENTS Constantly provide feedback from each of the property s showings. Provide a generally summary of each open house, including the volume of traffic and interest level. Provide clients a weekly showing activity report, which will include number of showings & feedback, as well as activity reports from the MLS, Zillow & Trullia. Educate our clients on any evolving market conditions.
LAKEVIEW WEST TOWN PHONE/FAX ONLINE 2901 N Halsted 1448 N Western (773) 698-6648 fultongrace.com Chicago, IL 60657 Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 634-8319 info@fultongrace.com