Listing & Selling YOUR HOME
OUR MISSION Our mission is to be the superior REAL ESTATE SOLUTION in the Houston market, focused on high customer satisfaction levels & committed to overachieving objectives, while attaining optimal success in all facets of operations.
GET TO KNOW US THE LOKEN GROUP thank you for taking the time to get to know us a little better The Loken Group realizes there is so much more to selling a home than just putting it in MLS, displaying a few photos online and sticking a sign in the yard. What sets us apart from other agents is that we go the extra mile to produce, providing excellent service, communication and accessibility to our clients. More importantly, our relationship with each seller is a partnership in which both parties have responsibilities to each other, while sharing a common goal. Our goal is to get you the most money for your property in the shortest time frame, guiding you to a smooth closing, reducing stress and saving you time. This package contains helpful information about selling your home - from the time it is first listed to the moment you hand over your keys. We are looking forward to working with you on getting your home SOLD! FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How fast can you sell my home? The time it takes to sell your home is dependent on several market-driven factors. We will work together to ensure that your home stands out from the rest and get it sold as quickly as possible. How will you market my home? The Loken Group utilizes a comprehensive 21-Point Marketing Strategy to ensure the most thorough exposure of your listing. More detailed information can be found within this packet. 5870 Highway 6 North, Suite 101, Houston, Texas 77084
THE TEAM ADVANTAGE We don t allow our skilled agents to be bogged down by paperwork. We understand that an exceptional REALTOR won t be an excellent administrator, so we allow each team member to do what they do best. We have a team of specialists who handle the behind the scenes work on our listings, so our agents are freed up to do what they do best: SELL YOUR HOME. A FEW OF THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT OUR AGENTS BEHIND THE SCENES... ALANA BADEAUX Alana schedules our photographer and takes care of inputting your listing into HAR. TARA KENNEDY Once a contract is submitted on your home, Tara takes you smoothly into closing. JENNIFER HOLLOWAY Jennifer manages your listing s marketing. DEREK JENKINS Derek manages listing logistics. He delivers signs, brochures and more. STAGING & PHOTOGRAPHY The way your home looks in pictures makes or breaks your sale, which is why we pay for Houston s best photographer and stager to prepare your listing. Our exceptional listing photos set our properties apart. Excellent photos = more showings = a faster, easier sale. JACOB HOWARD Photography CANDY DUMAS Staging
LISTING & SELLING YOUR HOME KEY OBJECTIVES PRICING YOUR HOME RIGHT Pricing your home at the property s fair market value. TIMING Selling your home in the desired time period. CONVENIENCE Selling your home in the most convenient manner possible. MARKETING STRATEGY COMPETITIVE MARKET ANALYSIS FROM OFFER TO CLOSE ABOUT THE LOKEN GROUP
MARKETING STRATEGY
LEARNING ABOUT THE HOME MARKETING STRATEGY Where buyer found the home they purchased. (Percentage distribution) YARD SIGN/OPEN HOUSE SIGN 9% FRIEND, NEIGHBOR, OR RELATIVE 6% HOME BUILDER 6% DIRECTLY FROM SELLER 2% REAL ESTATE AGENT 33% PRINT OR NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT 1% OTHER SOURCES Less than 1% INTERNET 44% Data from the 2015 National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers
21-POINT MARKETING SYSTEM MARKETING STRATEGY BEFORE WE LIST STRATEGIC POSITIONING IN PRICING We don t price your home to sit, we price it to SELL using Scientific Market Analysis. MASSIVE EXPOSURE We market heavily to agents as 94% of residential sales involve REALTORS. HOME STAGING To ensure the wow factor, we pay for a professional staging consultation to prepare your home for sale. PROFESSIONAL COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY Only the best photos highlighting the features of your home will be placed online or in any publications. ADVERTISING We spend an excess of $40,000 every month in TV, radio and print advertising, attracting hundreds of buyers and increasing awareness in our brand. Professional photography by Pro House Photos.
21-POINT MARKETING SYSTEM MARKETING STRATEGY GLOBAL NETWORKING 1 in 12 real estate transactions in the US involve an international party, so we pay to have your listing exposed to the global marketplace through ListHub Global and Proxio Pro. WHEN WE LIST SUPRAKEY LOCK BOX Your property s security is a top priority. The lockbox records information on everyone who accesses your home, restricting access to your home to licensed professionals. YARD SIGN Placement of the For Sale sign in your yard will attract the attention of neighbors and drive-by traffic. MASSIVE INTERNET EXPOSURE 83% of all consumers view properties on the internet prior to purchasing. SOCIAL MEDIA Your home will be featured on our blogs and social media pages. EMAIL CULTIVATION We are constantly cultivating qualified buyers in the Houston area. COLOR PROPERTY FLYERS Full color, professionally designed and printed flyers will be displayed inside your home for potential buyers. BUYER SCREENING We market to agents who will bring pre-qualified buyers to your home, reducing stress and eliminating tire-kickers. CENTRALIZED SHOWING SERVICE Remote showing convenience that texts / calls / emails sellers to make sure they know about showings ASAP. We follow-up for feedback within 24 hours of showings. OPEN HOUSE Conducted by trained agents, utilizing social media postings, door knocking, and physical advertising through signage to create exposure for your listing.
21-POINT MARKETING SYSTEM MARKETING STRATEGY AFTER WE LIST QUICK, RELIABLE RESPONSIVENESS We pledge to return all calls within two hours of receiving them. CANVASSING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD We will attempt to personally talk to your neighbors as they occasionally refer buyers to your property. SKILLED NEGOTIATING Your best interest is our best interest, and we will represent you in every phase of the transaction. UPDATES ON THE MARKET We constantly monitor what the market is doing in your area and inform you accordingly through weekly and monthly reports. ONLINE ACTIVITY MONITORING We will continue to track how many hits your listing generates and respond to online inquiries. 24-HOUR AVAILABILITY Our call team is available 24 hours every day to field calls on your listing.
EXTENDING MARKETING REACH MARKETING STRATEGY Did you know that 95% of buyers work with a Realtor? As a member of Keller Williams Realty International, we are a part of a 112,000 agent network across the globe. Locally, because of our extensive experience and proven track record, we also have strong relationships with other agents working with buyers across Houston. We cover all 9 counties in the Greater Houston area, so we have relationships and a strong presence in every nook and cranny in the Bayou City. CONROE CYPRESS TOMBALL THE WOODLANDS SPRING KINGWOOD HUMBLE KATY HOUSTON SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD CLEAR LAKE GALVESTON
COMPETITIVE MARKET ANALYSIS
EXTENDING MARKETING REACH COMPETITIVE MARKET ANALYSIS SOLD AVERAGE ORIGINAL LIST PRICE OF SOLD HOMES AVERAGE SOLD PRICE LIST TO SALES PRICE PERCENTAGE The Loken Group $257,000 Market Area $216,000 The Loken Group $252,000 Market Area $204,000 The Loken Group 99% Market Area 94% AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET (SOLD) The Loken Group 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Market Area 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 Updated 12/4/15
KEY MARKET FACTORS COMPETITIVE MARKET ANALYSIS The proper balance of these factors will expedite your sale. PRICE Pricing your home properly from the start is the deciding factor on how long it will take to sell it. CONDITION The condition of the property affects the price and the speed of the sale. As prospective buyers often make purchases based on emotion, first impressions are so important. Our team will be able to help in optimizing the physical appearance of your home to maximize the buyer s perception of value. COMPETITION Prospective buyers are going to compare your property both the condition and the price to the other listings in and around your neighborhood. Those buyers will determine value based on properties that are listed or have recently sold in the area. TIMING Property values are affected by the current real estate market. Because we can t manipulate the market, we ll collaborate on a pricing and marketing strategy that will take advantage of the first 30 days your property is listed. It s the window of opportunity when buyers and their agents discover your property and are most likely to visit and make offers. LOCATION Location is the single most important factor in determining the value of your property. TERMS Terms structured to meet our objectives are important to successful marketing. MARKET FACTORS WITHIN YOUR CONTROL: Price Property Condition Availability for Showing Home Warranty FACTORS YOU CAN T CONTROL: Competition Buyer s or Seller s Market Interest Rates When the Perfect Buyer walks through the door
PRICING YOUR LISTING COMPETITIVE MARKET ANALYSIS It is very important to price your property at a competitive market value at the signing of the listing agreement. Historically, your first offer is usually your best offer. +15% 10% ASKING PRICE -15% -10% +10% 30% MARKET VALUE 60% PERCENTAGE OF BUYERS 75% 90% More buyers purchase their properties at market value than above market value. 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 opportunity for sale. TIMING Timing is extremely important in the real estate market. A property attracts the most activity from the real estate community and potential buyers when it is first listed. It has the greatest potential to sell when it is new on the market. ACTIVITY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 WEEKS ON MARKET
PREPARING YOUR LISTING FOR SALE COMPETITIVE MARKET ANALYSIS You don t get a second chance to make a great first impression! Below are some simple ways we can maximize your home s appeal: INTERIOR EXTERIOR Remove excessive wall hangings, furniture and knick knacks Clean or paint walls and ceilings Shampoo carpets Clean and organize cabinets and closets Repair all plumbing leaks, including faucets and drain traps Clean all light fixtures FOR SHOWINGS Turn on all the lights Open drapes in the daytime Keep pets secured outdoors Play quiet background music Light the fireplace (if seasonally appropriate) Infuse the home with a comforting scent like apple spice or vanilla Vacate the property while it is being shown Keep the grass freshly cut Remove all yard clutter Apply fresh paint to wooden fences Paint the front door Weed and apply fresh mulch to garden beds Clean windows inside and out Wash or paint the home s exterior Tighten and clean all door handles Ensure gutters and downspouts are firmly attached
FROM OFFER TO CLOSE
INSPECTIONS FROM OFFER TO CLOSE Inspections and potential repairs are the number one reason sales don t close. Typically, buyers have a certain number of days in which to inspect the property and accept or reject the property based upon these mechanical and structural inspections. HOW THE SELLER SEES THE HOUSE HOW THE BUYER SEES THE HOUSE HOW THE INSPECTOR SEES THE HOUSE Save yourself time, money and disappointment do deferred maintenance NOW! HOME WARRANTY PLANS Home warranty plans go a long way to alleviate some of the risks and concerns buyers have when purchasing a home. For a modest price, the seller can provide a one-year warranty covering specified heating, plumbing, electrical, water heater or appliance breakdowns. Coverage under most plans commences at closing.
CLOSING 101 FROM OFFER TO CLOSE The closing process finalizes the sale of your home and makes everything official. Also known as settlement, the closing is when you get paid and the buyer receives the deed to your home. A FEW THINGS TO BRING TO THE CLOSING: A valid government-issued picture ID House keys Garage door opener(s) Mailbox and any other spare keys WHAT TO EXPECT: The escrow officer will look over the purchase contract and identify what payments are owed and by whom; prepare documents for the closing; conduct the closing; make sure taxes, title searches, real estate commissions and other closing costs are paid; ensure that the buyer s title is recorded; and ensure that you receive any monies due to you. YOUR COSTS: Sellers commonly pay the following at closing: Mortgage balance and prepayment penalties, if applicable Other claims against your property, such as unpaid property taxes Unpaid special assessments on your property Real estate commission Title insurance policy Home warranty AFTER THE CLOSING, MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE FOLLOWING FOR TAX PURPOSES: Copies of all closing documents All home improvement receipts on the home you sold
ABOUT THE LOKEN GROUP
A CLIENT SUCCESS STORY GARY & SUSAN B. It is an honor to be asked to provide a testimonial for Lance Loken and The Loken Group, a Keller Williams Signature company. It is a pleasure to do so. My wife Susan and I had our home in Oakhurst at Kingwood previously on the market for over 4 months. Due to very little sales activity on our home we terminated our contract. The very next day we received a welcomed call from the Loken Group indicating they saw our home was off the market and wondered if we were looking for a new realtor. A meeting was set for the next day and we sat down with The Loken Group CEO, Lance Loken. We expressed our concerns and problems of getting our house sold. Lance shared how There are no problems, only solutions, and how he would solve our real estate issue. Lance arrived at our home prepared with comps and informed us that he uses over 350 websites to market homes. He literally blew us away with his positive outlook, enthusiasm, professionalism, and outstanding presentation of what The Loken Group had to offer. In the previous months we had only had 4 showings. Lance told us with his group and unique marketing techniques we would have at least 2-3 showings a week, that his average days on the market for selling a home was 20 and that he gets close to 98 percent of the asking price for his clients. He also mentioned we would have 2 open houses within the first month. Getting our house prepared for sale was a top priority and he recommended proper staging by his professional stager at his expense. The next step was to have his professional photographer take pictures and prepare a virtual tour of our home also at his expense. This was a crucial step in the process of expediting the sale of our house. One of the most impressive points of The Loken Group was whatever Lance and his team told us actually happened. For example, once the home was staged and the photographs printed, the brochure was delivered within one day and we even had three showings the very first day. We felt the fabulous pictures of our home were instrumental in getting those showings. Our property was on the market for exactly 12 days and within that period we had 7 showings, an open house and 2 offers, one of which resulted in a contract. Truly awesome! We were so impressed with how responsive Lance and his entire team were with our concerns and the many questions we asked. We received answers to all within minutes of our texting, calling or emailing. I have given permission to Lance and his group to provide my cell phone number (713-449-0642) to anyone who would like to contact me with questions or concerns, so I could provide a positive recommendation for The Loken Group. We are most happy with all aspects of this fine real estate organization. The Loken Group really IS your real estate solution. - GARY BAIN LT. COL. USAF RET. DON T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT! CALL OR EMAIL GARY YOURSELF! GARY B. bain0504@gmail.com (281) 354-0642 cell Gary & Susan B. s home at 20758 Oakhurst Creek Drive
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