Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to provide you with the enclosed customized marketing plan and opinion of value for your property. At Churchill Properties our team is committed to providing extraordinary, personable service and achieving exceptional results for our clients. We have devised an extensive marketing and sales program which provides broad exposure for your property on an international, national, regional, and local level. We utilize a wide variety of media including online, print, newspaper, social media, brochures, direct mail, and email marketing. Our targeted approach aggressively promotes your property to both the most relevant Buyer group as well as the real estate brokerage community. Marketing and selling your property to best advantage involves accurate pricing, thoughtful staging, outstanding marketing, persistent Buyer engagement, expert negotiation skills, financing, transaction management, and professional coordination of it all. Our service includes handling all of these important steps and we will keep you informed throughout the process. Our goal is to provide prominent, targeted marketing and excellence in brokerage services that combine to bring unrivaled results for our clients. Thank you again for this opportunity to be of service and we look forward to helping you successfully achieve your real estate agenda. Sincerely, Chris and Karen Bernier Owners Churchill Properties. 49 Union Street Manchester, MA 01944 978-526-0930 www.churchillprop.com
Table of Contents 1. Christopher Bernier/Karen Bernier Resume 2. Churchill Properties Marketing and Sales Plan. Attracting the most relevant Buyers for your property. a. Professional staging. b. Property brochures. c. Individual property websites. d. The Churchill property sign. e. LuxuryHomes.com f. Our direct mail program. g. Multiple Listing Service. h. Promotion to real estate brokers. i. Open houses for the public and real estate brokers. j. The Churchill Properties website. k. The most powerful international real estate websites. l. Zillow advertising. m. Social media exposure. n. Print media advertising. 3. Buyer Showings, Offers to Purchase, Negotiations. Representing you in securing the best price and terms. 4. Managing the Transaction. Navigating inspections, financing, contracts, pitfalls. 5. Preparation and Staging your Property. Appealing to the widest audience. 6. Pricing your Property. Achieving the highest obtainable price.
Christopher Bernier Principal and Co-owner Churchill Properties Chris Bernier is the Principal for Churchill Properties. He has held numerous leadership roles in residential real estate in the greater Boston area over the past 25 years. His career has been built on a powerful work ethic, integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to client service and satisfaction. A graduate of Bentley University, he is a member of the LuxuryHomes.com network, the National Association of Realtors, and the Massachusetts Association of Realtors. Career Highlights Chief Operating Officer For a 79 office firm with 3,900 agents. Responsible for agent training, luxury marketing, marketing, and administration. Regional Vice President Responsible for 18 offices including 900 agents and staff who closed more than 6,000 homes sales annually. Vice President/Manager Responsible for all brokerage activities including agent hiring, training, and coaching for 6 offices with 200 agents. Member Board of Directors - MLS Property Information Network - 2011-2015. Largest MLS in New England serving more than 25,000. agents. Real Estate Broker Top 1% - Recognized for ranking in Top 1% for closed property sales in firm of 1,200 agents.
Karen Bernier Certified Residential Specialist Direct Line: 978-807-5580 Karen.Bernier@ChurchillProp.com www.churchillprop.com Commitment to Service and Results My commitment is to provide exceptional real estate service. I will professionally advise and guide you through each step of the process, help navigate the nuances of the transaction, represent you and negotiate on your behalf, manage all the details, and continually inform you throughout the process. Qualifications and Credentials Professional full time Realtor since 1985. HUNDREDS of properties Sold. - 25 + years of experience. Ranked #1 Agent for Units Sold on the North Shore* for 2015 - *Manchester, Essex, Hamilton, Wenham, Gloucester, Rockport, Beverly, Ipswich. Ranked #1 Agent Town of Essex for both Units Sold and Dollar Volume 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Top 1% of all Massachusetts Agents for Dollar Volume for 2015. International President Elite Award -2001, 2010, 2012, 2015. International Diamond Society Award - 2002, 2003, 2009, Gold Circle Award 1994, 1997,1999, Sterling Society 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 GREEN Designation-Member of the Green Resource Council- NAR recognized Historic Homes Specialist certified by the Peabody Essex Museum CRS Designation- Certified Residential Specialist- Top 4% Realtors nationwide Luxury Property Specialist Member of the LuxuryHomes.com Network Corporate Transfer Specialist National and International ABR Designation Accredited Buyer s Representative- Trained and certified. Member of the National Association of Realtors, Mass Association of Realtors, and North Shore Association of Realtors.
Churchill Properties Marketing and Sales Plan. Attracting the most relevant Buyers for your property. Professional Staging We work with capable, professional home stagers who will consult, redesign, or stage as desired. We will also suggest potential improvements in preparing the property for sale and assist in the process by suggesting and/or securing needed services. Property Brochures We produce high quality property brochures using professional photographers and by writing effective property advertising that highlights the best features of your property. The brochure may include multiple photographs, floor plans, detailed property specifications, property history, town/area amenities.
Churchill Properties Marketing and Sales Plan. Attracting the most relevant Buyers for your property. Individual Property Websites We have individual property websites produced for each property including multiple photographs, map location, and property description. Optionally, we can include floor plans and set the presentation to music. These are excellent for posting to social media. SOLD The Churchill Properties Sign Real estate yard signs remain as one of the most potent forms of advertising for a listed property as they generate neighborhood buzz and the interest of Buyers driving in the area. They also help Buyers locate the property for scheduled showings.
Churchill Properties Marketing and Sales Plan. Attracting the most relevant Buyers for your property. A Robust Direct Mail Program We have a robust, targeted direct mail program designed to attract Buyers for your property. We are budgeted to send thousands of high-quality general and property specific cards to the most relevant group of Buyers in Massachusetts. We use tailored mailing lists designed to reach the most relevant potential Buyers.
Churchill Properties Marketing and Sales Plan. Attracting the most relevant Buyers for your property. 25,000+ real estate agents cooperating to sell your property. Multiple Listing Service Property Information Network We submit your property to Massachusetts largest Multiple Listing Service - MLS Property Information Network MLSPIN). The MLS is a community of more than 25000 real estate brokers in Massachusetts who cooperate in the marketing and selling of all properties for sale. The MLS allows for cooperation in the sale of your property in several ways including: 1. All brokers who are members of the MLS are required to submit their listings to the service. All member brokers promote all MLS listings on their company websites regardless of which company has listed the property. This allows Buyers to view the entirety of all inventory available on any member broker website. National Franchisors are not members of the MLS and therefore generally list only the inventory of their brand. 1. When working with a Buyer, brokers generally work as Buyer s Agent with the obligation to show all properties that fit needs of the Buyer. The MLS provides the facility for doing this as all brokers cooperate in showing and selling the listed properties. A portion of the commission is offered to any broker who procures the Buyer and affects the sale.
Churchill Properties Marketing and Sales Plan Attracting the most relevant Buyers for your property. Promotion to all real estate brokers. We promote your property to the top producing local real estate agents through email and direct mail marketing. We encourage cooperation with any broker who may sell your property for the best price and terms. Open Houses for Brokers and the Public. We conduct open houses (if desired) for both the real estate brokerage community and for the Buying public. These often generate an excellent Buyer response. Digital Forms and Signature We use digital forms and signatures (if desired) for ease of use, convenience, and environmental friendliness.
Churchill Properties Marketing and Sales Plan. Attracting the most relevant Buyers for your property. The Churchill Properties Website (Churchillprop.com) Easily coverts to any of seven languages Our website is not only attractive but exceptionally efficient at handling inquiry on your property. The listing broker is immediately notified via email whenever a potential Buyer inquires on your property, allowing for an immediate response. The website will conform and appear beautifully (optimize) on every device to allow Buyers to obtain all the information on their Smart Phone or tablet. It will also convert to any of seven languages with just one click and is linked to all the Churchill Properties social media business pages including Google+, Facebook, Linkedin, Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. We promote the website on Google Search using dozens of real estate key words. Immediately notifies the listing broker on every Buyer inquiry. Beautifully optimized display on every device smartphone or tablet. Instantly converts to seven languages for international inquiry. Promoted on Google with dozens of key real estate search words.
Churchill Properties Marketing and Sales Plan Attracting the most relevant Buyers for your property. International exposure through LuxuryHomes.com We are elite members of LuxuryHomes.com which showcases the finest luxury real estate from more than 40 countries worldwide. Additionally all properties appearing on LuxuryHomes.com also appear n Juwai.com the largest Chinese real estate portal for promoting U.S. and Global properties behind the Chinese firewall. They have 1.7 million viewers each month.
Churchill Properties Marketing and Sales Plan. Attracting the most relevant Buyers for your property. The Most Powerful Real Estate Websites We syndicate your listing to the most powerful international real estate websites in the world, giving your property exposure to millions of potential Buyers. Your property will also be listed on the websites of all real estate companies participating in the MLS. Zillow #1 - Premier Agents Zillow is by far the most visited real estate website worldwide as it is ranked as the 156 th most visited site in the world and the 34 th most visited site in the United States. We are Premier Agents on Zillow and invest $1,200. monthly to drive local Buyer leads to from Zillow to Churchill Properties.
Churchill Properties Marketing and Sales Plan Attracting the most relevant Buyers for your property. Social Media Exposure We use a variety of social media platforms to promote your property and drive traffic to our website. Churchill Properties has a business page on all of these websites allowing us to connect with thousand of local potential Buyers for your property.
Churchill Properties Marketing and Sales Plan. Attracting the most relevant Buyers for your property. Print Media Exposure We use several print media options to promote our properties and drive traffic to our website.
We proudly support the Home for Little Wanderers with a donation made upon each closing. The Home for Little Wanderers provides a seamless continuum of vital programs and services for every stage of child and family development. Serving children and youth from birth to 22, The Home makes a positive impact on over 7,000 lives each year. They never give up on children. And don t let children give up on themselves. By advocating on behalf of each and every one of them, they strengthen families, communities and the Commonwealth.
Churchill Properties Example Marketing and Sales Plan Professional Photography and floor plans including aerial photography. Ariel videography. Interior videography tour posted online to several websites including Youtube and Vimeo. Staging review/redesign professional recommendations. Property Brochure multiple photographs, floor plans, property specifications, plot plan, town/area amenities. Churchill Properties Sign (if desired). Direct mail brochure 8.5 x 5.5 = Mailed directly to affluent homes in Mass. 1000 pieces. Direct mail brochure mailed to top 200 luxury real estate brokers in Mass. Broker reception with catered lunch. Social media exposure on Facebook, Google+, Linkedin, Instagram, Youtube, Twitter, Pinterest. LuxuryHomes.com Global exposure with thousands of luxury home buyer visits monthly. The website will translate into any of 70 languages. Juwai.com Largest luxury real estate website in China offering U.S. Real Estate 1.7 million users monthly. Local Newsprint advertising Syndication to a wide range of international real estate websites including Zillow, Realtor.com. Homes.com, Yahoo Real Estate, Trulia, Homesnap.com, UniqueHomes.com, NewYorkTimes.com, DistinctiveHomes.com, BankerandTradesman.com, and Boston.com. Unique homes Luxury media Unique Homes Magazine and UniqueHomes.com. Unique Homes magazine is distributed to a subscription readership of 400,000 worldwide and the Forbes 1000 executives. Boston Magazine Regional advertising with readership of 200,000+ North Shore Magazine Readership of 112,500. Manchester Cricket Newspaper Weekly newsprint provides local exposure.
Buyer Showings, Offers to Purchase, Negotiations. Representing you in securing the best price and terms. Buyer Showings All of the marketing and sales efforts are intended to encourage Buyer showings for your property. Buyers who have elected to visit a property generally have a higher level of interest in the property as they have generally first viewed it online in detail. The following is recommended for showings: 1. It is best if the owners are not present. This allows the Buyers to feel comfortable and imagine themselves living in the property. 2. The property should be in a clean and neat condition. 3. The lights should be turned on. A well lighted house is more attractive. 4. Be sure the house is at a comfortable temperature. 5. Soft background music contributes to a positive environment. If desired, we will gladly consult with the selling agent and contact you after showings to provide feedback. Offers to Purchase/Negotiations When a Buyer is interested in purchasing your property they will communicate their offer in writing on a standard offer form which will be completed with their Buyer s Agent. We will present all offers received to you as soon as possible. We will professionally evaluate the offers and recommend a response. As the owner you may accept the offer, reject the offer, or choose to counter-offer.
Managing the Transaction. Navigating inspections, financing, contracts, pitfalls. There are several aspects to managing the transaction to closing after the acceptance of the offer including: 1. The Home Inspection This normally occurs within 10 days of an accepted offer and is conducted by a licensed professional inspector. If defects in the property are discovered, we will assist in negotiating a resolution if necessary. 2 Purchase and Sale /Second Deposit - The preparation and execution of a purchase and sale agreement also occurs within 10 days of an accepted offer. This is normally prepared jointly by the attorney for the Buyer and the Seller. A second deposit is made by the Buyer upon signing of the purchase and sale agreement. 3. Buyer Financing - The Buyer makes application and begins the loan process for financing upon signing of the purchase and sale. 4. Property Appraisal - An appraisal of the property occurs as a component of the financing process. This is conducted by a licensed appraiser who is hired by the lender to substantiate value the property relative to the purchase price. We will meet the appraiser and may provide them with market information. 5. Notify Utility Companies - The utility companies must be contacted regarding the change in ownership Gas, Electric, Cable, Telephone. 6. New Deed Seller to Buyer The Seller must have a new deed prepared by an attorney, deeding the property to the Buyer. This will be delivered at closing and the funds will be paid to the Seller when the new deed is on record at the registry of deeds. 7. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors - Massachusetts Law requires that all properties have fully functioning smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors prior to closing. The local fire department conducts these inspections. We will coordinate this process with the fire department. 8. Closing Preparation - The closing attorney (if any) will conduct a title search and prepare all the required closing documents in preparation of the closing. This occurs approximately two weeks prior to closing. 9. Final Property Viewing - There will be a final property viewing by the Buyer just prior to the closing. The Seller should plan to be fully moved out the day prior to closing.
Preparation and Staging your Property. Appealing to the widest audience. Within seconds of arriving at your property, Buyers are forming an opinion based on their first impressions. Preparing your home for sale to create the most appealing presentation will help sell your home in less time and at the best possible price. We will work with you to prepare a custom-tailored home enhancement plan. In addition, we will recommend local specialists if needed in cleaning, painting, floor repair, home staging, and landscaping. Generally the process includes cleaning, repairing, uncluttering, neutralizing colors, and staging. Recommendations may Include: Enhancing curb appeal by improving the exterior repair, paint, landscape. Repaint and stage the entryway. Thoroughly clean the kitchen, appliances, and bathrooms. Unclutter by removing excess personal belongings. Clean out and organize closets. Refinish worn floors with fresh polyurethane. Remove excess furniture and create better traffic patterns. Replace worn carpeting, rugs, lampshades, furniture. Add plants and fresh flowers. Neutralize strong odors. Turn on all lights during showings.
Pricing your Property. Achieving the highest obtainable price. Choosing a listing price for your home is one of most important decision you will make in marketing your property. A properly priced home will attract immediate Buyer inquiry and offers. Uncontrollable factors affecting the value of your property. 1. Location, size of home, property features, lot size, quality of local schools. 2. Economic conditions Interest rates, unemployment rate, consumer confidence. 3. Local market activity similar homes for sale, pending sale, recently sold, expired. Controllable factors affecting the value of your property. 1. The listing price. 2. The property condition. 3. The skill and experience of your listing agent and the quality and amount of marketing. Factors with limited or no affect on the value of your property. 1. The assessed value of your property. 2. The appraised value of your property. 3. The purchase price you paid for the property. 4. The amount of money you need or want from the sale. The benefits of proper pricing. 1. Presents as a reasonable value to Buyers. 2. Receives immediate interest, showings, and offers from Buyers. 3. Creates urgency in Buyers to act. 4. Urgency and interest often results in a higher selling price. 5. Limits the time on market. The expense of over pricing your home. 1. Limited or no Buyer interest. 2. The existing Buyer group, at time of listing, rejects the property. 3. An exceptionally long time on the market. 4. Buyer concern of property defects. 5. Price reductions are required to meet the market value. 6. In a declining real estate market, the selling price is falling daily. SOLD
Activity Levels Web viewings Buyer inquiry Showings Open house visits Offers 0 30 60 Days on Market It is important to price your property at market value as Buyer activity is highest in the first thirty days of marketing. The reasons for this are: 1. Several marketing and sales initiatives are launched in the first thirty days of marketing, giving immediate, broad exposure to the property. 2. Web based real estate sites such as ChurchillProp.com and the MLS automatically send emails to Buyers when properties are listed that fit their criteria. 3. There is a large group of existing Buyers who have been in the market for sometime and are evaluating each newly listed property. This group generally knows market values, are preapproved for financing, and are ready to make a purchase decision. Property Sale Time Frame Home inspection Purchase / Sale agreement Financing application Financing processing Appraisal Legal, Title Closing prep. Closing / Sold Accepted Offer 10 days 30 days 45 days 60 days