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Free "For Sale By Owner" (FSBO) Program
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Through my work, I've met many wonderful people who have sold their homes "by owner". I often hear them explain that they can do everything that a Realtor can do for less. What I normally find out when I start talking at length with them is that they've had a bad experience with a Realtor in the past. They may have worked with someone who followed the the "Three P's" principle: Put a sign in the yard, Post it on the MLS and PRAY!

There is so much more to selling a home!

First of all there is a high risk of being sued. Often, selling a home "by owner" leaves the homeowner exposed to numerous lawsuit threats. If you don't have right right kind of insurance, you could lose everything. As a licensed Realtor, I am required to pay for Errors & Omissions Insurance. This helps to protect you and your family when you work with me.

Then there is the Realtor's network. It is often through a sphere of peers and business contacts that homes are sold. Knowing more people (and the right people) to "pitch" your home to, means it will go faster and with less bumps and bruises along the way.

I have a degree in Marketing, so the materials I utilize to promote your home are professional and effective. It's through years of experience, that I have come to understand the promotion tactics that are more beneficial for certain types of homes and certain areas. Learning this the hard way means losing valuable market time. Did you know that your first two weeks on the market are the most important?

Timeliness is also something to be extremely aware of in a real estate transaction. If an agent wants to schedule an appointment so their Buyers can see the house, will you be available seven days a week to answer the call and set the appointment? If someone is ready to write an offer, will you have all of the necessary disclosures ready and available, so they aren't delayed in delivering the offer?

Finally, are you prepared to remove your emotions completely from the negotiations? Someone who hasn't lived in the house or isn't going to be realizing the profit/loss might be able to think more clearly, and in turn, get you what you NEED from the transaction.

At my brokerage, I am considered an independent contractor. I am not a company employee...this means that I only get paid when a home is sold and CLOSES. Sometimes an owner decides not to sell, or a home is priced too high...is in poor condition...in a bad location, etc. In the end, if it doesn't sell I don't make a dime - despite the fact that I have put in time, money and effort (without monetary help from my brokerage).

In addition to paying brokerage fees, Realtors are also responsible for their own:
  • income taxes, reporting and tracking; taxes are usually paid quarterly, about 50 percent of earned income
  • medical, dental, life and disability insurance
  • office space rental
  • retirement plan - no 401K or pension plan is provided by the broker
  • financial responsibility for liability issues from the properties they sell
  • newspaper, magazine and periodical advertising costs
  • property signs, directionals, flyers, etc.
  • marketing their properties to the public
  • Realtor Association memberships
  • dues to access the MLS
  • dues/fees to be a member of the RE/MAX system
  • state licensing costs
  • required continuing education
  • real estate forms - sales agreements, counter offer forms, addendums, promissory notes, disclosure forms, etc.
  • memberships for networking in civic and professional organizations
  • business lines, fax lines, cell phones, pagers, etc.
  • long distance costs and cell phone bills
  • personal web sites and their monthly support and hosting costs
  • computers, printers, hardware and software, etc.
  • camera and accessories, memory cards, printing costs, etc.
  • all client expenses and spiffs
  • automobile purchase, fuel and maintenance
  • flyer creation, copying, expense tracking, filing, etc.
  • direct mailing or distribution costs (i.e.; "Just Listed" postcards)
  • administrative support
  • printing and copying, etc.
  • office supplies (i.e.; paper, envelopes, files, writing instruments, folders, etc.)
  • postal costs
  • Not to mention the cost of their time and money spent working with buyers or sellers who do not complete a transaction.

    It can take a Realtor months of spending their own money and lots of time, trying to sell a listing for a home owner or finding a home for a buyer. So when you divide the commission four ways, it is not as bad as it seems for all the time and hard work the Realtors put in and the small amount they actually receive after months of hard work. Think about what you receive for just one month's work.

    If you would like to see a break down of my commission structure (which is VERY reasonable), please contact me and request any information you need. Here are just some of the services you get when I do a FULL service listing on your home.

    **Marketing and More Marketing!**
    I am not a salesman, I am a marketing specialist

  • A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to accurately price your home
  • Advertising in two well-known real estate magazines (with a combined circulation of over 20,000)
  • Extensive Internet Exposure, (i.e.; Realtor.com, PPAR.com, SpringsLiving.com, HomesColorado.com, etc.)
  • All web sites participating in VOWS & IDX - which includes 95% of Realtors and Brokerages with websites
  • Front Page Positioning on www.SpringsLiving.com
  • Complete consultation on how to stage your home for the best results and quickest sale
  • You will receive free Home Seller's Packet
  • "Total Success" tips (i.e.; "Preparing for a showing in 15 min.", etc.)
  • Your home will have professionally designed full-color flyers
  • 24-Hour recorded message to capture real sign call leads
  • Your home will have its own web page where prospective Buyers can:
      View detailed information about home features,
      View additional photos,
      Print a flyer about your home,
      View detailed information about your home,
      Do mortgage calculations,
      Immediately contact me so I can sell them your home!
      Several Open Houses (dependent upon location and effective activity)


    So, first and foremost, with a Realtor there is less likelihood that you will be sued! If you decide later that you want a full service listing agent to market your home, call me! I am a hard-working and honest Realtor. Period. I am the best qualified to get the job done quickly (and with the least amount of inconvenience to you)!

    If you would like to utilize my Free "For Sale By Owner" Program, just fill out this form and we'll get started.





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