Listing Consultation Packet

Central PA’s Premier “Mother and Son” Real Estate Team

RE/MAX 1st Advantage Derek R. Molen & Diana L. Molen

6375 Mercury Drive, Suite 101 Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

Office (717) 591-5555 Derek Cell (717) 226-4160 Diana Cell (717) 385-0827

[email protected] www.themolenteam.com

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to meet with you in order to further discuss your real

estate needs. We look forward to this opportunity to be of service to you. Please take the time to review

the enclosed information, as this will aid in answering many common questions prior to our scheduled

meeting.

Best Regards,

Derek & Diana


When you make the decision to list your home with us, you can rest assured that your home

will receive maximum marketing exposure, and you will receive first-class, personalized customer

service. Below, you will find a few of the highlights of what separates us from our competition:

• 25 professional quality photos, along with detailed text description of all your home’s

best features.

• Showcase Enhanced Listings placement on Realtor.com, along with high visibility

placement on many other leading consumer websites, including Remax.com,

Homes.com, Zillow.com, Trulia.com, and Frontdoor.com, just to name a few.

• Full-featured virtual tour powered by VisualTour, including full 360° panoramic photo

capability, links to school and community info, and more. Your virtual tour will be

linked to multiple consumer real estate search sites, ensuring maximum exposure to

prospective buyers.

• Cutting edge technology to maximize customer service. ZipForm allows us to draft and

send documents digitally, while DocuSign enables us to obtain legal signatures simply

via e-mail. While many clients appreciate these methods of saving time, paper, and gas,

we understand they are not for everyone, and we will only use these tools to the extent to

which you, the customer, are comfortable.










• Review, in detail, a thorough Comparative Market Analysis. You can trust that we will leave no stone

unturned in researching the recent listings, sales, and any other factors which may impact the strategy

necessary to aid in getting your home sold. This will empower us to position your home competitively in

terms of location, condition, and price, in order to maximize market exposure, so that your home sells for

the highest possible price, in the least amount of time.

• Advise you as to any changes which may serve to improve the marketability of your home.

• Add additional exposure and accessibility through a professional sign and lockbox. Since we cover such

a broad market area, our signage can be customized with a local office phone number for Mechanicsburg,

Carlisle, Hershey, or Perry County.

• Develop a flyer and/or features sheet to be left in the home during showings for review by prospective

buyers.

• Enter property, along with maximum number of photos, to all applicable Multiple Listing Services.

Submitting the maximum number of photos ensures optimal placement on consumer real estate sites.

Our MLS memberships cover 9 Central PA counties, enabling us to present your home to the largest

possible audience.

• Create an attractive, interactive virtual tour of your home, powered by VisualTour.

• Ensure that your listing maintains a high level of visibility on the most searched consumer real estate

websites.

• Proactively contact any agent who has recently listed or sold a property similar to yours or in your

neighborhood. This allows for powerful “cross-selling” to any prospective buyers with whom they may

still be in contact.

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• Follow up aggressively with any and all agents and/or prospective buyers who have viewed your home in

order to solicit feedback. This enables us to “keep a finger on the pulse” of the market, since we are

communicating directly with the buying public.

• Communicate feedback and any applicable market updates thoroughly and honestly, on at least a weekly

basis, and advise of any necessary changes.

• Notify all agents and prospective buyers who have viewed the home immediately of any price

adjustments or other pertinent changes to your home and/or listing.

• Represent you and your best interests during all contract negotiations, to assist you in securing the best

possible price and terms.

• Manage transaction from contract acceptance through settlement, ensuring compliance with all

applicable local, state, and federal laws and guidelines.

• Establish and maintain communication with all necessary parties regarding inspections, mortgage,

insurance, title, etc., along with any and all other necessary closing procedures.

• Coordinate and schedule settlement.

• Review settlement documents with you as soon as they become available.

• Make arrangements should you choose to be absent from settlement.

• Deliver all necessary closing documents to you following settlement.

• Maintain all necessary documentation pertaining to your transaction for at least 3 years, in accordance

with PA Real Estate Commission Guidelines.

• Kindly request your referrals of any friends, family, or co-workers who may be able to benefit from our

first-class service in buying or selling a home in Central PA!


In today’s highly competitive housing market, it is

more important than ever that your home show its very

best. Homes which show best tend to sell most quickly,

and for the highest prices. Please refer to the following

list to help prepare your home for showings.

CLEAN! CLEAN! Shampoo carpet; wax

floors; wash walls, windows, blinds, drapes, and

light fixtures. Consider a professional cleaning

service.

KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS Clear coun-

tertops. Leave canisters and little else. Maxi-

mize available counter space. These rooms

should be sparkling. Clean tubs/showers; re-

caulk if necessary. Clean stove, microwave,

dishwasher, and refrigerator.

GARAGE/STORAGE AREAS/CLOSETS

De-clutter. Discard anything you do not use, or

will not be taking with you. Clean out closets,

packing any out of season items. Remove all

clutter from cabinets and closets. It’s better to

do this now, and benefit from a more attractive

home on the market, than to wait until the last

minute, when there is no advantage.

REPAIRS Identify and repair dripping

faucets, sticking/creaking doors, etc. When buy-

ers see areas of disrepair, they question whether

there may be other unseen problems.

FURNITURE The less furniture, the larger a

room appears to be.®

Walk the property with a pad and pencil. List

anything which is you think is less than

satisfactory, without regard for cost or time.

You can review the list afterwards and assess

which items you can and cannot repair.

THE HOUSE Clean anything which looks

unkempt or dirty. Repair or replace anything

which looks loose, dingy, rusty, or broken.

Examine and spot paint outdoor furniture. Be

sure the doorbell works. Clean exterior light

fixtures. Clean windows. Spot hanging or

rusty gutters, crooked antenna, loose shingles,

or shutters.

THE YARD Turn and weed beds. Trim trees

and shrubs. Lay in ground cover. Mend fence

and fix gate latch. Pick up any litter. Consider

a professional lawn service.

FRONT ENTRY This is the first thing buyers

will see as they stand and wait for the door to

open. It’s worth the extra effort to spruce it

up!

INSIDE OUTSIDE

Think in terms of a home

which is sparkling clean,

uncluttered, and spacious!


While it is very important that your home shows well,

we are also aware that it cannot always be perfect. After all,

you and your family must live there, too. It is best to develop

a routine that will allow you to pick up and be prepared for a

showing in a reasonable period of time and without duress.

This means that certain things must be done in advance. For example, beds should be made

first thing each morning, and dirty dishes cleaned or placed in the dishwasher so that you do not have

to rush around tending to these types of things at the last possible moment. This will allow you to

prepare for each showing in an organized, un-hassled routine.

PICK UP EVERY ROOM Check counters, floors, halls, and stairs. Straighten up or remove newspapers,

magazines, mail, toys, clothing, recreational gear, snacks, glasses, and dishes.

TURN ON ALL LIGHTS Even those in closets and storage rooms. Electric lights have an amazing ability

to create an illusion of lightness and airiness.

OPEN ALL DRAPES, SHADES, AND BLINDS Do all that you can to create a bright, light ambience.

THE KITCHEN Be sure all countertops are clear and “squeaky clean”. Wipe down appliances. Be sure

all dishes are either in the dishwasher or cleaned and put away. The sink should be clear and clean.

CLEAN AIR Keep air fresheners in closets, bathrooms, and kitchen. Be especially careful to keep kitchen

odors fresh. Brewing coffee or baking cinnamon coffee cake in the oven have a lasting, inviting

FIREPLACE A warm, cozy fire may be just the right touch on a chilly day.

AIR CONDITIONING Have it operating to keep the house comfortable on warm, sultry days.

BATHROOMS Keep a set of fresh, attractive towels ready so they may be changed instantly

ENTRYWAY It’s the first and last impression buyers will have of your home, so make it a good one!

Check it regularly for sharpness.

Prepare well for your showings! “Set the stage” to make the best

impression on each prospective buyer!

Everything is going to be just fine. You have been

notified of the showing in advance, and made last minutes

preparations as indicated in “Before Each Showing”.


RELAX There is nothing more to do. Pick up a magazine while you are waiting. Please understand that

the agent may be either a bit early or late. It is likely that the agent is showing the buyers several homes, and

it is very difficult to be precise when estimating arrival time.

PETS Do your best to keep pets away during showings. Pet lovers will be distracted by wanting to interact

with your pets, while those who are not pet lovers may find their presence bothersome.

KIDS This will likely be a new experience for kids. Naturally, they are excited, but they could possibly

disturb the professional flow of the showing. Ask them to remain away from the agent and buyers, to go

outside, or watch TV.

DING DONG Answer the door as you would for any welcome guest. The agent will take care of any

introductions. If there is a situation which needs to be mentioned, perhaps a sick child in the second bed-

room, do so now. You may invite the agent to begin showing the home and then you may excuse yourself.

LOW PROFILE Discreetly remain away from the buyers. As helpful as you wish to be, your presence will

be intimidating. They need to be able to discuss the home freely with one another, and the agent needs to

observe how the buyers are responding to your home. Your presence can limit that free communication.

Read a magazine, watch a TV program, take a walk outside, or continue with a chore. Pick a room and settle

down. If there is a room you should try not to be in, it would be the kitchen. Buyers generally spend the

most time there as they evaluate counter space, appliances, cabinets, and flow.

CONVERSING WITH THE BUYERS Avoid becoming engaged in conversation. If you are asked a

question about the neighborhood, schools, etc., by all means answer pleasantly. Included and excluded items

will be clearly noted on the listing sheet, so please refrain from reiterating them. You should avoid

discussing any additional items you may be willing to negotiate. This is rarely a deal clincher, can be dis-

tracting, and there will be plenty of time to discuss such things during the offer presentation. Questions

regarding terms of sale should always be referred to the agent.

We strongly recommend that sellers make arrangements to be absent during showings, as this

gives the prospective buyers the greatest opportunity to explore, become comfortable, and envision the

house as their own home. Go for a walk. Take the kids to the park. Make a grocery run. Visit a

neighbor. We realize that this may not always be possible, and the tips below are for situations where

you are not able to leave during a showing.


Q: We have reviewed your Plan of Action, and find it quite impressive. However, we noticed that it

does not include any print marketing or open houses; why not?

A: We realize that many of our competitors tout these particular methods as very important in

getting a home sold. We have used both of these methods in the past, and have found them to be largely

ineffective. Print marketing has long been losing its effect, given the fact that somewhere between 80-90%

of buyers use the internet to help them find the right home. Serious buyers will view our professional quality

listing photos, take our virtual tours, and set an appointment to see the homes which are of interest!

Q: What is the term of your listing contract?

A: Our listing contract term is 6 months. However, if you are for any reason dissatisfied with

our service following day 60 of our Listing Contract, you may terminate our services without cost or

obligation. Of course, we trust that you will see we are working hard for you, and have only ever had this

option exercised once throughout the entire course of our career.

Q: What is your commission rate?/Will you reduce it?

A: Our total commission rate is 6% of the sale price, plus $250, which covers administrative

costs and services. Half of this total is allocated to compensating the Buyer’s Agent upon settlement, while

the other half goes to cover the costs we incur in marketing your home, as well as the profit which enables us

to stay in business. To cut the Buyer’s Agent’s compensation would be counterproductive, as this could

make the home less attractive to agents with prospective buyers. Lastly, while there are certainly agents who

will “list your home” for less, we are certain that you will not find an agent who does everything on our Plan

of Action, works as hard as we do to get your home sold and to settlement, and does so for less.

Q: Your office is not local to our home. Shouldn’t we list with a “local” agent?

A: Sure, but only if you want to only reach “local” buyers. While many agents focus their efforts

entirely on one or two specific towns, we have sold homes in 10 Central PA counties! This, along with our

powerful internet marketing, allows us to maintain contact with, and market your home to, prospective

buyers all over the Central PA region, as well as the world.

Q: How soon can you start?

A: How soon do you need us?










Please have the following items ready prior to our scheduled meeting:

____ First Mortgage - Most Recent Statement

Lender ______________________________

Phone # _____________________________

Account # ___________________________

Balance $____________________________

____ Second Mortgage/Home Equity Loan/Line of Credit - Most Recent Statement (if applicable)

Lender ____________________________

Phone # ____________________________

Account # ___________________________

Balance $ ___________________________

____ Copy of Latest County Tax Bill (if available) OR ____ Please order ____ Copy of Deed (if available) OR ____ Please order ____ Restrictions/Covenants/Maintenance Agreements (if applicable) ____ Utility Information Sheet (enclosed) ____ Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement (enclosed) ____ Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazards Disclosure Form (enclosed for properties built before 1978) ____ Condo/Homeowner’s Association By-laws (if applicable) ____ Spare Set of Keys to All Exterior and Garage Doors ____ List of Home Improvements/Dates Completed (last 10 years)

Thank you for taking the time to gather and complete these important items! This will greatly help us

in determining and addressing your needs.

Listing Consultation Packet

Documents

Transcript of Listing Consultation Packet