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WAYS TO ADVERTISE & PROMOTE YOUR HOME

YOUR NAME

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. DISCLAIMER AND/OR LEGAL NOTICES: While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publication, neither the Author nor the Publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, or omissions. Any slights of people or organizations are unintentional. This publication is not intended for use as a source of legal or accounting advice. The Publisher wants to stress that the information contained herein may be subject to varying state and/ or local laws or regulations. The reader of this publication assumes responsibility for the use of these materials and information. Adherence to all applicable laws and regulations, including advertising and all other aspects of doing business in the United States or any other jurisdiction is the sole responsibility of the reader. The Author and publisher assume no responsibility or liability whatsoever on behalf of any reader of these materials. If your property is currently listed with a Realtor, please disregard this notice. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other brokers. Printed in the United States of America

Table Of Contents

1. Optimizing Curb Appeal

2. Pre-Market Improvements That Reap Big Rewards

3. Staging Solutions And Options

4. Home Staging

5. How Buyers Search For Homes

6. Importance Of Great Photography And Videography

7. Single-Property Websites

8. Great Marketing Techniques To Promote Your Home

9. Promoting And Advertising Your Home Online 10. Catching And Keeping A Buyer's Attention

11. Direct Mail Advertising

12. Open Houses

13. Conclusion

Foreword

When I first ventured into the real estate industry years ago, I did so with the hopes of helping sellers like you avoid the headaches often associated with the home-selling process. In my years of experience, not only have I helped alleviate the stress of selling for numerous clients, but I’ve also accumulated years of knowledge to help them get more money for their homes in the least amount of time. I decided to share all of my expertise in one place with potential clients. And that’s why you’re receiving this book. I want to help you have the best possible home-selling experience. And by that, I mean I want you to 1. Get the most money possible for your home, 2. Sell in the least amount of time, and 3. Avoid the headaches most commonly associated with the home-selling process. Think of this book as my gift to you. It contains insider advice on the home-selling process to help you achieve your ultimate real estate goals, including: • Secret strategies to sell your home for more money • Marketing techniques employed by top agents • Advice on how to appeal to today’s buyers • And much, much more If, after reading through it, you want to hire me to help you sell your home, I’d be more than happy to meet with you to discuss a specific plan to sell your home. Happy reading!

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About AGENT

AGENT was raised in CITY with X siblings. As a child, AGENT had aspirations of being a OCCUPATION. Never in a million years did he think he’d stumble into the real estate industry, but you can’t always predict where or when you’ll discover what you’re meant to do in life. AGENT was taught at a young age that if you want something in life, you have to work for it. So that’s what he did. And he worked hard. As the years went by, AGENT worked his way from FIRST JOB to LATER JOB, never wavering in his resolve to become the best version of himself with each career move. AGENT got into the real estate industry X years ago when STORY ABOUT HOW YOU GOT INTO REAL ESTATE/WHY. He set out to LIST ASPIRATIONS FROM WHEN YOU STARTED OUT IN REAL ESTATE. As his career advanced, AGENT found his stride working with NICHE MARKET/SPECIFIC MARKET AREA/TYPE. He’s an expert in LIST AREAS OF EXPERTISE/SKILLS THAT SET YOU APART FROM OTHER AGENTS.

Throughout his career, AGENT has earned numerous accolades, including:

• LIST ACCOMPLISHMENTS • LIST SALES STATS ix

• ANY OTHER IMPRESSIVE INFO YOU’D LIKE TO INCLUDE

AGENT aims to provide the highest level of service to his clients and takes deep pride in helping them achieve their real estate goals. AGENT aims to provide the highest level of service to his clients and takes deep pride in helping them achieve their real estate goals.

Testimonials & Reviews for Agent Name

Here’s a list of people whom I have helped buy or sell a home, and what they said about working with me:

Agent-Name had a tough job, but she did it!

We were tough clients! We were moving to City and didn’t have a lot of time to look at houses, having to deal with our employer’s relocation, and all of the other challenges that came along. But, Agent-Name went above and beyond to help us. Even now, one year after the sale closed, I can still call her for business and service recommendations in the area — she knows just about everyone, and is very happy to help.

Agent-Name is the best agent in City!

I’ve used Agent-Name twice so far, and I was impressed both times. I bought my dream home with AGENT a year ago. She worked long and hard to find me the perfect home. And she just recently sold another property of mine. Everything went quickly and smoothly. Both of my real estate deals were done very quickly and professionally. Agent is honestly the BEST in her business. I would highly recommend her.

Agent-Name perseverance got me the house

My experience with Agent-Name during the entire home- buying process, from start to finish, has been nothing short of exceptional. I have a unique work structure, and because of this, it was very difficult to find mortgage lenders that would approve me for a home. I was very frustrated and on the verge of giving up, but Agent-Name insisted that we continue searching. Not only did we find a mortgage lender but also a mortgage that I felt great about. His perseverance is the reason I am now a homeowner. He is professional, punctual, knowledgeable, and very easy to work with. With the highest regard, I will recommend Agent-Name to all my friends and family.

Very attentive to concerns, details, and negotiations

Agent-Name helped me find a house by literally picking it out for me. Every house I wanted to go to, I got there and didn’t love it. Agent-Name was busy taking note of the likes and dislikes I was stating and said “I have a house that you’re going to love”.... AND I DID! I went back 4 or 5 times to show other members of my family, and she accommodated me without complaint. I was a first-time homebuyer, and she walked me through the steps of everything, gave me advice, and constantly followed up to make sure I was doing OK. With her help, I was able to close on the house early, right before I started my new job. I would recommend Agent-Name to EVERYONE, buying or selling. Agent-Name made it so so easy. She guided us through the entire process. She recommended great people to work with

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every step of the way. She was available 24/7 to answer any questions we may have had. With her high standards, expertise in the industry, and patience, we would recommend her as a Realtor to anyone looking! She was amazing!

Agent-Name even advised me on how to prepare my house

Agent-Name was a gem. In addition to being highly knowledgeable about the real estate market, with many years of experience, he is a consummate professional. He was extremely easy to work with, gave me very good advice about preparing my house for sale and was very responsive during the entire process of receiving offers, selling and closing. I would work with him again in a heartbeat. He’s that good.

Agent-Name is the first agent I would call

Agent-Name and his team were able to rapidly list, show and sell my property. Being an expert in real estate, he was spot on in his pricing of my property and getting this deal completed. Overall, I highly recommend him and his team. If I want to buy real estate, AGENT would be the first person I’d call.

Agent-Name got us an offer in three days!

Agent-Name was the consummate professional during our stressful and difficult process. In the midst of juggling a ‘failed’ marketing effort with another agent, she presented a

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well thought out plan and strategy to sell our home in short order. We needed to move quickly due to a growing family and another baby on the way. She helped alleviate that pressure by securing an acceptable offer with 3 days of listing. We put pressure on her, and she delivered. We couldn’t thank her enough.

Agent-Name kept us calm throughout the process!

Agent-Name always made herself available to answer questions. She worked hard to sell our home and find the best fit for our new home. She and her team worked with us through the entire process and kept us calm when we got anxious.

I am 100 percent satisfied!!

Agent-Name is professional and knowledgeable about everything. She is also always available. I would definitely recommend her to anyone. Very smooth transaction from start to finish. I felt confident with her experience.

Agent-Name found us our dream home

Agent-Name was very efficient and helped us find our dream home within a few short months. She was able to negotiate the price that we wanted for the house. Overall, I would look for her again to help us look for a house if need be in the future. Thank you so much!

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Efficient communication and service

Agent-Name and his staff were very helpful in selling our condo. They kept me informed frequently with email, sending reports on showings, offers, and feedback from potential buyers. We are very satisfied.

Agent-Name will get your house sold fast!

Agent-Name is great and has the expertise to get your house sold. The communications throughout our sale (from beginning to end) has been outstanding. Agent-Name understands the stress involved in selling your house, and she updated our family consistently! This made us feel we were in good hands. I have worked with numerous agents, and I highly recommend her to represent you when it comes time to sell your home.

Excellent experience topped with a personal touch

Excellent experience all around, not only knowledgeable but Agent-Name and team have a very personal touch I felt like family throughout the entire process. He always took his time; we never felt rushed or like “just a number.” I sold my home and bought with him. We had lots of questions he gladly answered them with no problem and guided us through the entire process, eliminating lots of stress. I truly appreciate that and would recommend him and his team to family and friends.

CHAPTER 1 Optimizing Curb Appeal

Many buyers form an opinion of whether or not they are interested in a home before ever stepping through the front door. Your home’s curb appeal is your first, and best, chance to make a good first impression on the buyer. You may have spent a lot of time and money updating the interior, but if the exterior of your home screams “help!” you’ve already lost the sale. This may not be as exciting as getting the interior in tip-top shape, but it’s possibly even more important. Landscaping, physical exterior, and the facade of your home are all important factors that have to be considered, and are vital to selling your home for your asking price.

THE EFFECT OF GREAT CURB APPEAL

When it comes time to sell your home, use curb appeal to your advantage to get your asking price. By presenting a beautiful home, inside and out, you’ll close the deal in no time. It is written in Proverbs that “first impressions are the most lasting.” Apply Andrew Grant’s quote that “you never get a second chance to make a great first impression” on the presentation of your home for sale, and you have some powerful food for thought. There is only a seven-second

window to make a brilliant impression on your potential buyers. When they pull up to the property, buyers are busy looking down (at the grass), at eye level (at the shutters and paint), and up (at the roof) to formulate their first impression. A manicured lawn with thriving trees and bushes, plants on the porch, flowers blooming in the garden, fresh mulch, and updated shrubs are all easy and relatively inexpensive investments that pay off big in the end. On the other hand, if a potential buyer is greeted by dying grass, wilting flowers, overgrown and out-of-control weeds everywhere, chipping paint, and a roof that looks like it’s about to collapse, they may just keep on driving. Buyers don’t want to have to come out of pocket after they make a purchase unless they’re getting a great deal. The more they estimate that they will have to put into the property after the purchase, the lower their offer will be, if at all. Attractive photos showcasing great curb appeal will generate enthusiasm to see the property and prompt potential buyers to make an appointment with you or your real estate agent to tour the home. More about photographs later.

DRIVE-BY APPEAL

Potential buyers will drive by your home or park out front to decide if they want to contact you for an appointment. This is where the devil is in the details. Just like you have to

keep your house show-ready clean at all times, the same applies to the outside. Keep your yard cut, trees pruned, hedges trimmed, garden weeded, etc. Keep the garage door down when your house is on the market, and wash the windows and make sure that any chipping paint is repaired.

CREATE A WELCOMING WALKWAY

If the pathway to your front door is an ambassador to your home, the front door is your welcoming committee. Make the short walk a magical, appealing journey that promises unlimited possibilities for excited buyer-to-be. If the walkway to your home is a straight line from the sidewalk to the front yard, decorate the lane with plant groupings in vibrant colors in flower pots or beds. Add curious boulders and interesting trees to charm your guests, but be careful not to overdo it. You don’t want to create clutter. For a more contemporary look, a wooden walkway made of cedar, redwood, cypress, or teak constructed with weather- resistant wood is a beautiful option, and is easy to stain and seal once a year. Whatever the building material, keep the pathway manicured with regular edging. Ensure no weeds or overgrowth infiltrate, especially around the concrete or wood itself.

Adhere to the “less is more” discipline. Go easy on the

decorations and lawn ornaments. A tasteful welcome sign is appropriate, but forgo the gnomes and flamingos. Be careful not to overcrowd your entry. Make sure your entry is well-lit, as this will not only make a big impact on curb appeal, but also provides better security. Solar stake lights can be purchased inexpensively from home improvement stores.

EXTERIOR PAINT

The exterior of your home plays a large role in the entire look of the property. Painting a house is a significant investment, but one of the most important investments you’ll make to get your asking price. Don’t skimp on this when it comes to preparing your house for the market. The best way to chase off a buyer is to show him a house with wood rot in the windows and chipped paint. The first thing the buyer is thinking is, “we’ll have to paint immediately, and that will cost $20,000!” It may or may not cost that much; but if you freshen up the home, replace all rotting wood, paint the trim, etc., that worry won’t be the first thing the buyer thinks about before ever touring the inside.

THE FRONT DOOR

As your guests’ “welcoming committee of one,” your front door has a significant impact on your home’s first impression. Make the point of entry “pop.” Painting your

front door in a punch of bright, bold paint that contrasts with the home’s siding and trim will add beauty and is another great way to add curb appeal. A seasonal wreath, a cheery welcome mat, some potted plants, or boxed planters will create a positive, free flowing atmosphere, and have buyers dreaming about the life they could have beyond that door. Pay attention to the details: make sure that the door knob is polished, and if the hardware is dated or beyond cleaning, replace it. Making your front door sparkle is important in helping buyers develop a positive first impression. If your outdoor lights are dated, consider replacing them with updated fixtures. Also, birds like to make nests in front door lights, and spiders love to weave webs in the shade of the overhang. Make sure you clear all that nature away. Take a good look at the back door as well. If it’s a sliding screen, make sure you replace screens with holes or are coming apart at the edges. Make sure your sliding door slides smoothly and stays on its tracks upon operation. Don’t let anything fall apart in your buyer’s hands. There is absolutely nothing worse than having something malfunction during a showing.

SOFT LANDSCAPING

If your “soft landscaping” (lawn and garden) is withering, has bare patches, or is overgrown and riddled with weeds,

buyers will be turned off. The importance of a well- manicured lawn cannot be overstated.

Go for a neat and attractive look. A lawn that appears to be too high maintenance can also be a turn off. You don’t need to hire a professional to design a landscape. Just make sure the grass is cut and healthy. Flowers make people happy. Planting a simple garden is a great way to turn a house into a home. Plant brightly colored flowers to bring a joyous feeling to your lawn area. To add a finished look to your yard, lay some dark colored mulch around bushes and in your garden. Mulch gives the area a clean, well-maintained look, adding to your curb appeal. As mentioned above, one or two simple garden ornaments is fine, but don’t overdo it. Avoid any thoughts of “tacky” or “clutter.” Though the buyer will understand that the lawn ornaments don’t come with the house, they could still impact that perfect first impression that you’re seeking.

HARDSCAPING

The term “hardscaping” refers to the driveway, rocks, sidewalks, and any paved areas around the home.

Be careful not to fall behind in pool maintenance at summer’s end. A pool can be a powerful ally — or enemy — in selling a home. People either love them or hate them, but

pool lovers will be turned off to see a dirty pool full of leaves, twigs, and dead bugs. Keep the chemical level balanced year-round and keep it skimmed. Your goal is for prospective buyers to envision themselves enjoying a hot summer day in the pool, not hard labor to keep it clean. In the fall, excess leaves hide walkways and sidewalks, and can be dangerous if someone slips on wet leaves. Be sure to keep leaves raked and the paths safely clear.

TAKE TIME FOR THE BACKYARD

By the time buyers gets to the backyard, they have formed their impression and they are moving into decision-making mode. Now is not the time to rest on your laurels. Your back yard should be just as well tended as the front yard, as it matters just as much. Many buyers consider the backyard an extension of the home. This is where children and pets will play, and adults will relax and entertain guests. Making a good impression with your backyard is incredibly important. You want your backyard appeal to give the buyer a vision of endless possibility and picturing themselves enjoying life there for years to come. Ensure your lawn looks good for showings, that it is cut, fertilized, and watered. Pick up any pet waste. If you have a pool or a hot tub, ensure that the cover is off and that the water is sparkling clean. Again, flowers will go a long way in adding to the appeal of the area.

The addition of patio furniture will make your backyard feel more welcoming, and will help the buyers envision themselves sitting outside with friends or family sharing a cold drink on a hot day and enjoying good conversation.

THE ROOF

The roof of a house is a big consideration in the sale of a home. Roofs are expensive to repair and replace, and buyers will have the roof inspected before making an offer. Before putting your house on the market, hire a professional to assess the condition and estimated life of the roof. Make sure that any minor repairs are completed and all shingles are in place. There may be some expense in this pre- marketing strategy, but it will be worth knowing exactly what to expect in the inspection and negotiation phase of a sale, so making all necessary repairs beforehand will ensure that the sales process will be smooth and efficient. If any problems are discovered upon inspection, you can fix them or you can subtract the cost of the repairs from the final sale price. This is generally acceptable to both buyer and seller.

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