The best possible price for your home...
    with the most favorable terms...
    in the shortest period of time...
    with the least inconvenience to you.

Making it easier on yourself

Dan O'Brien and Berkshire Network/GMAC Real Estate can help you sell your home more quickly and easily by:

• Implementing the proven Home Marketing System.
• Accessing an established local network and the GMAC Global Relocation Services.
• Helping you set the right price on your home to attract the right buyers and the sales professionals who work with them.
• Gathering data that will present your house and neighborhood in the best light.
• Targeting the market where the most likely buyers will be.
• Handling calls form the people who may be more curious than serious about buying.
• Representing you during the offer process.
• Doing the necessary paperwork and legwork.
• Guiding you through settlement.

Listing with a broker

A listing agreement is one of several types of contracts in which you hire a real estate firm to find a ready, willing and able buyer for your home in exchange for a set fee.

Three types of listing agreements:

1. With an exclusive right-to-sell agreement, the seller pays a fee regardless of who produces the buyer. This fee covers many important services that the sales professional performs above and beyond finding a qualified buyer.

2. If the seller finds a buyer, he or she is not obligated to pay the fee in exclusive-agency listing. If the sales professional finds a buyer, then a fee is paid to the real estate company.

3. An open listing is one in which you sign with several real estate firms and give each authority to sell your home. It is typically less effective than exclusive listing because the sales professional lacks the incentive to make an all-out effort to sell your home.

Note: Your home could also be included in a multiple listing service (MLS) as part of an exclusive listing. MLS gives your home greater exposure in the marketplace.

Starting with you

Before the yard sign goes up, your sales professional and you must do some homework - and it makes all the difference. With the Home Marketing System, we'll combine your knowledge of your home with the experience of your sales professional to make sure we can attract the best buyer.

Gather the facts

Buyers want to know details; having the answers is a powerful sales tool. Dan O'Brien will use the information you provide to answer questions, create an advantageous listing and create an exciting marketing campaign that targets the right kind of buyer.

Help Dan O'Brien by collecting or providing the following information:

• The legal description of the property
• The number of rooms and their sizes
• A list of things not attached to the house that you're offering for sale, such as window treatments, carpet, fixtures, swing sets, etc.
• Past utility bills, property taxes and insurance,
• Information about your mortgage, including the type, remaining balance, terms and assumability
• Financing assistance, potentially through you r own lender
• Any liens against your property
• If you live in a condominium or townhouse, include a copy of the association's declaration, bylaws, rules and regulations, financial statement, and monthly fees and special assessments.
• Special items or improvements about the house. (Point out things that may not be apparent on a walk-through.)
• The positive points about your neighborhood, such as demographic information and proximity to services, shopping, schools and other areas.
• Any defects that aren't apparent. (You should inform Dan O'Brien about defects so a buyer can be informed.)

Setting the price

Before you set an asking price for your home, Dan O'Brien will complete a Comparable Market Analysis. Using this process, we will establish a realistic and ambitious listing price and increase the percentage of qualified buyers who look at your property. When setting a realistic fair market value of your home, you'll want to consider a few points:

• Don't base your asking price simply on what you paid for the home. You may be asking too little or too much.
• Determine how much time you have in which to sell your home. If you must sell quickly, Dan may suggest a more competitive price; if you have some flexibility, you may choose a slightly higher price.
• Ask Dan O'Brien to meet with you and evaluate the information on recent sales of comparable homes in your area
• Don't price your home too high as a means of making more profit. You will lose a large pool of eligible buyers who won't even look at your home because they can't afford the price. Likewise, you'll disappoint those buyers who can find more house for their money elsewhere.
• The value of your home is based on the buyer's perception of that value, rather than the amount you originally paid for the house. Our Home Merchandising System™ will offer tips on how to make your home even more appealing to buyers.

Merchandising your home

As you prepare your home to be shown to prospective buyers, you must look at your home through a buyer's eyes. With our Home Merchandising System™ Dan O'Brien can help you spot the little things that buyers will notice - things they might otherwise use to try to negotiate a lower price. Ask Dan O'Brien for brochures about how to merchandise your home. Here's a sample:

• Unclutter all areas of your home to create an impression of spaciousness
• Clean everything thoroughly. Ask a friend to help you assess your efforts - especially in sensitive areas such as odor removal
• Neutralize your home by making any improvements in neutral colors that appeal to any decorating scheme. Dan O'Brien has helpful decorating informati0on available

In the yard

• Keep the lawn well trimmed and edged. Keep trees and shrubs trimmed.
• Put away lawn equipment, toys and other outdoor items. Stack firewood neatly.
• Repair and paint or stain fences.
• Check exterior surfaces. Make repairs, clean or paint as needed.
• Clean, paint and repair or realign gutters.
• Fix broken windows and screens, then wash.
• Wash down the exterior of the house, driveways and sidewalks. Fix holes in pavement.
• Check the roof and repair loose shingles or flashing.
• Make sure the entry light and doorbell work. Replace house numbers and welcome mat as needed. Paint, stain or clean the door if needed.
• Brighten your landscaping with moveable, potted flowers.

In the home

• Discard all unused items to reduce clutter
• Arrange clothes neatly in closets. Limit storage on the floor and overhead shelves.
• Leave kitchen countertops as clear as possible. Clean and organize cupboard interiors.
• Check walls for smudges, chipped paint and torn or loose wallpaper. Make repairs and paint surfaces in neutral colors.
• Clean and organize the basement, attic and garage.
• Launder window treatments and carpets. Replace worn, stained or smelly carpeting.
• Tighten loose doorknobs, switch plates, cabinets, drawer pulls and the like.
• Fix sticking doors and windows, and squeaking floors and steps.
• Fix leaky faucets, and remove water stains.
• Repair or clean caulking on tubs and sinks.
• Replace all lights with higher wattage bulbs and open all drapes.
• Arrange furniture to give an impression of spaciousness in each room.

Showing your home

Berkshire Network/GMAC Real Estate will try to give you as much advance notice as possible for a showing, but always be ready to show your home.

• Ask Dan O'Brien is you should have an open house, usually scheduled for a Sunday afternoon.
• Consider hanging a lockbox on your to allow licensed sales professionals to show your home when you are not there.
• Take the name and number of all drop-in buyers and refer them to Dan O'Brien.

When your home is to be shown

• Turn on all lights, including the outside entrance, even during the daytime.
• Turn of the TV.
• Ask a friend to keep pets, especially during your open house.
• Put out fresh flowers, your best towels, a nice tablecloth, and other accessories.
• Try to leave when the sales professional brings a buyer over, so the buyer feels free to ask questions or to linger. If you stay, be polite but let the sales professional handle the questions.

For a copy of this brochure, please e-mail Dan O'Brien and request the "Fresh Ideas for your kitchen" brochure.

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