Southern Homes Team was started with one goal in mind, "that no one felt lost in the shuffle". We keep the home buying or selling Experience a priority. We offer a Boutique customer experience designed so that each client feels important and special. No two Real Estate clients or transactions are the same, and neither are their needs. We are small enough to give an individual and personal touch but large enough to get the job done. It IS personal for us; we want to have a relationship with our clients not just a business transaction. Before starting their team, Tracy was a Mortgage Loan Officer for 12 years. Her experience in the industry allows us to stay on top of market trends, loan products and knowledgeable about all sides of the transaction. We believe this gives our Team an edge that few others have. We look forward to meeting you and gaining a client for life!!
BENEFITS OF AN AGENT
It’s a Big Deal
Selling (and buying) a home is a big deal. Most people don’t sell more than two homes in their lifetime, so it’s not something they develop expertise in. There are ever-changing laws, ethical practices and practical considerations that you don’t want to learn on your own through trial and error or relying on a book or information off the Internet. It’s just not worth the risk. We Can Help!
With over 30+ years of experience, our plan is to:
1. Consult with you on how to get your home in top-selling condition.
We want to WOW prospective buyers during the first 30 days that your home is on the market.
2. Give you up-to-date information on what’s happening in the marketplace.
Having up-to-date market information helps us strategize.
4. Market your home to real estate agents and the public using research-based marketing strategies.
There is a misconception that just listing your home online sells real estate.
5. Help you objectively evaluate and negotiate offers without compromising your position.
An offer is just the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing – a lot of possible pitfalls. I can help you write a legally binding win-win contract that is more likely to make it through the process.
6. Help you close on the sale of your home.
WEEKLY FOLLOW-UP PROCESS
You will be emailed any feedback that is provided in REAL TIME,
confirm your own showing appointments via text or email.
Review market statistics for new listings, pending sales, price reductions, etc.
As your REALTORS® we promise that we will:
Provide you with excellent Customer Service during the entire selling process including, taking the time to understand your wants, needs and expectations, returning your calls and emails the same day and being honest with you always.
Help you obtain the highest possible price for your house in the shortest amount of time.
Advise you on pricing and staging your home.
Implement the 10 Point Marketing Plan to market your house through as many channels as possible.
Coordinate the home showing process.
Present all offers in a timely fashion and advise you on the terms and contingencies.
Negotiate offers on your behalf.
Schedule and coordinate completion of contingencies and inspections.
Monitor the buyer’s loan process.
Coordinate and supervise the preparation of all closing documents and guide you through the closing process.
There's so much to think about when selling your home:
1. Is it a buyers’ market or a sellers’ market?
2. How can I price my home so that it sells quickly?
3. What marketing strategies are effective and will sell my home quickly?
4. What’s this thing called “curb appeal?”
5. What should I do to have my home in top-selling condition?
6. How much should I fix? How much should I leave as-is?
7. How much of a hassle is involved in showing my home?
8. Should I try to sell my home all by myself? Or should I use an agent?
9. What about all the paperwork and legalities?
10. What about my next home? Should I buy or rent?
1. Define your goals, wants, needs and expectations. A good place to begin is by exploring your short and long-term goals in life and how selling your home fits in. We will walk through the process we use to thoroughly understand our client’s goals, wants and needs to ensure that your expectations are met.
2. Determine the best price for what’s going on in the market right now. We can assess the current state of the market and what comparable homes are selling for by reviewing a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) on your home. That way, we can objectively determine its fair market value and make sure the price it right.
3. Prepare your property so that it is in top-selling condition. We will work with you to help you see things from a buyer’s point of view. And consult with you on what to repair, replace, or remove so that your home makes a GREAT first impression.
4. Implement time-proven, research-based marketing strategies. Your home will be marketed with a 10-point marketing plan that has the highest potential for bringing not only the most buyers, but also the most qualified buyers to your doorstep.
5. Show your property. Always keep your home in top-selling condition. When you leave for work, make sure that your home remains in top-selling condition. You know what they say about first impressions!
6. Receive an offer. When a buyer decides to buy your home, an offer will be presented. We will advise you on the offer and whether the buyer is qualified to purchase your home.
7. Negotiate to sell. Most offers require some level of negotiation. We will work together to decide your parameter and negotiate on your behalf.
8. Have your home appraised and inspected. Once you have accepted an offer, We will work with the buyer’s agent to coordinate an appraisal, inspections and a survey (if required). If the buyer requires that certain repairs be made on your home, we will continue to negotiate on your behalf and recommend vendors, so that we move successfully from contract to closing.
9. Prepare for closing. A few days before closing (also known as settlement), we will contact the title company and the buyer’s agent to ensure that all the necessary forms and documents have been prepared. We will meet with you to review the closing documents and let you know what additional forms and information you need to bring to the closing meeting.
10. Close! At the closing meeting, ownership of your property is legally transferred to the buyer. We will be present to advise you and ensure that everything goes according to plan.
1. Staging and pricing strategies
2. Professional Photographs
3. For Sale Sign, and Directional Signs and Lockbox
4. Market to contact base of 9,000 via flyer/email
5. List on BOTH the Greater Baton Rouge MLS and the New Orleans MLS.
6. Mass email to every agent in the GBR Area highlighting your listing
7. Just Listed cards mailed to Neighbors
8. Track Showings/Collect Feedback
9. Market on Multiple Social Media Platforms weekly with Ads, flyers, and Posts
10. Market on Google, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, and Yahoo Real Estate
One of the biggest problems you face in obtaining top dollar for your property is determining your house’s value. The problem of determining value occurs primarily because sellers and buyers alike use 3 little words: price, cost and value interchangeable. A lack of understanding regarding the meaning of these words and their use causes communication breakdowns and allows emotion to replace objectivity during price negotiations. The fact is neither cost nor is price the same as value.
Value is elusive. It is your opinion of your house’s worth to you based on the way you use it now and plan to use it in the future. Interesting – the words “you” and “your” both appear twice in the preceding sentence. Because your opinion is subjective the features you value may not be the standard for all people.
Two factors affect value:
INTERNAL
Your personal (internal) situation is the first factor and it changes over time. Let’s illustrate – suppose you were a growing family buying a house 15 years ago. You would most likely have put great value on such things as 4 bedrooms, a huge yard and a great school system. But now, 15 years later, your family is grown. You don’t need 4 bedrooms, a yard or that terrific school system. The house didn’t change – your personal (internal) use for that house did. Thus, its value to you changed. It’s the internal factors in people’s lives that compel them to buy and sell property.
EXTERNAL
These are the circumstances outside of your control that affect value – for better or worse. If, for instance, a major 6 lane highway is proposed to cut through your neighborhood your property value could take a hit. On the other hand, if a strip mall is coming close to your neighborhood that could increase convenience your property value may increase. The law of supply and demand is a huge external factor that affects value. If there are more buyers than houses, the value goes up. If more people want to sell than there are buyers, value goes down.
Cost is history. Cost measure past expenditures. But that was then, and this is now. What you paid for your house then or the cost of maintaining it doesn’t mean anything as far as the present or future value of your house is concerned.
Why? Markets can and do change dramatically. During the 70’s and 80’s property values soared in Atlanta and people made huge profits upon resale because demand (due to relocation) was so great. During the early 90’s prices leveled off or in some cases even declined. Unfortunately, many sellers realized little to no profit upon selling. Some even lost money. Your potential profit or loss as a seller doesn’t enter the equation when determining your house’s present value.
Price is here and now. You put an asking price on your house. The buyer puts an offering price in their offer. You and the buyer negotiate back and forth until you arrive at a mutually acceptable purchase price. Today’s purchase price becomes tomorrow’s cost.
Remember, cost is past, price is present, and value is in the eye of the beholder. Neither the price you paid nor the price you want to get matters to the buyer. Not understanding this often causes sellers to make a very common mistake – overpricing,