Scott McFarlan Presents Homes & Life Magazine

Scott McFarlan Presents

Agent SPOTLIGHT Scott McFarlan Broker

MY COMMITMENT TO YOU Whether you’re selling your rst home, or you’re an experienced seller, my goal is to make the process as simple and effective for you and your family as possible.

(630) 738-2775

remaxscott@scottmcfarlan.com scottmcfarlan.com

I'm here for all your Real Estate needs.

I’ve written and negotiated contracts for millions of dollars worth of business. I have also won numerous awards for providing the utmost in quality service to my customers.

My clients often count on my knowledge and background to provide them with insight and direction in their real estate plans.

If there’s anything I can do for you, please give me a call!

- Scott

RE/MAX Action 1550 Maple Ave Lisle, IL 60532

If your property is now listed with a REALTOR® or Broker, please disregard this offer, as it is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other REALTORS® or Brokers. The information contained herein is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. ©ProspectsPLUS!, Inc. www.prospectsplus.com

Table of Contents PAYING LESS COMMISSION Could Hurt You Big Time pg. 2 Planning to Sell?

3 KEY FOCAL POINTS pg. 3 DIY PROJECTS UNDER $200 that Really Pay Off pg. 4 DOWNSIZING Focus on the Adventure that Awaits You pg. 6

5 Reasons Why RIGHT NOW Could Be the Best Time to Sell pg. 8

Find out how much your home is worth and what you need to consider before selling.

Having the right information is crucial when trying to decide the best time to sell your home. This is why I am thrilled to provide you with a free, no obligation, Home Pricing & Pre-Selling Review. This pressure-free review is intended to help arm you with the facts necessary to make the best decision for you and your family.

FREE HOME PRICE & PRE-SELLING REVIEW

Call me today to schedule your Free Home Price & Pre-Selling Review!

pg. 1

PAYING

LESS

COMMISSION Could Hurt You Big Time

Be Wary of a Desperate Agent In today’s competitive market, some agents are offering to cut their commissions because they don’t have systems in place to find buyers. There is a difference in wanting your business and needing your business. Do you really want to trust someone who is desperate for your business?

Lack of Motivation If your property doesn’t sell, what have you accomplished? There is a difference between listing a property and selling a property. What the other agent didn’t tell you is that they will make less money selling your property than if they sell another property on the market.

The Effect of Less Services Which services are they going to cut? Many factors come into play when finding the right buyer that is willing to pay your price. To get top dollar for a property you need as many services going for you as you can possibly get.

Their Pay Cut Could Mean Your Payment Would you really be excited about a pay cut?

How can the other agent really be excited about working for you? Is that other agent being honest with you when they say they’re excited about getting your property sold?

The Loss of Brokers What are they going to pay those brokers?

Why are those brokers going to be excited about a pay cut? To get top dollar for your property you need to have all the brokers in your marketplace excited about selling your property.

Don’t Hire a Poor Negotiator If that other agent is willing to let you negotiate them out of income from the sale price of your property, will they also let the buyer negotiate less for the purchase price of your property? You might be costing yourself tens of thousands of dollars trying to save a couple thousand dollars in commission.

What’s the most important thing to you in the sale of your home? Is it paying that other agent less commission? Or is it putting the highest amount of money in your pocket?

pg. 2

Planning to Sell?

3 KEY FOCAL POINTS 1. FIRST IMPRESSIONS First impressions are everything in real estate, so be sure to fix: torn or sagging screens, dirty or peeling paint on the home’s trim, ratty landscaping, dirty gutters, dirty windows, and cobwebs on the porch.

2. FLOORS Floor coverings are expensive, so they’re quite important to homebuyers. Facing the expense of having to replace them, buyers are likely to move on to another home. Unless your carpets are impeccably clean, consider removing and replacing them with hardwood flooring or one of the less expensive, look-alike options (wood-look tile, laminate, or vinyl).

Delicious One-Pot Chicken & Mushroom Orzo

3. FORGOTTEN MAINTENANCE Fix anything in the home that screams out to be fixed. This includes: leaky faucets, running toilets, loose railings on stairways, anything that is broken (tiles, cupboard hinges, window glass), and holes in the walls and doors.

These are just a few of the basics. Most homes require larger fixes, and I’m happy to take a look at your home and discuss any questions or major concerns you may have.

INGREDIENTS: 1 ½ lbs. boneless,

3 c. chicken stock

skinless chicken thighs

1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard

2 tbsp. butter

1 c. orzo pasta

8 oz. cremini mushrooms

3-4 c. baby spinach

2 large shallots (diced)

1/3 c. Parmesan (freshly grated)

3 cloves garlic (minced)

1/4 c. heavy cream

4 tsps. fresh

2 tbsp. parsley leaves (chopped)

thyme leaves (chopped)

Salt and pepper

2 tbsp. flour

DIRECTIONS: Season chicken with 3/4 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Melt butter in large skillet over medium. Add chicken to skillet in a single layer. Cook until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165 degrees °F.) Set aside. Add mushrooms and shallot, cook, stirring frequently, until tender. Stir in garlic and thyme, cook until fragrant. Whisk in flour until lightly browned. Stir in chicken stock and Dijon, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in orzo; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked through, about 6 minutes. Stir in spinach, Parmesan and heavy cream until the spinach has wilted. Return chicken to the skillet. Garnished with parsley and serve immediately.

DIY PROJECTS UNDER $200 THAT REALLY PAY OFF

pg. 4

1. THINK SECURITY 90% of homebuyers say exterior lighting and security features are a selling point. For $150 on up, you can install security lighting and add both value and peace of mind to home ownership. Solar options save you even more, and you might just qualify for a discount on homeowners insurance.

2. DRESS IT UP Consider decorative molding in your favorite living spaces for a classic touch and a dramatic way to dress up a room. Molding now comes in a variety of trim options and can be a very budget-friendly improvement that makes any room look like a million bucks!

3. ADD SOME SHADE Interior shutters were common in southern and urban houses years ago, and they’re still a fantastic way to add architectural and historical detail to your home.

They’re also perfect for keeping winter chill and summer heat outside, easy to install, and affordable (at right around $150).

TURN YOUR PASSION INTO REALITY

BECOME YOUR OWN

#DecorBoo

• Training & Mentors • Suppliers • Marketing • Business Platform

#1 Franchise for Interior Design

Finally, Do What You Love!

DOWNsizing Focus on the adventure that awaits you.

I don’t know about you, but just the thought of sifting through decade’s worth of “stuff” makes me want to stay put in my home forever.

Then I remember that the stairs are tough on my knees, half the home is no longer used, and it’s becoming increasingly frustrating to keep the dust at bay, and I’m glad I made the decision to move to a smaller home.

If that sounds like you, read on for some tips to make the sorting easier and the move to your new, downsized life, a reality.

pg. 6

If the items go to family, letting go--of the plaster-cast handprint your son proudly presented to you 25 years ago, the stacks of childhood report cards, your daughter’s soccer trophy--is easier.

If your kids don’t want them, take photos of them, and then donate, sell, or (you won’t like this one) throw them away.

Take it easy. The best time to start the downsizing process is before the home goes on the market. Not only will it accomplish the “declutter and organize” edict from the real estate industry, but it gives you a head start on packing as well.

One of the best systems is to work around the home room-by-room. If the thought of sorting through an entire room is daunting, promise yourself you can stop when you get the closet or half the room done, or whatever else makes sense for you. Then, begin the next session in the same room, in a different area.

Downsizing experts recommend that the first room we choose in the downsizing project is one that holds items of little sentimental value, such as the garage or the bathroom.

How bad do you want it? When downsizing, it’s obvious that not everything in your current home will fit in the new home. Sure, you can rent a storage unit for the overflow, but do you want that added expense cluttering up your new, more minimalist lifestyle?

Keep in mind that we often feel overly attached to items (photo albums, souvenirs, or gifts received) because of the memories we associate with them.

Is two of everything truly better than one? As you make your way through your home, you will no doubt come across extras or duplicates of many items. Many of them hide in the kitchen.

These are the easy giveaways with no emotional attachment. Give excess kitchen items to your kids or charity. Animal rescues will greatly appreciate your gift of sheets, blankets, and towels.

When the kids don’t want your “stuff,” remember, we’re being ruthless with this downsizing process. If the kids don’t want what you’re offering, find another way to dispose of it.

Place unwanted furniture for sale in a consignment shop. You’ll typically receive more for it there than you would were you to sell it in a garage sale or by using an online source, such as Craigslist.org or OfferUp.com.

The best way to avoid becoming emotional and clinging to items you truly no longer need is to keep your eyes on the prize: a new, downsized lifestyle with no more stairs and no more huge utility and tax bills. Focus on the adventure that awaits you!

It’s not the item; it’s the memories Consider giving these items to other family members (who don’t live with you) but who are associated with those memories.

pg. 7

5 Reasons Why RIGHT NOW Could Be the Best Time to Sell!

1. INTEREST RATES Currently, we know what rates are. If rates increase, buyers are knocked out of the marketplace. With fewer buyers in the marketplace, the chances of finding a buyer willing to pay your price decreases. You can’t predict what’s going to happen with interest rates. Nobody can.

2. NEW PROPERTY COULD COST MORE If you’re buying a new, more expensive property, you could cost yourself plenty. For example, let’s say you’re selling a $100,000 property and looking to buy a $150,000 property. If both properties appreciate at the same rate of 3% over the next six months, you gain $3,000 on your existing property.

However, the $150,000 property will now cost you $154,500 or a net loss of $1,500.

3. TIME IS ON YOUR SIDE Many sellers that have waited have put themselves in a “have to” sell situation, and had to accept an offer for less than what they wanted. The fact is when you have time on pg. 8

your side, you won’t feel pressured to accept an offer that’s less than what you want.

4. SUPPLY AND DEMAND Right now in the marketplace, there are a certain number of buyers and a certain number of sellers. There is no guarantee that in a few weeks, or a few months, there might be fewer buyers or more sellers in the marketplace. By waiting, you are taking a gamble.

5. TAX CHANGES Currently, we enjoy several tax benefits for owning property. See your accountant for tax advice. Should the federal government decide to change capital gains or interest deductions, you could risk the current tax advantages.

If you knew by waiting you could be costing yourself $3,000 or more, would you still want to wait? Part of the reason you hire a professional is to provide you with all the facts, so you can make an informed decision.

4 Reasons Why My Clients Hire Me and Send Me Referrals PRICING MASTERY Getting the price right from the start is one of the most important decisions related to getting your home sold for top dollar. I’m an expert at determining the best fair market value and pricing strategies to accomplish this goal.

NEGOTIATION SKILLS Experience is critical when negotiating best offers. My clients tell me that they have more peace of mind knowing that I’m watching out for their best interests.

ONGOING COMMUNICATION Communication is a vital component in the sales process. Make sure the real estate agent you choose takes the time to establish a time and method for keeping you in the loop every step of the way! That way, you are always informed and everyone can avoid unwanted “surprises.”

AREA EXPERTISE I’m a season veteran, with enthusiasm, knowledge, time-tested strategies, and a network of industrywide professionals at my ngertips, ensuring I have your needs covered every step of the way.

Please reach out if you need my assistance or know of anyone who might need help with buying or selling a home.

Scott McFarlan Broker

RE/MAX Action 1550 Maple Ave Lisle, IL 60532

(630) 738-2775 remaxscott@scottmcfarlan.com scottmcfarlan.com

I'm here for all your Real Estate needs.