WELCOME
POWERFUL RESULTS. REAL PEOPLE.
Lauer Realty Group is a full-service residential brokerage, specializing in home sales in the most desirable neighborhoods in Madison, Dane County and beyond. It takes more than a computer and MLS access to move you when and where you want to go. The best real estate transactions happen with a great realtor at your side, and gives you the edge in the process We bring our clients the latest information, technology, and our mastery of the industry. In using our expertise, you’re tapping into the top performing 1% of realtors in Dane County for over two decades.
At your side and on your side Our Madison real estate agents live, work, and play right here in the Madison area and are deeply tied to the communities where you’re looking to sell your home. We know the perks and quirks of each neighborhood, and we’ll work hard to honor the unique hopes and dreams you bring to the table when pricing a value on your home
At Lauer Realty Group we believe that being the best isn’t something you say, it’s something you are. We believe the most important thing is that we listen to our clients’ wants, needs, and expectations, and deliver on them every single time Thank you for your interest in our firm and we look forward to delivering a superior real estate experience that exceeds your every expectation.
Cheers,
Liz Lauer Broker/Owner
PRICE EVALUATION
My price evaluation uses many of the same variables which an appraiser utilizes - the correlations between location, style, size and condition of homes. Please understand that a Comparable Market Analysis is based on the current market conditions and is not to be construed as indicative of future market values.
I will review the properties in your area which are currently on the market, pending sale, or recently sold. Although these properties may differ from your home, they do provide a basis for comparison in determining what the current market is willing to pay and the fair market value. I use this information, combined with a tour of your property to determine the current marketing price that is appropriate for your home.
My Marketing Plan and Guaranteed Performance Agreement highlight the actions that will bring the best response to your property when it is placed on the market. Our advertising and outreach targets potential buyers to boost initial interest and help bring in the best possible offer.
What influences our pricing decision?
The seller's financial & time frame objectives
Current market conditions
The 'desirableness' of your home
Results and insights from CMA
HOMESSOLD
THE PROCESS
HOME SELLING PROCESS LAUERREALTYGROUP THE
1. PROPERTY OVERVIEW
Thefirststepistoalwaysconductathorough assessmentofthepropertyanditshistory, improvements,andfeatures Theseare importantfactorsinpricingyourhome I seektofullyunderstandyoursale requirements,andalsoyouraspirations beyondthesale.I’llshowyouwhatneedsto bedoneandwhatthingsweneedtoavoid
2. DETERMINE VALUE & NEEDS
Acomprehensiveanalysisofcomparable properties,neighborhoodinventoryand pricepersquarefootwilldetermine optimallistprice Ourgoalistomatchyour needswhenitcomestosellingyourhome, anditisimportanttodiscussexpectations andthetimelineforthesale.
3 EXCLUSIVE LISTING CONTRACT
Oncepricehasbeendeterminedand agreedupon,anexclusivelistingcontract issignedwiththeRealtor®
4. PREPARE TO SHOW
Weofferadviceandrecommendationsfor appropriateenhancementsandstagingto prepareyourhomeforprofessional photographyandshowings.Thisishowwe convertinterestintoahotoffer!
5. MARKETING
FromtheMLStosyndicatedwebsitesand socialmedia,yourhomeismarketed thoroughlyonlineaswellasinprint, includinghomebrochuresandadsin neighborhoodnewsletters
6. SHOWINGS & OPEN HOUSES
Youcanexpectshowingstoberequested rightawayafteryourhomegoesonthe market Throughourshowinglineprogram, youwillbeabletoapproveandkeeptrack ofallactivitythatoccurs AnOpenHouse willalsotypicallybescheduledwithinthe firstweeksonmarket.
7. FEEDBACK
Asfeedbackisreceivedfrom showingsandtheopenhouse,wewill discussifanythingneedstobedone tomakethepropertymoreattractive forpotentialbuyerswhilestill meetingyourgoals
8. NEGOTIATE
Wehaveaproventrackrecordasexpert negotiatorsandknowhowtonavigate thisprocess.Whetherdealingwith multipleoffers,orasinglebuyer,wewill useourmarketknowledgeand expertisesoyoureceivethebestprice
9. OFFERS & CONTINGENCIES
Oncenegotiationsarefinalized,we reachanacceptedoffer.Thismeans yourpropertyisundercontractand westartworkingtowardsclosing Our officewillstayontopofalltasksand deadlinesincludedintheoffer
10. PROVIDE INFORMATION
It’simportantthataswemoveforward toclosingthatallnecessary informationisgiventopartiesinvolved suchastheClosingOfficer,andany lendersorattorneys
11. CLOSING
Onceallcontingencieshavebeen removedbybothbuyerandseller,and allnecessarydocumentationhasbeen providedtothetitlecompany,it’stime tomeetattheclosingtable Thisisyour finalstepintheprocesswherethe paperworkiscompleted,thebuyer takesownershipofthehome,andyou receivetheproceedsfromthesale!
DETERMINING FACTORS
PRICING
When pricing your home it is important to carefully consider top market value Using my competitive market analysis tool, I will suggest your home’s best listing price I sell homes HIGHER than the market average because I list homes at the correct price from the start
HOW IT SHOWS
It is important to have your home ready for market on day one. Make sure your home is ready for showings and online by:
Completing repairs that need to be done
Decluttering & removing personal items
Make sure the home is clean and smells fresh
Cleaning carpets
Neutralizing spaces and walls
MARKETING
I offer SUPERIOR MARKETING TECHNIQUES to help get your home sold faster and for more money than the competition
PROSPECTING
Prospecting daily for potential buyers, talking with neighbors, and our co-op agents and past clients
MARKETING
The second you sign with me, I go to work on marketing your home! COMING SOON MARKETING, ONLINE MARKETING, SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING and PRINT MARKETING are all part of the success of getting your home seen by the most potential buyers, selling your home faster and for more money than the competition
COMMUNICATION
Actively communicating with you through every step of the process Diligently sharing feedback from showings, following up with agents after viewing the home, and calling weekly to discuss the progress from the previous week
OUR MARKETING PROPOSAL
PHOTOGRAPH YOUR HOME
Publish images in advertisements, on website, and MLS
Virtual Tour will also be used to showcase your home
Home Brochures containing photos and features created for showings and Open Houses
ADVERTISE TO PROSPECTIVE BUYERS
Multiple Listing Service
Social Media
Home placed on Wisconsinhomes.com & Syndicated Services (ie Realtor.com & Zillow.com)
May be featured in neighborhood newsletters on a rotated basis
Open House advertised on websites
Guaranteed Performance Agreement
SHOWCASE HOME TO AREA BROKERS
Promote your property by connecting with other Realtors who do business in your area to inform them of your property
COMMITMENT TO SERVICE
We provide you timely and informative feedback on all showings
We work with you to promote your home and to strategize throughout the transaction
Closing consultation and coordination
GUARANTEED PERFORMANCE
THIS GUARANTEED PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT IS PART OF OUR EXCLUSIVE MARKETING SYSTEM. IT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
FOR SALE SIGN
A Lauer Realty Group “For Sale” sign will be installed on your property soon after the listing begins. This sign is the single most effective marketing tool in selling your home.
INTERNET
Your home will be presented on numerous websites including but not limited to: www.LauerRealtyGroup.com - Your home is immediately presented on our web site including photos, details, and commentary. This means your home can be seen by anyone who is looking at any of our listings, or using our website for resources we provide. www.wisconsinhomes.com - Public access to the Multiple Listing Service - this site generates interest in your home with photos and a wealth of information, from comprehensive home searching to an exhaustive real estate glossary wwwZillowcom / wwwRealtorcom - These websites are nationally promoted and are utilized by local and out of town home seekers Your property will be promoted as a showcase listing and will receive additional exposure with Lauer Realty group Other realtor and syndicated sites - Your home will be syndicated out to a multitude of other realtor/brokerage websites via the MLS for marketing.
MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE
Your home will be placed on the South Central Wisconsin Multiple Listing Service (MLS) network. This network advertises your home and invites any cooperating Brokers to sell it to their buyers. The MLS is available to the public through www.wisconsinhomes.com
NATIONWIDE REFERRAL AND RELOCATION NETWORK
We work with national referral networks to make information on your home available to many out of town buyers This network also means that Brokers across the country put me in touch with individuals and families that are relocating to our area In addition, we work with an extensive number of area corporations, industries, and employers to meet their employee relocation needs
BROKER MARKET ANALYSIS
We will do a complete and thorough analysis of your home and the current real estate market With this knowledge, I can work with you to determine the price range and marketing strategy which will result in the timely sale of your home at the best possible price
HOME BOOKS AND CARDS
I will prepare a home book/brochure that points out the special features and highlights of your home and these will be distributed to potential Buyers and other Brokers to keep after seeing your home This book not only showcases your home’s features, it helps interested Buyers remember your home more than others they have seen The home book will provide a positive answer to many of the Buyer’s questions that often come up during and after the showing. It includes (as appropriate): recent updates and renovations, energy costs, and school district information. With your approval, cards will be placed in your home to highlight its special features.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF YOUR HOME
To present your home at its very best to potential buyers, we photograph your home inside and out These photographs will be used on the MLS, websites, and in all of our print marketing We do our best to photograph on a sunny day and we always take our time to capture and edit the best photos of your property A picture is worth a thousand words
MORTGAGE & FINANCING CONSULTATION
With an understanding of current interest rates and various financial programs available, we can prequalify potential buyers when possible, and suggest alternative mortgage financing that is available in the community.
HOME WARRANTY PROGRAM
A home warranty program is available for you to purchase in order to provide protection for you throughout the listing contract, and to provide the Buyer coverage for one year after closing I can provide a brochure that explains the program and the cost This can be a strong tool for marketing your home to Buyers who may be concerned with the potential for mechanical problems that can occur in an older or existing home
ADVERTISING/MARKETING TIMELINE
I will advertise your property until there is an accepted offer to purchase The advertising shall resume in the event the offer to purchase contract does not result in a closing. The Broker does reserve the right to substitute the advertising, home warranties, trade names, marketing methods, and referral networks covered in this agreement.
CLOSING CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION
I will work with the title company to coordinate the preparation of the closing statement and other documents necessary to close your transaction I will also coordinate schedules with attorneys, lenders and others to complete the sale of your home
COMMUNICATION/AVAILABILITY
I will constantly monitor conditions and communicate with other agents who show your property I will contact you at regular intervals in person, by phone, mail or email to inform you of the reactions or comments Buyers had about your home, and advise you as to any changes in the market If you have additional questions or would like more information, I will be ready and available to assist you Should I be out of town, you will be made aware and will have one of my associates working with you during that time.
GUARANTEED PERFORMANCE
The Broker shall carry out the terms of this agreement at the Broker’s discretion during the term of the listing contract. The Seller understands and agrees that while the Broker will substantially adhere to the above outline of services, there may be deviations due to seller request, holidays or other
CANCELLATION POLICY
You may request a cancellation of the listing contract at any time after 30 days from when the listing contract is signed and if we breach this agreement by failing to comply with its material continuing requirements. In order to receive a cancellation agreement, you must first mail us a written statement setting forth the reason for the cancellation request. If we do not remedy the breach within 10 days after receipt of said notice, this contract shall be canceled at midnight of the 10th day. Should such cancellation take place, there will be no penalty to you; however, if a sale is consummated to someone introduced to your property during the period of the Listing Contract, Lauer Realty Group shall receive the commission in accordance with the Listing Contract
NOTICES
Any required notice must be addressed to Lauer Realty Group, Liz Lauer, 2229 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704 Any notice to you shall be addressed to your address in the Listing Contract
PREPARING TO LIST
PREPARING TO LIST
MAXIMIZE YOUR HOME'S POTENTIAL
A clean, neutral, and streamlined look helps Buyers to imagine what life would be like in your home. The action points below will help them be able to do that.
EXTERIOR
Wash or paint the home’s exterior
Paint the front door
Keep the yard nicely trimmed
Keep the lawn free of clutter
Weed and freshly mulch garden beds
Clean interior and exterior windows
Apply fresh paint or stain to wooden fences
INTERIOR
Remove personal items, excessive decorations & furniture
Replace or clean carpets
Get rid of clutter and organize and clean closets
Apply a fresh coat of paint to walls, trim and ceilings
Replace outdated ceiling fixtures, and clean lighting fixtures
Minimize and clean pet areas in the home
Be sure that all light bulbs are in working order
FRESHEN THE PAINT & FIXTURES
A new coat of exterior paint helps a home's curb appeal It isn’t a low-budget item, but if you can swing it DO IT
If you can’t paint the entire home, paint the trim This is a relatively simple thing to do and it helps give a home that wow factor
Update exterior light fixtures This can quickly give a home an updated look
Put a fresh coat of paint on the front door
STAGED HOMES SPENT
90%
LESS TIME ON THE MARKET
STAGED HOMES INCREASED SALE PRICE UP TO
5%
THE ART OF STAGING & STYLING
As experts in our field, we have a keen eye for what you can and should do to present your home in the best way for the greatest, positive impact Styling and staging your home plays a crucial role in allowing buyers to imagine themselves living in the home and for it to be seen in the best light We offer an added value to our Sellers by providing the necessary resources to ensure your home outpaces the competition, including staging professional connections as well as our Lauer Realty Group Home Styling program
What is Lauer Realty Group Home Styling? Lauer Realty Group works with a professional home stylist who will visit your home and work with you to provide advice on decluttering, rearranging, and decorating. This initial consultation is provided at no cost to you. If additional home styling is needed, including accents pieces and decor, the stylist will discuss additional package options that will best be suited for your home.
BENEFITS OF STAGING
LESS TIME ON THE MARKET
INCREASED SALE PRICE
HIGHLIGHTS THE BEST FEATURES OF THE HOME
DISGUISES FLAWS OF THE HOME
DEFINES SPACES AND REVEAL THE PURPOSE OF EACH SPACE
DEMONSTRATES THE HOMES FULL POTENTIAL
CREATES THE WOW FACTOR YOU WILL NEED IN PHOTOS THAT MAKE YOUR HOME STAND OUT
REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHY
STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD
Buyers love photos. 97% of house hunters utilize online sites to view properties and, for the majority, their first impression is their ONLY impression! A comprehensive range of professional, staged photos is essential to attract more views and build greater interest
Potential home buyers will form a positive opinion of your property from your photos online, long before they set foot in your home. As your listing agent, I'll make sure your photos have an outstanding impact on buyers
We partner with experienced professional photographers for our photography and virtual/digital imaging Step Inside Media will capture your home with the cutting edge technology that best showcases your home They provides HDR (high dynamic range) images, an interactive Smart Gallery, a Single Page Website Listing, a 3D Matterport Tour, and Floor Plans. These can all be seamlessly accessed across all platforms, from your cell phone to your laptop Read on to learn more!
PROFESSIONAL VIDEOGRAPHY
VIDEO
IS THE NUMBER ONE FORM OF MEDIA FOR ENGAGEMENT
REAL ESTATE LISTINGS WITH VIDEO RECEIVE MORE INQUIRIES 403%
VIDEOS ATTRACT MORE TRAFFIC FOR NURTURING LEADS. 300%
OF HOMEBUYERS WATCH VIDEO HOUSE TOURS 70%
Video gives a prospective buyer a true feeling of moving through a home, and is far more descriptive of a space than still images can ever hope to be.
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Using aerial photography in real estate offers buyers a more complete view of a property and its surroundings. It captures details like the layout of the land, proximity to amenities, and the overall neighborhood setting. Aerial images highlight features such as spacious yards or private driveways, giving buyers a clearer sense of the property’s size and potential This unique perspective helps showcase the property in a way that ground-level photos often cannot.
BENEFITS
OF USING AERIAL PHOTOS:
Provides views of the entire property & land
The condition of the roof and other property features
The neighborhood and surrounding area, including the home’s proximity to schools & amenities
Developments or local districts that are supported by the buyer’s property taxes
Our virtual tour, powered by Matterport, allows buyers to experience a 3D virtual walk-through of your home. This means your property is showcased online 24/7, with zero disturbance to you. Viewers are able to experience the layout and flow of your home in a more interactive way than static photos
VIRTUAL TOURS BENEFITS OF USING VIRTUAL TOURS:
Utilizing cutting-edge technological solutions, we can narrow in on the most serious buyers By using virtual tours we can give buyers a good look at your home without disturbing you. Leaving only the more serious buyers to schedule a showing
They are interactive by design, which means users spend more time exploring than they would look at photos The more invested in the interaction potential buyers feel, the more likely they are to take the next step in their purchase journey
Potential homebuyers don't like to wait and they want all the information now. They can have this as a virtual tour that allows your home to be on display around the clock.
Exposes your home to a wider audience
Your home can be toured from any location at any time.
LISTING YOUR HOME
GOING TO MARKET
Our comprehensive approach to marketing your home ensures that it will be seen by as many potential buyers as possible. Always forward- thinking, our customized marketing approach will make your property stand out!
NETWORKING
A large percentage of real estate transactions happen with co-operating agents in the country I will expose your listing to this market
SIGNAGE
A “For Sale” sign will be installed once a listing contract is signed to maximize exposure. Contact information will be on the panel to ensure that potential buyers are reaching out to us directly to get the most accurate information
SUPERIOR ONLINE EXPOSURE
Your home will be placed on the MLS, which is then syndicated out to many websites including Zillow and Realtorcom We also create a landing page dedicated solely to your property on our own website, wwwLauerRealtyGroupcom
PRINT MARKETING
Custom property brochures are created and placed in the home This allows buyers who visit your home an opportunity to remember your home best after their home tours are complete
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
A buyer’s first impression of your home are the photographs they see online That is why we will hire a professional photographer to take the images of your home and make it stand above the competition
3D VIRTUAL TOUR SHOWINGS
We provide 3D virtual tours from professional photographers that allow buyers to see a “doll house” model of your home This interactive experience allows interest buyers and to tour the home 24/7 and sets realistic expectations
When we list your home, you will also be signed up with a showing service that immediately communicates with you when a showing is scheduled When feedback isn’t left, I will follow up with those agents requesting their feedback within 24 hours
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
We have a strong social media presence in our area and launch campaigns on them when posting your home. This ensures it will be highly visible on these networks, as well as allows us to target optimal demographics
FINDTHEIRHOME WHERE DO BUYERS
MAXIMUM EXPOSURE
SOCIALMEDIA
We utilize many social media platforms to promote and feature your home. Our marketing efforts on social media include advertising our new listings and our Open House events
All new listings are posted with just a few teaser photos that entice a potential buyer to click through to our website to learn and see more about your property. To ensure your home is visible and reaches maximum exposure, we create boosted and sponsored ads. This allows us to target specific audiences and locations to make sure your home is seen within the right market.
WEBPRESENCE
At Lauer Realty Group, we understand that a strong online presence is critical to ensure the visibility of your home Your home will always be listed on the Lauer Realty Group website, www.LauerRealtyGroup.com and your property will be placed on all of the most trafficked real estate websites in the nation such as Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com. This allows us to maximize every opportunity to find a qualified buyer for your home at the optimal price, and in the shortest amount of time possible.
PROPERTY BROCHURES & PRINT ADVERTISING
Our firm also creates custom brochures tailored to your home to highlight the attractive and important features to interested buyers These brochures are placed in a prominent location within the home, for buyers to take and keep, ensuring they remember your home after their showing has ended.
Lauer Realty Group advertises in many neighborhood newsletters as well as area magazines and newspapers. These advertisements provide additional exposure, drive website traffic, and interest more prospective buyers.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND OUR PRINT ADS
DUDGEON MONROE
EASTSIDE NEWS
MONONA EAST SIDE BUSINESS ALLIANCE
NORTHSIDE NEWS
OUR LIVES
REGENT NEIGHBORHOOD
SUNSET VILLAGE
TENNEY/LAPHAM
WESTMORLAND
WILLY ST CO-OP
SHOWING YOUR HOME
BE PREPARED
FLEXIBLE
Be as flexible and accommodating to the buyers schedule as possible We want to avoid having missed opportunities if at all possible
INFORMED
Make sure everyone in the home is informed when showings are happening so they can keep their spaces clean.
DAILY CLEANING
Keep up with daily messes. Wipe down kitchen and bathroom counters before leaving for the day.
ODORS
Avoid strong-smelling foods: Keep your meal prep as neutral and simple as possible
FURRY FRIENDS
Keep pet areas clean. Clean up after your pets immediately and wash their bedding regularly. Hide pet food or litter Not everyone is a pet person and it may hinder a potential buyers ability to picture themselves living in your home
NATURAL LIGHT
Open blinds and curtains and let in as much natural light as possible. Leave lights on before you leave for a showing.
TRASH
Empty trash cans to avoid any odors. Try to empty trash cans nightly so that the home is fresh when you leave for the day.
TEMPERATURE
Keep the room temperature comfortable. This demonstrates to buyers that the HVAC is working properly.
PERSONALS
Make sure you place all valuables and prescriptions out of sight and in a safe place.
VACATE
Having a seller present can make buyers feel awkward. We want to make the buyers feel at home and stay awhile
CONFIRMING SHOWINGS
How would you like to confirm appointments for showing requests on your home?
1. Go & Show - for listings where no appointment is required and the showing request can be immediately confirmed
2 Courtesy Call - an appointment is automatically approved, but a call is made to notify the seller. (This notification can be by call, text, or email.)
3. Appointment Required - a confirmation must be obtained from the seller, tenant, or listing agent before the showing may occur
* We submit a Showing Feedback Survey to all agents that show your home. When they complete the survey you will be able to view this feedback after.
* Sellers find their personalized “Activity and Showing Feedback Report” convenient and simple. It’s available to view online anytime after your first showing.
This is an example of the Activity and Feedback Report Upon your first showing, you will receive a link that allows you to view each showing and their feedback of your property
WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED
TIPS TO KEEP YOUR PROPERTY SAFE
ASECURELOCKBOXWILLBEUSED
This allows real estate agents access to show buyers your home securely. The lockbox holds the keys to the home and only licensed agents have access to it
STOWAWAYVALUABLES
Before showings, make sure that all valuables are put away and out of sight. This even includes mail (which may contain personal information and bank statements) Items of value such as jewelry, artwork, cellphones, and gaming systems should also be out of sight It's a good idea to walk through your house before showings to confirm this is done.
DON'TALLOWANYONEINWITHOUTANAPPOINTMENT
Now that your home is online, many know that it is for sale For your safety, NEVER let a stranger into your home While it is likely that it is just someone that saw the sign in your yard and is interested in getting a quick look, you just never know. Ask them politely to call your agent who handles all showings
REMOVEPRESCRIPTIONDRUGS&MEDICATION
Clean out your medicine cabinets and any other place you may store medications and hide them away. There have been more and more stories of people intentionally going to home showings to take medications freely
PUTAWAYBILLS&OTHERMAILPIECES
With identity theft on the rise, it is important to put away all mail with your information on it. If this information ends up in the wrong person’s hands, it can lead to identity theft.
BEEXTRAVIGILANTON KEEPINGDOORSLOCKED
Often times a home for sale means home owners are not at home So be sure to always keep your doors and windows locked
KEEPINGYOURHOMESAFE
Once your listing goes live, we provide all the necessary shoe covers, hand sanitizer, protective gear, and friendly reminder signs for all of your showings.
THE DEAL
OFFERS
Price is just one of many considerations when deciding which offer is best for your home. Here are some of the other factors that matter.
CONTINGENCIES
We will look at the contingencies on an offer to see how they best match your goals Your offer may include the following contingencies
EARNEST MONEY is held in a trust account through close Buyers who are unable to waive other contingencies may offer a larger amount of earnest money to strengthen their offer. We will assist you in evaluating your options if any disputes arise.
INSPECTION We help you navigate through negotiations for the inspection and/or testing contingencies
APPRAISAL If the buyer is seeking a loan to purchase your home they will need to have an appraisal performed by the bank to verify the home is worth the loan amount We’ll help ensure your home presents well and provide the appraiser with all the detailed information necessary to accurately evaluate your property
CASH OFFERS
As a seller, you don’t need to worry about the bank approving a loan or the results of an appraisal. However, be aware that a cash offer may still include an appraisal if the buyer chooses to obtain financing before closing, even if the offer is not contingent on it.
CLOSING TIMELINE
Whether you need to close quickly to move on to your next adventure or extend the closing to allow time for your next home to be ready, we can help you negotiate a timeline that works best for you if it’s not already a part of the offer
OFFER PRICE
Sometimes an offer comes in high, but other contingencies may not make it ideal for your timeline and goals
CLOSING COSTS
We’ll assist you in evaluating and negotiating closing costs if the buyer requests that you cover a percentage of their expenses
AFTER AN OFFER IS SUBMITTED:
WE CAN:
• Accept the offer
• Decline the offer
If the offer isn’t close enough to your expectation and there is no need to further negotiate.
• Counter-offer
A counter-offer is when you offer different terms to the buyer.
THE BUYER CAN THEN:
• Accept the counter-offer
• Decline the counter-offer
• Counter the offer
You can negotiate back and forth as many times as needed until you can reach an agreement or someone chooses to walk away.
OFFER IS ACCEPTED:
You will sign the purchase agreement and you are now officially under contract! This period of time is called the contingency period
Now inspections, appraisals, or anything else built into your purchase agreement will take place
CONTRACT TO CLOSING
WHAT IS INCLUDED
ROOF & COMPONENTS
EXTERIOR & SIDING BASEMENT
FOUNDATION CRAWLSPACE
STRUCTURE
HEATING & COOLING
PLUMBING
ELECTRICAL
ATTIC & INSULATION
DOORS
WINDOWS & LIGHTING
APPLIANCES (LIMITED)
ATTACHED GARAGES
GARAGE DOORS
GRADING & DRAINAGE ALL STAIRS
INSPECTION TIME FRAME
Typically 10-14 days after signing the contract. Negotiations usually happen within 5 days.
COSTS
No cost to the seller. The buyer will choose and purchase the inspection performed by the inspector of their choice
POSSIBLE OUTCOMES
Inspections and potential repairs are usually one of the top reasons a sale does not close
COMMON PROBLEMS COULD BE
Foundation, electrical, plumbing, pests, structural, mold or radon
BUYER CAN ACCEPT AS IS
HOME APPRAISAL
If the buyer is seeking a loan to purchase your home, they will need to have an appraisal performed by the bank to verify the home is worth the loan amount. As a seller we want the property to appraise for at least the sale amount or more. If it is low it’s very difficult to successfully contest your appraisal An experienced agent demonstrates certain strategies to reveal the value of the home prior to the appraisal
APPRAISAL COMES IN AT OR ABOVE SALE PRICE
You are in the clear, and closing can be begin!
APPRAISAL COMES IN BELOW SALE PRICE
• Renegotiate the sale price with the buyer
• Renegotiate with the buyer to cover the difference
• Cancel and re-list
CLOSING THE SALE
WHAT TO EXPECT
Closing is when funds and documents are exchanged in order to transfer ownership of the property to the buyer. The escrow officer will look over the contract and find out when the payments are owed, prepare documents for closing, perform the closing, make sure all payoffs are completed, the buyer’s title is recorded, and that you receive the payoffs that are due to you
YOUR COSTS
Seller commonly pays:
Mortgage balance & penalties if applicable
Any claims against your property
Unpaid assessments on your property
Real estate agents, for payment of commission
Title insurance policy
Home warranty
WHAT TO BRING
Sellers need to bring to closing:
A government picture ID
House keys
Garage door openers
Mailbox and any other spare keys
AFTER CLOSING
Keep copies of the following for taxes:
Copies of all closing documents
All home improvement receipts
CANCEL POLICIES
Once title transfer has occurred contact your insurance agent to cancel your policy so you can receive a refund of any prepaid premiums.
CLOSE OR TRANSFER ACCOUNTS
Cancel utilities and close those accounts Keep a list of phone numbers for each of your utility and entertainment companies.
CHANGE ADDRESS
Let everyone know your new address. Submit a change-of-address form to the post office.
TURN EVERYTHING OFF
Turn off valves to the sinks, toilets, appliances, and water heater Turn off all light switches and fans Lastly, call the electric company
DOCUMENTS
Secure all closing documents as well as the contract and closing documents. Keep them in a safe place.
GATHER HOME PAPERWORK
Put together a packet of manuals, receipts, and any warranties as well.
CLEAR OUT PERSONALS
Move out your personal belongings completely. Check all drawers, cabinets, and closets
CLEAN
Ensure that your home is completely clean upon leaving the home. Clean the cabinets, refrigerators, and other appliances inside and out. Thoroughly clean out the garage. Schedule trash pick up prior to the day of closing. Leave your home the way you would like to find it if you were the buyer.
INCIDENTALS
Leave all house keys, remotes, gate keys, pool keys, and mailbox keys in a drawer in the kitchen or bring them to closing.
FLOORS
Vacuum and sweep floors one more time
LOCK UP
Ensure all blinds are closed, and lock the windows and doors.
ABOUT LRG
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
We believe in and are committed to staying connected and involved with our local community. We love to give back and throughout the year we participate, contribute, sponsor, and donate time and resources to many wonderful organizations and causes. You’ll be sure to find us volunteering in neighborhood festivals, walking in a community parade, and supporting local artists. Whether it’s fundraising with the Goodman Center for the Annual Thanksgiving Drive, or working with GSAFE to ensure LGBTQ+ youth and families thrive, we are dedicated and passionate about the community we live in.
#ATLRGINTHECOMMUNITY
I AM RENEE HEINE
I came to Lauer Realty Group with 14 years of experience of successfully working with both buyers and sellers, and investment properties in Madison and the surrounding Dane County area.
I am a born and bred Madisonian and I know Madison like the back of my hand! I have three adult kids, and a wonderful grandson named Noah who is my favorite person in the whole world! (Just don’t tell my kids that)
My partner Gary and I live in the Willy St/Atwood neighborhood and enjoy spending time enjoying the great restaurants, festivals, and Lake Monona that this great neighborhood offers for fun! We also enjoy traveling and exploring new places and making friends from all over the world!
REVIEWS
“Working with Renee Heine was a total pleasure She is a true professional and gave me great advice on what to prioritize before listing my home. She made the process stress free. Thanks to Renee, I accepted a strong offer in just three days.“
“We have used Renee on 5 real estate transactions now (soon to be six) and she has always gone above and beyond for us in many different ways. I trust her judgement, skill and knowledge wholeheartedly. She takes care of us as if she is family and we appreciate that I could not work with anyone else and we recommend her to everyone ”
“We were able to work with Renee during the sale of our home as well as purchase our new home Everything that Renee promised would happen, did happen, and at a fast pace that we loved She went the extra mile to make sure we were positioned for success, which was not what we experienced when we purchased our first home with a different realtor. We will definitely work with Renee in the future and recommend her to anybody looking to buy or sell.”
“Renee was a huge help to my husband and I as we both sold our home and purchased a new home She brought in a designer to help us get our home ready for the market and it sold within 5 days at our asking price! Then she helped us acquire the home of our dreams We couldn’t be any happier with Renee and she has become a good friend!”
-Jen & Drew
“I have worked with Renee for years on multiple properties and it has always been a fantastic experience Renee always puts her clients first and goes above and beyond to make sure they get a great property for a great price I would highly recommend Renee and look forward to working with her on my next property ” -Zachary
“Renee Heine is the best of the BEST! She gives fantastic advice regarding potential pitfalls with a home and the cost to fix up/renovate homes; she has the experience and knowledge to operate in this difficult real estate market; she is crazy quick to respond to questions and draft offers; and communicates extremely well with other agents I 1000% believe that she is the reason I was able to close on a home I love, and I now think of Renee as a dear friend I look forward to working with her again, and I will definitely recommend her to all of my friends, family, and colleagues.”-Amy
“Renee Heine at Lauer Realty Group has been absolutely fantastic to work with. She is extremely knowledgeable, listened carefully to our needs and desires and provided great advice and attention throughout the process, including referrals to contractors and much more! We enthusiastically recommend Renee and Lauer Realty Group!”-Katie B
