Sandi Gentry Marketing E-Book

D IS C OV E R A N E W LE V E L OF M AR K E T I N G E XC E LLE NC E

with THE SANDI GENTRY TEAM RE/MAX LAKESHORE

A PREVI EW OF THE SANDI GENTRY TEAM AND RE/M A X L AKESHORE

M EET SAN D I GEN T RY AND T H E SAN D I GEN TRY TEAM The most important decision you make when buying or selling a home is to find the right Realtor. You need someone with experience, who is dedicated to looking out for YOUR best interests.

Sandi Gentry has been licensed since 1991 and has been actively involved in every facet of the real estate industry. She has consistently been a top producer in the West Michigan Lakeshore Association of REALTORS® and has received national recognition from her peers at RE/MAX. What Sandi brings to her sales is a unique combination of exceptional customer service, expert in negotiation, state-of-theart technology, and genuine concern for the welfare of her clients. Sandi’s strong commitment – coupled with the ability to overcome any obstacle – has made her the highly successful sales agent she is today.

With her commitment to always providing clients with first-class service, Sandi created The Sandi Gentry Team in 2005. Since their creation, The Sandi Gentry Team has routinely been the top performing team in their area and consistently receives the best in customer satisfaction.

For The Sandi Gentry Team, it is not about how many homes they can sell, but about building lasting relationships. They remain connected with their clients even after the sale is over and stay in touch by holding annual client appreciation events.

SANDI GENTRY’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS • RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award • RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award • RE/MAX Circle of Legends Award • Chairman’s Club Award • Diamond Award

THE SANDI GENTRY TEA M’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Top 3 in Team Transactions • Top 3 in Team Commissions

Ritch Holmes Mark Vriesman REALTOR速, Buyers Specialist

REALTOR速, Buyers Specialist

Noel Berg

Sandi Gentry

Ginger Giaimo

REALTOR速, Buyers Specialist

Associate Broker, REALTOR速, ABR, CRS, GRI

Assistant to Sandi Gentry

Kelly Radel Listing Assistant to Sandi Gentry

THE S A N DI GENTRY T E AM 616.935.1150 sandi@sandigentry.com www.SandiGentry.com

RE/MAX Lakeshore 133 Washington Avenue Grand Haven, Michigan 49417

Michelle David Marketing Assistant

FULL SERVICE LUXURY REAL ESTATE When you hire The Sandi Gentry Team, they will become your home’s: M ARKETING M ANAGER • Showcasing your property with the finest marketing • Developing and implementing a customized marketing strategy • Determining the best price in line with market forces • Communicating regularly so you are informed and knowledgeable LIAISON M ANAGER • Introducing new buyers to your property • Pre-qualifying the buyers to avoid time wasters • Providing you with timely updates on viewings and feedback NEGOTIATOR • Presenting and negotiating on your behalf with potential buyers • Advising you on the merits of each offer • Always keeping your best interests as their first priority

CLOSING M ANAGER • Providing information to the buyer in a timely manner • Only accepting certified bank drafts • Liaising with your lawyer/notary and delivering necessary documentation • Facilitating answers and resolving any issues during the closing process and afterwards to ensure the process completes seamlessly CONCIERGE • Providing you with access to experts, including legal advisors, insurance experts, builders, landscapers, interior designers, rental experts, home display, painters, handymen, home inspectors, and moving services

D ED I C ATION AN D COMMI TMENT JUST ASK THE SANDI GENTRY TEA M’S CLIENTS: “We have had the pleasure with working with Sandi. We have listed two homes and bought one through The Sandi Gentry Team! We have high expectations and she has met and exceeded our needs!

We have recommended her to friends, family, and children. She is the Alpha Omega (total package) of Realtors. She sees it through from the beginning to the end!”

— Larry and Joline Jonaus “Sandi was the absolute best Realtor we have ever done business with. She has a complete understanding of the market and real home values in the market. She truly understands the value of the buyer/seller/realtor relationship. Sandi negotiates for her clients.”

— Troy and Lisa Hall “Our experience with The Sandi Gentry Team was awesome. All communication, whether by phone or email, was handled quickly.

Sandi went above and beyond to show our home, whether it was open houses, ads in the paper, or her properties for sale brochure.

She also has the best brochures made to leave in the home with high quality professional photos taken of the home. She is definitely the one to call if you want to sell. She doesn’t just list and forget you.

She lists and keeps trying to sell your home.”

— Eric and Laura Fri

“Sandi and her team have a well-deserved reputation as the best around. She and her team were in constant contact with us throughout the process, offered specific suggestions on how to best present our home, and took charge of a very difficult negotiation that could easily have worked out badly. She pushed for a creative solution that solved the problem. She also worked hard to find appropriate comparables for a somewhat unique home. In fact, she worked hard on every aspect of this sale and was available all hours to handle each question and issue as they came up. We would not hesitate to use her again and, in fact, wouldn’t go anywhere else.”

— Tony and Maggie Kolenic

R E/M AX L AKESH ORE Just as it is imperative to choose the right agent, knowing why they have chosen to work for a specific brokerage is important. What a brokerage offers to both the agent and their clients in terms of service levels and products are keys to maximizing the success of selling and buying a home.

RE/MAX Lakeshore is committed to supporting The Sandi Gentry Team and their clients with the highest level of service through their extensive marketing and networking platforms, innovative technology, and commitment to their community.

OUR PHILOSOPHY The success of the RE/MAX philosophy and its commitment to the community has enabled RE/MAX Lakeshore to become the #1 Brokerage. Its owners are dedicated to honoring our reputation while strategically investing into enhanced products and services that will better serve our clients.

RE/MAX Lakeshore is dedicated to providing highly sophisticated marketing platforms, strategies and solutions — they believe that whether you are buying or selling, our name should immediately signify that you are working with professionals who have integrity, ethics, and quality service.

LO C A L COM M UN IT Y SUPPORT RE/MAX agents are well known locally and nationally for their involvement in many community programs. We are committed to working in our local community serving both our clients real estate needs as well as with being a part of the daily lifestyle.

CHILDREN’S MIR ACLE NET WORK Since partnering with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in 1992, RE/MAX agents have raised more than $147 million for the charity’s 170 member hospital in the US and Canada. Donations help fund pediatric medical equipment and treatments, healthcare services and charitable care. For some agents, these donations are very personal, helping kids in their own families and neighborhoods.

SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE RE/MAX Affiliates have proudly supported Susan G. Komen® since 2002. Through the Home for the Cure program and past sponsorship of the Komen Race for the Cure Series, RE/MAX agents have contributed more than $7 million to the fight against breast cancer.

RE/M A X GREEN Concerned about the environment? So is RE/MAX. Together, you and your RE/MAX agent can take steps to ensure a better environment for future generations.

TH E POW ER OF RE/MAX AND THE RE/MAX COLLECTION

R E/ MA X L EAD S T H E INDUSTRY M ARKETSHARE AND AGENT PRODUCTIVIT Y RE/MAX associates average more sales than any other real estate agents.

BR AND NA ME AWARENESS RE/MAX is the most recognized brand in real estate. Our national advertising campaign positions the RE/MAX name in front of millions of buyers and sellers all over the country and is designed to keep the brand, as well as remax.com, top-of-mind when someone decides it is time to buy or sell their home.

ADVERTISING In the United States, RE/MAX has the real estate industry’s strongest presence in national television advertising, helping to make the RE/MAX hot air balloon one of the most recognizable business logos in the world.

WEBSITE TR AFFIC AND ONLINE SEARCHES Remax.com is the most visited real estate franchise website, attracting nearly 50 million unique visitors annually. When consumers search online, “remax” is the most used search term among real estate brokerages.

PROFESSIONAL EDUC ATION RE/MAX agents lead the industry in professional designations.

NUMBER OF COUNTRIES SERVED RE/MAX has a presence in nearly 100 countries, more than any of its competitors.

T H E RE/M AX COL L EC TI ON Only the most exceptional homes qualify for status in The RE/MAX Collection — homes that reflect your desire for luxury, character, quality, and beauty.

Just as the properties presented in The RE/MAX Collection stand above the ordinary, so does the RE/MAX sales force. No one is better suited to meet your needs.

Whether it’s marketing real estate to a global clientele or helping you find that perfect place you’ve been dreaming of your entire life, the outstanding agents behind The RE/MAX Collection deliver outstanding results.

EVERY 30 S ECON D S A R E/ M AX AG EN T S ELLS A HOM E 1,000,000

US RESIDENTIAL TR ANSACTION SIDES 2

900,000 800,000 700,000 600,000 500,000 400,000

300,000 200,000 100,000

RE/MAX

Keller Williams

Coldwell Banker

Century 21

ERA Real Estate

Sotheby’s

Better Homes & Gardens

Not Provided

Not Provided

Berkshire Hathaway

Realty Executives

US RESIDENTIAL TRANSACTION SIDES2

TRANSACTION SIDES PER AGENT1

BRAND AWARENESS (UNAIDED)3

COUNTRIES4

OFFICES WORLDWIDE

AGENTS WORLDWIDE

960,000+

17.3

27%

95+

6,986

104,826

©2016 RE/MAX, LLC. Each office independently owned and operated. Data is full-year or as of year-end 2015, as applicable. Except as noted, Coldwell Banker, Century 21, ERA, Sotheby’s and Better Homes and Gardens data is as reported by Realogy Corporation on SEC 10-K, Annual Report for 2015; Keller Williams, Realty Executives and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices data is from company websites and industry reports. 1Transaction sides per agent calculated by RE/MAX based on 2016 REAL Trends 500 data, citing 2015 transaction sides for the 1,605 largest participating U.S. brokerages. Coldwell Banker includes NRT. Berkshire does not include HomeServices of America. 2Keller Williams reports all transaction sides and does not itemize U.S. residential transactions. 3MMR Strategy Group study of unaided awareness among buyers, sellers, and those planning to buy or sell; asked, when they think of real estate brands, which ones come to mind? 4Based on lists of countries claimed at each franchiser’s website, excluding claimed locations that are not independent countries (i.e. territories, etc.).

R E / MAX OUTSEL L S THE COM PET ITION AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL TRANSACTION SIDES PER AGENT

RESIDENTIAL TRANSACTION SIDES

AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL SALES VOLUME PER AGENT

RE/MAX HOLDS

17.3 960,000+ $ 3.9 Million

89 OF THE TOP 100 BROKERAGES

Rankings calculated by RE/MAX based on 2015 REAL Trends 500 data, citing 2014 transaction sides and sales volume for the 1,460 largest participating U.S. brokerages (ranked by transaction sides). Prudential, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and Real Living do not include HomeServices of America. ©2015 RE/MAX, LLC. All rights reserved. Each RE/MAX office is independently owned and operated.

LOCAL EXPERT S, G LO BAL LY CON N ECTED Tapping the global scope and phenomenal presence of the RE/MAX international network gives RE/MAX a unique and powerful advantage over any other real estate company in the world. Having access to thousands of international referral sources is key to finding qualified buyers and sellers. Through a network of over 100,000 associates in nearly 100 countries, RE/MAX has the inside track on buyers and sellers around the globe.

THE WORLDWIDE RE/M A X NET WORK NORTH AMERICA • Canada • Mexico • United States CENTRAL AMERICA • Belize • Costa Rica • El Salvador • Guatemala • Honduras • Nicaragua • Panama CARIBBEAN • Antigua and Barbuda • Aruba • Bahamas • Barbados • Bonaire Cayman Islands

SOUTH AMERICA • Argentina • Bolivia • Brazil • Chile • Colombia • Ecuador • Guyana • Peru • Suriname • Uruguay • Venezuela EUROPE • Albania • Austria • Belarus • Belgium • Bosnia and Herzegovina • Bulgaria • Croatia • Czech Republic

• Denmark • England • Estonia • Finland • France • Germany • Greece • Hungary • Iceland • Ireland • Italy • Latvia • Liechtenstein • Lithuania • Luxembourg • Malta • Montenegro • Netherlands • Norway • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Scotland

• Serbia • Slovakia • Slovenia • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Wales MIDDLE EAST • Bahrain • Egypt • Israel • Kuwait • Lebanon • Oman • Qatar • Saudi Arabia • Turkey • United Arab Emirates

AFRICA • Algeria • Botswana • Cape Verde • Mauritius • Morocco • Mozambique • Namibia • Seychelles • South Africa • Zambia • Zimbabwe

ASIA/PACIFIC • Australia • Bhutan • China • Guam • India • Indonesia • Japan • Micronesia • Mongolia • Nepal • New Zealand • Northern Mariana Islands • Philippines • Republic of Palau • Singapore • South Korea • Sri Lanka • Thailand

A F E W O F T H E S AN D I G E N T RY TE A M’S SATISFIE D C LIE N TS

A FEW O F THE S A NDI GENT RY T E AM ’S S AT I S F I E D C LI E N T S

D ETERM IN IN G THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME

TH E OBJECTIV E Our mutual objective is to sell your home: For the highest possible price › In the shortest amount of time › With the most favorable terms Prior to any marketing strategies being implemented it is critical to go through a process of discovery, determining the fair market value, the barometer of current market conditions and reviewing the variety of factors that will help us prepare your home for sale.

DISCOVER A NEW LEVEL

OF MARKETING FOR YOUR HOME

MARKETIN G F OR M AXIM UM EXPOSURE Selling your home can be a very exciting experience but it will probably also be an emotional one too. As real estate professionals, we have found the best way to sell a home is through partnership and teamwork — combining the understanding of your requirements and goals with my knowledge, expertise, effective marketing strategies, and extensive brokerage resources.

Together we will: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Prepare for the “Window of Opportunity” Leverage the attributes of your location Prepare and present your home ready for sale Highlight your home’s features through professional photography Showcase your home to the market through professional and strategic marketing Maximize the exposure of your home through our extensive network Leverage the brokerage’s reputation and recognition Cooperate and communicate to maintain your home’s perception of value Promote your home locally, nationally and internationally Maximize your home’s web exposure Always prepare your home so that it is ready to be shown to potential buyers Discuss and review the market’s analysis of your home — feedback is essential in knowing the perceived value and potential for negotiation Finalize your sale Find your next dream home

T H E W IN D OW OF OPPORTUN I TY The Window of Opportunity is the period in which your home will receive its maximum exposure — typically when your home is new on the market.

In order to capitalize on this window, it is crucially important that your home is ‘ready for sale’: priced at the optimum ‘Fair Market Value’, is prepared to showcase its features and attributes and the marketing strategy is implemented to further increase its exposure.

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MA R K ETIN G YOUR LOC ATI ON According to real estate convention, the three most important criteria to consider when buying a property: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. In fact, buyers are often attracted to a general location, a neighborhood, or even a certain street well before settling on a specific home.

Understanding your location’s positives and negatives are important to know when determining price, but is actually very significant in the marketing of your home. Misconceptions, preconceptions, and knowing the nuances of your home can make a significant difference in how a home is marketed, when it’s shown and how it is positioned — one man’s displeasure can be another’s delight!

P R E PARE TO PRESENT YOUR H OM E First impressions are lasting. Preparing your home is one of the most difficult, emotional and yet critical steps to maximizing its value — together we will review, recommend, prepare, and create an environment that is appropriate for the type of buyer looking to purchase your home. No matter how stunning, loved, or well-maintained your home, it is important that it is viewed with critical objectivity and whether it is simple changes or major repairs, these should be addressed before the home is listed for sale.

Professional Photography Photography must reflect your property. Whether print or web, these photos are often the first impression that a potential buyer will receive.

Taking advantage of new technology, especially as your buyer is likely to be from outside your local area to showcase the true essence of a property within its environment and lifestyle videos provide a more realistic depiction of the internal space and livability.

A photo shoot is the time when a home must shine — both figuratively and in reality. A fully prepared home, clean, tidy, clear sight lines, shot in its best natural light will speak volumes to the viewer before and after the home is visited.

P R O F E SSION AL & STRATEGI C M ARKET IN G Sophisticated and professionally prepared marketing is essential to maximize your home’s exposure and requires more than just listing the property for sale on the Internet and the local Realtor’s listing service. It needs to be a carefully prepared and strategically implemented plan.

Your home must become a highly prized item that should be launched on the market with the maximum impact to create the right exposure and reach the right buyers.

YARD SIGNS AND DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE The trusted yard sign is the #1 way to show your home is for sale.

It is fast, effective, and easy to spot. Directional signs help guide people to the home.

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SHOWINGS Broker Tours, Open Houses, and Caravans are ways that other real estate agents see your home and recommend it to their potential buyers. This is why preparing the home is so important — sometimes real estate agents are more particular than the buyer.

LOC AL ADVERTISEMENTS For some homes, advertising locally can be the best way to generate interest, especially when a home has features that are particularly important to the local community.

NET WORKING AND REFERR ALS Real estate agents have a large database at their disposal, especially their networks with other agents. Referrals are a simple and effective way to help people find homes to buy and homes to sell.

VIRTUAL TOURS / ONLINE VIDEO M ARKETING Creating a digital experience and footprint is an integral part of advertising in the 21st century.

WEB E XPOSURE 90% of buyers look at homes online as their first step in the home buying process. This trend will continue to increase over time. Placing your home online allows the home’s exposure to be seen locally, nationally, and internationally, whether it is on a computer, tablet, or cell phone platform.

P R O FESSION AL PRINTI NG AN D D IRECT M AI L The power of showcasing your home and its unique features through professional photography and sophisticated marketing materials is crucial to setting your home apart from the competition. Professional promotional materials that feature your home and mailed to your neighbors, potential buyers, and other Realtors is one of the most powerful ways to spread the message that your home is for sale.

Your neighbors will be first to tell their friends and family about your home — they already love their community so they are your biggest advocates! Also, knowing where the potential buyers are locally is powerful — after all, 78% of homeowners purchase within a 10-mile radius of their present home.

A PL ATFORM F OR 2 4/7 W EB EXPOS URE With nearly 90% of home buyers beginning their search on the Internet, you will want to ensure that your home will receive maximum online exposure. As part of the your marketing plan, your home will receive unparalleled exposure among consumers and real estate professionals across the globe through our extensive online partnership.

REAL ESTATE

SH OW IN G T H E H O ME Your home needs to be ‘show ready‘ at all times — this is difficult to balance if you are still living in the home. However, ensure the preparation is done up front — unnecessary items removed, space has been created and a plan implemented for the best times to show the home, then the final prep and inviting touches are easy for us to add around your busy schedule.

Each and every buyer will be pre-qualified. During the showing, a full guided tour will be provided to ensure that the features and nuances are showcased and explained, to maximize the value of perception.

MARKET AN ALYS I S Our market analysis report is complied from a system that tracks your showings, all Realtor and buyer feedback as well as our marketing effectiveness on your home. This report provides you an in-depth analysis and a comprehensive list of actions, recommendations, and objectives.

F I N AL IZIN G T H E SALE A myriad of details must be attended to before the sale becomes final including offers, counter offers, inspections, disclosures, contingencies, loan documents, insurance, mortgage approval, and escrow items. This final step can be overwhelming with all its moving parts.

Whatever the next step may be, know that your Realtor is here to guide you through this final process — to keep in constant communication, track the proceeding, and to keep things on schedule.

MARKETIN G F OR YOUR N EXT H OME If you are looking to buy another dream home, let us help you. Since we have built a solid relationship, we have become aware of all your needs, your likes, and dislikes. We know how to find you that perfect home, just like we were able to help sell this home.

Our extensive network, strong marketing skills, and large number of referrals are just the keys in completing the next step. Let our knowledge and service show you the same care and attention.

We’d like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to present this preview of the marketing services we can offer you and your property.

We’d be pleased to assist you with the sale of your present home and the purchase of your next home, and the next one, because we’re not just providing a service, we’re building a relationship. Please let us know when we can be of service.

Call us before you make any important real estate decisions, you’ll be glad you did.

THE SANDI GENTRY TEA M | 616.935.1150 | SANDI@SANDIGENTRY.COM