Selling Your Home with Justine Rodriguez

Listing Your Home

PRESENTED BY JUSTINE RODRIGUEZ

About Justine Rodriguez

Your trusted Skogman REALTOR® JUSTINE RODRIGUEZ REALTOR®

(319) 775-3769

justine@skogman.com www.justinerodriguez.skogman.com

417 1st Ave SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

In 2018, my family left sunny Florida for a new chapter in the midwest. My husband, two children, and I relocated to Iowa, where we would soon embark on our own exciting venture - starting a construction business. With our combined hard work and dedication, we grew our business and achieved great success.

We celebrated another milestone when we purchased our first home. The overwhelming joy and pride I felt when we were handed the keys to our new home is something I will never forget. It was in that moment that my passion for real estate truly ignited.

As we continued to thrive in our business, we began buying and investing in properties. This allowed us to explore our creativity as we began flipping homes. With each successful project, my love for real estate grew stronger. Finally, in 2022, I took the leap and decided to embark on a new career path and earned my real estate license.

If you are considering investing in real estate but not sure where to start, look no further! I believe in building strong relationships with my clients, based on trust, transparency, and open communication. I am committed to understanding your needs and providing personalized experience. Whether you are a firsttime buyer, looking to sell your property, or exploring investment opportunities, I am here to help.

Ask yourself one simple question

Do you believe your home will sell for a fixed price, or do you believe there is a range of value for your home based on the marketing and negotiating skills of a professional REALTOR®?

As your professional Skogman REALTOR®, I will:

• Walk through your property with you to show you ways to enhance its value, and how to get top dollar.

• Set a pricing strategy that gets you the most offers and ultimately the top dollar in the marketplace.

• Create a marketing plan for your home to give you maximum exposure to attract more buyers.

• Negotiate! As your Skogman REALTOR®, I’m trained in negotiation and will get you the best contract for your needs.

• Act as transaction manager. There are lots of moving parts to selling your home. Rest assured – this is what I do every day.

You wouldn't build a house without a plan. You shouldn’t sell your home without one either.

Our Story

It’s no secret that choosing a real estate agent can be a confusing and overwhelming task. At Skogman Realty, we believe being the best isn’t something you say, it’s something you are. It’s about listening to our clients’ needs, wants, and expectations and delivering on them – every time. Skogman Realty has been selling homes in the Corridor for nearly 50+ years. No one knows the market better – we sell more homes in the Corridor than anyone. So, rest assured, you’re in great hands.

Why Skogman Realty is the right choice.

The right agent and brokerage can make all the difference.

• Skogman is a name you can trust

• We utilize industry leading technology

• We have a network of experienced, knowledgeable agents

• Skogman offers more support, more services, and proven results

• We are the local experts in our community

Market Share in the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor By Volume

TRANSACTIONS LAST YEAR SKOGMAN AGENTS PARTICIPATED IN

1,706 $290,377.71 $612,219,396

AVERAGE SALE PRICE SOLD BY SKOGMAN REALTY

1,026 1,019 SKOGMAN REALTY BY THE NUMBERS...

TOTAL SALES VOLUME LAST YEAR (THAT'S A LOT OF REAL ESTATE SOLD!) SELLERS LAST YEAR & WE HELPED BUYERS LAST YEAR

Pricing Your Property

The surest way to get the highest selling price for your home is to set the listing price correctly right out of the gate. So what is your home worth? That is most likely the biggest question on your mind and one that I will answer for you. The knowledge, experience, and research I apply to pricing my clients’ homes consistently produces more offers and higher sale -to-list price ratios – that’s my goal, every time.

To establish a listing price that will create the best offer for your home, I will perform a competitive market analysis (CMA). This analysis evaluates your home and compares it against other properties – currently listed and recently sold – taking into account variables such as location, supply, demand, absorption, economic factors, price/status changes, market time, and property features.

Critical Considerations

When Pricing Your Home

The Price

Properties priced at market value generate more buyer interest.

Properties priced too high attract fewer buyers, showings, and offers.

Properties priced too low may mean money is left on the table.

Time on Market

It’s important that we price your home properly from the start, when buyer interest is at its highest.

A property attracts the most excitement and interest from the real estate community and potential buyers when it’s first listed; therefore it has the highest chance of selling for the highest possible price when it is new to the market.

Competition

As your professional, local agent, I know the market. I will compare your home to homes that have sold recently, and ones currently on the market.

I will show you your home’s potential and develop a strategy for selling your home against other homes competing for the same buyers.

Marketing Your Property

Exposure is everything. A strategic marketing plan is critical to getting your listing maximum exposure. Skogman Realty’s extensive marketing plan for your home includes the following elements:

• Professional photography, video, virtual tours

• Skogman.com website & online digital marketing platform

• Social media marketing

• National websites like Zillow, Trulia, and REALTOR.com

• Local MLS (Multiple Listing Service)

• Yard signs and directional signage

• Networking

•

Skogman Realty does more to market your home than any other brokerage in the Cedar Rapids - Iowa City Corridor area.

Photography

A first impression!

A picture says a thousand words and our expert photographer brings your home to life with high impact, hi-resolution photos.

Other high impact marketing tools that can be woven into the marketing mix of your home are:

+ Twilight Images

+ Drone Aerial Photography

+ Videography

+ 3D Virtual Tours

Professional Marketing Materials

We’ll place professionally designed promotional materials in your home for the potential buyers to take with them during a showing. Potential materials include:

+ Flyers or Brochures

+ Booklet with photos, utility information, school district information and other pertinent information

+ Property Disclosure

Skogman Realty's Website & Digital Marketing Platform

This is where thousands of buyers start their new home search each month. Your home’s photos, vital information, and open houses are promoted here.

Buyers are able to browse through photos, see the virtual tour, download an info sheet, and schedule a showing right on your home’s page on our website.

I am also able to send you reports on how your listing is performing on our website with information on how many views your property is getting.

Social Media Marketing

High Impact Signage

It’s undeniable that our red signs stand out from the rest. During open houses, we’ll place additional signage to attract more foot traffic.

Skogman knows social media is one of the newest and best ways to reach potential buyers. We actively share new listings and open houses every week. We also feature listings through out the week to get more exposure.

We have a strong network of buyers and agents who are always on the look out for new properties. It pays to be in the know!

Cedar Rapids/Iowa City MLS

Getting your house on the local MLS is key to getting your home in front of all REALTORS® in the market.

We partner with the large public websites to make sure our listings and open houses get maximum local AND national exposure.

A recent study from the National Association of REALTORS® shows how people search for a new home in different ways. This chart shows all the different methods buyers used to find their home.

Preparing your Home for the Market

Making sure that your home is in “showing condition” sets your home apart from the competition. As your trusted Skogman REALTOR®, I will make recommendations and suggestions on how you can make your home stand out.

Nothing pays more to the sellers of a house quite like elbow grease. Good housekeeping and repair, spaciousness, and pleasant aromas bring top dollar and fast sales. If you’re planning to put your home on the market, you want your property to look its best. Check out the seven low cost, high impact ways to prepare your home for the market on the next page!

1. SPRUCE UP THE OUTSIDE: Make the front entry bright and cheery with colorful potted plants and flowers. Trim shrubs, pull weeds, add new mulch, mow the lawn, restain the deck, and remove any stains on the driveway. Touch up peeling paint on the house and exterior doors, especially where the buyers enter.

2. PAINT WHERE NEEDED: Paint is one of the most cost effective ways to make your home more appealing to a potential buyer. Loud colored rooms should be neutralized. Touch up paint in the areas that need it. The less painting a buyer feels like they need to do, the better.

3. ORGANIZE ROOMS AND CLOSETS: Get rid of items you don't need and organize the items you do need. Don't forget the garage and storage rooms. Fewer items in these areas will make the space feel bigger.

4. MAKE YOUR HOME FEEL SPACIOUS: Rearranging furniture can be one of the easiest ways to make your home feel larger and more marketable. Create an easy traffic flow. The less furniture and stuff in a room, the bigger it feels to the new buyer.

5. LET THERE BE LIGHT : Open up drapes and blinds for photos and showings. Replace the light bulbs in your home with higher wattage bulbs and clean the fixtures and shades. Buyers appreciate light and feel more comfortable in areas that are well-lit.

6. MAKE YOUR HOME SMELL GOOD: Add subtle air fresheners that give off a clean smell, especially in bathrooms and areas with pet odors. Avoid potent flowery air fresheners that just cover up the smell. Open windows and air the house out when you can.

7. CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN: This includes wiping down walls, light switches, light fixtures, windows, sinks, and tubs. Detail the floors and baseboards. Get the carpets professionally cleaned if needed. There’s no substitute for clean.

Practical Showing TIPS

Once your home goes on the market, real estate agents may call to show your home anytime, day or evening. Keeping your home “show-time” ready can be challenging, especially if you have children and pets.

1. ELIMINATE CLUTTER

Not only is clutter unattractive, it’s time-consuming to sort through and expensive for you to move. If you have a lot of stuff, you might be better off renting a small storage unit for a few months.

2. REMOVE TEMPTATIONS

Take valuable jewelry and collectibles to a safety deposit box, a safe, or store them in a secure location.

3. BE WELCOMING

You want your home to look like a home. Stage it to show the possibilities.

4. HAVE A FAMILY PLAN OF ACTION

Sometimes showings aren’t convenient. You can always refuse a showing, but do you really want to? If you have a showing with little notice, get the family engaged. Everyone has a basket and tidies up their area.

5. GET IN THE HABIT

Wash dishes immediately after meals. Clean off counter tops. Make beds in the morning. Keep pet toys and beds washed and smelling fresh.

Remember! This is only temporary until your house sells!

The Next Steps

We’ll set up a listing appointment to go over specific pricing and marketing strategies. We’ll also fill out the listing paperwork. You’re now on your way to moving into your next home!

The Steps to Getting Your Home Sold

CMA

I’ll provide you with a competitive market analysis of your home.

List

Open Houses

I’ll hold an open house for the public if necessary.

Inspections

2 3 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

I’ll put your home on the market!

Marketing

I’ll put into motion our marketing strategy.

Home Showings

Potential buyers will walk through and see your home for themselves.

Receive An Offer

You may receive multiple offers from potential buyers.

Purchase Agreement

Once we accept an offer, I’ll complete the paperwork.

Buyers will hire an inspector to determine if there are any issues.

Closing

Seal the deal and hand over the keys!

Negotiate

We’ll review together and come to an agreement.

Appraisal/ Title Work