Karen Seller's Packet

YOUR SOURCE FOR AUGUSTA REAL ESTATE SELLER'S PACKET

Working with Southeastern Residential, you gain a true guide to the knowledge and experience that comes from an awardwinning company who has helped individuals and families find their dream home. We believe that home is a place for you and your family to unplug, connect, dream and be together.

We’ll Make Your Dream Home a Reality

Meet the Team Karen Stewart Licensed Real Estate Agent GA and SC Vice President | Leadership Council Top New Sales Agent for 2020 Office 706.945.0512 | Cell 706.267.3915 karen.stewart@southeastern.company www.karentherealisticrealtor.com

Alleigh Gates

REALTOR® | Executive Council C: 706.294.7940 alleigh.gates@southeastern.company

Benjamin Danner REALTOR® C: 706.401.4508

benjamin.danner@southeastern.company

Your Story Begins With Home.

We love what they do and are among the best in the business because we focus on finding you the perfect home.

We understand that home is more than just a place to live, its a place where you can make memories to last a lifetime! We are up to date on our current market, and have received extensive training on how to negotiate effectively, leverage technology and guide you through each step of the process.

We Know Real Estate

We're Leading the Way

We understand the real estate landscape, how to market homes effectively and what it takes to get the best possible price when you sell your home.

That’s why we’re always innovating – pushing forward to better connect your property to the right buyers.

Southeastern Residential has outpaced companies with decades of established business and exposure to become one of the top-performing residential real estate firms in Augusta.

AGENT RESPONSIBILITIES With our team, you will find a full-time, driven group of real estate agents who are committed to the Augusta! We truly believes that “who we are in business matters” which plays an integral part in clients fulfilling their dreams and goals. We know from experience that success is not made one deal at a time, but rather one client at a time, and we’re always honored to serve.

Expert Guidance

Research the comps in your area & complete a competitive market analysis to determine the best list price or purchase of the your property.

Suggest quality professionals, including attorneys, handymen and inspectors.

Guide you in making informed decisions leading to a satisfactory sale or purchase.

Present and respond to all offers in a timely manner.

Negotiate the best price & terms available, always keeping your specific needs in mind.

Responsiveness

Act in good faith at all times Adhere to your instructions & concerns Return calls & emails promptly Closely track dates & deadlines

Accounting

Track & receipt all earnest money deposits Receive and deliver all documents in a timely manner Review final settlement statements

Loyalty You are our priority!

Place your interest above all others Keep your personal information strictly confidential Ensure you are fully informed

WE ARE EXPERTS ON THE TOOLS THAT LET YOU SEARCH ON YOUR TERMS! Most consumers begin their real estate home search online on poplar websites such as Zillow or Realtor.com. Our company has partnered with both of the companies to enhance the search capabilities for our clients. We provided our clients with powerful home search tools to help them find their dream home. Our home search solutions are fully integrated with different devices and can be easily downloaded to your mobile device.

SOME OF OUR SEARCH CAPABILITIES INCLUDE:

Search by Area, Address, Zip, & County

Search By Price

Search by School Zone

Search by Beds, Baths & SqFt

Search by Interactive Map

Search Pending or Sold Properties

SELLING YOUR PROPERTY

Each property has its own story. We are here to work with you to determine the value of your property and help you get it sold!

When you're selling your property, here is what your Southeastern agent will do for you.

1. Act as an expert guide -Selling a home typically requires a variety of forms, reports, disclosures, and other legal and financial documents. Your Southeastern agent knows what's required in our market, helping you avoid delays and costly mistakes.

2. Offer objective information and opinions - We will look at your home with an unbiased eye, providing you with the information you need to enhance marketability and maximize price. Our team also can provide resources for potential buyers who have questions about local utilities, zoning, schools, contractors, and more.

3. Deliver property marketing power - We have an intense marketing plan to get your home SOLD. 4. Give you a sense of security - Risk is a fact of life. To minimize it, real estate agents follow protocols to ensure their own safety, as well as the safety and security of you and your property.

5. Stand in your corner during negotiations - There are many factors up for discussion in any real estate transaction. We will look at offers from your perspective, helping you navigate the fine points to ensure you're meeting your objectives.

6. Ensure up-to-date experience - Most people sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each sale. Even if you’ve sold a home before, laws and regulations change and we are up to date on all real estate knowledge.

7. Be your rock during emotional moments - A home is so much more than four walls and a roof. We understand that selling a home means saying goodbye to the place where cherished family memories were made. We are here to make the move easier!

MARKETING YOUR HOME Our #1 goal is to get your home’s information to as many potential buyers as possible! Here are a few basics: Feature flyers and brochures will be placed in the home which will include as much information as possible for a buyer to make an educated decision.

Items such as financing options, disclosure statements, and lists of upgrades and improvements that have been made to the property.

Email Campaigns, which are emailed to all agents in the Board of Realtors (Over 1,500 active Realtors, brokers, and builders.

Property entered into the MLS within 24 hours of receiving professional photos.

Your home or lot will be placed on all Southeastern Real Estate Social Media Platforms to drive traffic.

Including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, and sent out to hundreds of sites through List HUB. Your home or lot will be placed on our inventory of homes, a collection of the properties we currently have. This cross marketing is just another way to get your home’s information to the masses.

Property placed on company website: www.southeasternresidential.com Lockbox is placed on home for easy access.

Print advertising submitted for various publications.

Yard Sign will be installed.

Visual Tour or photos of your property will be completed within the first 2 weeks and added to marketing material and websites.

Open Houses are always optional, but if we host an open house, here are the basics: Qualified REALTOR will host the home on a given day and hours agreed upon.

SELLING IN

TEN STEPS 1

2

DISCOVERY & RESEARCH

6

We will tour your home and give our insights on what will help your sale.

We discuss the process and develop initial marketing strategies.

LISTING APPOINTMENT, PROPERTY CONDITION AND STAGING

7

We discuss the value of your home, property condition, staging, expectations of selling agent, sign documents and enter into contract.

You're ready to list!

3

4

5

PRE-LAUNCH

8

All of our marketing materials are collected. From photography to lock boxes on your home, we make sure everything is prepared for launch day.

LAUNCH DAY

9

Consistent exposure of your home is spread across the marketing platforms.

All scheduled events are completed until we reach a sales agreement.

INSPECTIONS Your buyer will probably hire an inspector to review your home. The inspector is likely to recommend repairs or upgrades and we will negotiate on your behalf.

LOAN COMMITMENT The buyer's loan is underwritten and appraisal is performed. All buyer's documentation is verified and we wait for approval.

CLOSING PREPARATION The lender's requirements have been met and the documents have been ordered. Closing has been scheduled.

We will review the figures and the buyer has a final walk through of your home usually 24-48 hours prior to closing.

It's time!

Your home's profile is posted online. A yard sign is placed on your property.

Any and all marketing materials we've agreed upon will be rolled out.

BUYER PROSPECTING

OFFER ACCEPTED

Once an offer has been made, we will review all terms and conditions and respond as needed.

10

CLOSING The last step! Documents are signed, keys are exchanged and proceeds received. You may cancel your utilities and insurance, and your yard sign is removed from your property. We are there to help after the sale of your home - whenever you need us!

DISCOVERY & RESEARCH

4 FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE

SALEABILITY OF YOUR HOME

Price Point

Property Condition

Pricing your home for the current market is

The condition of your property will have a lot to do

important for maximum exposure and ultimately, a

with the selling price and how quickly it will sell. If

satisfactory sale.

there are repairs needed, or if professional

- Factors that determine a property's value:

staging is required, we will be there to assist and

location, design, amenities, competing properties,

offer guidance.

economic conditions.

- Factors that have little or no influence: price the seller originally paid, and amount spent on improvements

Market Exposure Our focus will be on what we're able to control market exposure and negotiating offers. We want

Market Conditions

to get the most qualified buyers into your home, in

The real estate market is always fluctuating, and

the least amount of time, and with minimal

as your agent we will be able to discuss the pros

inconvenience. With a comprehensive marketing

and cons of listing during varied market

plan, your home will get noticed in any market.

conditions.

LISTING APPOINTMENT, PROPERTY CONDITION AND STAGING We discuss the value of your home, property condition, staging, review the calendar of expectations, sign documents and enter into contract. You're ready to list!

PROPERTY CONDITION AND STAGING You only get one chance to make a first impression.

When real estate agents talk about staging your home, they're referring to a method of preparing a property for sale on the real estate marketplace. Staging is designed to showcase a home's best assets, impress buyers, and sell it quickly for the highest possible price.

Home staging refers to preparing your home to sell so it appeals to the most potential buyers who will pay the highest possible price.

Relative to the amount of time and money involved, staging may be one of the most lucrative projects you ever undertake.

The living room, kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and outdoor living spaces are all important areas to focus on when staging your home.

Home Staging Tips 1. Clean & declutter - A clean home shows potential buyers that you've taken good care of the property.

2. Depersonalize - Buyers need to be able to envision themselves in your home, so remove all the family photos, keepsakes, and refrigerator art.

3. Focus on Fresh - Make your home feel fresh and inviting.

4. Wallpaper, Paint, & Flooring - Painting your home with warm, neutral colors and cleaning your floors allow your home to look well maintained.

5. Lighting - Take advantage of your home's natural light. Open all curtains and blinds when showing your home.

6. Furniture - Make sure furniture is the right size for the room, and don't clutter a room with too much of it.

7. Exterior - The exterior and the entryway—which factor into the home's "curb appeal"—are important points of focus because they heavily impact a buyer's first impression.

8. Final Touches - Put fresh flowers in vases, let fresh air into the house for at least ten minutes beforehand so it isn't stuffy and light a few candles (soft and subtle fragrances only) makes your home warm and inviting.

Exterior: Keeping the lawn manicured and watered regularly.

Trimming hedges, weeding flower beds and pruning trees regularly.

Checking the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling.

Inspecting doors and windows for peeling paint.

ENHANCE YOUR PROPERTY'S INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR APPEAL

Cleaning and aligning gutters.

Inspecting and clearing the chimney.

Repairing and replacing loose or damaged roof shingles.

Repairing and repainting loose siding and caulking.

Interior: Cleaning every room and removing clutter. This alone will make your house appear larger and brighter.

Hiring a professional cleaning service every few weeks while the house is on the market.

Removing items from kitchen counters and closets.

Removing all personal photos from the walls, and patch the holes where they removed.

Re-surfacing soiled or strongly colored walls with a neutral shade, such as offwhite or beige, and applying the same color scheme to carpets and flooring.

Checking and repairing cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the attic and basement.

Repairing holes or damage to plaster, wallpaper, paint and tiles.

Replacing broken or cracked window panes, molding or other woodwork.

Keeping walks neatly cleared of ice and snow in the winter.

Adding colorful annuals near the front entrance in spring and summer.

Re-sealing an asphalt driveway.

Keeping your garage door closed.

Applying a fresh coat of paint to the front door.

CLOSING PREPERATION Once your home is on the market, it's very important to have information ready to go in case the buyer or lender requests it. Below is a list of items that buyers, lenders, and closing attorney might request during this phase of selling your home.

GATHER: Manuals for appliances

Receipts of work done to the home - including all major & minor renovations

All keys and garage door openers

Surveys previously done

A list of utility providers & average costs per month

Alarm instructions

HOA COMMUNITIES: Check in with the HOA to see if there are any restrictions or policies when listing or buying the property.

If you have any known info regarding assessments, certification letters or HOA covenants, please have those available for buyers.

UNDER CONTRACT PROCESS

OFFER ACCEPTED

INSPECTION

APPRAISAL

Now that you've decided on

One of the most crucial

An appraisal will be

an offer, it's time to start the

steps in buying a home is

required by the lender if

under contract process.

performing an inspection.

the buyer is obtaining a

There are a few dates and

The buyers elect to do this

loan. After the appraisal,

deadlines to be aware of -

if they choose. The buyer's

we wait for the loan

title deadline, due diligence,

agent will set up a day and

conditions deadline for the

inspection, appraisal, and

time that works for you to

buyer and are that much

loan conditions. The under

have the inspector perform

closer to the closing table.

contract process can

a full inspection on your

normally take anywhere

home. You will be asked to

from 30-60 days.

leave during this time. It should take anywhere from 1-4 hours depending on the size of your home.

After inspection, the buyer's agent will send an inspection objection requesting specific repairs or replacements, if needed.

At this time you can decide which items you agree to fix, repair or replace, if any. Remember, inspection items that affect health and safety are pertinent.

A FEW THINGS TO BRING TO CLOSING A valid government issued picture ID House keys Garage door opener(s) Mailbox and any other spare keys

SELLERS: CLOSING 101

WHAT TO EXPECT The closing attorney will look over the purchase contract and identify what payments are owed and by whom/ prepare documents for the closing; conduct the closing/ make sure

T H E

C L O S I N G

F I N A L I Z E S Y O U R M A K E S

T H E

S A L E

H O M E

A N D

A L S O

K N O W N

S E T T L E M E N T ,

C L O S I N G G E T

D E E D

I S

P A I D

B U Y E R

O F

taxes, title searches, real estate commissions and other closing costs are paid; ensure that the buyer's title is recorded;

E V E R Y T H I N G

O F F I C I A L .

A S

P R O C E S S

T H E

W H E N A N D

Y O U R

Y O U

T H E

R E C E I V E S

T O

and ensure that you receive any money due to you.

T H E

H O M E .

YOUR COST Sellers commonly pay the following at closing:

Mortgage balance and prepayment penalties, if applicable Other claims against your property, such as current or past due unpaid property taxes Unpaid special assessments on your property Real estate commission Title insurance policy Home warranty, if applicable Survey, if applicable

AFTER CLOSING, MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE FOLLOWING FOR TAX PURPOSES Copies of all closing documents All home improvement receipts on the home you sold

VISUAL MARKETING With Southeastern, the quality of pictures and other media are critical to market your property. We have access to the best tools and innovations in our market.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Our professional photography partners use top notch equipment and techniques to produce stunning images for our clients.

These techniques include, professional lighting, wide angle lenses, evening shots, virtual staging, and photo editing.

A client can decided within 3 seconds if they want to preview your home, so it is crucial we make the right impression.

VIDEO: We provide our clients with video home tours that can be promoted on social media, and other platforms to better the consumer experience. The point of these videos is to bring the story of your property to life.

YOUR PROPERTY, BROUGHT TO LIFE: We have the technology to blow prospective buyers away with a 3D Showcase - an immersive online 3D experience that gives buyers a true sense of the property before ever seeing it in person. We have the capability to use this technology on your listing for qualified buyers.

SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTIONS With Southeastern, every connection matters.

Social Media: Southeastern uses Facebook, Instagram, and other social media outlets to market your property. These platforms work great to network with others.

Circle of Influence: Our company uses our Circle of Influence to share information about your property to our business contacts, past clients, friends and family. This includes email campaigns, virtual tours, videos, and social media.

LOCAL AGENTS: Southeastern has outstanding connections with our local real estate professionals.

- We are part of two major Multiple Listing Services. We can ensure your property is viewed by all agents who may have a quality prospects.

- E-Campaigns - We can touch all agents in a click of a button through our electronic marketing campaigns.

- Reverse Prospecting - We can identify agents and clients who may be looking for a property like yours and market the property to them.

MARKETING TO GLOBAL BUYERS Did you know Southeastern Residential can market your home nationally, and even globally?

We are member of the worldwide ERC Program.

Real estate has become a global economy and we are happy to be a part.

ONLINE MARKETING ADVANTAGE The latest report from the National Association of REALTORS® states that 92% of homebuyers start their home search online.

Online marketing is crucial for the success of selling your property.

Southeastern exposes our listings to over 1,000 real estate websites, video sites, and mobile apps. Our website syndication allows us to have fast updates and provide you with the best data on your property. We link with some of the best websites such as realtor.com, zillow, homefinder, and many others to ensure your home stands out to potential buyers.

MOBILE APP: Search with any device - anytime.

We offer a mobile friendly app to our clients. This app is equipped with high customized options to narrow your home search and allow us to help you find the perfect home. It provides listings from our MLS services and updates every 5 minutes.

MULTI -CHANNEL ADVERTISING Southeastern participates in print advertising, digital adverting and many types of online advertising.

- Print: We advertise in our local papers and select magazines.

- Digital: Our company promotes digitally on local television programing, billboards, and local news.

- Online: We use a combination of online advertising to drive traffic to your listing.

RELOCATION

Southeastern is proud of our relocation department that positions us as a leader in bringing in clients to and from the Augusta and Charleston markets. We strive to be a resource for companies of all sizes as they relocate employees. We partner with companies as they sell the job to the employee and we sell the area. Our relocation trained agents are proven professionals who have boundless area knowledge and provide a premier experience to ensure the smoothest transition to their clients.

We are the conduit to place the most professional, well trained agents with clients who may be downsizing, moving to a senior living center, upsizing, or moving for a job opportunity. We have partner brokers all around the world.. we can help you move ANYWHERE! We are members of the following global relocation organizations: - Worldwide Employee Relocation Council (WERC) - Relocation Directors Council (RDC)

Since Augusta, Georgia is home to Fort Gordon Military Base, the Cyber Command Center and world renowned Educational and Medical Institutions, we want to show our appreciation for your service to our community and the work you do.

This rebate program is for buyers and sellers and honors the following: Active, Former, Retired, and Immediate Family of Military Active Teachers | Active First Responders | Active Healthcare When you buy or sell a home through Southeastern's Circle of Courage Program, you’ll receive a credit based on the actual sales price and you’ll receive your rebate at closing!

Please consult with Southeastern Residential to determine your eligibility.

THE HOME AS YOUR ABOVE

DECISION TO BUY A IS AN EXCITING ONE. REALTORS, WE WILL GO AND BEYOND TO HELP.

Karen Stewart Licensed Real Estate Agent GA and SC Vice President | Leadership Council Top New Sales Agent for 2020 Office 706.945.0512 | Cell 706.267.3915 karen.stewart@southeastern.company www.karentherealisticrealtor.com

Alleigh Gates

REALTOR® | Executive Council C: 706.294.7940 alleigh.gates@southeastern.company

Benjamin Danner REALTOR® C: 706.401.4508

benjamin.danner@southeastern.company