MICHIGAN 12-7-20

MICHIGAN EDITION

Playing the Real Estate Matchmaker 3 EASY AT-HOME

DIY PROJECTS TO INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE

Top Agent Tips and Questions for

CHOOSING YOUR LISTING AGENT

COVER STORY

JESSE BARAGAR

FEATURED AGENTS

ZACK ABOONA BILL RISTOV

MICHIGAN EDITION

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JESSE JESSE BARAGAR BARAGAR

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ZACK ABOONA

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BILL RIST

Bill Ristov got at the world o a child, when father buy an ties as an inve developed a t industry, and BILL RISTOV his own succe business in order to pursue his dream REALTOR®. He’s been in the business and currently works as a solo agent at R

CONTENTS 4) TOP AGENT TIPS AND QUESTIONS FOR CHOOSING YOUR LISTING AGENT 13) 3 EASY AT-HOME DIY PROJECTS TO INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE

Being customer oriented has allowed strong network of clients who trust hi 20) PLAYING THE ESTATE expertise, andREAL often refer him to fam “Customer service is the number one t MATCHMAKER—FOLLOW knowRULES that they TO can call me anyt THESE 8 clients DATING phone. IYOUR try to always be a ENSURE answer YOU the MATCH back to them regarding any questions CLIENT WITH THE PERFECT might have,” he says. And in order to s HOME FOR THEM clients he sends out yearly calendars, them with phone calls and emails.

In working with both buyers and selle is to always keep his client’s best inte Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 to find innovative ways of accompl mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com estate goals. He uses high tech mark as Matterport 3 D Top virtual tours, dr No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without such prior consent of the publisher.

Agent Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy professional photography in order to m of published materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by ings selling potential. He also tries to its authors. To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. marketing so that each listing can fin Published in the U.S. demographic. His hard work ethic and gies have helped him close 26 transacti 2

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Being a successful business owner h

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Top Agent Tips and Questions for Choosing Your Listing Agent Now that you’ve decided to sell, it’s time to select the professional to help you market your property. Before meeting with agents, however, consider Top Agent Magazine’s tips for preparing yourself. Frist, ask yourself what kind of relationship you’d like to have with your listing agent. Are you seeking a casual, personable relationship and the latest marketing tools or are you interested in a more formal, traditional relationship and approach to marketing techniques? Next, populate your list of agents by attending open houses and asking for recommendations from recent buyers and sellers.

Finally, schedule your meetings at your home, where you’ll be able to gauge the chemistry between you and each agent.

During your meetings, expect any Top Agent to ask you several questions, but also consider discussing the following: 4

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Will you please describe your sales experience and local network?

Ask your Top Agent to describe recent listings and sales of homes comparable to your own. Ask about the sellers’ priorities, the original list price, market time and number of offers. Top Agents will also describe how well they are connected with other REALTORS® in the region as well as their contacts with relocation companies, local corporations and chambers of commerce.

Be sure to ask about each agent’s knowledge of how your market has changed over time and what has influenced change.

You’ll learn a lot by listening to agents’ opinions.

How will you market the property? Each

Top Agent has a unique set of online or local marketing tools at his or her disposal. Some use lead-generation applications and nearly ever luxury agent take advantage of video. Even video marketing tools vary from agent-to-agent, however.

You’ll get to decide if you prefer an agent with higher-end video production and 3D Matterport tours or an agent with more intimate techniques featuring walk-and-talk style video tours.

What factors influence your list-price recommendation? Before an-

swering this question, most Top Agents will have several questions for you, including whether you’re more focused on a faster sale or a higher list price.

They’ll also educate you on how best to balance both market time and list price relative to sales histories your area.

Now that you’ve seen the home, what repairs or improvements do you recommend before listing? You’ll learn a lot by listening to agents’

opinions on your home’s sale potential with or without some improvements.

Most Top Agents will also recommend a full professional inspection prior to listing to avoid surprises during buyer inspection.

How will you help with staging? Some Top Agents will pay for part or

all of the staging costs. At a minimum, however, a Top Agent will have a staging professional or two in their partner network. While they’re at it, they may provide referrals for carpet cleaning, painting, gardening and other minor finishing touches.

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What attributes of the property will you want to highlight? Each Top

Agent will have a somewhat different answer to this question, but that’s a good thing! Even if you have your own ideas about your home’s greatest attributes, you’ll glean insight into the current market by considering different agents’ opinions. In learning their views, you may even change your mind about your home’s most marketable features!

What is your approach to Open Houses? How many agent-only Open

Houses will your Top Agent want to host? How many truly Open Houses?

Some Top Agents may even reveal a “swankier” approach to the Open House – such as an evening cocktail party or by-invitation “open” hours to which buyers visit along with the agent representing them.

Who will be our primary point(s) of contact from your office? This

important question will help you understand the scope of your agent’s practice. You’ll get to see if your agent runs a robust team with many hands on deck or if he or she works by close, one-on-one contact with each client.

Either approach is wonderful; you get to decide what suits you.

Now, let’s list!

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JESSE BARAGAR Top Agent Magazine

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JESSE BARAGAR Top Agent Jesse Baragar serves West Michigan with a focus on the northeast Grand Rapids area. His father is his broker, and recently his wife joined him as a buyers’ agent.

Jesse Baragar grew up in real estate.

As a child, he drove from appointment to appointment with his father, who has been a broker for over 25 years. Jesse 8 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

joined his dad in the business during the downturn, so he got his start doing short sales and foreclosures. As the market improved, Jesse began representing more Top Agent Magazine

traditional buyers and sellers. “In my almost ten years as an agent, I’ve really seen it all,” he says.

Jesse serves West Michigan with a focus on the northeast Grand Rapids area. His father is still his broker, and recently his wife joined him as a buyers’ agent. That allows Jesse to focus on listings, transTop Agent Magazine

actions, and client relationships. “We prefer to have a small team so we can take a personal approach with our clients,” he says. As a result of his expertise and the care he takes with his work, an impressive ninety percent of Jesse’s business comes from repeat and referral customers. His clients rave about his straightforwardness and honesty, and 9 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

say he works hard to ensure that their deals close. Jesse’s company is also a licensed builder and can help both buyers and sellers with needed repairs. He offers discounted rates to seniors, as well as use of a free moving truck to all clients.

When it comes time to market listings, Jesse uses an approach that blends new technologies with old school warmth. He sends out mailers, posts the listing on the MLS and all the major real estate websites, and conducts a campaign for each listing on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. He takes professional photographs

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and aerial photos of each listing. “We don’t spend money on personal promotion we are 90% word of mouth and referral—we spend all of our marketing money on our listings,” he says. He also reaches out to other top agents in the area, with whom he maintains close relationships. This year Jesse and his team are on pace to complete $20 million in transactions.

“As a family real estate brokerage it’s very important for us to keep a family feel with our clients, both during and after the transaction,” Jesse says.

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To give back to the community and stay in touch with clients, Barager Realty sponsors Santa to a senior, hosts a Photos with Santa event, and a Summertime Celebration with food, drinks, bounce houses and face painting.

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“My favorite part of the job is helping people to achieve the dream of home ownership—even if they think it might not be feasible to them,” he says. He enjoys going over the entire process with first-time homebuyers to ensure they feel comfortable 11 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

before they even begin to look at listings. In his cherished free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters, walking on neighborhood trails and watching hockey. “My dad and my wife and I work together so it’s always family

time around here. It’s just fun!” For the future, Jesse plans to continue offering high quality, boutique service to his clients. “A personal goal is to help 100 family’s achieve home ownership next year,” he says.

To learn more about Jesse Baragar, email 8198879@gmail.com, visit baragarrealty.com or call 616-819-8879 12 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

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3 Easy At-Home DIY Projects to Increase Property Value Most homeowners have a lengthy list of chores and bit projects they intend to accomplish around the house. Oftentimes, those to-do items are completed piecemeal over a long stretch of time, or else sometimes not at all. However, when it comes time to prepare a home for market, all those tasks begin to pile-up and overwhelm. The Top Agent Magazine

list of things to do before the photographer comes or the first open house is held might seem endless, but not if you tackle just a few things here and there as you go. These sorts of projects—easy, DIY, at-home tasks you can accomplish in a few hours or less, with tools you most likely have on hand— go a long way with marginal effort.

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Complete a quick rehab of closets and storage areas Many agents advise clients to declutter and depersonalize their spaces ahead of professional photography and home showings. The idea is to provide prospective buyers with a neutral palette. Not only does this allow them to imagine their own lives unfolding within those four walls, but it also helps make a home’s square footage stand out. One way to add visual space to your home without calling in the contractor is to declutter common storage areas and closets. When buyers can get a complete look at a closet’s capacity, or a pantry’s depth, or the garage’s full functional potential, they get a better sense of a home’s potential and thus, its value.

In that vein, consider decluttering and cleaning your high-traffic storage spaces: the garage, pantries, closets, attics, and basements. Besides, organizing and discarding unwanted items help you prep for a move anyway, while giving potential buyers a peak at how spacious your home really is.

Add easy curb appeal with a bit of sweat equity Sure, curb appeal can arrive in the form of a new mailbox, pathway lighting, or updated house numbers, but it can also come cheaper than that. Curb extends to the upkeep of your lawn, landscaping, and home’s façade, and there are plenty of ways 14

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you can give these zones a refresh without spending anything but time. Keeping your front and back yard green and uniform adds a lux layer to exterior square footage.

Likewise, polishing the outside of your windows, trimming hedges, and sweeping the walkway can make a tidy and wellcared for first impression. There are other measures you can take too. Planting wildflower seeds in empty beds, or collecting some landscaping rocks to frame mulched areas can add a bit of character to your residence. Repainting the front door, ensuring trees are trimmed, and keeping back patios Top Agent Magazine

neat and uncluttered also underscore a home at its finest, which is ripe for buyers to snatch up.

Transform tiled spaces into sparkling clean surfaces.

Bathrooms and kitchens are where sellers can stand to add plenty of value in the process of selling a home. While pricey renovations might be out of the question for some, there are still affordable and time-effective ways you can transform for these spaces for the better. Cleaning,

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bleaching, or redoing your tile grout—in either kitchens, bathrooms, or other tiled spaces—can give these high-trafficked areas a new lease on life. Ensuring windows, mirrors, stainless steel appliances and backsplashes are streak-free and polished also demonstrate to buyers that your home is well-cared for and practically move-in ready. Sometimes, the devil is in the details. You might consider relining drawers, changing out knobs and fixtures,

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or else decluttering cabinets and shelves for a fresher look.

No matter the challenges ahead as you prepare your home for sale, completing a few small tasks every weekend or so can put you miles ahead of the competition.

Without spending a dime, you can add serious value to your home’s bottom line, setting you up for success as you begin your own home-shopping adventure.

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ZACK ABOONA

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ZACK ABOONA

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to be born in a different country, move out to a new one as a child, and lead a life many simply dream of? Born in Iraq and having moved to the United States at the age of nine, that is exactly what took place for Zack Aboona. If anyone knows the value of hard work, it is Zack. It all started when he was a young boy moving to a brand-new country and adapting to this new language and culture.

His life experiences have led him to be the successful Real Estate Agent that he is today with new deals coming at him left and right. Zack is an example of the American Dream. The question is how did he come to achieve all that he has by his mid-thirties what many people strive to achieve their whole lives? To start he began working at local businesses while attending Wayne State University to pursue a degree in Business. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Global Supply Chain Management in 2016. He went to work for the U.S. Department of Defense as a linguist in 2010 and served with the United States Military in Iraq for a period of two years. When he returned to the United States, he pondered what he could possibly do that would allow him the flexibility 18

to continue his education. In came real estate and little did he know his life would soon take a turn as he stumbled into his passion.

When asked if he genuinely enjoys his job, Zack responded “I feel so blessed to be doing something that I truly love, helping people start the next chapter of their lives”. He went on to say, “It’s about taking the time to really get to know your client

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and listen to their needs, so that you can find them that perfect home they can make a lifetime of memories in”.

After ten years in the business he is proud to say that he is a partner at Keller Williams Lakeside and has a team of professionals on his side to service his client’s needs. Zack prides himself in providing excellent customer service. He knows that buying your first home or your last home are important life decisions. He makes it a priority to ensure that his clients receive the best representation possible and that they are tended to on an impeccable level.

“Zack is knowledgeable and professional!

He helped my wife and I purchase a beautiful first home. His attentiveness to our needs and ability to be there every step of the way will not be forgotten. We are grateful to him for his exceptional service” said Kevin K. Raquel O. said “Zack is awesome!!! He always answered all our questions and made himself available. He helped us sell our home in just 3 days and he helped us find a new home that was perfect for our needs. We are so thankful to have worked with such a wonderful person”.

Zack believes in giving back to his community which is why he is involved in mentoring younger agents who are getting into the business of Real Estate in hopes that they too can find the passion he found for it. “Real Estate is a rewarding field and I hope to give others the chance to have the incredible opportunities that I have been fortunate enough to experience”. In addition to having a successful career, Zack is a family man blessed with twins who keep him and his wife extremely busy in the best way possible. There is never a dull day in Zack’s life, and he would not change a thing.

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For more information about Zack Aboona, please call 586-524-2424 or email zackaboona@kw.com Copyright Top Agent Magazine 19

Playing the Real Estate Matchmaker –

Follow These 8 Dating Rules to Ensure You Match Your Client with the Perfect Home for Them When you think a bit more about it, the ultimate goal of a real estate agent serving a client is really to match them up with the perfect house for them, almost the way a matchmaker tries to find two people that will fit well together as a couple. When people are looking for a house, they often treat the process as a quest for “the one” house that will fulfill their dreams of living in the house of their dreams. Don’t be fooled. It is always a search for “the one”, at least when it comes to helping a couple or family find a home.

When you look at your client’s search for a home in this manner, then you might begin to notice some pretty obvious similarities 20

between shopping for a home today and online dating. In this day and age most people live a substantial part entire lives online. People socialize with their friends on Facebook, they meet potential friends in forums and online communities, and we now even search for our perfect mate online. Shopping for a home also happens to usually start online. When they begin this search, make no mistake; they are looking for the “one.” These people then turn to you, the REALTOR® to play matchmaker for them. It is your job to wade through the pool of eligible homes (bachelors) and sort through all the ones that are too expensive, too nerdy, not cute enough, not smart enough, etc. until you find the “one.”

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It makes sense then to consult the tried and true practices in matchmaking that help those professionals find the right people for each other, and see if any of them could also apply for matching your clients with their dream home. You’ll find that these 8 dating rules may just show you the secret to matching your clients with the perfect home.

back to the store if you’re not happy with your new home. It’s best to first help your client get prequalified. This is a tangible step that shows they are ready to move on to a new home. You want to make sure they are completely over their love affair with their previous home. You can even ask them for a sign or proof that they’re ready to move on.

Who Is In and Not In Your Client’s League? Know Your Client’s Price Range:

Be Genuine, Not Superficial

When a person is looking for a mate, it is a waste of time for them to even consider those potential mates that are clearly out of their league. These people won’t even stop to give them the time of day.

In the world of real estate the idea is the same. There is no point showing your clients houses that they can’t afford and will simply lust after without having any real chance of purchasing the house. It is your job to keep your client ground in reality, and help them be realistic in terms of price when choosing their next home.

Never Let Your Client’s First Impression of a Home Rule Their Decisions

Make Sure Your Client is Ready to Move On From Their Last Dream Home You’re job is also to make sure that your client is truly ready to move on from their previous home. This is a long term commitment, and they need to be absolutely sure they actually want to buy a new house. You can’t simply take the receipt Top Agent Magazine

When trying to manage the many pitfalls of online dating, on inevitably goes on a date where the other person looks nothing like their picture online. That can be just as big of a problem when looking for a house. When clients show you a particular house they want to visit, ask them to name something about the house that they like other than the aesthetics. This way you can see if they are simply infatuated with the way the house looks in those pictures, or if there is a deeper interest in the home that could become a deeper connection between your client and the house.

When your client first sees a house they have already been lusting after in their mind, they’re often so excited to finally be looking at it, especially if it does in fact look as good as it did in the pictures.

Make sure to encourage them to take some time before making such a big com-

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mitment, and don’t let their excitement push them into making a rash decision. It is your job to keep them grounded in reality. Push for your clients to do an inspection to make sure the house isn’t hiding any dark secrets. Sometimes the most charming facade can hide tons of slime and deadly mold.

Follow Your Heart (or Gut) People often laugh at and ridicule the idea of love at first sight, but when it comes to homes, the phenomenon can certainly happen. Your client may just find their perfect dream home at the very first place you take them. If you have a client that does insist this is the case, then you don’t want to try and rationalize with them or talk them out of their decision. You do, however, want to make sure you are watching out for their interest and make sure your clients take all the necessary precautions before they jump in headfirst.

See What Other People See in The Home – Do They See What Your Client Sees?

Have you come to the conclusion that your clients are being blinded by all of the twinkling windows and crystal clear water glistening in the backyard pool, and can’t see that the house they’ve fallen in love with is really just a dirty animal (maybe a pig) dressed up in nice clothes and lipstick. Ask your client if they would be willing to look at the house again with 22

their close friends, family, and anyone else they trust for a second opinion there to see it with them. If the house really is a dud, they’ll be able to see past any personal bias your client might have to the truth. They will be able to help your client see through the shining facade

Celebrate the Happy Union!

When a couple gets married they tend to throw a big party and celebrate their union. The same goes for the closing.

Your clients have just essentially married the house of their dreams, and now it’s time to rejoice. Congratulate them on their new union. Show your support for their new homeowner status by going to their housewarming party.

Help Your Clients Maintain Their Dream Home & Ensure a Lifetime of Happiness You can’t just disappear after the transaction is finished. Become their realtor for life by showing your clients how to maintain their dream home. Act as their resource for other professionals they may need to maintain the house such as handymen, plumbers, electricians, etc. Show them how to keep up with home maintenance so they don’t ignore problems that surface and end up with a much larger issue than they started with. Help them make sure their dream home lasts so they can live happily ever after in their home for a lifetime.

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BILL RISTOV Bill Ristov got his first glimpse at the world of real estate as a child, when he watched his father buy and sell properties as an investor. He quickly developed a true love for the industry, and later on sold his own successful hair salon business in order to pursue his dream of becoming a REALTOR®. He’s been in the business for 8 years now and currently works as a solo agent at RE/MAX Nexus.

Being customer oriented has allowed Bill to build a strong network of clients who trust his experience and expertise, and often refer him to family and friends.

“Customer service is the number one thing for me. My clients know that they can call me anytime, and that I’ll answer the phone. I try to always be available and get back to them regarding any questions or concerns they might have,” he says. And in order to stay in touch with clients he sends out yearly calendars, and checks in on them with phone calls and emails.

that matters. And I also love the interaction with people.

You have to be a people person to be in this business,” he says.

Helping people transcends beyond his work for Bill. He is involved with his community and believes in giving back, which is why he donates a percentage of each one of his sales to the Children’s Miracle Network and other organizations.

When he’s not busy working—which is rare for Bill—he loves to have fun in the kitchen. Coming from a family that owned a restaurant while he was growing up, he’s not too shy to experiment with different recipes. In the future, Bill’s plans are to continue growing his business. He is intent on always giving his customers the outstanding client service he is known for. And eventually he would like to build his own team so that he can help more people.

In working with both buyers and sellers Bill’s priority is to always keep his client’s best interest at heart, and to find innovative ways of accomplishing their real estate goals. He uses high tech marketing techniques such as Matterport 3 D virtual tours, drone footage, and professional photography in order to maximize his listings selling potential. He also tries to personalize his marketing so that each listing can find its best target demographic. His hard work ethic and marketing strategies have helped him close 26 transactions just last year.

Being a successful business owner has many pluses, but for Bill the biggest one is getting to serve people and help them make their dreams a reality. “It might be cliché, but I love satisfying my clients. Having the ability to help them get the home they truly want, and seeing the joy on their face as I hand them the keys to their new house is very gratifying and inspiring. It makes me feel good knowing that I’m doing something Top Agent Magazine

To learn more about Bill Ristov please email billristov@gmail.com, visit billristov.com, or call (248) 421–5998 www.

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