Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

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Here is an overview for seller of my Ultimate Pre-listing Kit, with information you should know as a seller about hiring the right REALTOR to help sell your home in Carlsbad and nearby, as well as information about me and my real estate business. If I can answer any questions about the real estate market in Carlsbad or about marketing your home to sell for top dollar and in the shortest time, please let me know. Jeff Dowler, Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), CA BR Lic#01490977 Solutions Real Estate - Carlsbad (760) 840-1360 [email protected] www.SoldOnCoastalLiving.com www.AtHomeInCarlsbad.com www.CarlsbadRealEstateNews.com

Transcript of Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

Page 1: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler
Page 2: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This Seller’s Handbook is dedicated to all the clients I have had in the past, who trusted me to help them achieve their real estate goal of selling their home and moving to a new one, and to those yet to come.

Selling a home is a team effort between homeowners and myself, and in addition to my own experience of selling 10 homes, I have learned a great deal about the emotions, the concerns and the excitement facing every seller from working with a broad range of clients.

Each home is unique, as are its owners, and each transaction carries with it a host of challenges and problems to solve in order to reach the close of escrow. Working with sellers to overcome these challenges and find appropriate solutions is a big part of being a REALTOR®, one which I enjoy immensely.

The photo on the front page was taken by me at the Batiquitos Lagoon in the Aviara area of South Carlsbad, a favorite place of mine to take walks in the Carlsbad area.

Jeff Dowler, ABR, CRS, e-PRO, SFR, SRES, REALTOR CA DRE Lic. # 01490977

SOLUTIONS REAL ESTATE 6005 Hidden Valley Road, Suite 280

Carlsbad, CA 92011 (760) 840-1360 direct/text

(501) 621-8494 efax www.JeffDowler.com ~ www.CarlsbadRealEstateNews.com

www.RelocationA2Z.com ~ www.FirstTimeBuyerCentral.com www.AtHomeInCarlsbad.com

Copyright © by Jeff Dowler, Solutions Real Estate - Carlsbad

Page 3: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

WELCOME TO MY SELLER’S ULTIMATE

PRE-LISTING KIT SUMMARY

You are thinking about selling your home, or perhaps have made that decision, and now you have some critical decisions to make. This is a SUMMARY of my Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit. First, you need to hire the right REALTOR to help you understand the current local market conditions, and determine the right listing price so your home will be viewed as the best value, and not help sell other homes in the area. You will also need help with marketing, advertising, and coordinating the myriad details and pieces of paper that are part of a real estate transaction. You need someone who knows the local market trends and conditions, who has a significant on-line presence, and who will provide you with a written marketing plan. You have to get your home ready for sale, inside and out, and in showing condition for the first open house, ON THE INTERNET. This summary will answer many questions you may have, and hopefully convince you that I am the right person to help you achieve your goal. Once we have a conversation I will be happy to share the complete Pre-Listing Kit with you, on-line or in hard copy if you prefer. I look forward to hearing from you.

Copyright © by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved

Page 4: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

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Page 5: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

SELLERS, WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Please indicate how important each of the following is to you by putting an X in the appropriate box.

Your questions deserve, and will get, answers!

Not importantVery

important

0 1 2 3 4 5

1. Trust and honesty

2. Pricing

3. Showing schedule

5. Buyer qualifications

6. Respect for personal work and family schedule

7. Open Houses (public and broker)

8. Client/agent communication

9. Big name brokerage

10. Marketing plan (written)

11. Use of technology (business and communication)

12. References and testimonials

13. Lockboxes and security

14. Virtual tours, photos and video

15. Internet advertising

16. A unique URL for my home for marketing

17. Property brochures

18. Staging information

19. Closing costs and net proceeds

22. As quick a sale as possible

23. Professional fee for services

24. "Payday"

25. Salability in today's market

26. Property business cards

27. Custom Homebook for my home's showings

28. Single website for marketing my home

29. Willingness to educate me and answer questions

30. Knowing the competition and the market

It will be very helpful to have this completed when we meet!Each person's concerns are different. This will help me understand YOURS!

Pre-listing QuestionnaireCopyright by Jeff Dowler

All Rights Reserved

Page 6: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

BENEFITS OF PROPER PRICING

Here are a few of the benefits of properly pricing your home to position it for a quick sale in your local market. FASTER SALE: When your home sells faster, you save mortgage payments and other ownership costs (You have monthly costs even if you own the house outright!). Every day the house is on the market is costing you $$$. A quicker sale creates less inconvenience for you. At market value your home will gain exposure to more prospects who can afford the price, not just the one buyer who MAY be willing to pay a higher price. INCREASED SALEPERSON RESPONSE: When salespeople are excited about a home and its price, they make special efforts to contact all of their buyers and encourage them to act quickly. BETTER RESPONSE FROM ADVERTISING AND SIGN CALLS: Ad calls and sign calls to REALTORS turn into showings when price is not a deterrent. Most serious prospects are well educated about asking prices (and sold prices) in the areas they are seeking. They will not waste their time on a home they consider overpriced, and similar properties are seen as a better value in their eyes. HIGHER OFFERS ATTRACTED: Buyers fear they might lose out on a good home when it is priced right. They are less likely to make "low ball offers." Better pricing can attract multiple offers, too! And you will probably avoid the “bargain hunters” who will lowball your high-priced home just to see what price they can get. MORE MONEY TO YOU: If a home is priced correctly, the excitement of the market produces higher sale prices. You net more in actual sale price and reduced carrying costs. The RIGHT price will encourage SERIOUS offers from SERIOUS buyers who know the value; a HIGH price will encourage cost-cutting from tire-kickers who want a bargain!

Copyright © by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved

Page 7: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

PRICE IT RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING You Will Get the Best Sales Price, Within a Reasonable Time Frame, if you position it correctly in the market from the very beginning. The following schematic illustrates what can happen if you price your property incorrectly. Too high and you miss the majority of the buyers who are looking for a home in your price range; too low, and you short change yourself.

Less Time

A ONE IN A HUNDRED POSSIBILITY: To find the single, unique buyer who’ll pay

this price is possible,...but not likely...now or later.

A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THE BEST QUALIFIED BUYERS: Price your home in

the suggested market range where a good, fair offer may be expected in a reasonable time.

More Money

A FAST SALE...YOU WILL MISS TOP DOLLAR: Price your property below the market. That will create more interest, more quickly. The

result, a faster sale.

By pricing your property correctly you are more likely to get top dollar. A property priced too low may preclude the opportunity for getting top dollar. Overpricing your property discourages showings and tends to eliminate the most likely buyers from viewing the property, especially in the first 2-3 weeks after your home goes on the market and there is the greatest amount of interest.

Copyright © by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved

Page 8: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

How Much Will Buyers Pay For a Home Like Yours It Depends… There Are Many Factors

The amount buyers are willing to pay for a home like your will depend upon many factors. As part of my services, I will provide you with a professional Right Price Analysis to position your home correctly in the market. It will evaluate recently sold homes that are comparable as well as homes that are your present competition. This report will indicate a market range that will allow you the opportunity to sell for top price without pricing yourself out of the market. The following chart illustrates the many factors that can impact what buyers are willing to pay for your home.

Cost Replacement Factor

Depreciation

MostRecentSales

Consumer Confidence

MortgageMarket

StyleChanging Tastes

SupplyChangingDemand

Competitionin

SurroundingAreas

Inflation

Competition in Your Area

Copyright © by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved

Page 9: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

MAKE YOUR HOME EASY TO SELL:

AVAILABILITY

Are you interested in knowing how to make your home easy to sell? It's not that difficult, even in today's market. You just to need to have the right ingredients.

The most obvious is MARKET POSITION. If you position it correctly, it will sell. It might not be the price YOU want, but the market doesn't listen to sellers, or agents. And if the price is not right, you might as well stop reading this right now, since the rest won't make a difference.

You know, from everything you have read and heard, that the condition of your home is important - no clutter, de-personalized, take care of the repairs, get rid of odors, create curb appeal, and so on. You can't change the location, so if that is an issue what you CAN alter are the things just mentioned, to compensate, and the price.

But here is another factor that bears more discussion, especially in a competitive market where there might be 10, 20 or more homes like yours, similarly priced, that are vying for the attention of buyers (and depending on the price range, that pool might be smaller with all the mortgage changes going on).

How AVAILABLE is your home to buyers?

There are 2 components to this issue (1) exposure to the target market, and (2) availability for showings.

Exposure is really your my responsibility, to be sure your home is exposed (i.e., making it available) to the right market and in as many ways as possible. Just having it in the MLS and putting a sign in the yard limits the availability to the right buyers.

But there are a number of things you should do, or not do, to maximize your home’s availability to real estates and their buyers. Showing schedules, pets, and your home’s condition are just a few of the things we’ll discuss to make sure YOUR home is really available.

One last thing. You can't control this but IT’S IMPORTANT. If buyers’ agents need to call the listing agent to tour your home, that's fine, although it's even better if it’s not necessary. But your agent needs to return the call PROMPTLY to give them access. If your agent is not responsive, well, the buyers may move on, because there are other choices. I RETURN ALL CALLS PROMPTLY TO MAXIMIZE YOUR HOME’S AVAILABILIT.

Make it easy to sell your home, so you can get on with your life.

Copyright © by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved

Page 10: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

MAKE YOUR HOME EASY TO SELL:

EXPOSURE IN THE MARKETPLACE

In a competitive housing market such as ours, with many homes in your area that are like yours in price and condition, maximizing exposure to the targeted pool of buyers is needed so you have the best opportunity to sell your home. A large part of exposure is the responsibility of your agent. So it's important that you pick the right person...someone who clearly demonstrates to you, in writing, a marketing plan that will provide the most exposure for your home to today's buyers.

However, all the exposure and marketing in the world will not sell your home if it is not priced correctly. Plastering an over-priced home all over the Internet and in the papers is only going to make your competition look like a better value...and guess what home the buyers will purchase. The other home.

Here are some things to maximize exposure to agents and buyers:

Signage in the yard for drive-bys - Colorful brochures are popular and given people something to look at. Advanced agents like me use cellular technology so callers can text an ID on the sign to obtain the listing information or scan the QR code to be taken right to a website they can view on their phone while in front of your house

Broker Open House Public Open House Identify the target buying audience and market to them The Internet - About 90% of buyers are looking on-line for homes and your

home needs to be there, in lots of places. Internet exposure covers a very broad range of things - agent websites, brokerage website, single property websites, web commercials, eflyers, videos, virtual tours, listings on a multitude of real estate portals - Trulia, Zillow, Craigslist, with dozens more available.

Appearance – your home must be OPEN HOUSE ready from the beginning. The FIRST open house is on-line.

Print advertising - there is debate about how successful it is, but lots of agents sell homes this way. I will show you a range of print ads that I have used for various homes I have sold - magazines, homes magazines, newspapers, flyers, "just listed" postcards, and more.

Networking - an agent can do this within their buyer pool and with other agents (locally, regionally, nationally or internationally depending on the listing and where the buyer pool is), as well as neighbors, and your friends and associates

Reverse Prospecting – an agent should make use of the ability to notify all agents in the MLS whose on-line clients are seeking as home with the same criteria as your

Copyright © 2008 by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved

Page 11: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

SELLERS: DON’T SABOTAGE YOUR HOME SALE

Sometimes sellers sabotage their home sales.

Usually it’s because they are doing things unintentionally that are making it hard, if not impossible, to sell their home in a reasonable time frame and for top dollar.

And sometimes seller do not do the things they ought to do that would facilitate a sale.

Here are some examples of how home sales may get sabotaged:

PRICING – this is probably the biggest offender. No matter how nice the home looks, and no matter how much marketing is done, if the price is too high the market will reject you. You wouldn't overpay for something you see in a store that you know you can get elsewhere for less money, or if you feel it costs more than it's worth, would you? Neither will today’s buyers! And with the Internet they are pretty savvy about today’s pricing, as is their real estate agent.

AVAILABILITY TO SHOW – limited showing times and days, and requiring extensive notice for an appointment make your home tough to show.

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR CONDITION - if your lifestyle tends to result in a lot of personal stuff laying around, or your home just does not look inviting inside (need for paint, need for repairs, dirty carpets, etc.), it might make buyers want to run the other direction. This is also true if there is deferred maintenance. Buyers will start subtracting dollars from a potential offer, and will become concerned that there is a lot of deferred maintenance to take care of.

CURB APPEAL - does your home encourage buyers to want to see the inside or does it make them decide to keep on driving? Is the yard a mess? Bushes and grass not trimmed? Junk all over the yard? Will buyers see it as a place that will require a lot of elbow grease in order to make it presentable? Would they be ashamed to be the new owners?

These examples of sabotage send a message to buyers, perhaps unknowingly, that selling may not be your objective.

Copyright © by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved

Page 12: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

MARKETING:

SOME COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

Here are some of the competitive advantages I bring to the selling of your home. A big component of this is broad Internet exposure and the use of technology as well as some tried and true marketing strategies.

Detailed written Marketing Plan customized for your home

Expanded Marketing Service with personal letters to seller contacts, friends and neighbors as appropriate

Your Home Information Questionnaire

Neighborhood Information Questionnaire

Customized HOMEBOOK

Customized single property website with unique URL for marketing

your home with photos, videos, virtual tours and detailed information

QR Codes for scanning by smartphones

Virtual tours, photos, slide shows and videos

Significant Internet presence with numerous listing sites

Mass mailing

High-quality informational brochure

Listing business cards

Copyright © by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved

Page 13: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

PROPOSED INTERNET PRESENCE FOR YOUR HOME

This is a partial list of the websites I will use to market your home. Sandicor MLS (the San Diego County MLS) with syndication to multiple

sites REALTOR.com – upgraded profile Twitter Facebook JeffDowler.com – listings are also syndicated to Vast, Frontdoor, HotPads, PropSmart, Yahoo! Real Estate, GoogleBase, Trulia, Oodle and LiveDeal ActiveRain.com (real estate network of over 320,000 professionals nationwide) Zillow.com Trulia.com MySinglePropertyWebsites.com PropertyTube (video) Craigslist.org (updated weekly) Custom single property website with unique URL WSJ.com (Wallstreet Journal) Houselist.com Homescape.com Geebo.com Edgeio.com Realbird.com Frontpage.com Oodle.com Hotpads.com Homes.com Vflyer.com (with syndication) Postlets (with syndication)

Copyright © by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved

Page 14: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

SELLER FORMS CHECKLIST Here are some of the forms you can expect to review and sign as part of the typical residential real estate transaction. Not all forms will be applicable in your situation. LISTING DOCUMENTS: Residential Listing Agreement – Agency (RLAA) Disclosure Regarding Real Estate Agency Relationships (AD-1) Disclosure & Consent for Representation of More Than One Buyer or Seller (DA) Seller’s Advisory (SA)

SELLER DISCLOSURES: Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) Seller’s Affidavit of Non-foreign Status (AS) Mold Disclosure (MD-11) Insurance Claims Disclosure (C.L.U.E. Report) Water Heater & Smoke Detector Statement of Compliance (WHSD) Seller’s Additional Disclosures (SAD) Seller’s Property Questionnaire (SPQ) Supplemental Statutory and Contractual Disclosures (SSD) Statewide Buyer and Seller Advisory (SBSA)

OFFER TO PURCHASE: Residential Purchase Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions (RPA-CA) Buyer’s Inspection Advisory (BIA) Disclosure and Consent for Representation of More than One Buyer or Seller

(DA) Contingency for Sale or Purchase of Other Property (COP) if applicable Wood Destroying Pest Inspection and Allocation of Cost Addendum (WPA) Addendum to the Purchase Agreement (APA) Counter Offer No. ___ (CO-11) Use as many as needed

PROPERTY INSPECTION: Agent’s Visual Inspection Checklist (AVID) (Buyer Agent also) Request for Repair No. ___ (RR) Verification of Property Condition (VP-11) (Used at final walk-through)

CONTINGENCY PERIOD: Contingency Removal No. ___ (CR) Use as many as needed Extension of Time Addendum (ETA) – to extend deadlines as needed

Copyright © by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved

Page 15: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

MEET MY TEAM

JEFF DOWLER, Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Visit my on-line profile at www.ActiveRain.com/Blogs/Jdowler to learn more about me and my services an background. I am happy to answer any questions at any time. ESCROW AND TITLE – Fidelity National Title Company Tim Szucs and his team will coordinate the entire title and escrow process from start to finish, including all paperwork and buyer deposits, and ensure everything is done according to the contract you negotiate with the buyer. If you prefer another escrow company that’s fine too (normally the seller choose the service providers for escrow and title). TRANSACTION MANAGEMENT – Jennifer Terry

Provide required disclosure forms, including any pertinent regional/state Disclosures, making certain that the forms are completed in a timely manner

Provide you with government mandated booklets or website links regarding

Earthquake Preparedness, Environmental Hazards, Mold and Lead Based Paint.

Order Home Warranty and Natural Hazard Disclosure report

Ensure all required paperwork gets to the right people and there is a complete file at the conclusion of the transaction, with copies of all documents provided to you

PEST INSPECTION There are several firms I have used frequently but you are welcome to select any pest inspection company you prefer to perform the termite inspection and repairs, if required. HOME WARRANTY PROVIDER – First American Home Buyer Protection Normally the seller is asked to provide the home warranty to the buyer. Generally this costs less than $400 depending on the size of the home and the desired services HOME INSPECTOR If you should decide you want a home inspection before you list, I have several I can recommend or you are welcome to choose whoever you wish SOLUTIONS REAL ESTATE BROKER – Mark Schultz

Copyright © by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved

Page 16: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

ABOUT ME

In early 2002, I made the decision to follow my dream of selling real estate. I took the required real estate course in Massachusetts, passed the exam, obtained my license, and joined RE/MAX Destiny in Cambridge, home of MIT and Harvard University. I have personally bought and sold 13 properties in 4 states (10 primary homes, 2 vacation homes and a business condo), and have relocated a significant distance 4 times, most recently to California, so I understand the issues of buying, selling and relocating from the consumer’s perspective. My business experience includes 15 years in Corporate Human Resources in 4 different industries. In my last position, I was VP of Human Resources for an Internet advertising start-up, joining the firm as the 6th employee and helping to grow the company to 105 employees in 3 offices. Most of the portfolio of business was dot com business, and when that sector crashed, the company was not funded again by our VCs and was sold. My wife and I then started an art gallery in Cambridge which remained in business 3 years until our relocation. I joined RE/MAX Moonlight Beach in Encinitas once I received my California license in June of 2005, and moved to my current brokerage, Solutions Real Estate in Carlsbad, in January 2011. The majority of my business now comes to me through the Internet and by referral, including clients and agents I know from around the country.

MISSION Combining old fashioned service with today’s technology to provide client-focused real estate services, tools, education, responsiveness and guidance, and enable you to reach your unique real estate goals with a minimum of hassle and frustration, and have you feel you are my only

client

To treat all prospects, customers and clients with respect, compassion and sincerity

Page 17: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

HOW WE ARE COMPENSATED FOR OUR SERVICES I believe you should know how the professionals associated with Solutions Real Estate are compensated for their services. We work for professional fees and are not paid a salary. We are independent contractors and only paid when a transaction is closed and the title has transferred. When we earn a brokerage fee (which is always negotiable), it is first divided between the real estate companies in the transaction (the brokerage that has the listing contract and the brokerage who supplies the buyer) in accordance with the terms and conditions of the listing contract. Usually this is 50/50 but it is negotiable and something I will discuss with you if we work together. At Solutions Real Estate each agent pays a fee for the services the brokerage provides as well as the cost of E and O Insurance. Even if we work at home there are fees to be paid to Solutions Real Estate for services they provide us that help us to be successful, and to help cover the costs of office space, equipment, technology and advertising. Like all U.S. citizens, we must pay taxes, which include State and Federal income taxes, FICA taxes and any other obligations as self-employed professionals. At Solutions Real Estate we are each responsible for all for our marketing and advertising costs, as well as our signage, business cards and other operating expenses. So out of the original professional fee (check) we receive but a portion of that money. When we are working for you, we are investing our time to help you sell or acquire a property, in some cases many hours. Time is our greatest commodity. Your loyalty to us is highly regarded. A completed transaction will be mutually beneficial – you will move into the home of your dreams, or sell your home so you can move elsewhere, and we have the satisfaction of helping you achieve that goal. Your satisfaction, as evidenced by referrals of friends, neighbor, business associates and family, is the ultimate compliment and sign of gratitude you might demonstrate to us. Here at Solutions Real Estate we continually strive to provide the highest quality personal service and offer every technological advantage you should expect. Your loyalty and business are appreciated.

Copyright © by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved

Page 18: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

SUCCESS STORIES

Here are just a few comments from past and repeat customers!

We searched online for a realtor to help us find a temporary rental home, as we planned a cross-country, work-related move to California with our 2 daughters. We were disheartened by the general unwillingness to assist in finding a rental property(having no commission incentive) and a couple of realtors actually discouraged us to move to this area (as if we had a choice)... UNTIL we stumbled upon a YouTube real estate video by Jeff Dowler. When I contacted Jeff by phone, I couldn't believe how incredibly warm, welcoming, kind and unbelievably helpful he was!!...When we were ready to purchase a home, we let Jeff know our criteria and were spoiled by the same amazing attentiveness, prompt response time and HONESTY we came to expect from him. Jeff treated us like we were his only clients and made us and our daughters feel like we were visiting with an old friend, each time we met to view homes. We encountered many hurdles throughout the lending approval process, and Jeff masterfully navigated us through all of it with unwavering patience and professionalism. I can't say enough how much of a Gem this man is!! Jeff is not only an extremely knowledgeable real estate expert, he is a kind, caring person with INTEGRITY. Jeff exudes warmth and compassion and has a wonderfully calm, unassuming demeanor. We feel extraordinarily lucky and blessed to have had the privilege to work with him. Melissa and Chris (relocation buyers)

My husband and I were really nervous about finding and buying a home. Thank goodness we happened to connect with Jeff Dowler! His knowledge, skill and experience has proven invaluable in our search for our forever home. Jeff takes the time to get to know you and your preferences in depth, so he doesn't waste your time showing you properties that don't meet your criteria. His patience and wisdom has guided us through every step of the purchase process, making sure we understood exactly what was happening. Jeff also excels at communication, whether by phone, text, email - or all of the above! Most of all, he is genuinely caring. His goal is to make sure you end up in the perfect home for YOU, and he definitely goes above and beyond the norm to achieve that. Jeff is simply the best. Five gold stars across the board. Suzi and Bret (buyers)

Jeff, being a teacher realtor, made me a prepared buyer! He kept me informed during all aspects of the entire purchase process. He was available practically 24/7. Jeff guided me through many months of peaks and valleys with positive feedback. His friendly professionalism will be shouted by me from the highest hills around San Marcos. With deepest appreciation and admiration.” Jackie P (buyer)

“A note from Sam and me to thank you for everything you did to make the purchase of our new home in San Marcos a breeze. We felt so blessed to have found you as our Realtor, as we knew no one in the area; it was complete serendipity. Not only are you the most pleasant person to work with I’ve ever known, you’re absolutely the BEST realtor. You did things for us that were way beyond the normal realm of a realtor’s duties and

Copyright © by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved

Page 19: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

Copyright © by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved

we’re so grateful for your kindness and all the hard work you put into our little project. You treated us as if we were the largest sale you were ever going to make, and I know it was tiny it the scope of San Diego sales. I hope we always stay in touch” Sam and Lillian R. (relocation buyers)

“My wife and I wanted to express how much we appreciate all of your diligent hard work. It’s been our pleasure to have worked with a true professional. From the beginning, you were organized and had a direct marketing plan that met all our needs. Thank you again for always being available and communicating with us as if we were your only client.” Drs. Mark F. and Kari N. (sellers)

“When my wife and I were looking to find our first property a friend referred us to Jeff Dowler. From the moment we met Jeff our anxieties and fears were eliminated. Jeff took the time to get to know us and find out what our needs were. Never once did I feel I was working with someone only concerned about a commission. Jeff's greatest asset I feel as a Realtor is his ability to work with his clients. We were not Jeff's only clients in Boston...but he made sure you felt like you were! Jeff is very knowledgeable, professional, and, most importantly, sincere. When you are buying arguably the biggest purchase of your life, it becomes much easier with Jeff.” Chris and Hanna (repeat buyers and sellers)

“Jeff Dowler came recommended to me by a friend [a former client of Jeff's]. After watching many of my other friends and family suffer through terrible experiences of agents out only for themselves, I was glad to finally find an agent whom someone would actually recommend. Jeff proved himself worthy of the accolades of my friend and those I bestow upon him now. When other agents would have pushed me into buying for that juicy commission check, Jeff actually recommended we keep looking because certain things did not feel right about the seller. As the buying process progressed, Jeff helped me through it step by step, picking up where lawyers and other parties slacked, keeping things on track. For all the problems, my purchase was probably one the most stress free experiences of my life. I cannot say enough about how fabulous Jeff is. Jeff manifests a friendly, helpful, and truly caring professionalism. I feel like not only did I have an advocate, but a friend.” Andrea (Buyer AND Seller)

“I have met a lot of Brokers throughout my career, but none quite like you. Your sincerity, patience and professionalism were so rare...” Jim (Vice President/Sales Associate - Major Brokerage Firm)

“You have been absolutely amazing, especially this past month. From late meetings to constant cell calls, you've always been there for us. We really appreciate how wonderful you've been...” Crystal and Steve Huff (First Time Buyers)

“Thanks so much for all your help through this challenging process. We appreciate how available and responsive you have been throughout.” Danny and Veera (First Time Buyers)

Outstanding, dedicated service to YOUR needs!

Page 20: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

WHAT IS A CRS?

The Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is the highest Designation awarded to sales associates in the residential sales field. The CRS Designation recognizes professional accomplishments in both experience and education.

Since 1977 the Council of Residential Specialists has been conferring the CRS Designation on agents who meet its stringent requirements. Currently, there are more than 30,000 active CRS Designees [BUT, that only represents about 3% of all the Realtors in the United States.]. A CRS is like having a Ph.D. in real estate.

WHY USE A CRS?

Today, home buying and selling are faster, more complex, and more competitive in every way. My goal is to make the process a little easier for you. The first step is choosing the right REALTOR®.

Experience — To earn the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designation, every REALTOR® must have significant experience and volume of real estate transactions.

Ethics — Every CRS Designee is required to maintain membership in the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and to abide by its strict Code of Ethics.

A Focus on Home Buying and Selling — To help make the home buying and selling process more rewarding, every CRS Designee must have a proven track record in the business, as well as advanced education in related areas like finance, technology and marketing. Work with the top 4 percent.

Technology Expertise — The training available to CRS Designees includes a strong focus on technology and its applications in the real estate business, for home searching, marketing and selling a home, daily business operations and communication.

Copyright © by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved

Page 21: Sellers' Ultimate Pre-Listing Kit from Carlsbad REALTOR Jeff Dowler

Professors have the Ph.D.Physicians have the M.D.REALTORS® have the CRS.

It means your agent has earned the prestigious

Certified Residential Specialist Designation—

the residential real estate industry’s most advanced “degree.”

How can you tell if your real estate agent hasthe knowledge and experience you need?

Look for the shield!

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Does it cost moreto buy or sell a home with aCertified Residential Specialist?

They may have more real estate experienceand more training than the average real estateagent, but Certified Residential Specialistsdon’t cost any more. In fact, their expertisemay actually save you time and money whenyou’re buying a home or increase your profitwhen you’re selling one. So when you’relooking for a real estate agent, look for aCertified Residential Specialist.