The Most Comprehensive Marketing Plan... Guaranteed! Jim's Objectives When Selling Your Home: To provide the most comprehensive and effective Marketing Plan in the MidWest. To get as many qualified buyers into your home as possible until it is sold. To communicate the results of ALL activities with you on a daily/weekly basis. To obtain the highest value for your property with the least amount of problems. To utilize the best technology possible in exposing your property to potential buyers. Here are Examples of just part of Our Plan to Sell Your Home: The Jim Berg Team Comprehensive Marketing Plan is so extensive, there is no way we can detail all of the possible features we offer here on our web sites. Below you will find a few highlights of the type of skills and services we provide to home sellers. We'd be happy to stop out to you home to see its features and bring our laptop and materials so you can see first hand all that we'll do to get your home sold quickly, and for top dollar. Feel free to review some of our services below... Comprehensive Marketing of Your Home Marketing real estate has been my forte for the past decade. This is the most important part of the home selling process... and what I enjoy the most! To assure your home is marketed to the fullest potential and to obtain the highest possible market value, I will provide you with a customized Comprehensive Marketing Plan. I will customize a plan based on your home, the location, and market conditions. Then, your suggestions and preferences are taken into account until we agree on a mutual plan that works within your budget. The entire plan will be provided in writing and it allows you to track my progress every step of the way. Communication is Job #1. I promise to provide exceptional communication from the start of our relationship to well beyond the closing of your home. I will be available 24 hours/day to answer your questions. Starting with the 'For Sale' Sign in Your Yard The use of a sign may seem like common sense... but you'd be surprised. Some people would rather not have a sign in their yard, and I will respect your preference. However, a yard sign is one of the most important features of your marketing plan. The visibility it provides can expose your home to many potential buyers. In addition to having the RE/MAX logo which is recognized world-wide, your sign will also have Jim's contact information, phone number and web site in an easy-to-read format. We even have several style's of signs... one to fit your home and neighborhood! Immediate Exposure on the MLS System One of the very first things I will do is add your home to the MLS (Multiple Listing System). The internet has become the most effective tool in real estate today, and I am an expert with internet technology... not only in it's use, but also in it's development. This allows me to market to real estate agents of ALL agencies... not just those within the RE/MAX Agency! MLS exposure allows these sales people to match their prospective buyers to your property. My MLS connections will make specialized information available to thousands of agents in addition to the information available to the general public. Property Photography/Virtual Tours/ Flash Enhanced Presentations As a developer of the internet's tour technology, I have invested in state-of-the-art equipment. You'll benefit from superior images of your home in addition to special features that are not available anywhere else. ALL of my listings receive an enhanced virtual tour! (sample: ) There will be no delay in scheduling the photo sessions, and this will be completed so it is ready the day your home goes on the market. And, because I own servers across the country, your tours will be up and running immediately. I think you'll be VERY excited about the products I will deliver using my technology background. Many of the features are not available from any other agent or agency. Because I own and operate virtual tour servers, I am not limited to providing 2-4 views per home. We will provide tours of ALL areas of your home we feel are necessary to convey it's unique features to prospective buyers. My tours include a bundled 3D Tour and Automated SlideShow feature. I also produce Flash animated high-tech photo tours that are one-of-a-kind in the industry. Other samples are available on your CD BizCard and in the 'Tech' section of this web site. Tracking Our Progress... the details count! A marketing plan is only as good as it's tracking ability. Selling is a dynamic process and I am ready to make changes on a daily basis if needed. An example of my Comprehensive Marketing Approach is my real-time Statistic Tracking System. We are able to see where visitors are coming from, when they look at your home photos or virtual tours... even which rooms they are most interested in viewing! This allows me to tweak our marketing plan to fit consumer demands or trends. You are emailed stats and tracking data at the end of every week. No other agent in MN provides as much internet exposure and tracking technology as the Jim Berg Team. Extensive Promotion Through the Internet I have been honored as having one of the best real estate web sites in the country. I would encourage you to look for yourself. There are hundreds of pages and links to valuable information. Because the internet is one of my special skills, I know how to take advantage of every element it has to offer. Although others have made the claim, I have the largest internet presence in Minnesota. Your home information, virtual tours, photos and data will be available across the internet including: JimBergRealty.com, JimBergTeam.com, National RE/MAX.com, MN RE/MAX, MinnesotaHomes.com, The MLS Internet Listing System, Realtor.com... not to mention the 200+ domains I personally own! Domain names are not just used to mirror my own web site, they are specifically used to load content for search engines, databases and MLS enhancements. We also spend more per month on Internet exposure and search engines to sell homes than any other agent in Minnesota. We purchase top placement and exposure on multiple search engines, and tweak our exposure and key terms every week! Using the interent effectively is more than having a host of domain names. It includes knowing how to utilize the internet to gain exposure of your home around the country... and across the globe for that matter! Depending on your particular home, I may also provide exposure on StarTribune's HomeZone, UniqueHomes.com, Unique Homes Magazine, Mpls. St. Paul Magazine, Luxury Real Estate, Exceptional Homes, Sotheby's, and others. I also produce a Flash-Enhanced web site for your home. It will also be online and registered with top search engines like Yahoo, Alta Vista, MSN, Google, etc. But I don't stop there! I will also prepare a electronic campaign sending a high-tech electronic brochure to agents in the Metro area. This is another service exclusive to Jim Berg Realty. Email Campaign, Agent Open & Office Tour After shooting the photos and taking the Virtual Tours of your home, I will begin an immediate email campaign to expose your home to the top agents in the state. This is a professional, upscale electronic brochure that will coincide with my Agent Open & Office Tours. Agents are also contacted via flyer distribution services, inviting them to attend the Open House. This is the best way to expose agents in the area to your home. It is essentially a 'Private Open House' for real estate professionals. I will cater a lunch at the open house. Following the Agent Open House, I request evaluations from all office agents that toured your home. This can provide valuable feedback. I will follow up with fax and email requests to encourage individual agent participation. Hosting Your Open House I am amazed (shocked really) at the number of agents that don't provide Open Houses. We want to announce your home to the public, and I think it is a very important part of the marketing process. Remember... we both have the same goal. We want to get your house sold. You can relax for that day and we'll be at work showing off your home's features. You can count on it! Maximum Exposure In addition to exposure on hundreds of web sites and the MLS, you'll receive Top Exposure on Realtor.com (the national MLS). I pay for specialized 'enhanced listing' status which highlights your home on the search page over the others. Special Borders, animation, virtual links and photos make your home stand out above the competition. My personal promotion means you'll also get additional exposure unlike any other agent or agency! Satellite "Fly By" Digital Media We'll use orbiting satellites to capture images of your home from above, as well as your neighborhood and city. Buyers are able to 'zoom in' to view the exterior of your home from space above and then 'virtually walk' up and down your street! Just one more example of the Jim Berg Team's exceptional use of technology. Electronic Business Card Distribution When you're working with someone who has the background and experience that I have, you'll be getting additional perks and skills that others simply can't provide. An example of this is my unique BizCardŽ technology. Your home's exposure will be magnified by providing potential buyers, other agents and contacts with an interactive tour of your home which is placed on business cards that are actually CDs. They look just like my regular business card, but when placed in the CDROM of any computer, they come to life with an interactive showcase of your property! Your home tour is viewed right from the business card. It's not only a valuable pre-showing tool, but also a great reinforcement to buyers that have just visited your home. It leaves them with a permanent, tangible tour, that keeps exposing them to your home's features, address, and my contact information! Full Color Marketing Brochures Using my Property Analysis and digital photos, I will develop a Marketing Brochure with important information about your property. The brochure will be used by cooperating agents to demonstrate the property, it's features and it's benefits to their waiting buyers. A quality brochure attracts attention and makes a lasting impression. I will be distributing the brochure to agencies in the area, and also make them available during the Agent Open, public open houses, and on an exterior brochure box attached to your yard sign. Exposure EVERYwhere! Unlike some Realtors, the Jim Berg Team will get you maximum exposure on ALL the top real estate web sites (not just RE/MAX!). Using our team is like hiring a professional from every national brokerage. Your home is listed on all of the other brokerage web sites using our broker reciprocity agreements. Why would you use a Realtor that didn't give you maximum exposure? Jim's Customized Magazine Gets Noticed When we tell you we've got the Best Marketing in Minnesota... we're not blowing hot air! Printed Media is no exception. Your home can be exposed to a huge buyer pool with Jim's direct mailed 'Home By Design' Magazine. With professional articles on ownership, decroating, cooking, travel and gardening... and much more. Full color ads of Jim's listings are available throughout the magazine. Copies are mailed to a large pool of buyers in addition to professional offices and businesses throughout the metro. Featured Full-Color Newspaper Advertising Your home can be featured in the newspaper's Home section, and in the full color RE/MAX section of the StarTribune. We have the most full-color photo exposure of any agency in Minnesota (two full pages front-to-back of colored listings in addition to ads in the interior section). In addition, we may also advertise in the Pioneer Press, and local community papers. Special write-ups and Virtual Tour icons will be a part of the ad campaigns. Examples of Local Papers include (but are not limited to): Eden Prairie News, Chanhassen Villager, Chaska Herald, City Pages, Lakeshore Weekly News, Minnesota Sun Publications, Prior Lake American, Savage Pacer, Shakopee Valley News, Southwest Journal, Southwest Suburban Publishing, etc. Many of the publications also offer internet exposure of my listings. We may also use these sources of exposure. Targeted Mailings/Neighborhood Mailings/ Canvassing Exposure I will be sending a target mailing to the areas adjacent to your home, announcing that your home is on the market. Neighbors can be an excellent source of buyers since they often know friends and family that would like to live nearby. I may also target market particular buyers via agent profiles as well as agents themselves. I believe even the smallest details are important in marketing your home. This even extends to the type of card stock I use! Postcards are heavy stock and laminated with a glossy finish. "1-800" Message: Instant Access to Home Info When marketing your home, I also provide a toll-free 800 number that contains a recorded message of all of your home's features and information. The number is placed on yard signs, mailers, brochures, ads, etc. I'll provide a professional recording that gives your home the competitive edge on the market. I can also be contacted immediately by the listener as they finish reviewing the recording! Information Always at My Fingertips for Buyers Do you know that 97% of buyers now use the internet to find properties, but only 45% of MN Agents have their own web site? And only 5% generate internet leads! I am all over the technology. If I have your home listed on the market and I have a request from a buyer, I can be notified immediately on my hand held cell PDA. I have instant access to all MLS listings. There is no more 'waiting to get back to the office' or losing a potential buyer. I can even 'beam' information to interested contacts. Now that's technology in action. The Electronic "Super Key": Our Lock Box System is Placed on Your Property A lock box is essential for showing your property. It ensures that all qualified buyers will see the property. I have invested in the latest computer key technology. The 'Supra Key' is a sophisticated electronic locking mechanism that allows me to track all entries into your home, and by whom. I am able to download a list of those individuals that have entered your home. Of course, only those that have requested a viewing appointment are allowed access to your home. New coding is downloaded every month into valid Supra Key holders. It is the most secure system available. It also will not allow any access to your home after 8pm or before 9am. Marketing your home by granting access for showings is very important... but so is your security. That is why I have invested in this technology. Specialized Marketing for Exceptional Properties Exceptional properties, upper bracket homes and estates demand a unique approach. I'll go beyond the standard services and provide a promotional effort that takes your Customized Marketing Plan to a higher level, giving you the distinct marketing edge in the Local, National and Worldwide Markets. Promotional advertising may include listing services, additional internet sites, magazines and directories... plus direct income and profession-targeted mailings. The World-Wide RE/MAX Exposure You will also benefit from the world wide recognition of RE/MAX. Yard signage, logos, the balloon team, charity sponsorships, community involvement, printed materials, educational seminars, and other forms of exposure by RE/MAX provide instant name recognition and respect. Media exposure including radio, television and internet advertising draws people to RE/MAX offices around the country. There is a reason why 'Nobody sells more homes than RE/MAX'! The strength of RE/MAX has a very positive effect on our Marketing Plan. Add that to Jim's broker Doug Malam with 22 years experience and you've got a winning team! Staging Service for Your Home Making a great first impression is critically important. I will conduct a professional Staging Evaluation which may also incorporate other professionals to organize the physical characteristics of your property to show off it's strengths and unique features. This will also include exterior 'curb appeal'. We can work with what you have, or even access furnishings from local warehouses if desired! Online Communication Calendar: Exclusive to JimBergRealty.com Communication is a top priority! An example of exceptional communication (in addition to regular phone conversations) is my Online Web Calendar. All of my clients are given a private log-in area on JimBergRealty.com. Here you will find a sophisticated real-time calendar that shows the status of your home sale... what has just been done, what I am currently working on, and what will need to be completed on any particular day or week. Every step of my service is documented on the calendar. We continue to get rave reviews on this technology, and you're sure to appreciate it too! Buyer Pre-Qualification Process My goal is to bring as many qualified buyers to your home as possible. When feasible, I will pre-qualify all potential buyers to save time and energy. We will supply detailed financing flyers from one of our preferred lenders at your property open houses to assist buyers with the process. I will also make you aware of all the various methods of financing that a buyer might want to use. Keeping Abreast of the Market Analysis The correct price for your home is the maximum the market will bear. I will keep you well informed as to market conditions during the selling process. If I see changes taking place in the market, we can make adjustments accordingly. Rest assured that a well researched CMA will allow us to be correctly priced from the start. The Purchase Agreement When an offer is made, we will review it together and examine any terms or contingencies. Once a signed purchase agreement is completed, we will move on with closing arrangements. I will represent you during the presentation of all contracts and assist you in negotiating the very best possible price and terms for your home. I am there with you every step of the way! Compute Your Net Proceeds I will complete a Net Proceeds Analysis of each offer presented on your home. This will help you assess your financial status for a particular purchase agreement and assist you with the decision to accept the buyer's purchase agreement or make a counter offer. The Sale of Your Home & The Closing Process I will be providing you with a step-by-step flow chart of the closing process. You will be continually updated with regards to the lender, title company, and closer. A unique feature of Jim Berg Realty is the 'Online Calendar' which documents all of the steps I am taking during the selling process. Your private login allows you to check on the status at any moment in real time. Constant communication will keep you informed as to the progress that is being made in all of these areas as we approach the final sale of your house. I will be with you at every step in the process... and at your closing too! Service After the Sale I will continue to assist you with my Concierge Services. My team can coordinate snow removal, lawn care, general contracting and house cleaning. We can transfer utilities and schedule final readings as well as make routine visits to your home to ensure that it is safe and secure. The Jim Berg Realty Team Marketing Guarantee: The above information is just a fraction of my Comprehensive Marketing approach. If you find any agent, anywhere in the US that offers a marketing plan more advanced than the one offered at JimBergTeam.com, I will do everything within my power to exceed it! I am committed to your complete satisfaction without exception.