PRO PERT Y REPO RT
Working with Engel & Völkers Experts at your service
When considering buying or selling a property, it’s essential you work with true market experts who take the time to understand your unique real estate goals. Engel &Völkers advisors are known for their unparalleled professionalism and dedication to providing high quality, personal service. These characteristics are evident among all Engel & Völkers real estate advisors in local markets across the globe.
Each of our advisors is devoted to the core values of competence, exclusivity, and passion, as they represent a luxury global real estate brand with over 40 years of brand heritage and experience. Engel & Völkers advisors are leaders in their local markets with valued connections that help maintain our reputation for excellence around the globe.
Through our unique and powerful marketing strategies, backed by an iconic brand and global network, we will ensure your property is best positioned to sell while meeting your specific goals.
Christian Völkers, Founder
Trusted advisors
A higher standard
At Engel & Völkers, our passion is exceeding client expectations, so it’s only natural we align ourselves with exceptional real estate professionals to serve clients across the globe. It’s why we don’t simply have agents but instead trusted advisors to guide you through your home journey with extensive neighborhood expertise, distinguished care, and a bit of fun.
An Engel & Völkers advisor is an area expert and most often, a longtime neighborhood local surrounded by a network that shares the ability to reach buyers and
markets locally, nationally, and around the world. We hold our relationship with you closely and give back to the communities we share. Most importantly, an advisor can talk about the real estate market and where your home fits in the bigger picture. Engel & Völkers advisors provide more than facts. As local experts, our advisors live and breathe the communities we serve and will provide you with valuable insights relevant to your personalized needs and will see to every detail throughout the transaction process and beyond.
Competence. Exclusivity. Passion.
The core values that define us
The thousands of professionals who represent Engel & Völkers worldwide share a single vision: achieving the aspirations of discerning individuals around the world, be it in a private or business context, with total passion. To achieve this vision, our company was founded on a set of core values deeply rooted in our DNA today. These values are carried with pride by every advisor associated
with Engel & Völkers throughout the globe, allowing us to adhere to the highest service standard worldwide. Through sophisticated training, distinctive marketing capabilities, and a global network, our advisors can competently meet your real estate needs by developing a customized strategy and providing specialized services. And they will do it all with total passion.
GG magazine Lifestyle. Personalities. Real Estate.
GG is your global guide to style and design. Engel & Völkers’ GG magazine is a high-end, glossy publication that offers our clients a way to stay informed on the latest news and trends in the world of luxury living. Published seasonally in six languages, GG unlocks exclusive access to some of the most fascinating personalities and stunning geographies while uniquely showcasing our clients’ finest listings to a curated audience of global clientele with an appreciation for the best in life. As part of GG, your property is delivered directly to Engel & Völkers’ top clients, distributed through our global network of attractive markets, and made available on newsstands throughout Europe. GG celebrates life and culture, and continues to be the centerpiece of our marketing efforts and the anchor for our growing brand influence.
It’s all in the details
Live your luxury.
Every market is different and every person distinct. From starter homes to dream homes, and even castles (yes, we can help with those too), Engel & Völkers makes luxury personally yours by discovering what it truly means to you.
No matter the price, size, or style of a home, Engel & Völkers ensures our clients receive the very best service and care. With experience and achievements in the worldwide locations where we operate, our network has
a breadth of tools and strategies for market research, strategic marketing, and listing exposure. These, combined with global brand recognition, continue to provide the Engel & Völkers advantage of reaching a wider audience of potential buyers for every home we represent. Through periods of strong economic growth and less certain times, Engel & Völkers has maintained consistent success in its sales, and we look forward to serving you.
Global reach
Marketing with power
Engel & Völkers offers a distinct marketing portfolio to showcase every property at its finest to the greatest audience of potential buyers locally and across the globe. While there is no limit to our brand offerings, we work to identify the most influential marketing strategy to promote your specific property to whom we believe to be the ideal buyer.
Each Engel & Völkers shop has the ability to leverage our brand’s national and international marketing resources to create customized, multi-channel campaigns for each property we market.
By identifying the unique qualities of a property and placing it in the context of current and trending market conditions, we then identify target market groups and create campaigns to provide maximum exposure alongside messaging and branding to attract the most qualified buyers. Our creative approach is backed by consumer data and testing to ensure we highlight your property in the best light.
Professional photography and videography
Visual storytelling
Whether online or in print, your home has only one chance to make a great first impression with potential buyers. Because it takes only a few moments for an opportunity to be won or lost, it becomes all the more critical that your property is presented professionally and artistically. We only work with professional photographers and videographers who have earned our trust in the quality of their work. They are the best in their fields and produce work that captures the details and essence of a property’s prominent features and assets.
On our websites, brochures, print advertising, and videos, exceptional presentation is an essential requirement of the Engel & Völkers brand that greatly increases your home’s impact with potential buyers.
Making virtual a reality
Bring your home to life
Every home has features that two-dimensional photography simply can’t capture with distinction. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, Engel & Völkers has virtual reality offerings to create an optimal experience. Clients can enjoy stunning 3D guided tours of Engel & Völkers listings to discover every aspect of a home, envision life there, and refine their search. As a seller, we provide an exceptional listing experience by including a virtual tour as part of our marketing strategy.
Our virtual reality technology allows prospective buyers from around the world to immerse themselves in your property in order to make a more informed decision. By leveraging Engel & Völkers’ global reach and virtual reality offerings, the possibilities are endless.
A global online platform Engaging qualified buyers
The Engel & Völkers global platform is the center of our integrated online marketing strategy. Inclusive of our local, national, and international sites designed to introduce and engage highly qualified potential buyers worldwide, our online presence receives over four million unique visitors every month. With the optimal consumer experience in mind, as well as innovative tools and functionality, the Engel & Völkers global platform increases engagement and interest to support the sale of your property. As part of an overall digital strategy, our shop-level websites concentrate on listing exposure to local and regional homebuyers, while potential buyers can discover our listings throughout the nation and the globe from our Engel & Völkers Americas and global sites for maximum exposure.
Trusted real estate resource
With 86 million unique monthly visitors*, Realtor.com is a leading resource for home buyers and sellers of today and tomorrow, providing a trusted, comprehensive source of for-sale properties in addition to information, tools, and professional expertise to help people move confidently through every step of their home journey. Its continued mission is to help make all things “home” simple, efficient, and enjoyable.
*Based on market availability
Zillow Group
Connecting with today’s consumers
Zillow is the leader among online real estate search engines, reaching approximately 194 million visitors each month.* Listing your home with Engel & Völkers means capitalizing on the largest real estate platform in the United States, with nearly two-thirds of visits arriving through mobile devices. As a valued partner, your home will be accessible to millions of online visitors, appearing with Engel & Völkers branding to truly stand out.
*Based on market availability
The Wall Street Journal | Barron’s Group
Exceptional exposure worldwide
WSJ.com reaches a distinguished monthly global audience of 58.2 million digital readers with an average household net worth of $1,956,000.
When you list your home with Engel & Völkers, your property is seen not only on WSJ.com but also on its affiliated sites Barron’s, PENTA, MarketWatch, and Mansion Global, targeting European, Latin American, Indian, and Chinese consumers.
We ensure that your home has online exposure in all major markets—a high priority for selling premium properties to today’s digitally savvy and often international clientele.
Your Asian market partner
Our strategic partnership with Juwai markets your property to 10 million high-net-worth Asian consumers from 195 Asian countries and 326 Chinese cities looking to invest internationally.
As the largest and most authoritative sources for global property data and advanced search designed for the Chinese real estate buyer, they provide a full range of services to get your property listing accurately translated and formatted to market your property in a way that resonates with this demographic behind China’s online firewall—an extremely important assurance.
With Juwai.com’s research, statistics, and data, Engel & Völkers is able to tailor the marketing strategy for your property to be most effective in reaching this massive audience of interested buyers.
The world’s luxury marketplace
JamesEdition is the premium online marketplace where high-net-worth buyers search worldwide to find extraordinary real estate, yachts, jets, jewelry, and accoutrements of a luxurious lifestyle.
Engel & Völkers participates in the exclusive real estate listing program for homes on the market for 500,000 euros or greater. With 1.4 million monthly real estate visitors in 140 countries, your home will be showcased online to premier global markets including, London, Berlin, Milan, Zurich, Hong Kong, Dubai, Moscow, Sydney, and Buenos Aires, as well as the United States and Canada.
Listing your home with Engel & Völkers provides access to this desirable audience, where 35% of visitors have a household net worth of $5 million or more and 45% own three or more homes.
We’re here to guide you home
REW.ca, or Real Estate Weekly, is a comprehensive online platform dedicated to providing Canadians with valuable resources and information related to real estate. Whether you’re buying, selling, renting, or investing in property, REW.ca offers a wealth of tools and guidance to navigate the complex world of real estate transactions with 4.9 million monthly visitors.*
The platform features an extensive database of property listings, including homes, condos, townhouses, and commercial properties, across various regions in Canada (with the exception of Quebec). Users can easily search for properties based on their preferences, such as location, price range, and property type. Detailed property descriptions, high-quality images, and virtual tours provide prospective buyers and renters with a thorough understanding of each listing before scheduling viewings or making inquiries.
REW.ca empowers advisors to showcase their expertise, connect with clients, and drive successful transactions in the competitive Canadian real estate market. With its extensive resources and user-friendly platform, REW. ca remains an indispensable tool for agents looking to thrive in the industry.
*Based on market availability
Social media exposure
Engaging fans, sellers, and buyers
The Engel & Völkers network uses social media to connect with advisors, consumers, and influencers across the globe. The content, news, and listings we share engage and inform followers—ensuring that our brand, services, and premier properties remain a topic of conversation. As part of our social media strategy, we are located where our clients are and where potential clients want to be, provide content of value and enjoyment, and drive traffic to our properties. On a local level, our shop emulates this strategy with a focus on featuring notable listings like yours to increase their exposure to a targeted sphere of influence. We then rely on our global network to help amplify our properties worldwide.
An app that moves you
The majority of real-estate-related searches are happening on mobile devices, which is why the fastest growing component of our digital marketing strategy is dedicated to providing mobile-friendly experiences for smartphone and tablet users to ensure optimum usability on all devices. The EVInsider app searches and finds the most accurate and up-to-date MLS listings, as well as Engel & Völkers property listings based on your selected preferences. We’ve also ensured that our listings appear on other popular real estate mobile apps, including many of our EDGE partners.
The EVInsider app gives you a variety of customized search options, including:
• Home searches filtered by important property features like price, beds, baths, lot size, and square footage
• Home searches categorized by new-tomarket, price reduction, and open houses
• Saved searches to keep track of viewed homes
• One-click-contact to an Engel & Völkers advisor
Public Relations
Your home. Its story.
Engel & Völkers is proud of its award-winning, multifaceted public relations strategy reaching local, national, and international media outlets to garner editorial exposure for the properties we represent. Homes with compelling stories and notable features are shared with key reporters, editors, and producers from some of the most highly regarded news outlets. Through these efforts, we identify the best angle to bring your listing into trending, news, design, or lifestyle stories as part of a larger conversation led by an esteemed third-party resource. Editorial Engel & Völkers property features have appeared in outlets such as ELLE Decor, Unique Homes, Town & Country, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, People, and other major metropolitan media throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
Time and exposure
Know when to take action
The following chart demonstrates that interest and excitement among potential homebuyers are highest within the first four weeks a property is on the market. During this time frame, you have the best opportunity to apply Engel & Völkers’ marketing programs, communicate the value of your property, and ultimately,
sell it. Preparation and an effective pricing strategy are crucial in capitalizing on this initial exposure, and your Engel & Völkers advisor is very experienced in strategically navigating through this critical time for optimal results.
A tailored marketing campaign
Designing custom strategies
With a comprehensive understanding of your home’s position in the market and a pricing strategy to meet your goals within an acceptable time frame, our marketing team will develop and execute a custom strategy to promote your home to the target audiences we have identified. Professional photographers will capture images of your home that stand out on the pages of world-class publications. Our designers and copywriters will work together to build campaigns that may include direct mail, online and print advertising, social media, and high-end showcase exposés in targeted shops throughout our global network. We will market your property to prospective buyers, whom we have specifically identified both within and outside our network, and among our existing portfolio of shops throughout the Americas and around the world.
Full service marketing and advertising:
• Professional, high-quality creative assets
• Engel & Völkers brand recognition
• Advertisements in local, national, and international publications
• Preferred placements and branding on top real estate search sites
• Presence on the Engel & Völkers global website platform
• Social media and public relations
From offer to closing Achieving the best possible outcome
Our service focuses on quickly relaying purchase offers and advising on the submission of counteroffers, the negotiating process, inspections, contractual issues, and closing preparations. While we communicate throughout this process, it is our role to stand firm and skillfully negotiate on your behalf to achieve the best results for you. We will assist when escrow opens, be present at closing, and handle the exchange of keys.
Ideal conditions for a successful closing:
• Agreement between all parties concerning the purchase price and contingencies
• Proper preparation of all required documents
• Regular communication between all parties
• Escrow management
• Full service at closing
• Assistance during the transition of property
Beyond the transaction
An ongoing relationship
Even after the transaction, our commitment to service continues. We remain dedicated to our clients and will promptly respond to any requests or questions you may have as you seek to live the best life possible in your new home. Our passion is knowing the communities we serve inside and out, and we want to be a continuous resource for you—after all, we live here too.
At Engel & Völkers, we take a long-term view of our client relationships. Through our research and interactions, we further understand your preferences to provide ongoing customized service for your future real estate needs. We also aim to impress you with the high-quality service we provide so we can continue as your advisor— and potentially one to your friends, colleagues, and family members—as you seek to achieve your future real estate goals.
Engel & Völkers Cares
Special Olympics
As a proud participant in the Engel & Völkers Contribution at Closing program that benefits the amazing work of our philanthropic partner, Special Olympics, Engel & Völkers advisors have the opportunity to make a financial donation on your behalf in celebration of your next chapter.
We are a proud champion of Special Olympics, an organization that for more than five decades, has been committed to raising awareness and changing the perceptions that often stigmatize people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics provides a community for its athletes to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and develop friendships with their fellow athletes.
The funds raised through Contribution at Closing support Special Olympics’ work and initiatives across North America and enhance programs on a local level.
Global Insight and Advisory Engel & Völkers Private Office
Every individual who carries an Engel & Völkers business card carries the promise of providing an unsurpassed standard of service synonymous with our brand. Our founder, Christian Völkers, formed Private Office in 2007 to recognize that select properties and clientele require an even more specialized and nuanced level of expertise and discretion.
Today, in a global network of 16,500+ advisors, Private Office comprises less than 2%. Private Office advisors are among the most competent and connected real estate professionals in the world, guiding clients through transactions spanning many lifestyle aspirations and locations. They are known for successfully representing prominent individuals and extraordinary real estate on 5 continents, including opportunities that are not marketed publicly.
Through Private Office, every Engel & Völkers advisor and listing has enhanced credibility and connection with the world’s most acquisitive and discerning purchasers, regardless of where they call home.
Marketing Action Plan
Below are a few of the many services we can provide as part of the marketing of your home. Before we can get started, the first important step is to:
Sign and complete the Listing Agreement
complete seller property disclosures
Assist with associated paperwork guidance
window cleaning
house cleaning at initial listing or move-out.
concierge services-access to contractors to complete to-do's at seller expense
complete construction
final pre-listing walkthrough
establish pricing-List price and goal of sales price.
First Week
Enter listing into the MLS system.
Put up "For Sale" yard sign.
Install lock box.
Schedule time to shoot property photos with professional HDR Photographer
Drone Photography showing area and proximity to river, etc.
Shoot Matterport Virtual 3D Tour.
Review showing procedures.
Prepare property flyer.
Syndicate listing to real estate websites.
Upload to social media sites and direct market to most likely buyers in key markets
Announce on my nework of buyers, agents, and other professionals.
Marcel Dolak Dolak · · Engel & V Voelkoelkers Kirkland-Bend-P ers Kirkland-Bend-Palm Deser alm Desert t 2222 Carillon Point
425-466-5870
marcel.dolak@engelvoelkers.com
Visually display in our storefront in Carillon Point and through Engel Engel & & V Volkolkers ers shopTV nationwide.
Premier signage at street and in front of home.
Premium flyers and takeaways, and a QR code for direct connectivity.
Market to area agents throught direct marketing campaign.
Market to tech buyers, flyfisherman, and recreational enthusiasts.
Coordinate staging at sellers expense.
Engel Engel& & V Volkolkers ers MAX intelligent marketing program inclusion
Engel Engel & & V Volkolkers ers EDGE marketing program inclusion with uploads to 100's of websites worldwide.
Virtual staging included at no additional cost to seller
Second Week
Invite brokers and agents to tour home.
Continue agent to agent marketing efforts.
Review and update status.
Provide feedback regarding showings.
Third Week
Duplicate and increase marketing as needed.
Ongoing activities
Show property to potential buyers.
Follow-up on Internet leads.
Monitor market conditions.
Monitor comparable properties for sale.
Monitor foreclosures and short sales in market.
Provided related feedback. constantly update seller on status.
Marcel Dolak Dolak · · Engel & V Voelkoelkers Kirkland-Bend-P ers Kirkland-Bend-Palm
2222 Carillon Point
425-466-5870
marcel.dolak@engelvoelkers.com
t
Deser alm Desert
Intelligent Pricing and Timing
Your best chance of selling your home is in the first two weeks of marketing. Your home is fresh and exciting to buyers and to their agents.
With a sign in the yard, full description and photos in the local Multiple Listing Service, distribution across the Internet, open houses, broker's caravan, ads, and email blasts to your listing agent's buyers, your home will get the greatest flurry of attention and interest in the first two weeks.
If you don't get many showings or offers, you've probably overpriced your home, and it's not comparing well to the competition. Since you can't change the location, you'll have to either improve the home's condition or lower the price.
Consult with your agent and ask for feedback. Perhaps you can do a little more to spruce up your home's curb appeal, or perhaps stage the interior to better advantage.
The market can always change its mind and give your home another chance, but by then you've lost precious time and perhaps allowed a stigma to cloud your home's value.
Intelligent pricing isn't about getting the most for your home - it's about getting your home sold quickly at fair market value.
2222 Carillon Point
425-466-5870
marcel.dolak@engelvoelkers.com
Marcel Dolak Dolak · · Engel & V Voelkoelkers Kirkland-Bend-P ers Kirkland-Bend-Palm Deser alm Desert t
Your Property Zestimate $1,246,600
Recommended Initial List Price
$1,275,000 - $1,325,000
Staging Your Home
When you list your home for sale, it becomes a product rather than your personal retreat. You want potential homebuyers to be able to envision themselves living in the home, which can be difficult if your family's personality is still evident. Before going on market, your agent will recommend decluttering and depersonalizing, but you may also want to bring in a professional stager to help guide you through showing your home in its most marketable light.
When done correctly, staging can not only set the right emotional tone for buyers about the home, but can also help highlight the most attractive features of the home. Staging can potentially make you money, too: 77% of listing agents said a well-staged environment increases the dollar value buyers are willing to offer, according to the National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Staging. Staging can also shorten the length of time your home is on the market, with agents reporting that their staged homes were going under contract faster than those without.
A professional stager will typically begin with an in-home consultation, where they will walk through your home with you, review the property, and provide a report with their advice for the home. The report will include advice on de-cluttering, storing items, reorganizing furniture placement, and possibly changing out paint colors in different rooms. The stager may also give tips for improving curb appeal. The most common rooms that are staged are the living room, kitchen, master bedroom, and dining room.
Depending on what your home needs, and whether you want to do the work yourself or hire it done, your stager could handle bringing in supplementary furniture and décor items, manage painting or other contractors coming to your home, and have a more hands on role in getting your home ready to go on the market. The cost of services provided will vary depending how much assistance your home will need. Marcel Dolak Dolak ·
425-466-5870
marcel.dolak@engelvoelkers.com
Showings and Open House Checklist
Once your home goes on the market, real estate agents may call to show your home anytime, even if you've listed preferred showing times in the instructions. Keeping your home in showtime condition can be challenging, especially if you have children and pets. Here are some pointers for presenting your home in the best light
Showings & Open House Checklist
• Eliminate clutter: The less cluttered your home, the better it shows. If you have a lot of knick-knacks, collections, or family mementos, consider renting a portable storage unit, which can be stored until it's time to deliver it to your new home.
• Keep, donate, throw away: If you have time before you go on the market, sort unwanted belongings into one of these three baskets. You'll receive more in tax benefits for your donations than pennies on the dollar at a garage sale. It's faster, more efficient and you'll help more people.
• Remove temptations: Take valuable jewelry and collectibles to a safety deposit box, a safe, or store them in a secure location. Also secure your prescription medicine and private financial documents.
• Remove breakables: Figurines, china, crystal and other breakables should be packed and put away in the garage or storage.
• Be hospitable: You want your home to look like a home. Open the blinds, turn on the lights, and make visitors feel welcomed.
• Have a family plan of action: When a showing happens at an inconvenient time, get the family engaged. Everyone can pitch in to tidy up in a hurry: pick up glasses, plates, clothing, and anything else left lying about.
• Get in the habit: Wash dishes immediately after meals. Clean off countertops. Make beds in the morning. Keep pet toys and beds washed and smelling fresh.
• Clean out the garage and attic: Buyers want to see what kind of storage there is.
The Essential Five-minute Clean-up for Showings
Everyone gets a basket and cleans up clutter. Check for hazards, like toys left on the floor. Make sure all toys, including bicycles, are put away.
• Put pets in daycare, sleep cages or take them with you: In the listing instructions, there should be a warning if there is a big dog on premises. Buyers with allergies also may appreciate knowing in advance if you have pets.
• Turn on lights: Open the drapes, turn on lights so buyers can really see.
• Give the buyer privacy: The buyer cannot come to your home without being accompanied by an agent. They will be more comfortable touring the home without your presence.
Marcel Dolak Dolak · · Engel & V Voelkoelkers Kirkland-Bend-P ers Kirkland-Bend-Palm Deser alm Desert t 2222 Carillon Point
425-466-5870
marcel.dolak@engelvoelkers.com
Moving Checklist
Moving to a new home can be an exciting but stressful journey. By finding the right movers and having a good, though flexible, moving plan, most of the common moving headaches can be easily avoided.
Start planning
Finding the best mover for you at the right price involves a simple evaluation of your needs. Moving companies provide a wide range of services, from planning your move, storing your things, packing and unpacking, to decorating and organizing your belongings in your new home. You can choose which services you want and have them tailored to suit your budget.
Compare movers
When you compare price and service estimates from several companies, you will find that estimates are based on the weight of your household items, the distance they will be moved, and the amount of packing and other services you will require. Be sure to show the estimator every item that will be moved. Estimates should be done in person and include a clear explanation of rates and charges that will apply, the mover's liability for your belongings, pick-up and delivery schedules, and claims protection.
If you are moving interstate, you should read and understand all of the information you will receive. In addition to brochures explaining their various services, moving companies should give you a copy of a consumer booklet titled "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" and information regarding the mover's participation in a Dispute Settlement Program. Distribution of the consumer booklet and the requirement that movers must offer shippers neutral arbitration as a means of settling disputes that may arise concerning loss or damage on household goods shipments are requirements of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Be prepared
Even in the most well-planned moves, something unexpected may happen. In those instances, insurance is crucial. Check with your homeowner's insurance provider about coverage for your belongings while moving. Your mover will provide either released value insurance (about $0.60 per pound of goods lost or damaged, according to NAVL.com) or full replacement value, which you must sign for on your bill of lading. If you are not sure how to estimate the value of your belongings for insurance purposes, your insurance carrier can help. Items of special value such as heirlooms, paintings, or collectibles can be insured under separate riders. In the event of damage to an item, file a claim immediately. Be sure to save the packing materials to show to the adjuster, should there be any problems.
Packing up and moving on
Once the time has come to start packing and organizing, here are some tips to make the process smooth:
• Start by packing the things you use most infrequently
• Pare down items that have accumulated over time by grouping them into 3 categories Keep, Donate, or Throw Away.
• Create an inventory sheet of valuables and a list of which boxes they were packed in.
• Label your boxes according to the rooms where they'll be moved - bedroom #2, 1st floor bath, etc. Consider using different colored stickers/tape for each room.
• Provide your movers with copies of the floorplan of your new home, so they can move more efficiently without having to stop and ask you where things go
• Try to keep boxes under 50 lbs. whenever possible, put heavier items in smaller boxes to reduce bulkiness, and place lighter items in larger boxes.
• Dispose of items that can't be moved, like flammable liquids, cleaning fluids, etc. Prepare your mower by emptying the fuel and recycle your propane grill tanks.
• Snap a photo of the back of electronic devices so you know which wires to attach when setting them up in your new home.
• Pack an overnight bag with moving day essentials, including toiletries, clothes, medications, and charger cords.
2222 Carillon Point
425-466-5870
marcel.dolak@engelvoelkers.com
Marcel Dolak Dolak · · Engel & V Voelkoelkers Kirkland-Bend-P ers Kirkland-Bend-Palm Deser alm Desert t
Negotiating with Buyers
When you get an offer on your home, your agent will explain to you each point of what the buyers have sent. This includes not just the offer price, but also what type of financing, any closing cost credits, the amount of the earnest money deposit, the closing date they have proposed, any inspections they are requesting, as well as additional considerations like a home sale contingency or post settlement occupancy.
If the offer price is acceptable and you agree with all the additional considerations, you can accept the offer by signing and dating it, and it becomes a ratified contract. If you want to adjust the sales price or any other facet of the offer, you can 'counter' their offer with edits to the conditions that you would like to change. There could be a series of these back and forth counter offers until both you and your buyers agree to all terms or decide to withdraw or reject the offer.
When you are in the middle of back and forth negotiations, your agent is your best resource for keeping a perspective on how each item fits into the overall picture of the offer. Speculating on why a buyer may be requesting something is rarely helpful; they are trying to get the most favorable deal for the home, just as you are trying to have the most favorable outcome as a seller. Knowing the current market climate helps have a perspective on whether a buyer is being unreasonable with any requests. Your agent will be able to guide you through.
Once the offer is ratified, the contingency period will begin for inspections, appraisal, and/or financing and you'll start moving towards your closing date for a successful sale.
Marcel Dolak Dolak · · Engel & V Voelkoelkers Kirkland-Bend-P ers Kirkland-Bend-Palm Deser alm Desert t 2222 Carillon Point
425-466-5870
marcel.dolak@engelvoelkers.com
Online Home Valuation Tools
Plenty of sellers have utilized automated home valuation tools online only to be shocked or surprised at the home value it estimates for them. While sellers are typically pleased when the values appear higher than they expected, many online instant valuations come in far lower
Estimating a home's market value is far from an exact science. These tools attempt to provide greater transparency in home prices to homebuyers and sellers by using data derived from public records, which contain past sale information and yearly real estate taxes. Many even have satellite views so accurate they can spot your cat laying on the front porch.
How do they do it? Home valuation sites contract with major title companies to obtain county tax roll data. All property is registered with the county for property taxing purposes. They also find ways to become members of local multiple listing services, which are either subsidiaries of real estate associations or owned by local real estate brokers. That way, they have access to listing data.
Using this tax roll data and listing data, home valuation sites apply their own algorithm to come up with an instant estimate of value for what a home could be worth. Zillow has dubbed their version of this automated valuation a "Zestimate". They disclose on their site that depending on where the home is located, their Zestimate could be off by as much as 40%.
The quality of the data available means that sometimes the results are spot on, but they can also be terribly inaccurate. And algorithms can't make adjustments to reflect whether or not a home has been updated, how well it's maintained, or esoteric values such as curb appeal and views.
For that reason, online valuations should be used only as one of many tools to estimate a home's value.
Ask your real estate professional for a comparative market analysis, or CMA. He or she can show you the most recent listings and sold comparables, accurate to within hours or a few days at most. Marcel Dolak Dolak · · Engel & V Voelkoelkers
Carillon Point 425-466-5870
marcel.dolak@engelvoelkers.com
Explaining Listing Syndication
Once your home is listed in the multiplelistingservice(MLS), your agent will begin marketing your home to ensure it gets in front of as many potential homebuyers as possible. Since over 95% of consumers search online to find their next home, according to the National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, your agent will likely 'syndicate' your listing to all of the major real estate websites. Syndication is the process of publishing your listing to multiple sites at the same time.
Using the property details, the written description, and all of the digital media they've uploaded (photography, video, floorplans, and 3D tours,) the MLS will forward that along so that it displays on sites like Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, brokerage websites, and your agent's own personal site. The process is automated, so when your agent edits the information, like changing the description or adding an open house, the change will publish through to all of the rest of the websites. The time that it takes for the information to display on the sites after a change is made vary by website and can be as quickly as a few minutes or as long as 24 hours or more.
Brokerages typically accomplish this for their listings by utilizing IDX, short for internet data exchange. Brokers grant permission to other brokerages to display their listings online, with attribution of their firm as the source of the listing. While some third-party portals, like Zillow, allow for homeowners to claim their home listing and edit information, it's best to let your agent make edits while the home is actively listed so that a duplicate listing isn't created.
Your agent can give you additional details of where your home's listing will be shared online.
2222 Carillon Point
425-466-5870
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Marcel Dolak Dolak · · Engel & V Voelkoelkers Kirkland-Bend-P ers Kirkland-Bend-Palm Deser alm Desert t
Marcel has done with my immediate family. He is superbly knowledgeable, available, and genuinely cares about his clients. He uses his 20+ years experience to get you the best deal and ma...
Helped me buy home 2018-11-06
Marcel was awesome through our relocation to Seattle. From the home finding trips to negotiating our purchase - we couldn't have been in better hands. We will use Marcel's services again!
Marcel helped my husband and I purchase our first home in Seattle last summer and was an absolute pleasure to work with. He came highly recommended by my co-worker and I am so glad we wor
Helped me buy home 2017-12-22
Marcel was an absolute pleasure to work with. Super knowledgable of the buying process. Very quick to reply to our questions. Excellent insight into the local market and area. Always took the time to make you feel important. He made the very stre...
Marcel Dolak Dolak · · Engel & V Voelkoelkers Kirkland-Bend-P ers Kirkland-Bend-Palm Deser alm Desert t 2222 Carillon Point 425-466-5870
marcel.dolak@engelvoelkers.com