19 Old Town Square, Suite 242
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Phone: (970) 214-5098
Fax: (888) 325-4173
Your Partner in Real Estate
Dear Sellers,
It’s a simple fact that in today’s world, people are busier and more pressed for time than in the past. That’s why Velocity Real Estate & Investments would like to take a short moment and thank you for your time and entrusting us with the listing of your home. It was truly a pleasure meeting with you and I have full confidence we will meet and exceed your expectations.
On behalf of our team, we would like to thank you for choosing Velocity Real Estate & Investments with the listing of your home. You have a beautiful home and we are honored that you chose us to list your property. We will put our best foot forward in attaining top market value for your home and selling it in a reasonable amount of time.
We will be in contact throughout the whole process, however if you have questions or concerns, please feel free to call me at 970 214-5098. Thank you again for listing your property with us and if there is anything I can do now or in the future, please don’t hesitate to call.
Sincerely,
__________________________
Chris Lombardi
Profile of Real Estate Services
Velocity Real Estate and Investments is a professional real estate company that specializes in residential properties and residential investment properties. We not only provide all the standard services for buying and selling a residential property, but we also offer extensive and professional knowledge on the investment side of real estate. We have an abundance of resources at our fingertips and can help you in any area of the real estate process. So whether you are looking to earn an excellent return on an investment property, buy the home of your dreams or sell your current home for top market value, Velocity Real Estate and Investments is the best choice for all your professional real estate needs.
Our Mission
Our Mission at Velocity Real Estate and Investments is to provide an exceptional experience in the buying and selling process of real estate and helping real estate investors achieve their financial goals. We will accomplish this by carefully listening to our client’s needs and wants, providing incomparable information and completing the necessary due diligence in achieving their goals and exceeding their expectations.
Market Data
Some 5 million existing homes are sold each year, and while each transaction is different every owner wants the same thing - the best possible deal with the least amount of hassle and aggravation.
Unfortunately, home selling has become a more complex business than it used to be. New seller disclosures, longer and more mysterious forms, complex contracts and a range of environmental concerns have all emerged in the past decade.
More importantly, the home-selling process has changed. Buyer brokerage - where realtors represent homebuyers is now common nationwide and good buyer-brokers want the best for their clients.
The result is that while almost 100,000 existing homes are sold each week, the process is not as easy for sellers as it was five or 10 years ago. Surviving in today's real estate world requires experience and training in such fields as real estate marketing, financing, inspections, negotiations and closing factors – which are all offered at Velocity Real Estate & Investments.
Getting You & Your House Ready
From experience, Velocity Real Estate & Investments knows that a well maintained house appeals to more buyers and will sell faster for a higher price.
Making a good first impression can mean the difference between receiving serious offers for your home or being subjected to months of people just looking and not submitting a contract.
The selling process can be very complicated in many forms; here at Velocity Real Estate & Investments we will walk you through the entire transaction to the best of our ability ensuring a stress free process.
Below is a helpful guide to prepare your home and help maximize your marketability. We have also included a simple step-by-step guide of the selling process, including tips and what to expect throughout the sale of your home.
· Preparing the exterior
· Preparing the interior
· Tips for showings
· Negotiating an offer
· Home Inspections
· Buyer appraisals
· Closings
Maximizing Exterior and Curb Appeal
Enhance your home’s exterior by:
Curb appeal
What is curb appeal?
Curb appeal is that distinct quality or feature that a home offers that makes you say "wow" when you first see it. A home that has curb appeal makes you feel good when you pull into the driveway and makes you want to walk in the front door.
Whether the home is yours that you are putting on the market or one you're considering for purchase, curb appeal can make a big difference in how you feel about the property. If your home has that distinct quality, you won't have any trouble getting more for it than similar homes in the neighborhood.
Curb appeal also means you won't have any trouble getting potential buyers into the home. It works the other way, too. A lot of people won't go into a house to look around if it looks bad from the outside. "Curb appeal" is the first step in getting people to look at the inside of your home. If your home doesn't shine with appeal from the curb, there are plenty of things you can do to unleash its charm.
First and foremost, make sure the yard is pristine. Start by giving the yard a "manicure" so to speak. Nurture and mow the lawn so it's trimmed, healthy and free of weeds. Make sure plant and flower beds are edged with nice, crisp edges, and mulched. A nicely pruned lawn makes everything stand out and gives the feeling that if the outside is being taken care of; perhaps the inside is, too. Don't skimp on flowers. It's always nice to have flowers in front of the house, whether it's hanging baskets, beds of annuals or both.
Make sure the windows, doors and entryway is clean. Wash light fixtures and make sure all lights are functioning properly. Make sure light fixtures and door hardware and door knobs shine. Your visitors will notice whether the front of the home looks clean, even if it is on an unconscious level. If everything is shined and bright, it's not only inviting but it signals that the rest of the home is well maintained.
Assess the look of the front door. It's one of the first things people notice in a home, so make it count. You don't have to break the bank. There are options at every price level. You can paint the front door for the cost of your time and a little paint or have it professionally painted or replaced.
Pressure washing can give a new appearance to walkways, driveways depending on the construction of your home. Sometimes the house itself should be power washed. You can rent the machinery and do it yourself. If power washing the driveway doesn't bring it back to life consider resealing it. Resealing the driveway can be done yourself in a weekend, or hire a professional. For a professional, get a recommendation from someone who has had the work done fairly recently. If you choose to do it yourself, power wash the driveway one day and let it dry. Then seal it the next day. If it has cracks that you need to seal, allow an extra day for the job.
Talk to your friends and neighbors to get a second opinion. You may not see something as looking run-down because you've seen it age gradually over time. Bring in a couple of people you trust and ask their opinions.
Trees that are planted in the proper places can enhance the appeal and value of a home. Consult a professional to help you select the variety, size and location. And if you want to plant larger trees, have the trees professionally installed. Call in an arborist to get the low-hanging branches removed, especially those hanging over the house. If you're hiring anyone to work on your home, call around and get several free estimates. Don't automatically choose the cheapest quote. Instead, select the one in whom you have the most confidence and verify that your choice has liability and workers compensation insurance. If an accident happens at your home, you could be held liable if the contractor has inadequate insurance coverage.
Paint your house. If you want to really amp up that curb appeal, painting your house makes a difference, use colors that are appropriate for the style of your house. For instance, in historical buildings, that often means soft colors and warm colors. You want to have a color of paint that is warm and inviting. It's one of the easiest ways to obtain curb appeal.
Examine the shutters, many times they are the wrong size and most people hang them upside down or put them too far away from the windows. Inappropriate installation of shutters can throw off the proportion of the house.
Look for elements that draw too much attention from the rest of the house. For example, your garage door should blend in. The garage door shouldn't stand out and be the whole focus of the garage.
If you're unsure about how to lay out changes, hire a professional designer. If the front of your home needs a little cosmetic work, this is a good time to call in a designer. A designer is also a good option if you sense there's something out of whack with the way the front of the home looks, but you can't quite put your finger on it. Prices do vary, so shop around. A designer can also give you some options to plan and budget for. Make a plan. If the landscaping lacks luster, sometimes it's a matter of changing or moving things around a bit. One good move if you're going to stay in the house is to consult a professional to give you a long-range landscaping master plan.
A little curb appeal can drastically change how your home is viewed by prospective home buyers.
Maximizing Interior Appeal
Enhance your home’s interior by:
· Giving every room in the house a thorough cleaning, as well as removing all clutter. This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter. Some homeowners with crowded rooms have actually rented storage garages and moved half their furniture out, creating a sleeker, more spacious look.
· Hiring a professional cleaning service, once every few weeks while the house is on the market. This may be a good investment for owners who are busy elsewhere.
· Removing the less frequently used, even daily used items from kitchen counters, closets, and attics, making these areas much more inviting. Since you're anticipating a move anyhow, holding a garage sale at this point is a great idea.
· If necessary, repainting dingy, soiled or strongly colored walls with a neutral shade of paint, such as off-white or beige. The same neutral scheme can be applied to carpets and linoleum.
· Checking for cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the attic and basement.
· Repairing cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.
· Replacing broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork. Inspecting and repairing the plumbing, heating , cooling, and alarm systems.
· Repairing dripping faucets and showerheads. Buying showy new towels for the bathroom, to be brought out only when prospective buyers are on the way.
· Sprucing up a kitchen in need of more major remodeling by investing in new cabinet knobs, new curtains, or a coat of neutral paint.
*Information provided by, Realtor.com
Quick tips for Showings and Open Houses:
Keep counter tops cleared
Replace all burned out light bulbs
Open all drapes and window blinds
Put pets in cages or take them to a neighbor
No dirty dishes in the sink
No laundry in the washer/dryer
Clean or replace dirty or worn carpets
Put on soft music
Burn wood in the fireplace on cold days, otherwise, the fireplace should be clean
Always look at your home from the buyer's point of view. Be objective and be honest
* Information provided by, Realtor.com
Selling Process Walkthrough
Negotiating an offer on your home
When a home buyer makes an offer you should consult with your agent. Buyers and sellers will usually have agent representation on both sides. The offer becomes a contract once all relative parties have signed and the agreement becomes binding. Many of your home's offers can be complicated and contain special clauses that favor the buyer. This is why its imperative sellers have representation as well.
Purchase price isn't everything. Carefully consider the contract's other terms and conditions. Too many contingencies can leave loopholes and cause a deal to collapse. Especially avoid contingencies that favor the house's buyer, such as linking the escrow closing date to the buyer's sale of their current home. If the buyer insists on such terms, include a so-called kick-out clause in the contract that will allow you to consider other offers if the buyer isn't able to sell within a certain period of time.
Is the buyer pre-approved? Unless you are in an active market, lenders tend to shy away from underwriting a deal in which the purchase price is higher than the nearest comparable sale and the buyer is putting less than 5% down. If this is the case, your buyer may not be able to obtain financing.
If the selling market is slow, you may feel vulnerable, especially if circumstances are pressing you to sell. Make sure any offer you accept does not keep you in escrow longer than 40 days. In a hot market where multiple offers are likely, be wary of countering more than one offer at a time (you could end up in legal trouble). Also be wary of offers that promise more money but contain poor contract terms (long escrow, multiple contingencies, etc.).
If you feel the home's offer is insufficient, make a counter offer. Rarely is a first offer the buyer's absolute highest price they are willing to pay. Negotiating is part of the home selling process.
*Information provided by, Realtor.com
Home inspections
All standard real estate contracts are going to give the prospective home buyer the right to inspect your property - so be prepared. Under a general inspection you are obligated to make major repairs to appliances, plumbing, septic, electrical and heating systems - or the buyer may cancel the offer. The inspection will also include your property's roof, as well as a termite inspection (in some states, house sellers must provide proof that the home is termite free).
If you are concerned about how your home will fare when inspected, you may want to visit your local inspector. They can conduct an inspection for you before a potential buyer has one done. This way, you can address the problems before a buyer stumbles upon them.
Buyer appraisals and other details
The mortgage lender will order an appraisal of your home to make sure they are not paying more than the house is worth. They may also order a surveyor to make sure that the property boundaries are properly laid out. They will also order a title search to determine if there are any liens against your property. These tasks are all the responsibility of the buyer and/or their title representative.
At this point too, the mortgage company will issue a commitment. Again, the buyer (and their title representative) must complete all conditions listed on the mortgage commitment.
Prior to closing, you should notify your lender that you will be paying off your mortgage. After a closing date has been agreed to, you should contact your utility providers and advise them of your final billing date.
Closing
The day of the closing, the home's buyer will do a "walk through" of the property to make sure all agreed repairs are completed and that the home is in the same condition as when the buyer made their offer. If problems arise at this point, the closing can still take place with funds held in escrow to remedy the problem.
Closings usually occur 30 - 45 days after you have signed the sales contract. Depending on what state you reside in, you may close with an attorney, or with a title company. At the closing, all monies will be collected, any existing loans or liens will be paid, the deed will be transferred, and insurance will be issued insuring a free and clear title. The home seller will receive the proceeds of their home wired directly to their account or in the form of a cashiers check.
*Information provided by, Realtor.com
Reasons a Seller Should Hire a Real Estate Broker
Saves Time and Effort – Selling a house can be very time consuming and exhausting for the seller. This includes, preparing your house to be on the market, scheduling showings, follow up, tours, open houses and not to mention implementing all of the required marketing efforts/resources in displaying your home. To even the start process, how do you find out what your home is worth? And once you have an offer, how do you know if it’s credible and a validated offer? How do you handle the negotiations once an offer has been submitted ensuring you get top market value for your home? A Real Estate Broker can handle all of this! They can offer professional advice on staging your home to be appealing to buyers. They can provide a market analysis so you know the value of your home. They can schedule and handle all of the showings. They can help you through the negotiations when you receive an offer. When you hire a Real Estate Broker they offer unique skills to help you with the sale of your home so you can save time and energy for packing!
Experience – Whether you are selling your first home or your tenth, the process is still daunting. A Real Estate Broker has education and experience under their belt. This is what they do for a living – everyday! Imagine tackling the complicated legal paperwork on your own. A brokers experience can also help you attain top market value for your home. A broker has years of training with the real estate market and will help you get the most from the sale of your home. This will help ensure a smooth transaction and provide a piece of mind during the sale of your home.
Understands Contract Specifics - Real Estate contracts can be very lengthy and complicated. A broker will help you through them and answer any questions you have about the process. Real Estate Brokers are licensed professionals who know these contracts inside and out. This is one of the biggest decisions of your life and having a professional at your side to help you get the best possible deal is common sense. A Real Estate Broker is in the business of providing a professional, seamless and smooth transition when selling your home.
Exposure – Exposure and advertising is everything when it comes to selling a house quickly and for the price you want. Trying to advertise your home on your own can be a daunting task. Real Estate Brokers have years of experience and belong to a wide professional network to help you sell your home. Brokers are professionally trained on the methods of successful advertising to get you the best response possible. Only a licensed broker or agent can post an MLS listing where thousands of buyers and agents can view your home. A broker can schedule tours for other agents who know buyers that are looking for a specific home such as yours. A broker will schedule showings and open houses to maximize the exposure in selling your home. A broker handling the promotion and marketing of your home is invaluable.
Negotiation Skills – So you have an offer? The buyer(s) are asking for many inclusions or repairs. How do you wade through what is reasonable? The negotiation process is extremely important. You want to counter without pushing the buyers away. What is the right balance when negotiating? Real Estate Brokers are equipped with excellent negotiating skills. They know how to propose a counter offer, they know how to get the best price possible, they know what a reasonable offer is and they can help identify what inclusions are to be accepted and which ones to deny. A Real Estate Broker’s experience can be very helpful. They have been through the negotiation process several times and know what to look for in an offer and how to get you the best price and terms for the sale. If the negotiations are not handled professionally, a serious buyer can be lost. Count on an experienced and trained broker to handle the negotiations in a timely and professional manner. They will help relieve the stress during this stage of selling your home.
Emotionally Removed – Selling a home can be a very emotional process. Your home is personal and you’ve created many memories in the home with the people you love and care about. It has more than monetary value to you. It’s hard to separate these emotions when selling your home. Hiring a Real Estate Broker as an unbiased and emotionally removed party can keep the whole process grounded for success. Emotions are good to have when making a big decision like this. However, sometimes our emotions get away from us and having a broker there to be the voice of reason will keep things in balance and allow you to make decisions that are in your best interests.
Access to Information/Resources – Once you have made the decision to sell your home, you have to figure out how to get the announcement out to as many buyers as possible. How do you start? Trial and error could be costly and very time consuming. You’re not a broker or agent so how do you reach thousands of buyers? Selling a house is an undertaking that requires time, patience, marketing skills and good old fashioned know how. A Real Estate Broker can list your home on the MLS and other internet related resources giving it national attention to thousands of buyers. They can put together a marketing package to bring in the right buyers. A Real Estate Broker’s experience will help you bring in the right buyer to sell your home as quickly as possible and for top market value.