Total Home Marketing Program...In today’s market, virtually any real estate agent can advertise your property. Each week the local papers are full of homes and land for sale. The

MaineHomeConnection.com • Laura & Michael Sosnowski Office: (207) 533-7505 • Mobile (207) 632-4435 • Email: [email protected]

MaineHomeConnection

Presents

Maximum Exposure Home Marketing Program

Laura & Michael SosnowskiBrokers


CONTENTS

• The RE/Max Advantage A strong national brand

• About Us Philosophy of Laura & Michael

• Maximum Exposure Marketing Summary of our Marketing System

• Administration Management Details of activities we manage

• Establishing the Proper Price Issues affecting home pricing

• Selecting an Agent Things to consider

• Market Statistics Recent Cumberland County Data

• Staging Your Home Preparing your home for sale

• Easy Exit Listing Your guarantee of excellent service

• Customary Closing Costs A summary of seller & buyer expenses

• Internet Marketing Samples of Web Site & statistics


THE RE/MAX ADVANTAGE

Real Estate Maximums

Maximum Business Experience

Maximum Market Exposure

Maximum Service

The world leader in residential real estate

Customized marketing plan for each home we sell

RE/MAX associates average more sales per agent than any other company Over 4,000 Full-Service offices

70,000+ Full-Time professional agents worldwide National brand advertising that exceed all major competitors combined Automated referral program across North America National web site presence with RE/MAX.com RE/MAX Renowned Properties marketing program

Important facts about RE/MAX and its worldwide agents


ABOUT US We created MaineHomeConnection because of our firm believe that there exists a genuine con-nection between people, their neighborhoods, their homes and the quality of their lives. Con-necting people and their dreams, through their homes, allows us in some small way to give back to the community, of which we are a part. Service is essential to our success - service that sets a new standard. Our approach to selling real estate is to provide our clients with products and services that give them a competitive advantage in the market. We introduced the Maximum Exposure Home Marketing Program as a new way to sell homes. It combines the very best in new technology, innovative marketing and uncompromising service that yields results that can be measured. We start by listening to your special wants, needs and dreams. Only with this intimate under-standing can we design unique marketing plans to sell your home.

OUR MISSION

— We are committed to providing a superior level of customer service to a diverse client base as one of Maine’s Top Real Estate Teams.

— We will accomplish this through real estate knowledge, up-to-date technology, innova-tive marketing and professional service.

— We aim to set the standard in the Greater Portland market for the use of the Internet to sell properties.

Business Experience & Real Estate Expertise

Laura Sosnowski, a native of Chicago IL, but a long-time Maine resident, has a passion for helping people. Whether it was as an owner of her own florist shop in Atlanta or in her current role as a Realtor®, she has always been committed to unyielding personal service. As a Realtor®, Laura has demonstrated a willingness to challenge the status quo. Her dramatic success is clear evidence that the market requires a constant influx of new ideas and ap-proaches. Michael Sosnowski is a consummate business professional. His ca-reer spans over fifteen years of international sales & marketing experience with several fortune 500 companies. He brings to Real Estate a level of marketing skill uncommon in the local market. His commitment to new technology and innovative marketing has re-sulted in many satisfied clients.

Michael & Laura Sosnowski

MaineHomeConnection


MAXIMUM EXPOSURE HOME MARKETING PROGRAM

In today’s market, virtually any real estate agent can advertise your property. Each week the local papers are full of homes and land for sale. The problem is, property advertisements are often indistinguishable from one another, and according to recent studies, only 7% of all buyers first learned of the home they eventually purchased through a newspaper ad. That is an incredibly low percentage! Our Maximum Exposure Marketing Program combines the very best of

today’s new technology, branded advertising and targeted promotion that provides our clients with an advantage in the market. Our program includes six distinct, yet integrated activities:

• TECHNOLOGY - Fully integrated online market exposure - Over 35,000 unique monthly web visitors

- Google, Yahoo & MSN advertising & organic positioning - Customized virtual tours & CD Business cards - Enhanced listing presence on Realtor.com - Links to RE/MAX.com, MaineToday.com, NY Times & others - Automated lead capture systems for online inquiries - Reciprocal linking to regional & national sites - Automated buyer notification matching

• PROMOTION - Multiple Listing Service (MLS)

- Custom produced direct mail & email campaigns - Property & image advertising program - Leverage RE/MAX national advertising programs - Web based Newsletter – circulation over 10,000 contacts

- Marketing to local area brokers - RE/MAX Renowned Properties, as appropriate

• COMMUNICATION - Individualized showing feedback report - Web based response form

- Initial 30 day market response review - Bi monthly status reports

• ADMINISTRATION - 10 step administration management program

- Easy Exit Listing Agreement - Central office arrangement of showings

• NEGOTIATION - Preplanned strategy for each offer & situation

- Prequalification of potential buyers - Advise on potential finance options

• CLIENT FOR LIFE - Free home market evaluation & annual consultation

- Free referrals to local vendors & contractors - Unlimited access to newsletters & promotions


ADMINISTRATION MANAGEMENT Keeping track of the details is essential to a stress-free transaction. Therefore, we have put to-gether a program aimed at identifying all the major issues upfront, and letting you know how they will be handled. Our ten-step program includes: STEPS ACTIONS Information Tracking Provide written and/or verbal reports Mortgage Process Work closely with the buyer’s lenders Offers Professionally oversee & negotiate all offers Building Inspections Attend all required inspections Appraisers Assistance Organize work schedule of all appraisers Legal Work Provide referrals as needed Utility Transfer Prepare notification letter for utility companies Closing Confirmation Advise & review Walk Through Coordinate final pre-closing home review Closing Document Review Advance notification of closing documents


ESTABLISHING THE PROPER PRICE

Statements from sellers that really have nothing to do with a home’s value

• Another agent said it was worth more • People always offer less than asking price • The buyers can always make an offer

Other factors that do not affect a home’s value

• The original purchase price • Over improvement (enjoyment) • The cost to rebuild in the current market • Personal attachment to the property • The owners need for equity

Dangers of overpricing your home (It can be very costly!)

A proactive pricing strategy

• Overall objective is to sell your home • The market is the common adversary (Supply & Demand) • Past sales are not always indicative of current performance • Proper pricing should yield one offer for every 10 showings* • We must integrate pricing with a balanced marketing plan • Factors affecting the sale: Location, Condition, Price, Terms, Realtor

Some thoughts on the condition that affect price

• Think like a buyer • Start making a list • Complete repairs before putting your home on the market

* Based on statistics from the NAR

• Discourages qualified buyers • Better positions competitive homes • Reduces advertising response • Impacts appraisal valuations • Creates doubt & uncertainty • Attracts owner financing & bargain hunters

Home Showings vs Time


THINGS TO CONSIDER IN SELECTING AN AGENT

Not all real estate agents are the same

• The real estate market is highly competitive • Less than 65% of homes in the Greater Portland area actually sell • A proactive marketing approach can overcome the competition • You need an expert negotiator to achieve the best possible outcome

Promises of high prices are not always in your best interest

• Overpricing to get the listing is an old-school real estate scheme • You deserve a written, well-researched market analysis • Accurate pricing depends upon a true reflection of market conditions • Price reductions 30 days later will negatively impact your market position

The success rate for a private party sale is traditionally low

• Only 7% of qualified buyers come from yard signs • Only 8% of qualified buyers come from newspaper ads • Professional agents generate the most qualified buyers • Nearly 70% of all FSBO’s eventually contract a real estate agent

Can discount brokers really get the job done?

• There are generally more homes on the market than buyers • Proactive marketing is an expensive undertaking • Marketing & advertising are discretionary costs, frequently eliminated • Wife’s tales have stood the test of time for a reason. Penny wise…

Do you want one year of experience 15 times over, or an approach that gets results?

• The Maximum Exposure Marketing Program brings fresh ideas to the market • A specialized approach to your individual needs • Negotiating strategy that is proactive rather than reactive • Building a business one satisfied customer at a time • Integrity that transcends personal and business life


MARKET STATISTICS Selected Towns & Cities

Cumberland & York Counties


MARKET SHARE

RE/MAX By The Bay is the leading Real Estate Company in the local area and the entire state. Our complete market share report is available online, along with sales statistics for the past three years. Market leadership results in maximum market exposure for our clients and the wid-est pool of buyers available.


STAGING YOUR HOME FOR SALE We have prepared a complete guide to sell your home faster and for more money. It includes 90 proven suggestions that will result in enhanced showings and buyer acceptance. This report is available for download from our web site. Below is a brief summary of the areas of concentra-tion: REPAIRS - Attention to small details provides an aura of confidence - Treat buyers as you would yourself CLEANING - Focus on windows, carpeting & rugs - Polish & clean linoleum, tile & wooden floors - Pay special attention to bathrooms & kitchens NEUTRALIZE - Be cautious in selecting paint & carpeting - Strive to satisfy the largest possible buying segment SPACE MGMT - Arrange furniture to achieve a spacious feeling - Pack up collectibles; personalize rooms sparingly - Use light to create a sense of space - Concentrate on organizing closets ATMOSPHERE - Be aware of odors from cooking, cigarettes, pets, etc. - Change carpeting where necessary - Remove rather than mask potential problems STAGING - Review magazine ads and furniture showrooms for ideas - Fresh flowers, birch logs by the fireplace add warmth

- Take advantage of natural light where possible


INTERNET MARKETING

Just eight years ago, less than one percent of all homebuyers first found the home they purchased online. The proportion of buyers who found their home on the Internet has doubled every two years from 1995 to 2001. In 2006 26% of all buyers first found the home they purchased online!

2003 marked the first year on record where more than half of all homebuyers used the Internet to search for homes. In 2007 over 85% reported that they used the Internet at some point in their home search – 68% reported that they used the Internet frequently.

Given these trends, we have invested in Internet technology and include it prominently in our marketing programs. Your property will be notably displayed on our web site and linked to other top national sites such as Realtor.com and Remax.com. It will be showcased with an enhanced listing. Flyers outlining your property’s features & benefits, driving directions, maps, photos and virtual tours are all available online for potential buyers.

An important feature of our site is the link to the Maine Multiple Listing Service (IDX). Through this service potential buyers can view all properties for sale in the state. According to recent statistics, viewing properties on line is the single most important aspect of any good web site.

We not only market our properties, but our entire site itself, thus attracting potential buyers not only throughout Greater Portland, but nationally as well. Our site is advertised on Google.com and Yahoo.com and featured as a sponsored link, thus increasing traffic and exposure for your home.

We keep track and analyze all relevant “hit” and “linking” data and can share those statistics with you. Interactive video is incorporated into the promotional strategy as well. Our monthly newsletter is featured on our site and mailed electronically to our entire client base, local busi-ness, associations, prospective buyers, etc. In addition to real estate information, the newsletter also features listings and is linked to the web site. Several pages from our site include:

• Home Page Navigations site and links

• Featured Listings Includes downloadable information

• Newsletter Emailed to clients monthly

• Web Statistics Collected on all hits to site

• Special Features Designed to attract online visitors

• National Exposure Viewing statistics


EASY EXIT LISTING AGREEMENT

Our service is UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED. If for any reason you are unsatisfied with our service, you can simply fire us!

All parties understand it hereto:

Seller: _______________________

Seller Agent: Laura & Michael Sosnowski

MaineHomeConnection / RE/MAX By The Bay

That it is Michael & Laura Sosnowski’s intention to work diligently to produce a satisfactory buyer for the property located at:

Address: ________________________

________________________

If for any reason the SELLER(s) decides not to sell the above-mentioned property, or if the SELLER(s) is/are not satisfied with the services rendered of the above mentioned AGENT, the listing may be CANCELLED unconditionally by the SELLER(s) at any time.

_____________________________ ________________

Michael & Laura Sosnowski Date

RE/MAX By The Bay


CUSTOMARY CLOSING COSTS

SELLER BUYER Real estate sales fee Loan origination fees (Points) Document preparation for Deed Document preparation State Transfer Tax* Application fee (appraisal & credit) Loan fees (per contract) Prepaid interest date of funding + 30days. Payoff all outstanding mortgage Recording charges for buyers documents Accrued interest to lender Inspection fees Home warranty (per contract) MIP (if applicable) Any judgments, liens, etc. Homeowners / Fire insurance Any unpaid Homeowner’s dues Tax pro-ration (from date of purchase) Bonds or assessments Reserves deposited with lenders Water test Home warranty (per contract) Any delinquent taxes Title examination Points (per contract) State transfer tax* Survey Pest inspection (per contract) Lenders title policy premiums * Calculated as $2.20 Per $1,000.00 of sales price


Internet Features and Online Marketing

Home Page MaineHomeConnection.com

High Search Engine Ranking

Featured PropertiesMaineHomeConnection.com

Download Available Data


Internet Features and Online Marketing

Specialized Features

MaineHomeConnection.com

Waterfront Real Estate Relocation Services Newsletter & Blog


Enhanced Listing on Multiple National Real Estate Sites

Enhanced ListingRealtor.com

High Profile Exposure

Tracking StatisticsRealtor.com

Monitor Daily Viewings

Other National sites include: New York Times, Yahoo Real Estate, Google Base, Trulia, The Real Estate Book, MaineToday


Customized Literature Highlighting Your Home

Available on CD and download from the web

Documents

Total Home Marketing Program...In today’s market, virtually any real estate agent can advertise your property. Each week the local papers are full of homes and land for sale. The