Interior dinning area with modern table and applicances.

Selling

Sellers want to receive the highest and best offers possible for their home. Often times what they think that is may not be realistic. Determining the true value of a home takes real knowledge of the market and its trends. Since over or undervaluing a property can negatively impact or even prevent a sale, it is important to thoroughly analyze the immediate market and everything that has taken place within a reasonable amount of time.

What is your favorite feature in your home?

Perhaps, there are several features worth mentioning. What was it that made you purchase it in the first place? Was it something specific or a generally great feeling? Do you know the home’s history? What’s your story? These may seem like simple questions, but the truth is that every home has a story to tell and a new family to harbor. Knowing these details allows me to highlight the home’s best features, describe the lifestyle it provides and convey the proper message via marketing.

Un-opened moving boxes in living room

First-time
Home Sellers


Couple sitting next to each other with arms crossed

Divorcees*

Couple holding hands sitting on couch

Heirs to an Estate

Glasses on-top of desk

Short Sales*

Modern living room with brown floors and furniture

Seasoned
Home Sellers


Services

The Initial Consultation

Think of this as a relaxed and friendly conversation in which we can get to know each other, and I can gain a clear understanding of why you’d like to move, when and what concerns you may have about the home selling process. My interest is in getting to know you and what you feel are the home’s best attributes, so I’ll likely ask you for some details and request a tour of the property.

Valuation

Taking what I know about your home and the market, I will analyze the relevant data to determine a fair market value, which is the estimate of value placed on a property based on any given buyer’s readiness, willingness and ability to purchase a similar home. My valuations are quite thorough, so you will be pleased to know exactly how I arrived at my conclusion and what you may expect to receive as proceeds from the sale of the home.

The Listing Presentation

The purpose of my listing presentation is to propose customized services that will best suit you and your needs. The presentation doesn’t have to be uncomfortable; rather, it is meant to educate, clarify and propose a tailored plan that will succeed in selling your home. Understanding your expectations is helpful in determining if I’m the right agent for you and vice versa.

Home Optimization

There is always something we can do to get “show ready.” This is also true for your home. As a knowledgeable real estate professional and consultant, I may recommend repairs, enhancements or details to look after to ensure your home is ready to be presented to potential homebuyers. Staging may also be an option to consider, and I’ll be happy to discuss all options with you. After all, we need to remember the importance of making a great first impression.

Marketing

From professional photography and creative cinematography to strategic advertisements and detailed storytelling, there is much that can go into the effective marketing of a home. Whatever the plan devised to sell yours, you can be certain that it will be carefully laid out and put into effect. However long the time period, I will bear the full responsibility of marketing your home and its best features in an effort to attract the most attention from potential buyers.

Follow Up

Whether by phone, fax, text or email, I promise to communicate with you clearly and frequently in an effort to keep you abreast of the marketing and sales process. Once under contract, I will also follow up with the buyer(s), their representative, their lender and anyone else I’m able to get a hold of (including the attorneys and title agent involved) to ensure a properly handled transaction.

Negotiation & Coordination

There may be instances throughout the sale process that will require proper negotiation of terms and conditions to effect a sale. As your representative, I will always bear your best interest in mind when negotiating on your behalf. I will also coordinate with you and all parties involved to ensure all necessary steps are taken and timeframes are met.

Offers and Agreements

There are a number of agreements, forms and disclosures that can become part of a real estate transaction. Rest assured; I will advise you accordingly. I will review all documents and discuss them with you. I will also answer any and all questions you may have concerning any offers received and/or disclosures that should be made part of the transaction.

The Settlement Date

Closing day! This is the finish line and the beginning of a new chapter. Everything we do and discuss during the course of the transaction will prepare you for this event. I will proudly sit with you at the closing table and be the first to congratulate you on a successful sale.

A Smooth Transition

Getting to the finish line may seem unreal, especially if you’ve found yourself tangled in checklists, bubble paper and packing tape. Fortunately, I’ll be around. I will remain available to you to provide you with guidance and ensure you have as smooth a transition as possible. And if the next chapter involves a house that we’re purchasing, then, of course, I’ll be handling the transaction in its entirety.

Extraordinary Sales

* It’s no secret that short sales are “extraordinary” in nature. Fortunately, my professional background makes me an expert in these types of transactions.

* Having previously developed policies and procedures to manage short sale transactions, I understand a bank’s perspective as well as a homeowner’s. If you feel that your situation is fit for a short sale, please call me. These transactions require an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the process, and few industry professionals are truly qualified to handle that.

Things You Can Expect From Featured Properties International

  • Honesty & Integrity
  • Professionalism
  • Strong Negotiation Skills
  • Creativity
  • Experience
  • Knowledge
  • Reputation
  • Resourcefulness
  • Frequent & Clear Communication
  • A Plan of Action

"Raquel, you are absolutely amazing! You were our lifesaver and did a phenomenal job short selling our home in what felt like an impossible situation. You delivered on every single item you said you would during our first conversation. You explained the entire process to us, from beginning to end, and you did it with a genuine concern for our family. Your input and guidance were instrumental every step of the way. Your level of communication is exceptional! You truly are an expert in your field. We cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for us.
We are truly grateful and blessed that we found you and that you helped us through this mess. We know that the only reason we were able to short sale our home was because of your efforts in doing so. There are not enough words to express our gratitude. You are an angel! We thank you very much and would hands down, whole heartedly recommend you to anyone!”

The Murillos

“Raquel Ramirez was heaven sent! After one realtor, then another (and another and another!) we had given up hope --- not so much of selling the property, but we'd given up hope on realtors. She came highly recommended by a trusted friend, and still, we were skeptical.
Boy, did she prove us wrong! Attentive, fun, hard working --- text/email Raquel and within minutes, a response!
The only downside of selecting Raquel as your Realtor is that when it's over and the sale takes place, you miss her.”

M. Montiel-Davis

“We recently worked with Raquel on the sale of a property. Not only did she sell it in record time but was able to obtain
a higher price than we anticipated. As with most real estate transactions, last minute issues arise that sometimes delay or impede the closing. Her ability in dealing with such issues surpassed our expectations. Raquel is a true professional, and we would not hesitate dealing with her in the future!”

The Flemings

“Raquel, it is with great pleasure that I write this letter to thank you and your Featured Properties International team for all your dedicated hard work in selling my two properties in Homestead, Fl. A simple thank you doesn’t even begin to cover my appreciation for your unwavering support and efforts. Where other agencies failed you succeeded. I hope this narrative will in some small way convey my appreciation and belief that you are a consummate professional and an outstanding Realtor. The selling of both my properties were riddled with complications due to the market and my then divorce. Dealing with four mortgage/lending institutions, the geographical separation and issues regarding “short sales” in general would have proven too much for someone less competent but you got the job done. It was obvious during our first meeting that you understood the market and requirements. That cannot be said of most of your contemporaries. You were tenacious but professional and courteous in your dealings with all agencies. I never felt uninformed even when things got complicated. As a retired military member and now working for the federal government, I know what it takes to plan and execute a successful mission. It is no exaggeration to say that without your deliberate planning and decisive actions these homes would not have sold!
Without hesitation I would seek you out again concerning all my real estate needs and unconditionally recommend you as you are “simply the best” Realtor I’ve ever had the privilege to work with."

D. Cano

“I have been both buyer and seller multiple times with Raquel of Featured Properties International, and all of my experiences have been positive. Raquel is upfront about all procedures and possible setbacks in each transaction. She is always easy to reach, and unlike so many others in the real estate and banking industry, she does not disappear when there are questions to be answered or issues to be resolved.
She is with you every step of the way, and she understands the process from both the real estate agent and the banker’s perspective.
She works with both parties in a professional manner to ensure the best end result for her clients. I would recommend her for any real estate transaction.
She treats both small and large investments with great care and uncompromising quality.”

J. Abella

"My experience with Featured Properties International was nothing short of exceptional. I would imagine it can be challenging to try to sell one’s house while living out of state, but Raquel executed the whole process flawlessly. She kept me informed and was thorough and honest with me the whole time. Every effort was made to make everything as convenient as possible and I truly felt as though by best interests were in mind.
Thank you Raquel and Featured Properties International for a superb selling experience!"

K. Vega

"Trabajar con Raquel fue una experiencia nueva, por lo que estoy muy agradecida con Dios de haberla conocido. El grado de profesionalismo, conocimiento y experiencia en el campo de bienes raíces permitió que se concretará la venta de un apartamento y la compra de otro. Ella es una persona agradable, sincera, honesta y de gran calidad humana. Siempre atenta, responsable, puntual en todas las citas, muy buena comunicación en todo momento. Con mucha paciencia, excelente asesoría siempre dispuesta a ayudarme en todos mis requerimientos, respondiendo a todas mis dudas satisfactoriamente y atenta a resolver cualquier problema al respecto. La recomiendo ampliamente a cualquier persona que este realmente interesada a comprar o vender una propiedad y por supuesto que volvería a buscar su asesoría en un futuro."

M. Rojas

Things you should know

You should have an understanding of the local trends in your neighborhood, what homes in the area are selling for, what improvements might be occurring in the community - those things that move your local market. Your Realtor should know, too!

It may seem far -­ fetched, but dirty, cluttered homes take time to sell and more than often sell for less.

First impressions are made before a buyer walks to the front door. You wouldn’t believe what fresh mulch will do!

It’s that simple! The first few weeks a home is on the market for sale are the most critical. A home priced just right will attract the most buyers. Those buyers may even start a bidding war, especially if your home is presentable.

You may need to spend time making a few repairs or sprucing things up, not to mention it’s likely you’ll feel a little stressed by having to keep things tidy for showings. Buyers will be in and out touring the home until someone makes an offer. And once an offer is made and accepted, the buyer is likely to hire an inspector to check every nook and cranny. Additionally, the buyer will want to revisit whenever possible to measure space or take mental notes that are necessary for the moving process.

Once an issue becomes evident to a buyer, they will wonder what else might be wrong with the house or how much more a needed repair might cost them in the future. This will likely lead to a re-­negotiation.

Pricing your home too high will inevitably result in promoting every other house that might be for sale in your neighborhood. Buyers have budgets, and your house may not come up in a home search, if it’s priced beyond a buyer’s range.

No home is absolutely perfect. Wear and tear can show up as settlement cracks in the foundation, leaky faucets in the bathroom, temperamental outlets in the kitchen or even burnt out light bulbs in the hallways.

This is the time when buyers will attempt to negotiate a credit or reduction in price in an effort to compensate for needed repairs. You’ll want a knowledgeable Realtor who is a skilled negotiator to handle this part.

It’s best you’re not present. Buyers and skilled agents will use this time to try and obtain information helpful to their side of the negotiation.

Odors caused by pets, smoking or even cooking can turn buyers away.

Time frames are important. Failing to respond to your agent before and during a sale can cause unnecessary delays that can adversely affect the sale.

Buyers will have questions. They will also want to revisit the home. Cooperation can go a long way, ending with a favorable outcome for all parties. Remember that you were once a buyer, too.

Styles and preferences are quite personal. Neutralize your home and its environment. It’ll make it easier for potential buyers to envision themselves in your home, which is (also) key.

The minute you sign your closing documents and receive your funds is the minute you hand over the keys and transfer ownership. You need to have made arrangements to move out.