Erickson Tribune

Fox Run

UPDATED: Friday, February 08, 2008

Local company takes concierge approach to moving

Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008
 

By Laura Hipshire
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

When Sharon Baksa started working at Fox Run, in Novi, five years ago, she couldn’t help but notice the declining state of the real estate market. As a move-in coordinator for the community, she began to think of innovative ways to help people, especially older adults in the area, sell their houses faster and move more easily to their new homes.

Baksa used her knowledge of the market and the older population to develop what is now known as Erickson Realty and Moving Services (ERMS), a new division of Erickson Retirement Communities that combines all the aspects of selling a house with all those of moving.

Concierge approach
“Erickson Realty and Moving Services is a well-designed team of resources providing exceptional value to Fox Run clients before they move to their new home,” Baksa says.

“This effort is designed to bring the best potential sale for the client’s property,” she says, “while our senior move managers are taking care of every detail to ensure a smooth and worry-free transition to Fox Run.”

Mary Wolfe joins Baksa and the ERMS team at Fox Run as the community’s personal moving consultant. Wolfe is a licensed Realtor, as well as a certified property staging consultant.

“I work with each individual to discover what their needs are and then create a customized plan to cater to those needs,” Wolfe says. “It is important to me that future residents know they can call me anytime they have a question, a concern, or need anything at all in preparing for their move.”

Who is eligible
Priority List members and people who have reserved a home at Fox Run or  other participating Erickson communities are eligible to use ERMS.

“Everyone considering this move should take full advantage of the valuable  complimentary service that Mary offers to people who move to Fox Run,” says Baksa.

For more information about ERMS and how to become eligible, call 1-800-843-1433.



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Five sure-fire ways to sell your home fast

Tips welcome as nation faces housing slump

Despite a slowing real estate market, it’s still possible to sell your home fast, according to experts at SmartMoney.com. For your convenience, they’ve compiled a list of five ways that are sure to get you the results you desire when you decide to sell your home.

1) The price is right
According to Realtor Kevin Satterfield, based in Royal Oak, the price is the number one reason a house will or won’t sell. Things to do when establishing a  price include examining recent sales of comparable homes in your area, hiring an appraiser to help determine the fair market value, avoiding overpricing so you don’t alienate a large pool of eligible buyers, and deciding how much time you realistically have to sell your home.

2) De-clutter and set the stage
“As you prepare your home to be shown to prospective buyers, you must look at your home through a buyer’s eyes,” Satterfield says. A few tips he  recommends include cleaning thoroughly; decorating in a neutral color scheme; de-cluttering all areas to create a spacious feel; fixing all leaky faucets, squeaky doors, and loose doorknobs; and hiring a professional home stager.

“Each and every showing appointment is an invaluable opportunity to entice a buyer to make an offer,” says Mary Wolfe, personal moving consultant at Fox Run, in Novi.

3) Minimize surprises
A home that’s in good working order will always sell faster than one that needs pricey repairs. Satterfield encourages sellers to contact their real estate agent to obtain a seller’s package, which includes all statemandated seller’s disclosures statements. Fully disclosing any defects in your property protects both you and the buyer.

4) Spread the word
A well-done online listing will help you sell your home faster and for a better price—whether you use a broker or not. According to the National Association  of Realtors, 80% of people start their real estate searches online. Providing several photos that highlight your home’s best assets is important; you might even want to consider hiring a professional photographer.

Another valuable marketing tool is the virtual tour. It will take prospective buyers inside your home and give them a 360-degree view from the convenience of their computer screen. Some allow users to click from room to room themselves,  while others move through the house automatically. Virtual tours run from less than $100 to $3,000 for professional websites dedicated solely to selling your property.

5) Throw in some perks
Sometimes cash incentives are as effective as lowering the price. You may offer to pay for some or all of a buyer’s closing costs and/or discount points required by the buyer’s lending institution.

Including other extras that already exist in your home such as a big-screen TV, exercise equipment, a boat, etc. will also  help to “sweeten the deal.”

These ideas are designed to make your house stand out when you’re ready to  put it on the market. A well thought-out plan with specific strategies such as these will give you the competitive edge you need to sell your home fast.



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