PROBLEM:
A filthy, dirty oven is discovered at the final walk-through.

SOLUTION:
Make sure all built-in kitchen appliances, especially the oven and the refrigerator, are thoroughly cleaned before the property goes on the market. Why, you ask?

First, potential buyers will be inspecting them during listing appointments. Their cleanliness will reflect on the condition and quality of your home. Second, once the home is sold and you are in the midst of a hectic move, it is easier to simply wipe them down if they have already been deep-cleaned.

Tricia Kolbrener I 314.504.5564

PROBLEM:
Our client was a bachelor living in a great house that needed some updating and TLC.

SOLUTION:
The client wished to sell his home "as-is." The home languished on the market for seven months without selling. After getting married, he took the house off the market to do some updating. With our guidance on resources, the client commissioned the painting of the exterior of the home and all the interior rooms. They installed new doors, removed carpeting, refinished hardwood floors and added accent millwork. The kitchen was updated with new granite counters and new stainless appliances. Additionally, the old tile floor was replaced and some of the cabinets were removed to create a dining nook. The remaining cabinets were painted in a fresh neutral color. Bathrooms were also updated with bead board wainscoting, new vanities and granite tops. The final key step in the turnaround was to hire a trusted stager to give the home a young fresh décor.

The home returned to the market and sold the first week.

Linda Benoist 314.504.5495
www.janetmcafee.com/lindabenoist

PROBLEM:
I was invited to make a listing proposal on a home that had been on the market for four months with another broker.

 SOLUTION:
I prepared a current market analysis, a comprehensive marketing plan and was awarded the listing. My strategy was to reposition the listing with a new target audience and enhance the value proposition. I also deployed 3 key tactics which included: editing and staging the furniture; professional photography; and writing compelling and accurate copy. My marketing plan was comprehensive and included digital, print, direct and promotional elements to create maximum awareness. Showings dramatically improved and the home sold within 30 days!

Donna Auld
314.518.0071                                     www.janetmcafee.com/donnaauld

Problem:
A client’s home in Clayton was in rough shape. Deferred maintenance, over 40 years of saving everything and no way to see the interior.

Solution:
We created a plan for getting the house "sale" ready. First step was to remove everything from the house. Second step was to create a punch list of repairs, followed by painting and replacement of dated items. Third step, we priced the house to sell fast. It took about two months to get it ready. The home sold before the first agent open house.

Larry Levy   I   314.520.5668
www.janetmcafee.com/larrylevy

PROBLEM:
To save money, my clients thought they would use the existing survey for the property they were purchasing. Unfortunately, not only would the title company not insure against claims arising from boundary disputes or easements, the existing survey showed an easement was located right under the center of the home.

SOLUTION:
I worked with our closing department and the title company to verify all easements of record. We called upon a trusted surveyor and ordered a boundary survey to locate all property improvements and easements of record.  A new survey revealed the easement in question was located across the back of the property and not where the previous survey had located the easement.  With the new survey, the title company was happy to issue the buyer’s title insurance.

Nancy Gulick   I   314.623.1915   I   www.janetmcafee.com/nancygulick

PROBLEM:
Our listed property ended up being a short sale.  Neither side of the sale seemed to be making any headway and the bank was decidedly unresponsive to all our entreaties to speed things up with the resolution process.

 SOLUTION:
 It took constant and daily communications with all involved, lots of hand holding, lots of patience, lots of guidance and support but it did ­finally result in a satisfactory sale.  One of the key ingredients to a successful sale was having us, the agents, keeping both buyer and seller involved and positive reinforcement all along the way.  You can’t give up.  Some sales are just more difficult and complicated than others.

Kevin Hurley   I   314.560.4977
To learn more about Kevin and to see all his fine listings, go to www.janetmcafee.com/kevinhurley.

PROBLEM:

Last fall we listed a wonderful house with a 14 year-old addition. ­The older part of the home had some “dated” paint and there was a pool table in the living room. Potential buyers could not see past this.

SOLUTION:

We took the house off the market for the holidays and updated the rooms with neutral paint, removed the pool table and staged the room for its original purpose. We received multiple offers when we brought the house back on the market.  The beautiful staging and bright fresh interior made all the difference. 

Lisa Coulter   I   314.941.2883