He has a totally different approach to the whole process, starting with excellent glamour-style photography that gracefully emphasized my home?s best features. His wide-angle photos were so good, I almost want to re-buy the home myself! The rest of his program followed at the same high level. The main problem I was facing was the length of time it had been taking to sell homes in my complex. The typical time for recent sales was 150 days or more from the time of putting the home on the market until close of escrow and sale completion. One home had been on the market for 160+ days without even selling. This was not going to work for me, because I had to leave in about 45 days for my new home in Maine. Terry?s combination of programs was perfect for my situation. First, he prepared my home for sale according to his Certified Pre-Owned Home program, which he obviously adapted from the car business. Same idea, complete with extra inspections and extended warranties to set the buyer?s mind at ease? When we went on the market, my home had a clear termite report and a final Home Inspection report, done after we had completed the repairs we decided to do from the first Home Inspection. We also had a title report and all the HOA docs? we were ready to close escrow from the very first day we went on the market. Next, the first few days on the market were devoted to preparing for an auction. I was a little concerned about this, but Terry explained that we would have an unpublished minimum bid, and I would not have to sell if the bidding didn?t reach this minimum price. He said the auction was to identify the very best buyer, create buyer competition, and to establish a deadline to get the buyers to commit. Although we had traditional offers, and ultimately sold traditionally, rather than at the auction, the auction promotion certainly caused a lot of stir because of the low starting bid and the auction deadline, and it certainly brought attention to my sale. Incredibly, in addition to 3 weekends of newspaper advertising and the two online virtual tours and other online promotion, Terry spent the money to send out 2400 of the beautiful, professionally-done 4 page brochures of my home to the most likely buyers! Outside of one evening showing, all the prospective buyers viewed my home (and viewed competing buyers, too, just as Terry planned for it to happen) during the weekend open houses. This was convenient for me, but the real reason behind it, Terry told me, was to compress the showings so buyers would see their competition. Each showing and each entry into my home for inspections and repairs was managed and attended by Lauren, the company?s Client Experience Manager. She was delightful, managing the inspections, the repair, the pre-marketing staging by the interior designer paid for by Hunter-Broker, and then getting the movers necessary to implement the staging ideas, again paid for by Hunter-Broker. Talk about turn-key? this was beyond that? it was total ?remote control?! All of Terry?s efforts paid off! With 3 offers, we were in escrow in only 21 days, closing escrow only 24 days later, for a total of 45 days. This compares with over 150 days for the other sales, AND our price was $24,000 more than the last sale in our complex! What a combination? less than 1/3 the time, and a higher price, too! But that?s not all! Not only did Terry get my home into escrow quickly, he also made sure up-front that the escrow would actually close, providing me peace-of-mind during the whole process. Instead of relying on the typical real estate agreement, where I would be obligated to sell to the buyer, but the buyer could walk away any time, Terry got all of the contingencies removed that could kill my sale. First, he got buyer agreement on his 95% appraisal agreement, which says an appraisal value of 95% of the contract price satisfies the appraisal requirement. Since we knew that that appraisal wouldn?t come in less than 95%, I didn?t have to worry about a low appraisal killing my sale. Next, Terry explained that the other thing that kills sales is the totally open-ended, 17day home inspection period in the standard sales agreement. He said buyers just sometimes ?fall out of love? with a home, and then use the inspection provisions as an excuse to cancel out after a couple of weeks (even if nothing is actually wrong with the home), totally destroying marketing momentum and dramatically extending the time on the market. Since we already provided the buyer with a Home Inspection and clear termite report up-front, Terry negotiated with the buyer to limit the reasons the buyer could cancel to serious home defects. So, again, I didn?t have to worry about my sale failing at the last minute, because we already knew that there were no serious home defects. I am so delighted! I had horrible visions of leaving my empty home behind, and then hassling with it for months, trying to sell an empty, unfurnished home, and paying the mortgage on it for months and months. Instead, it closed 12 days after I left, just as planned. I read the write-ups on other agents, and they really didn?t say much except that the agent was nice and the agent answered the sellers? emails. In my view, what that gets you is the 150+ day hassle that the other sellers in my complex obviously went through to sell. I have never seen anything like Terry?s totally proprietary end-to-end approach. His expertise got me the results I wanted in less than 1/3 the time and also gave me peace-of-mind and no showing hassles during the entire process. Terry went all out to get me a higher price than I expected, rather than taking the easier way of just meeting my expectations. He watched over my transaction like it was his own money on the table. Without a doubt, this is by far the best real estate experience I have ever had. I commend, with my very highest recommendation, Terry, Lauren and Hunter-Broker to anyone contemplating a move. On to Maine with a calm and peaceful mind!
We did a full down-to-the-studs renovation of a three bedroom ranch. It was a challenging property and Ryan was great to work with troubleshooting unique situations and presenting alternatives. Weâ ve gone back to Fairmount Woodworking on about ten projects since then.
Zeph B.
4.0
10/2023
Haven’t put him to the test yet, but he was prompt with our meet and appraisal and shared a very reasonable quote.
Ever since Maine pest Solutions started the preventative bedbug treatments, we have had no infestations/outbreaks. The staff is very knowledgeable, professional, efficient yet thorough, and courteous. They take the time to explain any plans of actions or if something needs to be changed at...
Andre C.
5.0
05/2014
I read Terry?s write-ups in AngiesList, and decided that he was the one to sell my home! After my first meeting, I understood why the other AngiesList members were so complimentary. He has a totally different approach to the whole process, starting with excellent glamour-style photography...
Mike Murgatroy has 24 years of lending experience and is an Angi Super Service Award recipient 2012-2022. Mike is also ranked in the top 1% mortgage originators in the United States. With integrity at the core of his values, you can rest assured that Mike Murgatroy will give you informed detailed mortgage advice, the same he would recommend to his own family. We pride ourselves on having a transparent process which we will walk you through every step of the way. Start your application process today by visiting themurgteam.com and find out why so many others continue to bring their business to Mike Murgatroy. NMLS ID# 60099; http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org
"It went great again. I am a repeat customer. They are professional, organized, and they perform like a well oiled machine. From the application process to the closing A+++++++ They do what they say they are going to do in a timely manner. I cannot say enough about this team. Thank you for another great experience Michael, Peter, Monica, and Connie."
Joseph V on March 2022
Mike Murgatroy has 24 years of lending experience and is an Angi Super Service Award recipient 2012-2022. Mike is also ranked in the top 1% mortgage originators in the United States. With integrity at the core of his values, you can rest assured that Mike Murgatroy will give you informed detailed mortgage advice, the same he would recommend to his own family. We pride ourselves on having a transparent process which we will walk you through every step of the way. Start your application process today by visiting themurgteam.com and find out why so many others continue to bring their business to Mike Murgatroy. NMLS ID# 60099; http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org
"It went great again. I am a repeat customer. They are professional, organized, and they perform like a well oiled machine. From the application process to the closing A+++++++ They do what they say they are going to do in a timely manner. I cannot say enough about this team. Thank you for another great experience Michael, Peter, Monica, and Connie."
Joseph V on March 2022
FAQs for property appraisal projects in Orono, ME
An appraisal is an opinion of value, so anything that is expected to boost your home value is likely to work in your favor when it comes to the appraisal. Things like improving your curb appeal, painting, refinishing floors, and taking care of minor repairs are all good investments prior to ordering an appraisal. It’s also a good idea to clear out any clutter and complete a deep clean beforehand to show your property in the best light possible.
Appraisals aren’t required by law to complete a real estate transaction, but it’s unlikely that a lender will allow a buyer to close on a property without an appraisal, so, effectively, they are usually required. Your mortgage lender uses the property as collateral for your loan, and the appraisal is what the lender will base the mortgage on to confirm the value is there to justify their investment.
The average cost of a property appraisal is around $355, but different appraisers in your area could charge anywhere from $250 to $500. Appraisals for larger properties will often cost more, as will valuations for older properties. Appraisers will use homes in the surrounding area to help determine a valuation as well, so if your home doesn’t conform to the neighborhood standards, the valuation will require more work and will likely cost more.
A licensed appraiser is the only individual that can carry out a property appraisal. You should always check to ensure an appraiser you’re considering has the proper licensing from your state. Additionally, since an appraisal is meant to be an unbiased opinion of a property’s value, you should confirm that the appraiser doesn’t have ties to any other party in the sale of the property.
Anyone can hire a property appraiser to confirm the inherent value of a property, but the buyer or buyer’s lender will usually choose the appraiser and pay the individual for their opinion. It’s also not uncommon for the seller’s side in a real estate transaction to hire an appraiser in order to justify an asking price or negotiate a higher selling price.
The Orono, ME homeowners’ guide to property appraisals
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Wondering how to improve the appraisal value of your home? Use these tips to maximize return on investment and boost your property value before you sell.
FHA loans are backed by the government and come with specific FHA appraisal guidelines and requirements. Learn what an FHA appraisal entails in this guide.
A home appraisal determines your property’s value and is necessary for most real estate transactions. Learn more about home appraisals and why they matter.