Life is Random!!!
Don't Choose your Realtor that Way...

Chances  are in the last week, you have received solicitations from agents wanting your business!!! Just ask yourself:

Would you consider choosing your doctor or lawyer that way?

Is sending out the most junk mail to way to convince you "they are the specialist in your area"?

Is that any way to choose a Realtor? Should you reward the sender of the most"junk mail" with your business?

My cousin fell for that line a few years ago! I had sold them their home about 4 years before, and they had decided to sell and go back to medical school. When a postcard came, noting "agent X  was the neighborhood specialist" they almost signed a listing with him! Luckily they called me to let me know their thoughts. I heard the whole story, and went over with a list of closed sales in their neighborhood showing my recent sales history and the 'specialist's'! I could prove that I had more sales in their immediate area, and got the listing!!!

What if the solicitations indicate their company has sold a lot of homes in that immediate area?  Then you have to decide if you are okay with 'dual agency'. When an agent in a firm has a listing, and that agent, or any other agent in he same firm, writes an offer on the listing, it is called "dual agency". Both Seller and the Buyer have to sign the form, "Consent for Dual Agent" which in part "...waive any claims arising out of any conflicts of interest, or for breach of fiduciary duty arising from said dual agency role...". The law recognizes the legality of dual representation provided that both parties knowingly give their consent. The choice is yours.

Fiduciary means 1. designating or of a person who holds something in trust for another; of a trustee or  trusteeship: as a fiduciary guardian for a minor child. 2. held in trust: as, fiduciary property. 3. valuable only because of public confidence and support; said of certain paper money.

Thank you for considering me to represent you in the sale of your property,

Sincerely, Katie Hogan

Ross Valley Reporter: March 20, 2007

Katie Hogan takes the time to listen to her clients. She provides market statistics, opinions of value for trust & probate attorneys, gives advice, and provides written proposals to families contemplating a sale. She was a legal secretary years ago and is not afraid of all the paperwork involved in real estate transactions. Katie is the 3rd generation in her family to sell Marin real estate, a licensed Broker with The Madison Company, Realtors in Kentfield. She has worked from the same office since 1977, helping people achieve their real estate goals. Katie has mentored new agents, and taught adult ed courses to the public. She is patient, understanding and knowledgeable. If you want to sell, buy, or are just thinking about it, give Katie a call. You will be dealing directly with Katie, not an assistant. You can reach Katie at(415) 459-1550, ext. 111.

Testimonials

"Katie worked with me when I was interested in rental properties, raw land for building and the purchase of a project home. At each stage, her knowledge of Marin country was vast. She was very versed in the regulations of each of the towns and cities on the county."

-Sharon Mackie Cambell

"The sale of our home, the purchase of the new residence, the strict conditions we required of Katie and the Madison Company and our apprehension of the whole process, were even further complicated with Katie representing both the Seller and the Buyer on the primary parcel. The entire transaction was handled in a professional and personal manner. All our needs were met, and all our fears were catered to and we experienced a very smooth transition."

-Paul A. & Ramona Chourre

"I needed to sell my home shortly after the market turned sour. I turned to Katie and with her help was able to receive an accepted offer on my home within six weeks."

-Cathy K. Dorisin

The complications of buying and selling a home in today's business and regulation environment are many and deep. Katie's knowledge, savvy and tireless attention to managing detailed execution were superb and invaluable in the success of my transaction."

-Conn B. Hickey

"As a real estate broker who owns and manages a large San Francisco commercial firm and who has worked with numerous real estate professionals, Katie truly exemplified professional brokerage and superb personal communication skills which made the selling of my Mom's house (of 30 years) a smooth rather than a highly charged emotional decision."

-Michael S. Kraszulyak

"Katie handled the sale of our house in Kentfield under slightly adverse market conditions. Her perseverance, timely follow up never wavered and enhanced the sales situation. She was always a consummate professional throughout and a great emotional buffer to her clients when the work required an astute sense of judgment."

-Rene O'Hara Scott

"Katie's work ethic is nothing short of outstanding. She did her homework in suggesting a realistic price for the house. She took the time to explain it in detail allowing us to make the right decision. Katie did not just list the house among other Realtors and in print. She held an open house every week. She kept in touch with us regularly, keeping us informed of the feedback she was getting on the house."

-Linda Schmid

Ms. Nancie Bottmeyer
The Madison Company
810 college Avenue
Kentfield, CA 94904

Dear Ms. Bottmeyer

Re. 701 Las Ovejas Ave., San Rafael and Mrs. Katie Hogan

My wife and I would like to thank The Madison company and especially Mrs. Katie Hogan for a successful sale of our property. The whole enterprise was carried out in the very best professional manner.

At all times we felt extremely comfortable about being promptly and fully informed of all situations. As we were traveling during part of the sale period, Mrs. Hogan was very helpful in many areas that were beyond her call of duty.

Her professional and friendly help to us was a real delight.

With best regards,

A. Muzikants

Katie Hogan
The Madison Company
810 College Avenue
Kentfield, CA 94904

Dear Katie,

Ed and I want you to know how much we truly appreciate how honest, professional and caring you were in helping us find our first home. As you know, we started with another agent and learned the hard way that some people in real estate can be very self-serving and desperate to make a sale.

We are grateful to you for never rushing us into buying. We were so vulnerable, discouraged and desperate to buy when we met you. You never took advantage of that vulnerability and you were always truthful about what you felt about a property even if it meant talking us out of buying. You have been very protective of our future investment and so knowledgeable in giving us the information we needed to make decisions.

Thank you also for being so available and patient with us. We will definitely recommend you to our friends and business associates and will surely call on you again in the future.

We can't wait to move into our new house. We feel you were right when you told us the best house was out there for us. Thank you so much for helping us find it.

Thanks again for everything,

Rita, Ed, Julian & Thea