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Developing a Strategic Inventory Management Program. Panel: Gil Carlson, Unirisc Cindy Mulhall, Encana Julie O’Halloran, Canadian National Railways Barb Kalydy, TheMIGroup Gail Reinhart, TheMIGroup. Strategies to Keep Home Out of Inventory Inspections Repairs Home warranty
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Developing a Strategic Inventory Management Program Panel: Gil Carlson, Unirisc Cindy Mulhall, Encana Julie O’Halloran, Canadian National Railways Barb Kalydy, TheMIGroup Gail Reinhart, TheMIGroup
Strategies to Keep Home Out of Inventory • Inspections • Repairs • Home warranty • Marketing the property • Strategies for Marketing an Inventory Property • Re-evaluation of the property (e.g., repairs/improvements) • Maintenance • Marketing plan (including staging and Home Warranty) • Pricing Strategies (including incentives)
Inspections • General home inspection at a minimum; additional inspections required for certain areas, e.g., pest, septic, radon • Full disclosure in the US, not necessarily in Canada (Buyer Beware) • May be used by Realtor to market property • Ensures corporate client does not acquire a home with issues that must be fixed prior to resale
Recommended Repairs • Recommended or required repairs: • Potential insurance and lender issues such as roof/furnace beyond life expectancy • Safety & Health issues (e.g. mold, radon, electrical) • Water penetration • Structural • Latent defects; a defect not discoverable upon reasonable inspection of the property, e.g., inadequate wiring behind walls, asbestos, Chinese dry wall • Transferee should provide any warranties or service contracts for major systems
Home Warranty • Covers deficiencies found after purchase is completed on major systems, e.g., central heating, interior plumbing, roof • Valuable selling tool that helps protect the buyer from the unexpected costs of major system and appliance failure during first year of home ownership • Canada • Home inspection is NOT required but items must be in working condition at time of closing • Coverage begins on inspection date and continues for 90 days • Not yet typical in Canadian mobility policies • Typical cost – $300 - $400 CAD • Recent study shows that homes with warranties sold in 16% less time and for a better price
Home Warranty (cont’d) • United States • Typical closing cost requested by purchaser in most home sale transaction • Normally a concession by the seller and not an entitlement within the mobility policy • Typical cost - $350 - $500 USD • Benefits • For the Seller: • Home ‘stands out’ to perspective buyers • Eliminates ‘call backs’ when problems arise after closing • For the Buyer: • Peace of mind from unexpected repair costs of major systems or appliances
Marketing the Property • Careful review of appraisals; ensure appraisers have taken market conditions, location, etc. under consideration • Broker’s Market Analysis; two if possible • Marketing restrictions • Impact of severing acreages to meet program criteria • Property should be in good condition, neat and tidy
Strategies for Managing Inventory Property • Re-evaluation of the property • Maintenance • Marketing plan • Pricing Strategies
Assessing the Property for Resale • New appraisals • Change in real estate agent • New Broker’s Market Analysis • Review factors impacting property such as location, condition, price • Set expectations!
Assessing the Property for Resale • Location • Is there something unique about the location? • How was the location marketed and to whom? • Condition • How does it compare to the competition? • Is the interior in neutral colours? • Is the exterior inviting or does the property look abandoned? • What were the original agent’s recommendation when the property was first listed? • Price • What is the current agent’s recommendation? • How many showings; any second showings? Any offers? • Were there any incentives offered during the listing period?
Repairs and/or Improvements • Depends on the requirements for repairs within the corporate mobility policy • Full disclosure in the US gives the prospective purchaser all the information regarding required repairs • If only structural and safety repairs required, some minor repairs may be left to negotiation with the prospective purchaser: • deferred maintenance/cosmetic issues • broken window seals • loose toilets, leaky faucets • replacement of deteriorated wood trim • damaged siding, eaves, etc.
Ongoing Property Maintenance • Vacant property insurance • Landscaping/snow removal • Utilities • Property taxes • Mortgage payments • Ongoing management by Realtor
Marketing Plan • Review with current Realtor • Staging • Buyer Incentives • Realtor bonuses
Price Reduction Strategies • Review pricing strategy every 30 – 45 days • New BMA/BPO every 60 – 90 days • Depends on: • Time of year • Current sales activity • Realtor/buyer feedback • Based on client culture – price slashing vs other strategies