Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself, my team, and the way I do business as an agent with Windermere Realty Trust
Laurie Whittemore
Principal Broker
Luxury Specialist
Premier Agent, CNE, CRS, GRI
LFWhitt@Windermere.com
503•805•9738
www.LaurieWhittemore.com
Testimonials From Past Clients
Honest & Professional
Total Professional
Flawless Guidance
The big day has arrived and we want you to know...you are such an enjoyable team to work with. We are very grateful for your professional expertise, dedication and flawless guidance. Your top notch sales support from start to finish is greatly appreciated.
Thank you!!
LN & PN
Trusted Partner
Outstanding Realtor
Attentive Team
As Good As They Get
Welcome
Hello. I'm glad you're here. I know you have many options when it comes to finding a realtor to help you reach your real estate goals. I'm very grateful for considering me and my team and we hope you will find the information below helpful. My goal is to tell you a bit about who I am, how I work with my clients and the other members of my team. We're all here to help you and excited at the idea of working together soon one day.
My Commitment to Excellence
I have spent my entire 25+ year real estate career working in the local Portland area and each of those years have been with Windermere Realty Trust. I was born and raised right here. I raised my 2 children in the area and now have grandchildren who call our beautiful part of the world home. I bring to you my thorough knowledge of properties in the entire Portland Metropolitan area and specialize in the NW/SW Portland neighborhoods and Raleigh Hills areas. I hope you agree that having someone that knows the ins and outs of the local Portland market is a huge asset to you and to reach and hopefully exceed your real estate expectations.
I pride myself on my attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills. There are lots of "moving parts" in a real estate transaction and I know that this particular time in your life can be very stressful with many things to think and worry about. My team and I work hard to ensure that you are comfortable and understand each step of your real estate path. I care about my clients and their best interests and give equal commitment whether your selling a large $3M estate, or buying your very first home.
Credentials
Over 25 years of real estate experience and proud member of:
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- CRS - Certified Residential Specialist
- GRI - Graduate Real Estate Institute
- PMAR - Portland Metro Association of Realtors
- CNE - Certified Negotiation Expert
- SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist
- OAR - Oregon Association of Realtors
- NAR - National Association of Realtors
- Master's Circle -Diamond/Platinum Member
- Windermere Premier Property Group Member
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About Myself
- 25 Years as a Real Estate Agent for Windermere Realty Trust
- Native Oregonian, Born & Raised in Portland
- Bachelor of Arts Degree - University of Oregon
- Masters in Teaching - Lewis & Clark College
- 10 Years Experience in Education & Administration at High School & University Level
- Married 40 Years, 2 Children, 2 Grandchildren, 1 Granddog
- Recreational Interests - Skiing, White Water Rafting, Kayaking, Scuba Diving, Gardening & Golf
Laurie vs. The Others
The Whittemore team is dedicated to selling your home quickly and for the highest price possible.
We work hard to help ensure that your listing is market ready and priced right. Getting your property market ready is easier with a detailed agent like Laurie who takes the time to discuss your pre-listing strategic options such as home inspections, radon & sewer scopes, professional designers or stagers, contractors, moving resources, etc. When you are choosing a listing price, Laurie will take into consideration all the amenities your property has to offer as well as current market conditions, and she will help you position your property at the “front of the parade”.
Average Days on Market
Average Sold vs. List Price %
My Team
Kelly Sedory
Real Estate Broker
Transaction Manager
ksedory@windermere.com
(503)497-2936
Joe Stilwell
Managing Broker
Principal Broker
Raleigh Hills Office
(503)318-9437
"The Windermere Way"
More than just a motto, it's our way of doing business each and every day. It is the reason I have proudly chosen to be a Windermere agent for all of my 25 years in this industry.
These truths distinguish Windermere and are the foundation for our success. Our ability to provide customers with an incredible experience makes us a great real estate company
We believe that people are more important than houses.
We always start with the client's point of view.
We solve people's needs while fulfilling their wants.
We know everything about our neighborhood and community.
We understand that a house is a box where people do their living. It is where
memories are made and lives take place.
We are citizen-agents and a central part of the fabric of our community.
We ease and guide the home buying and selling processes and transform the leap of faith to a step of faith.
We are facilitators, counselors, experts and hand holders, which is so much more than an agent.
We protect our clients by educating them and negotiating on their behalf.
We are entrepreneurs.
We are creating a cause which is way more than building a company.
We are creating vibrant, livable, and humane communities.
Reaching Global Buyers
The Windermere Premier Property program is Windermere’s luxury branding & marketing tool for properties that meet strict criteria. Premier listings are marketed not only through Windermere’s exclusive Premier property channels, but also through Luxury Portfolio International®. Luxury Portfolio represents a virtual “who’s who” of homes: the largest online inventory of $1 million-plus homes of any luxury network or franchise. When you sell your luxury home with Windermere, you can count on premium worldwide exposure and exposure to a global pool of qualified buyers.
Windermere Market Share
Portland West & Raleigh Hills (homes $500,000+)
Multnomah County (homes $500+)
Windermere Foundation
Windermere understands the importance of giving back to our community. Enriching the neighborhoods in which we live and work is an integral part of how we do business. That is why we donate a portion of our commission from every transaction to benefit the Windermere Foundation.
Since 1989, the foundation has collected and contributed over $33 million.
Assistance is provided to non-profit agencies dedicated to helping homeless and low-income families in our community.
Every year since 1984, Windermere agents have dedicated a day of work to those in need.
These hands-on projects benefit a wide variety of community-based organizations
Projects have included maintenance at a senior center, construction of a children's playground and sorting duties at a food bank.
I am pleased to be part of such an important mission. It's just the right thing to do.
Price It Right The First Time
Pricing your home properly is the most important decision when planning to sell your home. Frequently sellers have a perception about the market value of their home which is not based upon relevance to their particular market, neighborhood or the current market condition.
I will research and compile data for a custom market analysis (CMA) to give you a pricing strategy and range of value in order to attract the most buyers.
The graph illustrates the importance of choosing the right price the first time. The price you choose in relation to location, condition and amenities, is your most important sales tool in real estate!
The Sales Process
Preparing & Highlighting Your Listing
The beginning of a successful and comprehensive marketing plan includes many of the following key elements.
- Competitive Market Analysis
- Correct Pricing
- Listing Documents
- Energy Audit
- Pre-Marketing Home Inspections
- Repairs/Exterior Preparation
- Complementary Consultation with Designer
- Professional Home Staging
- Staging Indoors & Out
- Room Measurements/Floor Plan
- Professional Photography
- Review/Collect Legal Documents
Studies have proven that preparing a home prior to going on the market pays off for a seller. A properly prepared home can yield higher offers, shorter time on the market, and less chance a buyer will back out of a transaction. You only get one chance with today's buyers to make a great first impression. I work with my sellers to help them declutter, deep clean, re-arrange their furnishings or when needed, professionally stage their home. I have an extensive list of contractors that have been thoroughly vetted and ready to work with you.
Below are some before and after examples of how I prepare my listings for the market.
Marketing Your Listing
Every home has a story to tell. Today's discerning buyers are shopping for homes online now more than ever. It's important to us that we highlight your homes unique and most special features. We want buyers to say "Wow! Let's go take a look". We pride ourselves on hiring the best industry photographers, videographers, drone operators to highlight your home. Below are some examples of what we can do.
From Local to Global Marketing Reach
It is no longer enough to hang a for sale sign and place your listing in the MLS system. Your future buyer is out there. And it's our job to find them. We go well beyond the expected to market your home and make sure that we reach as many potential buyers possible. Whether it be a postcard to your surrounding neighborhoods, or advertisement in the Luxury Living global magazine we pride ourselves on our multi-faceted and completely customized approach to marketing your home.
A successful and comprehensive marketing plan may include some of the following key elements:
Print Media
- Just Listed postcard to surrounding neighborhoods
- Custom Marketing Flyer at Property
- Local Magazine Print Advertisement of Your Listing
Social Media
- Instagram - Agent, Raleigh Hills Agency, Windermere Regional and Windermere National
- Facebook - Agent + Targeted Facebook Advertisement Campaigns
- Windermere.com National Website
- 40+ National Real Estate Websites
- Digital E-Blasts to over 2,000+ area agents Including exclusive member only mailing list to Portland Top 10 Producers
Specialty Branding
- Windermere Premier Property Marketing (for qualifying properties)
- Luxury Portfolio Marketing
- Top Portland Producers Program
Grassroots Marketing
- Neighborhood Directionals
- Interior Signage
In Person
- Broker Only Preview Tours
- Public Open Houses
- Mention at Windermere Weekly Staff Meetings
Negotiating
Highest price doesn't mean anything unless your transaction closes. A successful sale of your home is getting you under contract and helping you navigate and negotiate every step of the way through closing day. Successful negotiations might include:
- Single Offer Analysis
- Multiple Offer Analysis
- Submitting to you and clearly explaining the pro's and con's of all offers received
- Closing Date Strategies
- Occupancy & Rent Back Options
- Inspection Deadlines
- Repairs vs. Credit Options
- Home Warranty Options
- Contingency Options
- Appraisal Preparations
- Tracking of Transaction Timelines & Deadlines
Transaction & Escrow Management
Once we have successfully negotiated with the buyer and you are under contract, my team ensures that we manage the details of your transaction timelines and escrow documentation. This might include:
- Open Escrow Account
- Create Transaction Timeline & Update
- Track Earnest Money Receipts/Deposit
- Submit Property Disclosures to Buyer
- Submit Pre-Listing Repairs/Inspections to Buyer if Desired
- Verify Title Report Accuracy
- Verify Deed Accuracy
- Gather HOA Documentation
- Prepare Market Data to Assist Appraiser
- Negotiations on Repair Requests
- Track Any Contingency Conditions
- Generate Addenda and Supply to Escrow/Financial/Title Companies
- Verify Closing Documents
- Attend Closing Appointment at Escrow
- Verify Your Funds to Close Are Available
- Moving Day Stress Reductions
- List of Moving Companies & Supply Companies
- Gourmet Lunch or Dinner Certificate
Sample Pre-Listing Timeline for Seller
Whether you're a buyer or seller, making sure your home is safe and sound is priority #1. We often suggest to our sellers that they have a pre-listing inspection. This might include a home inspection, sewer line inspection, radon testing, and/or scanning the property for an old oil tank. Below are some trusted contractors that we often work with that you can reach out to. In addition to the list of trusted providers below, I have over 900+ other companies that are available to share with my clients. Just one more advantage I have after being in the business for 25+ years and can share with you.
Laurie Whittemore
Principal Broker
Luxury Specialist ~ Top 10% Producer
Windermere Realty Trust
(503) 805-9738
