Benton Real Estate Company, Inc., founded by Benjamin Benton, is an innovative Massachusetts-based "BOUTIQUE" style real estate brokerage that, in 2004 at inception, was the first to establish a virtual real estate office, setting a precedent for future digital advancements in the industry. Benton Real Estate Company, Inc., as the area’s top boutique style real estate firm, focuses on delivering seamless, smooth, and successful real estate transactions utilizing cutting edge systems, technological bandwidth coupled with consistent, time proven marketing strategies. These systems and technologies allow for Benton Real Estate to compete with the larger corporate real estate companies, while maintaining the service levels and personality of the "small town", "Mom and Pop" real estate brokerages of the past. The 23+ years of experience along with technologies of today, allow Benton Real Estate Company, Inc., to deliver un-paralleled service levels to our clients/customers, in both the residential and commercial real estate marketplace. Every agent at Benton Real Estate Company, Inc. is expected to provide superior service levels to all clients/customers in such areas as professionalism, care, obedience, accountability, dedication, loyalty, disclosure, and most importantly HONESTY! Place your confidence in us for all your real estate needs!

Brian McElhone

Phone: 413-563-0166

Email: SoldByBrianM@Gmail.com

Website: www.SoldByBrianM.com

STEP #1 - Comparative Market Analysis: Your first step in the selling process is to obtain a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) from your Real Estate Agent. With this, the Real Estate Agent will provide his/her opinion as to what they believe your home will sell for; given the market conditions.

STEP #2 - Listing the Property: After deciding on a price, you would then enter into a Listing Agreement with your Real Estate Agent, giving them the right to sell your property for a fee or commission. There are various Listing Agreements however, the most common is the Exclusive Listing Agreement, giving your Real Estate Agent the exclusive right to sell your property.

STEP #3 - Showing the Property: Your property will then be entered into the Multiple Listing System (MLS); all Real Estate Agents in Massachusetts will be trying to sell your property. In addition, your property will be featured in various publications, at your Real Estate Agents expense and discretion. As interested, potential buyers present themselves, be prepared to allow them the opportunity to walk through your property; this is considered a "showing".

STEP #4 - Offers: As interested buyers make offers to your Real Estate Agent, the Real Estate Agent is obligated to present any/all offers to you. A variety of scenarios can then occur. You may counter, accept, or reject an offer. Your Real Estate Agent should be assisting you through any of these scenarios and provide their professional recommendations.

STEP #5 - Acceptance of an Offer: When you have accepted an offer, signing the written offer accepted, your next step will be to sign the Purchase & Sale Agreement (P&S Agreement). Within 48-72 hours, the buyers should have signed the P&S, which has been drawn up by the Listing Real Estate Agent, reviewed and approved by both your Attorney and the buyer(s) Attorney, then reviewed and signed by you.

STEP #6 - Inspection Period: Within the P&S Agreement, the buyer(s), are allotted a ten-fifteen day period to have any/all inspections. Any/All inspections are at the cost of the buyer(s). The most common inspections are Mechanical, Structural, and Termite inspections. If the buyer(s) are not satisfied with the outcome of the above stated inspections, they reserve the right to rescind on the agreement and terminate the transaction. The buyer(s) receive their deposit back, in full. Under normal circumstances, the completed inspections initiates a second round of transaction negotiations. In most all cases one can expect that an existing property will be in need of some type of repairs whether they be minor or major in nature. It is after the inspections that the buyer(s) will renegotiate in the way of requesting a list of repairs, monetary credit for repairs or reduction in (continued) price due to needed repairs. This written request of repairs from the buyer(s) to the seller(s) then initiates the second round of negotiations whereas both parties “volley” to try to find common ground on repairs, closing cost credit or reduction of price. If the parties cannot come to terms, the transaction is then voided and the buyer’s deposit is returned in full. *Please note, the written request for repairs from the buyer(s) to the seller(s) MUST BE presented, in writing, by the said inspection deadline, otherwise the buyer’s right to renegotiate or request repairs expires with the said deadline date within the P&S.

STEP #7 – Appraisal: The buyer’s lender will hire a 3rd party appraisal company to visit the subject property and conduct a full analysis on the property to either confirm or deny that the property’s value is equal to or above the agreed upon sales price. If the appraised value is under that of the sales price then the transaction either dies or the parties renegotiate the pricing based on the appraised value. At times, a buyer has the financial abilities to move forward, making up the difference, monetarily and at closing, between the appraised value and the sales price even if it falls short however, the buyer must also agree to this. In certain busy and competitive markets, it is common for appraisals to fall short of the sales price and each party must try to work together in order for the transaction to actually consummate. If a property does not appraise for the agreed upon sales price and terms cannot be reached by the parties, the transaction dies and the buyer obtains their deposit back in full based on their inability to obtain a mortgage for the agreed upon sales price.

STEP #8 - Smoke Certificate: Approximately a week or so prior to closing, you will be asked to provide a Smoke Certificate for the closing. This is a certificate, from the city or town fire department, verifying that there is sufficient, working smoke detectors in your property. Your Real Estate Agent should schedule and collect such certificate for the closing.

STEP #9 - Closing: The closing can be formal or informal. At an "Informal Closing", you will sign the deed and transferring documents with your Attorney and he/she will deliver such paperwork to the buyer(s) Attorney at the time of the actual closing. At a "Formal Closing", all parties will meet and sign all the documents, at the same time and place. Informal Closings are very common and in many cases are needed due to time constraints on all parties.  

Benton Real Estate Company Inc. 

COMMUNITY SERVICE & DONATION LIST

Since inception in June of 2004, as a small local business, Benton Real Estate Company, Inc. has donated countless hours of volunteering and over $500,000 to local, state, and national charities, organizations, and hospitals.

• Jimmy Fund & Dana Faber Cancer Institute Sponsor

• Breast Cancer Awareness Walkathon-Baystate Health Systems Sponsor

• Brian Litz Memorial Scholarship Fund (Fallen Police Officer) Sponsor

• Rotary Club of West Springfield Member

• Big Brothers/Big Sisters Mentor

• Allocations Committee of the Community United Way of Pioneer Valley

• Berkshire Power Community Allocations Committee

• Curry College National Alumni Council Member

• Major Sponsor of The Shriner’s Annual Bike Run for Shriner’s Children’s Hospital

• Agawam Little League Sponsor

• Adopt a Platoon for US Service men and woman serving in Iraq and Afghanistan

• American Cancer Society Sponsor

• MOAR Member

• Penguin Plunge of Westfield to benefit Westfield’s Children Museum

• Children’s Miracle Network sponsor

• Autism Speaks Walkathon Sponsor

• National Multiple Sclerosis Society Bike Tour Sponsor

• Chicopee Falls Tigers AC Full Count Over 16 Baseball team Sponsor

• Center School Longmeadow, MA PTO Golf Tournament

• Agawam Piranhas Youth Swimming Organization

• Agawam Diamond Dawgs Youth Travelling Baseball Team Major Sponsor

• Martini Manicure – A Breast Cancer Fundraising Event

• Wreaths Across America

• West Springfield Boys and Girls Club

• Heart Health Awareness Student Sponsorship

• Yule Tree Jubilee

• Many donations to various golf tournaments and fundraising events within WMASS

• SKG Charities Board Member

• Boys & Girls Club of Springfield – Annual Boys & Girls High School Basketball Event

• Member of the Melha Shriners for Children and Freemasons Organization for 5 years

• Tunnel To Towers Foundation

• Wounded Warrior Project

Brian McElhone

 Phone: 413-563-0166

Email: SoldByBrianM@Gmail.com

www.SoldByBrianM.com