| There are numerous reasons to work with the Cape Group: |
| First, we list properties for sale in both the Cape and Islands MLS and the MLS PIN. The Cape and Islands MLS is primarily made up of Cape Cod real estate licensees. We all cooperate with each other to show and sell property on Cape Cod. The MLS PIN covers some of Cape Cod, but is primarily an "off-Cape" MLS that most licensees in New England have access to. Companies that are members of MLS PIN have access to agents all over New England as well as those on CapeCod. This dual affiliation is much more expensive for a real estate company, but it helps market property more effectively to the agents that sell property. |
| Next, a strong Internet presence is necessary for effective marketing. The Internet has changed the way buyers find real estate. Print advertising for real estate is now much less effective than the Internet is for adverising real estate. The majority of people looking for real estate, especially in a vacation area like Cape Cod, use the Internet to find property. The average internet buyer looks for property almost 250 miles from their current home. The Cape Group web site can be found in the top search results of search engines like Google, for terms like "Falmouth MA real estate". This type of search engine result "rank" is expensive and tedious to maintain, but it is an effective marketing tool. The Cape Group pays close attention to our search engine rankings. The National Association of Realtors has begun advising businesses to move their advertising from print to the Internet. |
| Cape Group Real Estate also uses a unique 800 telephone number on each of it's signs. This special phone number provides a 24 hour recorded message of pertinent information. Buyers are now researching property on the internet and then driving by properties to review the neighborhood before contacting an agent. The 800 number is a unique method Cape Group uses. We are not aware of any other company in Falmouth using this marketing method. |
| Experience is essential. Cape Group has sold millions of dollars of real estate for sellers and has helped buyers buy millions of dollars of real estate. There are litterally hundreds of real estate licensees in Falmouth, but most of them are part time. Heath Coker, the owner of Cape Group has originated loans, owned his own title company, is a certified paralegal, has a Bachelor Degree in Economics, and has been a MA Certified Energy Advisor. He is a published author of real estate articles, and understands real estate and the Internet at a much deeper level than most agents. |
| The Main Street office of Cape Group, provides more customers than print advertising. Many customers are generated simply from the pictures in the windows of the Cape Group office. Few offices have a good a "window shopping" location for real estate. |
| Water pollution, asbestos, lead paint, radon, and zoning rules, are well known issues that concern most buyers of real estate. In order to limit misinformation, assumption, and confusion, Cape Group listings are never shown unaccompanied. Other companies may put a lock box on a house which allows entry by anyone with the combination. If unacompanied, agents unfamiliar with a property may make assumptions and/or misinform prospective customers. Cape Group listing agents accompany all agents, including buyer agents. |
| The Cape Group agents apply the same integrity and informative behavior toward Buyers. Many buyers need help with septic information, plume information, and other topics that are unique to the Cape. We also provide buyers with tax information, recent sales, and other support information that solidify their understanding of value on Cape Cod. |
| One of the most confusing and newest issues in real estate today is, who represents whom in a transaction. There are selling agents (aka listing agents), buying agents, disclosed dual agents, designated agents, and facilitators. The Cape Group prefers to work as a facilitator. We believe it is the most honest form of representing sellers and/or buyers. A facilitator does not represent the interests of either party in a transaction. They can be thought of as representing the transaction, because their focus is on the closing rather than on price. As in all other forms of agency, Facilitators must present property honestly and accurately, and they work to help all parties agree on a fair price for a property. Market data, seller requirements, and buyer requirements are all considered by a facilitator. In Massachusetts, every agent is required to explain all forms of agency at the first face to face meeting with a customer about a property. Licensees are subject to a $1000 fine if hey do not explain the MA Agency Disclosure Form when they first meet with a customer. |
| MLS coverage, Internet presence, unique marketing methods, knowledge, and experience make Cape Group a good choice for listing your properties. We would like to list and sell your your properties or help you find a good property to own. We look forward to successful transactions with you. |