How long has Pembrooke Properties been in business?

Pembrooke Properties has been providing their clients with real estate services in Napa & Solano Counties and the greater North Bay Area for 15 years. With hundreds of successful real estate transactions completed, you can be assured that our experience and knowledge will help you in the timely sale of your home.

I know you are about to open an office in the Hiddenbrooke Plaza which would be convenient if I listed my property with you but have you had experience with sales and real estate service prior to this time?

Yes, our first sales in Hiddenbrooke began in 2001-2002. Since that time we have sold and listed over 18 homes and Custom Lots. The decision to open our office here seemed a natural thing to do after a number of our agents decided to make Hiddenbrooke their home. We have gained a wealth of knowledge in the past years to better serve our neighbor-clients. Understanding the local Mello Roos assessment, the 1998-1 Hiddenbrooke Assessment bond, the Maintenance assessment, the many recreational amenities provided in our community all provide our clients and prospective buyers with the local knowledge that’s invaluable for successful listings and sales in the Hiddenbrooke community.

Our office, with its professional REALTOR staff will be open every day to provide clients that extra personal service to have their listings available for showing every day of the week. Being a Pembrooke client means agents on duty will be available to show your home any day of the week instead of an occasional Saturday or Sunday Open House. That’s a big advantage to you in marketing your home.

I’ve heard that a commission for selling a home is 5% or 6%. How can Pembrooke Properties say that it will only cost me 1%?

First, let’s review the individual real estate commissions structure.

The Listing Commission.
Normally real estate agencies ask for 2.5% - 3.0%. This commission provides the Seller with professional representation and assistance in all real estate matters relating from the listing until the close of escrow sale for your home. Although Pembrooke spends many hours finding the right buyer, our agents often devote more hours to the sale AFTER a home goes into contract. Our 1.0% Pembrooke Properties’ commission represents a full service guarantee to clients at a reasonable rate.

The Selling Commission
The second commission, if authorized in the listing agreement, provides payment for a licensed agent who brings an acceptable offer to the Seller. Over 86% of residential properties involve a professional real estate agent. This commission can allow the property to be listed on the (MLS) Multiple Listing Service that’s reviewed daily by over seven thousand agents seeking that special home that fit their client’s specifications. Our professional Realtors®, believe the fastest and most efficient sale is best accomplished through MLS associated agents. That’s why we recommend offering a Selling commission to maximize your home’s exposure to the far larger market potential that only the MLS can provide.

Other real estate firms say that they also will list my property on the MLS. Isn’t that all that I need to be more successful in marketing my property?

Yes, listing your property on the MLS is very important but so is the amount of sales commission offered. Pembrooke believes that if you offer less than what other Sellers are willing to offer to, it will act as a damper to your potential sale.

If you were in home sales, which one would you try to sell first? More than likely, it’s the one that brought the best commission not the one that offers much less. You, as a potential home seller want the maximum showings and the quickest sale possible. Offering a lower commission than what other Sellers offer, we believe, puts you at a disadvantage. That’s why we at Pembrooke have adjusted our Listing commission to 1% and recommend a 2% to 2½% selling commission to help you stay at the front of the competition and retain as much of your equity as possible.

In this way you never pay more than 3% to 3½% in total real estate commissions instead of the higher 5% to 6%. Other firms charge. We believe our program is also the most effective way to find buyers for your home. Compare and balance both the listing program and the selling fees of other Real Estate agencies to determine which one will best serve you and help preserve your valuable home equity.

You’ve explained why your program will save me more money, I’m still curious - how you can ask for so much less than what other real estate firms want to charge me?

REASON ONE: In 1998, the average home that sold for $250,000.00 with real estate commissions of 2½% & 2½% (5.0%) paid $12,500.00. ($6,250.00 Listing & $6,250.00 Selling). But in 2005, that same home, reasonably maintained and kept in good repair, is now selling for over $500,000.00, with a commission of $25,000.00. An additional cost of $12,500.00. Pembrooke Properties has made the commitment to reduce our Listing commission to adjust for the increased value of homes. If your home is higher valued, your potential saving are even more.

REASON TWO: In 1998, advertising through print media accounted for a majority of home sales. But today, according to the National Association of Realtors®, the internet now accounts for nearly 73% of all residential sales in California. This figure continues to climb as the public continues to access the MLS associated websites. While we still believe print media is important, the large majority of potential buyers are now using web searches rather than newspapers or monthly real estate booklets to find their home. These lower advertising costs are again passed on to you as savings of your equity potential.

With your full service and reasonable listing commission, I realize that it’s going to allow me to keep more of the equity when I sell my home. Are there any other advantages for me?

Yes there are! Let’s assume your home is valued at $750,000.00 when it sells. The 1.0% Pembrooke Listing commission, when compared to a 3.0% listing fee, means that your initial savings are at least $15,000.00. So let’s review that difference and what it can mean to you.
If your financial situation requires you to depend on maximum equity from the sale, that $15,000.00 savings gives you more flexibility to accept an offer that does not meet your full expectations and/or can allow you to adjust your listing price to a lower level, if necessary, and still maintain your equity position that would not be possible with a 2.5%-3% listing firm. Being flexible in your marketing plan is an important key to keeping your potential equity level.

There are other homes in my neighborhood listed for more than I think my home is worth. How can Pembrooke Properties help me find my property’s value?

We believe that your best interests are served by providing an accurate Comparative Market Analysis along with our professional input of the possible staging and improving your property’s “curb appeal.” A Buyer’s first impressions are most important to a successful sale. We provide this service at no cost or obligation. Put our experience and expertise to work for you.

Are there any other commission costs or fees that you charge beyond your 1% Listing fee?

NO. There are no extra real estate listing commission charges or fees added by Pembrooke Properties. It’s important to ask about added costs for “extra” services when you search for the best real estate agency representation. Be assured that Pembrooke’s 1% Listing commission is the total cost to you for our full service listing commitment. For further details on all our sale recommendations, contact Charles Gordon at (707) 287-5572 or by e-mail at 4charles@sbcglobal.net. Pembrooke Properties believes that home equity can be the largest single financial asset that a person will have in their lifetime. So whether that planned “nest-egg” is for retirement, college for the kids, or any future financial goal that you may have, let us work to help protect your asset preservation.

I’ve heard that “discount” real estate firms, while charging a low listing commission, don’t achieve high sales prices when compared with Agencies that charge 5% - 6% total commissions.

First of all, by definition, Pembrooke Properties does not consider itself a “discount” firm because we offer full realty services. Although our Listing fee is less than other full service Agencies, “Discount” real estate firms charge a smaller commission for little or the very minimum of services. While we do charge less, we will always be a full service real estate firm to our clients. It is not our policy to comment on the practices and/or results of other real estate firms. What we can say is that Pembrooke Properties sales record has continually averaged sales in the 98% - 102% range when comparing them with their listed price.