Written by:
Ken Jelinek
Associate Broker
RE/MAX Properties, Inc.
Anchorage, Alaska

1. How long have you been licensed to practice real estate in the State of Alaska?

   I was licensed in the early part of 1994. The first two years I managed over 175 rental properties for a privately owned real estate investment company. The 3rd year I passed the state exam and was licensed as a Broker of my own property management company. I’ve been here at RE/MAX since spring of 1997.

2. What did you do before, and why did you get into real estate?

   After college I worked for two years in oil accounting and 4 years in an airline. My title was "Planner/Analyst" for the airline for that last couple of years. I left the airline so my partner and I could start a trendy card & gift shop along with a delicatessen in downtown Anchorage. Just before getting my license to practice real estate I worked in 7 jobs capacities at the best grocery chain in Alaska.

   There has always been a number of business interests & income generating ideas that I’ve explored & pursued while working my other full time jobs. Every job, big and small, has helped me get a better understanding of the "big picture" of business — specifically in Alaska.

3. Are you full-time?

   Yes. I’ve practiced real estate in each capacity full time from the beginning. I can’t imagine how anyone can be successful in a profession this detailed & changing while working only part time. Especially if he/she has to work around the demands of another full time job and boss.

4. Are you a member of Multiple Listing Service?

   Yes. I’ve been a member since I started helping people buy and sell homes at RE/MAX. I find it’s the first/best resource for finding homes for my buyer clients as well as advertising the home for my seller clients.

5. Are you a member of the local Association of Realtors?

   Yes, ever since I started helping people buy and sell homes at RE/MAX. Being a Realtor and taking advantage of the seminars, advanced "real estate specific" education, and professional certifications has been a great way to help me represent my clients more skillfully, successfully, and effectively in the marketplace.

6. Besides the required 20 hours every two years of continuing education, what have you done to make you better at helping me buy or sell?

   For starters, the minimum requirements just don’t give a person enough to make him/her really good at anything - certainly not in real estate.

   I’m aggressive-compulsive about bettering my skills and effectiveness in my chosen profession. My undergraduate degree is in economics and I have a minor in business administration. I’m also an Associate Broker and a Graduate of the Realtor’s Institute (GRI). It won’t be long before I have earned the additional designation of Certified Residential Specialist (CRS). Each of these, combined with plenty of successful hands-on experience, helps me to keep a finger on the pulse of the market and represent my client more expertly in each transaction.

   One of my "hobbies & interests" is reading. I read up on business in general and try to stay on top of new, better ways to conduct business - such as with email, the Internet, computer telephony, sales & marketing strategies, etc.

   Most importantly, however, is that I have done a lot of work in pricing and I enjoy it. While I am always the student of the best ways to negotiate and determine the best pricing strategies, this area is the most interesting and I take to it naturally.

7. How many homes have you helped buyers actually buy over the last few years

   I’ve represented around 50 buyers find homes throughout the different parts of town. Those homes ranged between about a $60,000 condo all the way up to a $376,000 single family home. Each of the buyers and their individual circumstances were not only interesting and fun but very educational as well.

   While I haven’t seen everything yet, I have probably worked on a transaction that will help me help you attain your best interests.

8. How many homes have you actually listed for sale over the last few years?

   I’ve helped fewer than 10 sellers sell their house or condo. This shows that I have far more experience representing buyers than sellers but everything is pointing to being a 50/50 split between buyers and sellers within a year or so.

   Listing homes for sale and representing sellers is definitely my focus at this time. All of my credentials point in that direction. And after my web site is completed, I’ll have a very powerful marketing machine in place for selling your home. I’ll certainly do a good job for you.

   Please keep in mind, though, that I’m not turning away any buyer clients. Helping people find their first home or that perfect upgrade is quite rewarding. And introducing newcomers to town is a lot of fun too.

9. What makes you qualified to counsel me on pricing my purchase or my sale?

   My answers to the first 8 questions describes in detail why I believe I can do a very good job for you. I don’t claim to be "the best" in town - if there is such a thing — but only good at what I do — just One Good Realtor.

10. How often, and by what means, will I be communicating with you?

    I am capable and willing to communicate with you by any means you choose. Sometimes we must meet in person such as when you’re viewing homes or when I’m preparing to list your home for sale. If you want to pick up lists of homes at my office or if you want me to email or fax updates to you, I’m prepared either way. Phone, cell phone, voice mail, fax, email, courier, hand delivery, and in person communication all works.

    What I promise, though, is to make myself very accessible and to keep you fully informed of the status of your transaction every step of the way. I don’t know how some agents can do a very good job when they hide behind their voice mails & assistants and are always out of the office. "Day late and a dollar short" comes to mind.

11. What are the steps involved in buying my home?

    The steps will differ slightly whether you’re buying your first home or buying "up". First timers will have a few extra steps, as will those buying a condo. The steps are outlined here below. Please keep in mind that a number of these items will happen simultaneously and not necessarily in this order.

    • Find yourself One Good Realtor and discuss what you’re trying to do.
    • Get pre-qualified with Loan Officer, get answers to all finance questions.
    • View homes available. Choose one that best fits overall, not just in price.
    • Make an Offer (contracts, disclosures, earnest money, terms, 90% letter).
    • Conduct all inspections on home ($200-$400) and request repairs if any.
    • Take any required classes.
    • Resale certificate is ordered for your review and signature.
    • Sometimes documents, like the "As-Built Survey", need updating.
    • Appraisal ordered. Sometimes more negotiations & verifications needed.
    • Title is opened.
    • You get loan approval.
    • You line up your insurance.
    • Schedule utilities to be put in your name for day of recording.
    • The title company receives your file from lender.
    • Conduct a final walk-through if necessary.
    • Buyer closes, Seller closes.
    • Recording of transaction downtown is 1 or 2 days after closing.
    • Move into your new house.??
      
      
12. What are the steps involved in selling my home?
    
    
    • Find yourself One Good Realtor and discuss what you’re trying to do.
    • Home evaluation: Condition, markets, marketing, comparables, pricing.
    • Sign Listing contract, fill in property disclosures, prepare home for sale.
    • Realtor markets home: flyers, signs, MLS, advertising, show, details.
    • Buyers and buyer’s agents view home, review information, compare.
    • Evaluate all offers, accept or counter the best one(s).
    • Negotiate repairs, if any, after home inspection is conducted.
    • Complete all negotiated items, provide receipts, verify completion.
    • Order resale certificate, open title, order appraisal. ($150, $250, $500)
    • Schedule utilities to be taken out of your name for day of recording.
    • The title company receives your file from the buyer’s lender.
    • Buyer conducts a final walk-through if necessary.
    • Buyer closes, Seller closes.
    • Recording of transaction downtown is 1 or 2 days after closing.
    • You move out, deliver keys & give possession to buyer by recording.
      
      
13. Which companies do you typically work with? Title? Mortgage? Inspections?

    I believe that you can tell a lot about a person by the company he or she keeps.

    In real estate it is not only important to find the right Realtor. You must also be certain that the companies he or she refers business to can maintain the same level of integrity, skill, effectiveness, experience, & professionalism.

    Companies that I regularly use: Advantage Mortgage, Countrywide Home Loans, Residential Mortgage, Wells Fargo, Key Bank, GMAC, Housemaster Home Inspection, Abacus Home Inspection, Stewart Pacific Rim Title, & First American Title.

    Other companies are very good, and I’ll certainly work with all of the good ones, but keep in mind that the strength of your purchase or your sale is the determining factor. Taking today’s market forces into consideration, you cannot afford to be overly loyal to a company or an individual that cannot or will not perform in your best interest.

    Remember, it takes a professional that continually sharpens his/her skills and that aligns him/her self with an equally qualified team to help you achieve your objectives. That’s what we do. That’s what we get paid for.