July, 2004

San Antonio Express News
P.O. Box 2171
San Antonio, TX 78297
Attn: Mr. Adolfo Pesquera

Dear Mr. Pesquera:
Thank you for your article on homes-for-sale-by-owner. Based on my experience I believe sellers should give consideration to this option.

Last month I sold my home using a for-sale-by-owner-service. I'm still kicking myself for not having used this approach the three other times I needed to sell. As sellers we have grown too accustomed to hiring realtors because of all the gobbledygook involved in selling real estate, and also because of the time involved in selling. What I learned is that for-sale-by-owner service-providers are real estate attorneys who take care of the legal side. I was never concerned about that aspect, or of the huge realtor commissions. All that remained for me to do was to show the house and refer prospective buyers to the service for any negotiation.

One recommendation by the service (Maas) that I took to heart was to get my house looking like a model home, I did some amenities: formal setting in the dinning room, flowers, emptied the closets (rented storage), and showed the place. Bingo! Inside of three weeks, the house was sold.

Most prospective buyers learned that I was selling via the for-sale-by-owner sign I planted in my front yard, and some from newspaper advertisements. I didn't use magazine advertisement; they are just too expensive. The bottom line of my experience is that it is the seller who does the selling (by showing the property), not the service provider, web site, or magazine advertisements. And the experience can be rewarding.

Sincerely,

Fernando R.

May 28, 2004

Victor,

A week after the closing, I am still astounded that my wife and I were able to purchase our new home in this unusually complicated transaction, and at such a good price. None of this could have occurred without your help and advice.

Thanks again for going above and beyond the normal scope of your services, and for guiding us through the negotiating and closing process. We are very appreciative of all the extra work you did.

Truly yours,

Craig M.
     

September 26, 2003

Mr. Victor Maas,
My recent experience with your "For Sale by Owner Assistance Program" has been unequivocally positive. You did a meticulous job of explaining your program to me when I came to you. You kept in close contact during the entire sale process. Most importantly, you were open and honest with me and my buyers. The sales process was both pleasurable and profitable. As you know, I sold my home for FULL ASKING PRICE in approximately 45 days and saved over $8,000 in real estate commissions!
I also enjoyed the convenience of showing my home when I wanted, not at the "beck and call" of a real estate agent. That was especially important to me as I am a RN who works shifts in a demanding intensive care unit. I will not be using the services of a real estate agent in the future.
During the time my home was on the market, I had numerous negative experiences with local real estate agents. Several agents came to my door and rudely informed me that I would not be able to sell my home without their assistance. I declined most of their business cards only to find them stuck to my front door later in the day. On one occasion I had an agent come to my door and tell me not to use laser printed color fliers out in front of my home. This was because some of his clients picked up mine and they expected the same quality for their fliers. Also, on two separate occasions I watched local real estate agents pull up in front of my home and take all of my expensive color fliers then drive away. I consider all of the above to be extremely unethical!
Finally, did I ever tell you I sold my previous home in Omaha, Nebraska (1997) when I retired from the USAF using the exact same program? Rick Hall was my "For Sale by Owner Assistance Program" lawyer and his program was flawless, as is yours. My Omaha home sold for FULL ASKING PRICE in less than a week. I saved $8,040 in real estate commissions. Why should I pay a real estate agent 6% of my hard earned equity when I can advertise and show my home myself! After all, who knows more about the home and neighborhood than the owner. The majority of clients who viewed my homes stated "they enjoyed being able to talk directly to the seller and liked the low pressure atmosphere of the viewing".
Thank you for your professional services and I wish you the best in the future. I will be recommending you to all my friends and co-workers.
Sincerely,
Donald G.

August 18, 2003

Hi Victor!

Have thought of you many times and of your wonderful services in helping us get our house sold.  You were invaluable to us with your suggestions, helping keep our buyers calm, and in general making things go smoothly...Hope this next year goes well for you in the new office.  - M. Lynn Stone
 

July 2003

To Whom It May Concern:

Victor Maas has many ideas helping the seller market their home.  The marketing idea of having a garage sale resulted in FIVE walk up perspective buyers.  By using Victor's process we had a contract before the first open house.  We also saved $5,700 in real estate commissions.  The process is a proven winner.                                                                                     Mark E. Martinez

Mr. & Mrs. Brent Statzer
9614 Stillforest
San Antonio, Texas 78250
April 9, 2003

Dear Victor,
          I want to thank you for your assistance in buying and selling our new house and home. We really appreciate your legal counsel and guidance throughout both processes.
           We would highly recommend the use of your program and services to anyone buying or selling a house.  When someone knows what they want in a home property, are willing to work a little harder to get what they want, want to save substantial dollars and still cover themselves legally, then utilizing your programs are perfect.
           On the house we purchased in the Cross Mountain Ranch subdivision, we received our pre-approval from our bank prior to beginning our property search.  It took one week from the time we decided on a house, engaged your services and the homeowners accepting our first bid. 
           When selling our home in Northwest Crossing, it took my wife and me one week of extremely meticulous preparation to get our home ready for the open house that Sunday from 1:00-4:00 p.m. From placing our ad in the Express-News, having our home professionally inspected to having directional signs printed, we wanted potential buyers to feel good about investing in our home.
          It worked!  Three of the ten families visiting our house made an offer that evening.  We received our asking price and signed the contract the next day.
          Your programs and services provided a valuable alternative to the normal real estate buying and selling process, especially the involvement of realtor commissions.  Again, thank you for your programs and services.  You have enabled my family and me  to achieve our housing goals.

Best regards,
Brent Statzer

LICENSED BY THE SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS.
NOT CERTIFIED BY THE TEXAS BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION.