SAFEGUARD #1

IDEAL AGENT MATCH TOOL

Find An Agent Who Will Safeguard the Seller’s Real Estate Transaction, Wallets & Wealth

Realty Guardian matches home sellers to dependable, compatible, and experienced real estate agents known for their professional reputation. They have signed Realty Guardian agreements to protect our members. Here are the reasons you should use the IDEAL AGENT MATCH TOOL.

1. 1. Family and friend referrals can lock buyers in with an agent that might have been good for them, but is not the right fit. The relationship is not enjoyable. But, with the Ideal Match Tool, all Guardian REALTORS® must read the buyer’s summary of expectations and agree to them. Areas like communication style, availability, response times, etc.
   2. Realty Guardian believes there is a science to positive client-agent relations. Consumers are better served when agents are “aligned” to buyer likes, dislikes, expectations and needs.
   3. Our local agents need to meet Realty Guardian’s professional reputation standards. You want to work with an agent who has solid integrity and is market savvy. Inexperience can cost you time… adding to your holding costs with poor marketing, and allow troubles to mount when safeguard cautions are not followed. Your best contract price is earned early in the selling period, with multiple competitive offers. This scenario cannot be guaranteed, but the chances can increase with competitive pricing, strong marketing strategies, and a high energy agent.

RG Members can use the IDEAL AGENT MATCH TOOL allowing us to analyze their likes, dislikes, and preferred communication styles. Realty Guardian generates one or more Trusted GUARDIAN REALTORS®. Meet and greet the agent—no obligation. Check their style, their marketing plan, their personality. After-all, you’ll be spending significant time together as they market your home, negotiate the deal, and close the transaction. Members can return for more agent introductions until satisfied and ready to sign a listing agreement–and a buyer’s agency too, if buying a new home. Everyone deserves the best chance to meet their most compatible, reliable, ideal agent, and its Realty Guardian’s mission to make that a reality when possible.

CRITICAL LOSS PREVENTION MEASURE

Current Value Up to $2,500 Per Transaction, Lifetime Value: $17,500

SAFEGUARD #2

SELLER’S PAPERBACK BOOK — CHECKLIST SOLD

MAX-CASH™ STRATEGIES THAT SELL HOUSES AT RECORD-BREAKING PRICES

Safeguard Against Losing Thousands Due to Negative Home Conditions

Realty Guardian Members receive the paperback book, CHECKLIST SOLD: MAX-CASH STRATEGIES THAT SELL HOUSES AT RECORD-BREAKING PRICES that lays out the best low-cost improvements to give you the best opportunity to sell at a record-breaking price. Amazon Value: $8.99.

What improvements are the best to prepare your house to sell? Many owners leave thousands on the table and sell for significantly less than they should, if only they had been aware of a few strategies, tips, and tricks. The author is the Founder and CEO of Realty Guardian, an award-winning 30-year real estate consultant, who has sold well over 1,000 properties including his own investment flips and rentals.

In his book, he offers simple low-cost fixes and improvements he has used to make the biggest difference between selling at the low-end of value vs. the top end. His selling career and experience has yielded actionable insider strategies you can also follow. Concise to-the-point action steps and checklists to walk you through the prepping process to sell your house for all it’s worth (and, maybe a little more)!

CRITICAL LOSS PREVENTION MEASURE

Potential Value Up to $5,000 Per Transaction, Lifetime Value: $35,000

SAFEGUARD #3

PRE-LISTING HOME INSPECTION REIMBURSEMENT

(Available For Negotiated Sales Prices $150,000 or Above)

Safeguard Against Unexpected Repair Expenses During Transactions

A pre-listing inspection provides member sellers with upfront information about the condition of their property, which gives them more control over repairs and potentially strengthens their negotiating position. A pre-listing inspection focuses on proper functionality of all major systems and components of the house: heating and cooling; electrical; plumbing; roof and structure; siding; and doors and windows. It’s a full inspection for the seller to better understand the condition of their home prior to the buyer’s inspection. This gives the seller important information to consider so they’re not caught off-guard in the midst of a transaction.

Realty Guardian will reimburse seller members $200 for any pre-listing home inspection completed prior to marketing the property, upon a successful closing of a transaction for the sale of the property using a GUARDIAN REALTOR®.

As with all cash reimbursement safeguards, this compensation applies only for negotiated sales prices above $150,000. All other safeguards that are non-financial reimbursement safeguards however still apply to all transactions.

CRITICAL LOSS PREVENTION MEASURE

Potential Value Up to $3,000 Per Transaction, Lifetime Value: $21,000

SAFEGUARD #4

HOME WARRANTY LISTING COVERAGE

Safeguard Against Plumbing, Heating, Electrical & HVAC System Breakdowns

Trusted GUARDIAN REALTORS® are required to provide Member Sellers an American Home Shield warranty for system breakdowns, potentially saving Sellers up to $1,500 in repairs for breakdowns of major components of the home like heating and air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical while the home is on the market.

The warranty helps pay the repair and replacement costs when covered systems stop working according to their terms. A home warranty compliments homeowner’s insurance by protecting things insurance doesn’t, like normal wear-and-tear and improper maintenance.

Our agreement provides up to six months of American Home Shield® Seller Coverage, so our Member Sellers can enjoy all the advantages of AHS ShieldEssential package protection while the home is listed. ShieldEssential includes coverage for major components of the most crucial home systems that are the most expensive to repair or replace.

Household breakdowns can happen when a home is on the market. Stressful particularly at this stressful time, home system malfunctions can cause additional anxiety for Sellers because of showing appointments and the natural resistance to sink a lot of money into repairs or replacements in a home they are leaving. Knowing that they have the AHS Seller’s Protection alleviates a lot of the worry and concern for our Member Sellers about inevitable breakdowns of covered items.

CRITICAL LOSS PREVENTION MEASURE

Potential Value Up to $1,500 Per Transaction, Lifetime Value: $10,500

SAFEGUARD #5

EARLY-EXIT LISTING GUARANTEE

Safeguard Against Incompetent Agent & Services

The biggest fear when you list your home with a real estate agent is being locked into a lengthy listing agreement with a less than competent real estate agent, costing you valuable time and over-exposure on the market. Realty Guardian takes the risk and the fear out of listing your home with a real estate agent through our EARLY-EXIT LISTING GUARANTEE.

When you list your home through one of our local Certified GUARDIAN REALTORS®, you can cancel your listing at any time prior to a negotiated sales contract with a 14-day written notice for cancellation if you are not happy with the customer service and/or marketing efforts. Cancel with no hassles.

1. 1. You can cancel your listing early with a 14-day written notice for cancellation prior to a negotiated sales contract.
   2. You can relax, knowing you won’t be locked into a lengthy binding contract.
   3. Enjoy the Realty Guardian high caliber of service, confident enough to make this offer.

At Realty Guardian we have strong opinions about providing the best possible real estate services. If you are not happy with the professional, we match you to, you should have the power to fire your agent early. While it takes a strong belief in our guaranteed quality of service to make this kind of stand, Realty Guardian never settles for less than the highest professional standards.

We are confident that you will be happy with your Trusted GUARDIAN REALTOR® based on years of results and thousands of satisfied home sellers among our chosen agents. But, if you are not, please just let your agent know you want to execute the EARLY-EXIT LISTING GUARANTEE.

CRITICAL LOSS PREVENTION MEASURE

Potential Value Up to $500 Per Transaction, Lifetime Value: $3,500

SAFEGUARD #6

PRELIMINARY TITLE SEARCH REVIEW

Safeguard Against Delays for Title Issues with Early Search & Review

The process of home ownership can frequently be a long and winding road—and a “property title search” is one of the many different detours. Put simply, the property title search is a deep dive into the ownership history of the home that a seller is selling, and you are buying. It’s main goal? To make sure that the person who seemingly owns the property truly has the right to sell it.

This is a critical element of any home ownership process. Normally, the property title search will take place after the seller and the buyer have agreed on the terms of the sale; from there, the real estate agent or mortgage entity will enlist experts to pore through years—and even decades—of legal paperwork to get an accurate picture of the house’s home ownership.

Depending on the area of the country, up to 10% of transactions can have title issues that can delay the closing and throw off the moving schedules for buyers and sellers alike if not dealt with early. But if the title search is not ordered to review quickly in the transaction period, title defects can be discovered late in the process causing delays and all kinds of additional hassles.

Trusted GUARDIAN REALTORS® who list Member Seller’s properties must order a preliminary search of the title (or make sure it has been ordered) within days of listing the property. Why? To learn early in the offer and transaction period if there might be any issues that need to be overcome, eliminating costly delays from closing and moving disruptions.

Here are the most common problems found in Property Title Searches:

• • Boundary disputes
  • Bankruptcies
  • Uncovered will
  • Documents
  • Liens or debts
  • Clerical, or public records errors
  • Other owners
  • False impersonation of owner
  • Easements
  • Divorce edicts

CRITICAL LOSS PREVENTION MEASURE

Potential Value Up to $500 Per Transaction, Lifetime Value: $3,500

SAFEGUARD #7

QUALITY MARKETING PHOTOGRAPHY

Safeguard Against Poor Online Photos Causing Costly Selling Delays

Quality photography makes a significant difference in marketing a property by a notable margin.

Thirty-two percent (32%) or more of homes with high-quality photographs sell faster than those without visuals. Homes with a single photo spend an average of 70 days on the market, while listings with at least 20 quality images sell within 1 month.

Every week your house lingers on the market, you are strapped with multiple costs—insurance, taxes, interest, etc. Trusted GUARDIAN REALTORS® must provide high quality still photography of the listed property, either by their own honed and developed skills or by hiring a professional-level photographer. The goal is attractive, eye-catching architectural images and an online property tour for marketing our Member Seller’s properties to sell at the highest possible price and in the shortest amount of time.

CRITICAL LOSS PREVENTION MEASURE

Potential Value Up to $1,000 Per Transaction, Lifetime Value: $7,000

SAFEGUARD #8

ONLINE WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

Safeguard Against Poor Marketing & Costly Delays in Selling

The listing agent must submit property data and high-quality property photographs to be entered into Realty Guardian’s Single Property Site (SPS) Website Marketing System that creates a stand-alone online website to showcase your house. The site is built to create a street address domain name of your exact address—to look like this: 1234SwAmhurst.2seeit.com. This will showcase your property and create a much more effective online marketing campaign that will help position your home to dominate online traffic in your local market. In addition, Social Media advertising will be employed.

The Realty Guardian SPS Website Marketing System includes these six important features:

1. 1. Lead Generation—to capture leads from the web, mobile, print, and curbside marketing, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to advertise your home in a Virtual Open House.
   2. Mobile Toll-Free Marketing—the fastest way for buyers to connect to your property details online is with a phone call, a property code that links to all the photos and details.
   3. HD Photo Images—a quality display to catch the eyes of buyers for your property.
   4. Virtual Tour—automatically populates to YouTube for every MEMBER listing.
   5. Massive Exposure—your site populates to other major real estate sources.
   6. Market Launch—launches the automated marketing of your home so that at the press of a button your home’s details populate into search engines and out in front of hundreds or thousands of interested buyers within minutes.

CRITICAL LOSS PREVENTION MEASURE

Potential Value Up to $1,500 Per Transaction, Lifetime Value: $10,500

SAFEGUARD #9

WIRE FRAUD PROTOCOL

Safeguard Against Wire Fraud: Do Not Lose Hard-Earned Money

Wire transfers, which are also known as wire payments, allow money to be moved quickly without the need to exchange cash. They allow two parties to transfer funds even if they’re in different (geographic) locations safely. A transfer is usually initiated from one bank or financial institution to another. However, recently more than 13,000 people were victims of wire fraud in the real estate and rental sector, with losses of more than $213 million—an increase of 380% since 2017, according to FBI data.

Cyber-crimes are on the rise. Mortgage wire fraud is a scam in which a hacker poses as a real estate agent or party to the transaction and convinces individuals to divert closing funds to a fraudulent account. Best practice is that any wish to pay for any closing costs via wire transfer from your bank account, it should be dealt with directly with the title and settlement provider in conjunction with learning your final funds amount. If a Trusted GUARDIAN REALTOR® or the title company directs you to provide wire instructions via email for your closing funds, ALWAYS phone verify with the appropriate recipient that the requested information is legitimate, and that the ABA, routing numbers, account numbers, and/or SWIFT codes are correct!

Hackers can break into a real estate professional’s email account and sit in silence, monitoring for upcoming transactions. Once the hackers find a victim in the process of buying a home, they send a fake email that looks like it’s from their agent, lender or attorney with wiring instructions to a fraudulent account. The homebuyer then unwittingly wires the funds directly into the hacker’s account. When they click send, the money is gone. Hackers can also trick agents into downloading malicious software either through an email or by other means. From there, hackers have access to any information needed to steal money.

To protect our Members from this issue, there are four key points we want you and your agent to follow to ensure you are protected:

1. Always use telephone person-to-person communication, talking to the person asking for money.

2. Use strong, unique passwords.

3. We instruct title companies to not email or text wire information.

4. Understand the normal means of communication so you’ll be more aware if something seems off. Trust your gut.

Trusted GUARDIAN REALTORS® are instructed to follow fraud protocols for any wire transfer, using strong passwords and wire transfer approvals. All must be monitored with safety checks to verify the wire is legitimate, so no money is wired to a criminal.

CRITICAL LOSS PREVENTION MEASURE

Potential Value Up to $10,000 Per Transaction, Lifetime Value: $70,000

Related Article: One in Ten Americans Targeted for Real Estate Fraud, One in Twenty Suffer Losses, Survey Reveals

SAFEGUARD #10

MOVING CONCIERGE SERVICES

Safeguard of Time, Peace of Mind: Move Made Easier

When using the Realty Guardian Platform for a home purchase, Members have the option to use the Realty Guardian affiliate Utility Concierge at no-cost, with services including:

1. 1. Filing a change of address
   2. Help new owners set up utilities and other home services like TV, internet, home phone, and security (however, in some states like Kansas, the owner has to make the connection call to the utility companies.
   3. Coordinating pet move or pet adoption accommodations
   4. Coordinating vehicle transportation
   5. Coordinating specialty items (piano, wine collection, grandfather clock, etc.)
   6. Arranging the storage of belongings onsite or offsite
   7. Full packing and unpacking services
   8. Arranging cleaning services, like janitorial and carpet cleaning
   9. Junk removal
   10. Handyman services
   11. Disassemble/reassemble of gym, office, and billiard table

Utility Concierge partners with all of the major providers, so they are able to provide a choice model for you. They present you with pros and cons of each provider, provide side-by-side price comparisons, and highlight any hidden fees or price increases. They are often able to get those services set up for you, and even assist in moving the dates–if your closing date changes.

**Depending on various state and county laws, some basic utility providers will require the homeowner to agree to terms and conditions. If this is the case, Utility Concierge gets you as close to the finish line as they legally can by:

• Verifying the utility provider(s) for the new address
• Providing details on what the client will need (closing papers, a letter of credit to bypass deposits, information on any deposits that are required, state-issued ID’s, etc.)
• Providing any and all application links
• Sharing the providers’ contact information
• Assisting with wait times if the client is having issues

CRITICAL LOSS PREVENTION MEASURE

Potential Value Up to $1,000 Per Transaction, Lifetime Value: $7,000*

SAFEGUARD #11

ENDORSED SERVICE PROVIDERS

Safeguard Against Unreliable Providers: Creating a Better Home & Life

Wish you knew what the top home services that real estate agents endorse from their every day experience in the real estate grind? Whether it is the lawn needing a fresh cut, the gutters in need of a solid cleaning, or the annual chimney sweep before winter—homeowners have a lot on their plate when it comes to home maintenance. The time, energy, and knowledge involved when it comes to maintaining a home can be burdensome for homeowners, whether selling a house or trying to improve your current home to stay.

There are many options, but the 11 most common home service providers are:

• • Plumbing services
  • Gutter cleaners
  • Paint & drywall repairs
  • Cleaning
  • Landscaping & lawn care
  • Chimney sweeps
  • Siding repairs
  • Cracked concrete
  • Siding repairs
  • Handyman
  • Remodelers
  • HVAC systems
  • Window cleaning

In addition to hiring dependable home service companies, other service advisors also play an important role in building wealth and providing advice. In a trusting relationship, good advisors can step in to remind families of their long-term goals and to point them toward the things they can control, including costs, diversification, and tax efficiency. Realty Guardian is constantly studying service providers including Lifestyle Advisors such as Tax Preparers and CPAs, Financial Wealth Advisors, Living Trust & Will Advisors.

The Realty Guardian staff will always pursue the best of the best service providers and advisors. Landing the right contractors and sound financial counsel protects Members against unscrupulous contractors, potential troubles, costly mistakes, and loss of wealth. Our list continues to grow and even change over time. Just contact Realty Guardian for our list of Endorsed Service Providers.

CRITICAL LOSS PREVENTION MEASURE

Potential Value Up to $2,000 Per Transaction, Lifetime Value: $14,000

SAFEGUARD #12

LEGAL CONSULTATION SAFEGUARD™

(Available For Negotiated Sales Prices $150,000 or Above)

Safeguard Against Legal Consultation Expenses

Real estate transactions involve legal matters, sometime with costly expenses and lawsuits. You might need legal assistance and expert advice over a possible breach of contract on the part of the buyer.  You might also be facing a suit from a buyer for even “perceived negligence” related to your real estate transaction. People seem to be “sue-happy” as they say, and we know innocent people are constantly being sued even when there is no just cause.

Legal matters are obviously delicate, and we should not take them lightly. Any true negligence shown during a legal case can cost you thousands of dollars for real estate issues like deed claims, undisclosed or hidden defects, and much more.

Realty Guardian provides each Member Seller reimbursement for one-half the cost (up to $600) for the first initial “real estate attorney” consultation, whether during the contract period or into the first year after the closing, should the need arise to consult a real estate attorney related to the transaction on the Realty Guardian Platform using a Certified GUARDIAN REALTOR®.

As with all cash reimbursement safeguards, this compensation applies only for negotiated sales prices above $150,000. All other safeguards that are non-financial reimbursement safeguards still apply to all transactions.

CRITICAL LOSS PREVENTION MEASURE

Cash Value Up to $600 Per Transaction, Lifetime Value: $4,200

SAFEGUARD #13

CONTRACT CANCELLATION SAFEGUARD™

FAILED TRANSACTION REIMBURSEMENT

(Available For Negotiated Sales Prices $150,000 or Above)

Safeguard Against Seller’s Out-of-Pocket Holding Expenses for Deals Gone Bad

CONTRACT CANCELLATION SAFEGUARD™ is provided to help Seller Members who use a Trusted GUARDIAN REALTOR® due to a buyer failing to close on the signed contract purchase at no fault of Seller. Contract contingency troubles and a myriad of other situations can lead to contract failures, and Realty Guardian will help Member Sellers with holding costs according to the terms below, due to the following 8 reasons:

1. 1. Unacceptable inspection results that cannot be negotiated.
   2. Appraisal value falling short, and a new price cannot be negotiated.
   3. Buyer receives a job transfer.
   4. Buyer’s personal finances decline.
   5. Lender fails to provide the promised loan.
   6. Buyer’s personal or family issues.
   7. Bad timing for the buyer to proceed with the purchase.
   8. A buyer’s remorse.

Realty Guardian will help cover the Seller’s taxes, interest, and insurance holding expenses if a contract falls through at no fault of Seller if it takes over 30 days to receive a new buyer contract once the first contract is officially canceled.

This one-time safeguard reimbursement payment is $500, a) when proven there was a permanent failure of a signed contract agreement at no fault of the Seller; b) there was a 30-day delay in receiving a new offer after the contract is officially canceled; c) the listing agreement continues; and d) a transaction is completed through a Guardian REALTOR®.

As with all cash reimbursement safeguards, this compensation applies only for negotiated sales prices above $150,000. All other safeguards that are non-financial reimbursement safeguards still apply to all transactions.

CRITICAL LOSS PREVENTION MEASURE

Cash Value Up to $500 Per Transaction, Lifetime Value: $3,500

SAFEGUARD #14

HOMEOWNERS QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

& SEASONAL MAINTENANCE ALERTS

Safeguard Against Information Deficit: Maintaining Home’s Condition & Value

All Members receive Realty Guardian’s four-page quarterly newsletter printed and delivered by USPS to their mailboxes, packed with home trends, home maintenance, lawn and garden tips, cool ideas like vintage furniture, up-to-date paint colors and decorative ideas, how to raise your home value, and fun recipes.

Our homes are in constant need of protection against the elements and ongoing maintenance. So, Realty Guardian staff sends automated seasonal home maintenance alerts to our Members, of course… with their approval.

The commitment to consistently communicate with our Members also serves as a reminder that the Realty Guardian staff has every Member’s best interest at top of mind and are willing, ready, and able to help improve and protect your current and future home investment values.

CRITICAL LOSS PREVENTION MEASURE

Potential Value Up to $200 Per Transaction, Lifetime Value: $1,400

SAFEGUARD #15

ANNUAL CUSTOM PROPERTY REPORTS 

Safeguard Against a Changing Market & Any Neighborhood Decline
In a 12+ Page Custom Report

Where available, upon Membership and every anniversary thereafter, the Member Homeowner will receive a 12+ page ANNUAL CUSTOMIZED PROPERTY REPORT featuring their property and neighborhood with easy-read charts and stats.

The Property Report might include the home’s current Property History, Comparable Properties, Mortgage & Deed History, Sales & Financing Activity, Estimated Home Values, 12-Month Changes in Value, Neighborhood Housing Stats, Demographics, Quality of Life Stats, and much more.

As a REALTY GUARDIAN MEMBER, you can request an updated report one additional time during the year.

CRITICAL LOSS PREVENTION MEASURE

Potential Value Up to $200 Per Transaction, Lifetime Value: $1,400

SAFEGUARD #16

TITLE FRAUD ALERT REVIEW

Safeguard Against Home Equity & Title Thief

Everything is stored online these days including your home’s title information. Domestic and international cyber-thieves target U.S. homeowner’s equity. Removing you from your home’s title takes just minutes. Then they forge their name on the title document and refile it.

Next, they take out loans using your home’s equity and stick you with the payments. You likely won’t know until you get a late payment or foreclosure notice from several banks. Identity theft programs, banks, and homeowner insurance policies DON’T protect you.

However, many homeowners are paying hundreds, and will pay thousands of dollars during their lifetime, for a third party to protect them against this fraudulent activity. However, in some counties you can receive notification directly from your local government Land Records office at NO COST when a document is filed with your name match.

Realty Guardian will research your county and notify you if this service is available for your home. You can decide what is best for you, but this simple option can potentially save you a big headache if you don’t have third party coverage or could save you thousands of dollars to third parties if you carry third party protection.

CRITICAL LOSS PREVENTION MEASURE

Potential Value Up to $2,500 Per Transaction, Lifetime Value: $17,500