The MAD Promise
Our Mission
To listen to your needs, to advocate for your results, and to care throughout the process.
Our Vision
To help every client transition from one stage of your life to the next.
Our Values
Integrity - Respect - Gratitude - Ambition - Responsibility
Our Promise
To provide a superior customer experience to every client by being honest, loyal, understanding, and attentive to your needs.
To make every effort to be proactive and limit surprises.
To always exceed expectations by being solution-based and to listen when there are opportunities to improve.
Your Listing Agent
Melanie A. Dubendorff
Your Listing Agent
Melanie A. Dubendorff (the MAD in MAD Properties Group) has been a Real Estate Ninja for the last twenty years and counting. During her time as a real estate agent, she has gained a growing trust from her clients knowing that the unique marketing approach she and her team deploy will help get their home sold quickly and for top dollar.
As a Houston native and the founder of the MAD Properties Group powered by Keller Williams Signature, Melanie and her team achieved the recognition of being in the top 5% of all Houston area Realtors in 2018 and have maintained that status ever since.
She is the founder of MAD for Vets, a 501c3 non-profit organization whose purpose is to contribute to a variety of charities to support Veterans and First Responders. As a Blue Star Mom, it is her focus to support all members of the military. That's why every agent on our team is VA certified from the get go.
Tips for Selling Your Home
GENERAL
- Consider repainting interior/exterior as needed
- Use a neutral color scheme when making any decorating choices
- Avoid clutter...neatness makes a home look bigger
- Avoid too many personal items, such as family photos
- Make sure all closets and shelving units are straightened
KITCHEN
- Make sure it is bright and attractive
- Consider new window treatments
- Replace flooring if badly worn
- Replace any cracked or loose tiles on counters and walls
- Remove any appliances or decorative items from counters
LIVING AREAS AND BEDROOMS
- Repair cracks and nail holes in wall surfaces
- Replace window glass and torn screens as needed
- Wash the windows, both inside and outside
- Check for windows to open and close smoothly
- Check ceilings for leak stains
- Replace faded bedspreads or curtains
- Clean out fireplace and put in fresh logs, as needed
- Replace burned out light bulbs and make sure light switches work
- Clean floors and vacuum carpeting and rugs
- Repair any doors that stick
- Keep toys inside children's rooms in an orderly fashion
BATHROOM
- Repair any dripping faucets
- Hang clean, fresh towels in the bathrooms
- Remove any stains from bathtubs, showers, sinks and toilets
- Update old fixtures to make a big difference
- Unclog bathtubs, showers or sinks that drain slowly
OUTSIDE
- Make sure the front door and entry area are clean
- Repaint the front door if necessary
- Keep the lawn and shrubs trimmed and looking neat
- Proper landscaping can add an attractive and inviting touch
- Sweep driveways and walkways
- Check the roof and gutters for any repairs that may be needed
Staging Your Home for Showing
Please review this list prior to each showing
Keep everything clean
A cluttered or dirty home will cause prospective buyers to notice every flaw.
Let the light in
Raise shades, open blinds, pull back the curtains and turn on the lights.
Get rid of odors
Such as cooking, pets, tobacco, etc., but don't overdo air fresheners or potpourri. Fresh baked goods can make a positive impact.
Send pets away
Or secure them away from the house and be sure to clean up after them.
Close the windows
To eliminate street noise.
You should be gone
You and your children should be gone while your home is being shown.
Empty trash cans
And put them out of sight.
Keep garage door closed
And the driveway clear. Park autos and campers away from your home during showings.
Stash junk mail
Throw out junk mail, newspapers and magazines.
To make the best impression, keep your home clean, neat, uncluttered and in good repair AT ALL TIMES.
The Market Value of Your Home
The market value of your home is NOT:
- ×What you have in it
- ×What you need to get out of it
- ×What it is appraised for
- ×What you heard your neighbor's house sold for
- ×What the tax office says it is worth
- ×Based on memories and treasures
- ×Based on the price of homes where you are moving
The market value of your home is based on:
- Today's market
- Today's competition
- Today's financing
- Today's economic conditions
- The Buyer's perception of the property condition
- Location
- Normal market time
As a seller, you control:
- The price
- Condition of the property
- Access to the property
As a seller, you do NOT control:
- ○Market condition
- ○The motivation of competition
- ○Buyer's perception of value
How to Evaluate Market Response to Your Listing
If agents are not showing your home, they have determined that the home may not meet their client's needs or that it may not be priced fairly for the market.
If agents are bringing buyers, but no offers are coming in, your home meets client's needs, but buyers may be finding better properties on the market for a comparable price.
In either case, this is an indication that your home may not be priced at current market value.
Tips for a Good Inspection
Seller's Closing Checklist
Prior to Closing:
- Provide current loan company information, so a payoff statement can be ordered from your lender. If your property is subject to dues to a Homeowner's Association, provide association's name and phone number.
- Provide documentation of any change in marital status (death, divorce, marriage, etc.) during current ownership.
- If you will not be present at closing to sign documents and intend to use a Power of Attorney (POA), the following must occur:
- •The title company and your lender must approve the POA prior to closing
- •The original POA must be delivered to title before closing to be recorded with the County Clerk's office.
- •Contact must be made with you via telephone on the day of closing to be certain you are alive and well and have not revoked the POA.
Required at Closing:
- Valid Driver's License or other photo identification, such as passport
- Social Security Number
- Extra house keys, mail keys, instructions and garage door openers to give to the Buyer
Avoid Closing Delays:
!The lenders and title insurers require single owners who have married during the course of ownership of the property to have their spouse join in signing the documents at closing.
After Closing:
- Cancel your homeowner's insurance with your insurance agent.
- Your lender will refund all money left in your escrow account approximately 15 to 30 business days after they receive the payoff funds. The lender will mail a package containing your original promissory note marked 'PAID' and other loan file documents. Retain these for future reference. They may also include a Release of Lien document. This document needs to be recorded with the County Clerk's office to remove the lien of record.
- Your closing statement serves as a substitute Form 1099 for tax purposes.
Moving Checklist
ONE MONTH BEFORE MOVING
- •Make arrangements to hire a mover or rent a truck.
- •Collect or purchase all packing supplies: boxes, box cutters, bubble wrap, labels, markers, packing tape, scissors, wrapping paper, etc.
- •Make babysitting and/or pet care arrangements for moving day.
- •File a change of address form at the Post Office.
- •Arrange for the transfer of all dental, medical and school records, as necessary.
- •Transfer auto, home, and medical insurance.
- •Keep all move related documents in one place.
TWO WEEKS BEFORE MOVING
- •Cancel or transfer all utilities (cable/satellite/internet service, electric, gas, telephone, water).
- •Check with your provider about cell phone service in your new location.
- •Transfer prescriptions to a pharmacy near your new location.
- •Transfer bank accounts.
- •Pack up items in attic, garage and storage areas.
- •Confirm arrangements with movers or truck rental
ONE WEEK BEFORE MOVING
- •Begin packing boxes, labeling each as you fill it.
- •Empty, defrost and clean freezer and refrigerator.
- •Pick up items, such as dry cleaning, prescriptions, etc.
THE DAY BEFORE MOVING
- •Do a final check of cabinets, closets and drawers.
- •Take out all trash.
- •Fully charge all cell phones.
- •Confirm arrangements with movers or truck rental.
THE DAY OF THE MOVE
- •Exchange contact information with the movers in case you need to get in touch with them while en route.
- •Keep jewelry and other valuables with you.
- •Prepare a box of supplies that you will need right away on move in day, such as bath and bedding items, cell phone chargers, change of clothing, cleaning supplies, disposable dishes, eyeglasses, pet food, prescriptions, toilet paper, toiletries, trash bags, etc.
- •Do a final check before locking the doors. Confirm that you have turned off the furnace/air conditioner, lawn sprinklers and light switches. Make sure you have given the keys, including mail key and instructions and garage door opener as your REALTOR directs.
What Our Clients Say
Melanie and her team are absolutely fantastic! Melanie worked diligently to find us the perfect home we were looking for, and quickly. She kept us informed and answered all our questions and was always available. Her knowledge in her profession made our home buying process so smooth. Definitely a client for life!
This team is FANTASTIC! After a really bad experience with my first realtor they came in and told me exactly what to expect from them and they DELIVERED! What a great experience it was working w/ them.
She was extremely knowledgable about the process and kept us informed from day one. Melanie and her crew were extremely helpful throughout the entire process. We would strongly recommend to anyone thinking of buying or selling a home.
Melanie and Sarah and their whole team are absolutely wonderful. They were always available and communicative throughout the whole purchasing and seeking process. I even loved their periodical check ins. Melanie's experience and confidence in negotiating gave me so much confidence. I always felt supported! Thank you, Melanie and Sarah and the whole MAD team!
We've purchased 3 homes in the last several years. This has by far been the best experience for us. Dealing with Sarah, we had all the confidence in the world we could move forward in this crazy market. We will never use anyone else!
Thank You
For the amazing opportunity to help guide you through your home selling process. While the process can seem very overwhelming, we want you to rest assured that we are here to guide, educate, network, advocate and negotiate to the best of our abilities, on your behalf.
It's what we do and we do it well!