Accelerate Sales, Elevate Success, Sell Homes Faster!
Agent Open House with Community in Mind!
Picture an Agent Open House that brings a fleet of agents right to your listing, delivering a comprehensive Grade My House Report Card for your seller—all in just 30 minutes instead of the usual 3 hours. Plus, both you and every attending agent earn CE credit. This is the advantage of partnering with Grade My House for your Agent Open Houses. It offers greater convenience for your clients and has been shown to sell homes more quickly, all for a cost comparable to a typical Agent Open House.
And all of this supports a worthy community initiative that saves lives every day! This is the impact we make together!
Hello, I’m Kenneth Lewis Koon. My grandkids affectionately refer to me as Papa Lou, a name I have embraced for the last decade (without the "Papa"), though most of my Realtor® friends call me Ken. I’ve been a licensed Broker since 1986, and I still remember being the youngest broker with the Fayette County Board of Realtors not so long ago. In the 90s, I also took on the role of a real estate instructor. Back then, I organized educational cruises (CE at SEA) for agents throughout Georgia to help build a robust referral network. One of my proudest achievements was developing the Grade My House course, which offered continuing education credits to Realtors® who toured our properties. They learned valuable insights about houses and spent an hour at the Board exploring architectural design. This initiative not only expedited the sale of our listings but also fostered a lively sense of community, attracting other Realtors eager to participate with their own listings.
However, when the housing market crashed, I made a significant shift in my career. At 47, I reentered the Army as a Chaplain and Subject Matter Expert in suicide intervention. In 2012, I founded Armed Forces Mission, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. From the outset, the Fayette County Board of Realtors became a charter partner and a vital supporter in my mission to eliminate suicide among veterans and the broader community. Your support has provided immense encouragement over the years, and I cherish the friendships we've continued to maintain.
While my primary focus remains on aiding those in crisis, I also enjoy spending time with fellow Realtors. What better way to reconnect than by reviving the Grade My House course? It offers me a chance for self-care as well. Since 2012, I have successfully conducted over 2,000 suicide interventions and trained more than 31,000 individuals in similar efforts. However, this work has taken its toll, both mentally and physically. I’m sure many of you can relate—the demands of being a Realtor are significant. But together, we can find strength.
All proceeds from the Grade My House benefit Armed Forces Mission (now operating as Stop Suicide USA), with the aim of transforming our community into a beacon of hope that guides individuals at risk to safe harbor.
I invite you to join me in this initiative that not only helps you sell homes more efficiently but also allows us to collaborate in our vital mission to save lives. It’s truly a win-win.
Looking forward to connecting with you all soon!
Two weeks after sharing the Grade My House Report Card with my first client, she had completed the recommended changes and within days we were under contract.
Sherry Koon
Course Title: Grade My House: Know Your Product From the Ground Up
Grade My House offers Realtors an in-the-field case study of homes currently on the market to provide agents with hands-on experience through observation of the actual product.
Total Course Duration: 3 Hours of CE Credit (90 minutes in the field and 90 minutes in the classroom)
Course Outline
First Hour: What Home Inspectors Look for During Home Inspections (1 Hour)
Overview:
This session will focus on the key aspects of home inspections, emphasizing the components of a home that inspectors scrutinize for damage and safety.
Topics Covered:
Foundation
Floors, Walls, and Ceilings
Roofs and Roof Types
Attic
Stairs and Railings
Mechanical Systems
Plumbing
Electrical System
HVAC Functionality and Efficiency
Water Heater: Type and Condition
Other Considerations: Exterior, Fire and Safety, Pest Infestation, Water Damage, Insulation, Accessibility
Learning Objectives:
Identify various structural elements and their specifics (e.g., types of water heaters, roofing).
Recognize areas of concern that may pose issues in selling a home.
Offer immediate assessments and suggest remediation through roleplay scenarios to enhance a home's marketability.
Exercises:
Group discussion on common home inspection findings.
Roleplay scenarios simulating home inspection reports and necessary remediation discussions.
Second Hour: Residential Design (1 Hour)
Overview:
This session introduces various architectural styles and focuses on those prevalent in the local market.
Topics Covered:
Overview of Architectural Styles (e.g., Art Deco, Craftsman, Cape Cod)
Prevalent Designs in Local Market
Functional Obsolescence: Analysis and Impact on Marketability
Learning Objectives:
Identify various residential designs and their characteristics.
Discuss the three most common architectural styles in the local market.
Critique designs based on functional obsolescence and its impact on marketability.
Exercises:
Group brainstorming session to categorize homes into their respective architectural styles.
Analysis activity where students evaluate design aspects that could detract from or enhance home appeal.
Third Hour: Structural Elements in Architectural Style (1 Hour)
Overview:
This session will focus on elements of architectural style, emphasizing modifiable components that impact functionality and marketability.
Topics Covered:
Examination of Structural Elements (e.g., Arches, Columns, Dormers, Moldings, Windows)
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Modifications
Return on Investment (ROI) Considerations for Renovations
Learning Objectives:
Identify key structural elements associated with architectural styles.
Assess cost-benefit analyses of modifications to increase marketability.
Distinguish between at least five major architectural styles, highlighting key characteristics and relevance to current real estate practices.
Exercises:
Group exercise analyzing case studies of homes with various architectural styles focusing on modifiable elements.
ROI calculation activity for hypothetical renovation scenarios.
Teaching Methods:
Lectures
Discussion Groups
Questions and Answers
Role Play and Simulations
Case Study Analyses
Resources:
American Society of Home Inspectors
National Association of Realtors: Architectural Styles Resource
This systematic course structure ensures that Students gain practical insights and knowledge to enhance their expertise in assessing and marketing homes effectively, all while adding one more level to the meaning of serving community!
