Aaron Rice, CDPE, CLHMS, CRS, GRI, SHS, ALC
Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE)
Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS)
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI)
Senior Housing Specialist (SHS)
Agent Leadership Council (ALC)
In addition to his role as a CDPE Certified Instructor, Aaron Rice is a sales associate with Keller Williams and owner of the Baltimore Home Team, one of the area’s top luxury and distressed property businesses. Prior to entering real estate, Aaron served in the U.S. Army Reserves before joining Verizon Wireless, providing solutions and product training to small businesses. Today, Aaron is one of the top agents in the country dealing with distressed properties and helping other agents become more successful handling short sales.
What are your greatest life achievements?
My greatest life achievement was serving my country in the U.S. Army Reserves at age 18. My commitment to excellence was honed while I was in the armed services. There I learned that honor, integrity and commitment were essential to effective personal and professional performance. Personally, my commitment extends into my role as a husband for the last 10 years to my loving wife Jamillah, father to my 9 year-old handsome son Joaquin, my beautiful daughter Valissa 22, and my very cute grandson Zion 3. I’ve learned what it means to lead by example, and I've taught my children to take pride in all they do and commit themselves to excellence. Professionally, my commitment extends in to my role as a REALTOR® and CDPE Certified Instructor. I am regularly called upon to serve as consultant, master marketer, skillful negotiator and expert facilitator to guide my clients and students down the road of solid decision-making.
What is your favorite part about teaching the CDPE?
Teaching the CDPE Live course provides me the platform to deliver outstanding, cutting-edge training material that teaches fellow agents how to give exceptional service to distressed homeowners. In turn, this produces long-term, mutually rewarding relationships with each of my students. Thanks Alex & Cadey for the opportunity!
Tell us your most moving CDPE moment.
My most moving CDPE moments are all on my Fan Page at www.MyForeclosureAlternative.com The positive feedback from my clients and students is why I do what I do.
What does helping people mean to you?
Helping people is my “client first” philosophy. This has always been my approach and it requires me to continually improve my skills and ways of doing business by learning from the success of others. In addition, I’ve found that the latest technologies are enabling me to do everything I’ve always done, only much more quickly and efficiently. They’ve also helped me to extend the range of services I provide to my students and clients.
What can I, a CDPEAdvanced member, offer to homeowners in distress?
“I am a member of the CDPEAdvanced program. You may have heard of CDPEs or Certified Distressed Property Experts before. We are agents who have committed to understanding and providing foreclosure avoidance solutions to homeowners facing financial hardship.
Being a real estate agent today means something different than perhaps a few years ago. Today, around 15 percent of mortgages are delinquent, or not being paid. That means one in six homeowners you meet may be experiencing the same challenges you are. So the first thing you
should know is that you’re not alone, and that there are millions of others across the country in your situation.
As a CDPEAdvanced member, I’m part of the charge to turn this crisis around by immersing myself in the solutions available to distressed homeowners. And my goal is to bring the best option to each individual homeowner.
CDPEAdvanced gives me access to regular industry updates from the Distressed Property Institute, a company created by real estate leaders with the specific purpose of pulling as many homeowners out of distress as possible.
I also have access to a network of top agents nationwide who are also dealing with distressed properties. This is a powerful tool. It lets me find out what is happening on the front lines, what banks and buyers are looking for, which foreclosure avoidance tactics are working and which
ones aren’t.
Between the market analysis and the network of agent communication, I can offer you the most current, relevant solutions.
This housing market has become such a moving target that anyone who isn’t taking extra steps to keep up will simply get left behind. My clients need to know all the options available to them, and that is what I can deliver. This is why I am a CDPEAdvanced member.”
Seller Pitfalls
Common Mistakes Sellers Make
1. Overpricing your home.
It is a mistake to believe that you will get more for a property by asking more. Overpricing your home helps your competition sell their homes, reduces advertising response, sends interested buyers to other properties, can cause appraisal problems and extends time on the market. In the end, initially overpriced homes take more time to sell and usually sell below market value. We are experts on the current market conditions and will be able to determine the best selling price
for your home. Ask your agent to go over information on recent sales in your area. The right agent will have up-to-date information on the market in your community as well as a proven strategy in pricing properties.
2. Not looking into the agent’s background.
It is imperative that you look into an agents qualifications and background. As in many professions there those who excel and those who do not. You should ask your prospective agent about their successes, experiences and qualifications. Ask them to describe their marketing plan and how they get homes sold.
3. Failure to make needed home repairs.
Be sure to listen to your agent’s suggestions to make your home sell faster and at a higher price. Buyers often deduct more than the actual cost of perceived repairs in their offer. You are required by law to disclose any defects you are aware of in your home. Failure to do so can be very costly. We will be able to help you comply with the law and prevent you from costly legal consequences. Using a professional real estate agent is imperative.
4. Not using a professional REALTOR®.
Buyers who look at homes that are not listed by agents are usually bargain hunters. If you are not careful and equipped to back your price with the analysis a professional agent can provide, you could end up losing a lot of money in this important financial transaction.
5. Failure to keep home in a good condition.
Ensure that your home looks as inviting and attractive as possible. More than anything you could add to enhance the presentation of your home, the property should be clean. It is important to have the property clean inside and out and that you maintain a good ‘curb appeal.’ The front of your home, your yard, driveway and mailbox are all part of the first impression a potential buyer will have – make it a good one!
6. Breach of Contract
The contract that you sign with buyers is a binding agreement and not cooperating with these terms will delay the transaction. Not fulfilling agreed-upon repairs or denying property inspectors access to the home only leads to problems. The buyer expects you to abide by the terms of the agreement just as you expect them to uphold their end. If you have any questions regarding these contracts, please bring them up with your agent.
Mission Statement
- We assist our clients in navigating a home sale.
- We simplify the process of selling a home.
- We provide a quality of service that when coupled with honesty, loyalty and understanding is second to none.
- We will actively negotiate the best deal for each of our clients, and never forget that serving them is our top priority.
- Our team treats every transaction with the highest priority and integrity, and a focus on results.
- Through education, our team keeps up to date with current market trends, solutions and opportunities that benefit our clients.
- Through our strategies, tactics and tools, we assist our clients in getting a measurable advantage in a competitive marketplace.
- Through focus and attention to detail, we ensure our clients an efficient and hassle-free transaction.
- We believe that in assisting our clients and providing value, we fulfill our mission.
- Through clear and consistent communications, we allow our clients to be actively involved in their transactions.
- We treat our clients with honesty, even if the honest truth may not be what they want to hear.
- We will always act with utmost integrity, no matter the circumstances.
- Good isn’t good enough. By providing our clients with the highest level of service, we receive the privilege of getting referrals from our clients’ friends and family.